How to manage free feeding with resource guarding... any tips?

Seeking help
1

I have two dogs and live in a loft with no doors, which makes things tricky. One of my dogs, a puppy, needs to free feed, but my older dog has some resource guarding issues. We’ve got a see-through puppy gate, but I’m worried it’s not enough. Does anyone have tips on how to handle this setup while keeping both dogs happy and safe?

2

Have you thought about covering the gate with something like a blanket? That might stop the older dog from watching while the puppy eats.

3

Luka said:
Have you thought about covering the gate with something like a blanket? That might stop the older dog from watching while the puppy eats.

That’s a great idea! I hadn’t considered covering the gate. I’ll give it a try and see how it works.

4

@Barbara
Let me know if it helps! Sometimes just blocking the view can make a big difference.

5

What about feeding them in totally separate areas? Like maybe one in a corner and the other on the opposite side of the room?

6

Everly said:
What about feeding them in totally separate areas? Like maybe one in a corner and the other on the opposite side of the room?

That’s kind of the plan, but the space is limited since it’s a loft. Still, I’ll try creating more distance between them.

7

@Barbara
Makes sense. Even a little extra space might help them feel less tense around each other.

8

Have you tried training a ‘leave it’ command? It can really help with resource guarding behavior.

9

EdwardGenesis said:
Have you tried training a ‘leave it’ command? It can really help with resource guarding behavior.

I haven’t yet, but I think it could help. How do you usually start teaching that command?

10

@Barbara
Start small! Use a low-value item first and reward them for ignoring it. Work up to food once they get the hang of it.

11

EdwardGenesis said:
@Barbara
Start small! Use a low-value item first and reward them for ignoring it. Work up to food once they get the hang of it.

Got it, starting simple makes sense. I’ll work on this with my boyfriend. Thanks for the tip!

12

You might need to supervise free feeding for a while. It’s extra work, but it could prevent issues as they adjust.

13

nellysmith said:
You might need to supervise free feeding for a while. It’s extra work, but it could prevent issues as they adjust.

Yeah, I think that’s the route we’ll have to take for now. Hopefully, training will make it easier over time.

14

@Barbara
For sure. With patience, they’ll learn to coexist better during meal times. Good luck!

15

If it’s really tough, working with a trainer could be a good idea. They might have tips specific to your setup.

16

CelestialRogue said:
If it’s really tough, working with a trainer could be a good idea. They might have tips specific to your setup.

I’ll keep that in mind. Hopefully, we can make progress ourselves, but a trainer could definitely help if needed.

17

@Barbara
Yeah, sometimes just one session with a good trainer can make a big difference. You’ve got this!