QuestionQUESTION: I'm a first time dog owner and have a 4 month old basset. My roommate also has a 7 year old pit. I just noticed with in the last week, my basset growling, barking and attempting to bite our cat when eating from the same bowl as the cat (the cat is old and doesnt eat much anymore so i dont correct the cat). He has never done this. My roommates pit does get aggressive towards other animals when eating and believe my basset has picked this up. How do i break him of this habit? Due to having a child, I dont want the behavior to progress to being aggressive towards my 3 yr old.
ANSWER: Hello Kristen,
Your cat shouldn't be eating dog food and your dog shouldn't be eating cat food...you don't specify which they are fighting over. Your dog also shouldn't be expected to tolerate another animal eating its food because the other animal is 'old'.
Animals, especially dogs, are protective over certain items...food being a major one of those things. It's a natural instinct which you are exacerbating by allowing the cat to eat from the dog's bowl (or vice versa). Each animal in the house should have it's own bowl and feeding area.
To break him of the habit, stop forcing him to share a bowl with another pet. Very simple.
To cure him of the habit, and to protect your child, you will need to test him to see how aggressive he has actually become. When you feed him, approach him and place a stick or wooden spoon in his bowl...making sure he sees you. Don't use your hand. If he ignores the spoon, you should be able to pick his bowl up without a problem. If he attacks the spoon let me know and I'll explain some things you can do.
Assuming you are able to take the bowl away from him without a problem, continue to do so at each meal, being sure to praise him when he doesn't react. Attacking you or your child would not be normal as you are the source of the food (the cat is not...it is only competition).
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QUESTION: each animal has their own food bowl, but what you say makes perfect sense. he eats out of each animals bowl, and i correct it as much as possible and take him to his bowl and we go from there...i come with another question. my dog as discovered he can jump onto the bed. normally this isnt a problem because i dont mind him laying there and playing with his toys. when he was beginning to potty train he urinated on my bed frequently and i would rub his nose in it and say no (thats what i was told to do) and after a few times, he urinated on my bed very rarely. well, he just started doing it again. i washed my bedding and immediately he jumped on the bed and urinated on my pillow, he used to use my comforter. he potty trains well, and has very few accidents in the house and gets constant "potty parties" when he goes outside, but the bed is still an issue...any ideas on fixing this problem?
AnswerHi again,
I don't know who told you to rub his nose in urine, it's antiquated and it's abuse. It does absolutely nothing to train a dog to use the bathroom outside. Please, if you are still doing this, stop. The only thing you will accomplish is a dog that runs and hides to urinate/defecate in the house.
Your puppy shouldn't be permitted on the bed for 2 reasons...
1. He's still growing. Basset Hounds, because of their elongated spines (or shortened legs, depending on whom you speak to) shouldn't be permitted to jump down from furniture or higher places (even as adults). This can cause damage to the joints and spine.
2. He's urinating on your bed.
If he is urinating on your bed, on the floor, anywhere in the house, he isn't potty trained and should be put on a strict schedule. He is too young to be doing this out of any type of dominance issue.
Your puppy should have to go outside w/in 10 minutes of eating, drinking or exercising/playing and immediately upon waking or being greeted. Beyond that, he should be taken out once an hour.
Clip on his leash, take him to one spot in the yard and stand telling him to 'go potty'. When he goes, praise/treat and walk him back into the house.
If you need more help with potty training, please let me know.
