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I have an 8 year old mini dach. who is the most docile creature to ever walk the earth. We recently added an English Mastiff pup to the family (july 4th to be exact). Our pup is just 4 months old last week and from the moment we got her very aggressive with the mini over food/treats/water. On the otherhand I can put my hand in her dish while she is eating and get no responce.... my 4 children are able to do the same. I have even tried taken a biscuit from her mouth, every time she submissivly drops the food and waits for the go ahead, but if I give her and the mini their bed time treats within eyeshot of one another she will charge the mini and do whatever she can to get that treat. Feeding time is the same, she will charge for the minis dish then surrender to hers when the mini's is all gone. I know she is not small, she eats 3 meals a day plus her training treats and kennel biscuits (bribe to happily get into the kennel) How can I get her to relax with the food?? I fear that when she hits full size she will gobble up my mini baby in one bite over a milk bone.

Hi,

It sounds like she clearly understands that you are the leader, so maybe if you try standing between the two dogs and put her in a sit-stay or down-stay while the mini eats her treat first, it might help. Same goes for meal time. Stand right there while they eat and patrol to make sure she knows she is only allowed to eat out of her own dish and vice-versa. Tell her "no" if she goes toward the other bowl, step in front of her to block her, and then bring her back over to her own.

I've had good success with these methods. Even if one of my dogs leaves food in their bowl, the other will not eat it as they know they are only allowed to eat out of their own dish. It's just a matter or practicing - she's young so it might take a few weeks for her to catch on.