3 year old corso snapping and biting over food

[tisa.dilla]

I need help with my corso...he had 3 incidences where he snapped and reflexively bit while he is feeding. He seem to be so sorry afterwards and shiws no sign of aggression. He is blind on right eye. What can i do about this?i have 4 little kids at home too. please help and thanks in advance.

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[Bailey's Mom]

What I meant to say on this issue was that I remember Music Deb saying that if a dog was snapping around food, take over the feeding and do it by hand. Let the dog know that every hand ful comes from you and only by your good graces. I believe, eventually, you are supposed to sit there and put a little in the bowl while holding it on the edge. And repeat until the meal is done. The dog must become comfortable with you handling his food and taking his dish away. I also remember there was a bit about getting the kids involved and letting them hand feed the pet, but I'd be very careful about that.

Obviously his lack of eye sight on the one side with increase his anxiety as he cannot see someone approaching him on that side. I suggest that you put his bowl into a corner so that his bad side is into the corner and no one can come up on him on that side.

I hope this helps.

Oh, and again, I'm sorry about that post winding up in the wrong spot.

 

[tisa.dilla]

What I meant to say on this issue was that I remember Music Deb saying that if a dog was snapping around food, take over the feeding and do it by hand. Let the dog know that every hand ful comes from you and only by your good graces. I believe, eventually, you are supposed to sit there and put a little in the bowl while holding it on the edge. And repeat until the meal is done. The dog must become comfortable with you handling his food and taking his dish away. I also remember there was a bit about getting the kids involved and letting them hand feed the pet, but I'd be very careful about that.

Obviously his lack of eye sight on the one side with increase his anxiety as he cannot see someone approaching him on that side. I suggest that you put his bowl into a corner so that his bad side is into the corner and no one can come up on him on that side.

I hope this helps.

Oh, and again, I'm sorry about that post winding up in the wrong spot.

Thank you so much...i will try this strategy myself first before i haventhe kids do it. [emoji4]

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[Bailey's Mom]

My grand-puppy lost one of his eyes last year to cancer. I know it can make him reactive if you come up on his bad side. Luckily, he's generally a happy-go-lucky fellow and if he grabs, he releases very fast without doing any harm.

 

[scorning]

Could you provide some more details on what happened? Is he fed in a busy area? How close do you have to be to his food bowl before he reacts? Is he free fed or does he have set meal times? Some issues are more easily managed than trained. Depending on the circumstances, I might just feed the dog in a crate or a secure area.

 

[marti1357]

I need help with my corso...he had 3 incidences where he snapped and reflexively bit while he is feeding. He seem to be so sorry afterwards and shiws no sign of aggression. He is blind on right eye. What can i do about this?i have 4 little kids at home too. please help and thanks in advance.

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[marti1357]

How did he snap over food? Was he grabbing scraps from your dinner table?
Anyway, he should eat from his dish at a certain time every day.
While you are holding the dish, put him in a sit position. Down. Wait a minute for him to calm down and lose the excitement.
Only when he calm serve him the dish. If he eats undisturbed in his corner he can't snap at anyone.



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[tisa.dilla]

Could you provide some more details on what happened? Is he fed in a busy area? How close do you have to be to his food bowl before he reacts? Is he free fed or does he have set meal times? Some issues are more easily managed than trained. Depending on the circumstances, I might just feed the dog in a crate or a secure area.

The most recent is when he is feeding in his dogbowl, which is by the sink where my husband was doing dishes. My husband reached over to his waterbowl while was eating. He did not really leave a mark in his hand. 6 months ago, we gave him a treat of peanut butter in his kong which is very special for him when my one year old came close to him. he didnt bite but used his paws the scratch but considering how big he is that did good damage. Since then we put up fences and secure him a good deal whenever he is eating, which is by the kitchen sink in a corner. He stayed in a fenced area in my house. That uncident with my one year old is our mistake but i really didnt know that he can react like this because since 4 months he is very very timid ang calm. I rescued him from a breeder because they cannot sell him due to right eye blindess. I fell in love with him he is so beautiful but it is my mistake i didnt really research about him i am really, really determined to learn about him and make this whole situation better. So the very first time this happened about 2 years ago, is when he is sleeping beside me in the room ang my 4 year old sneeked/crawled in the room to scare me. Bootsie instictively bit her in the forehead. He is surprised i know becuase he was sleeping too. That one needed to be stitched. This is the time when he is roaming freely in the house. We segregated him from the kids since the incident with my one year old six months ago. In all these incidents, he scorned so fast so instinctively and that afterwards he is ao giulty and so scared that he is shaking. I had to tend over to my kid cause they where bleeding but he too is soooo scared i felt soooo bad and responsible

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[tisa.dilla]

Could you provide some more details on what happened? Is he fed in a busy area? How close do you have to be to his food bowl before he reacts? Is he free fed or does he have set meal times? Some issues are more easily managed than trained. Depending on the circumstances, I might just feed the dog in a crate or a secure area.

Does this mean that he cant be close to my kids? He can't be pet by other people when we walk him because of the scorning incident? People always stop by and want to pet him especually kids. He is a blue cane corso, 140 lbs, blind on the right eye, so beautiful and so special to me.

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[tisa.dilla]

How did he snap over food? Was he grabbing scraps from your dinner table?
Anyway, he should eat from his dish at a certain time every day.
While you are holding the dish, put him in a sit position. Down. Wait a minute for him to calm down and lose the excitement.
Only when he calm serve him the dish. If he eats undisturbed in his corner he can't snap at anyone.



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The most recent is when he is feeding in his dogbowl, which is by the sink where my husband was doing dishes. My husband reached over to his waterbowl while was eating. He did not really leave a mark in his hand. 6 months ago, we gave him a treat of peanut butter in his kong which is very special for him when my one year old came close to him.[emoji20]he didnt bite but used his paws the scratch but considering how big he is that did good damage. Since then we put up fences and secure him a good deal whenever he is eating, which is by the kitchen sink in a corner. He stayed in a fenced area in my house. That uncident with my one year old is our mistake but i really didnt know that he can react like this because since 4 months he is very very timid ang calm. I rescued him from a breeder because they cannot sell him due to right eye blindess. I fell in love with him he is so beautiful but it is my mistake i didnt really research about him i am really, really determined to learn about him and make this whole situation better. So the very first time this happened about 2 years ago, is when he is sleeping beside me in the room ang my 4 year old sneeked/crawled in the room to scare me. Bootsie instictively bit her in the forehead. He is surprised i know becuase he was sleeping too. That one needed to be stitched. This is the time when he is roaming freely in the house. We segregated him from the kids since the incident with my one year old six months ago. In all these incidents, he scorned so fast so instinctively and that afterwards he is ao giulty and so scared that he is shaking. I had to tend over to my kid cause they where bleeding but he too is soooo scared i felt soooo bad and responsible


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[tisa.dilla]

My grand-puppy lost one of his eyes last year to cancer. I know it can make him reactive if you come up on his bad side. Luckily, he's generally a happy-go-lucky fellow and if he grabs, he releases very fast without doing any harm.

Bootsie is so big that he can do so much damage. i love him very much and determined to keep him despite the incidences...

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[scorning]

By management, I just meant for feeding or with other high value items. For instance, I usually only give raw bones or peanut butter kongs to my dogs in their crate. I also feed my dogs in a low traffic area behind a baby gate. I think its totally fine for your dog to interact with your kids and other people if they enjoy it. I would recommend reading a book on dog body language so you can tell if your dog is enjoying these interactions or is stressed.

I also don't allow people to interact with my dogs when they are sleeping or eating. My fiancee has 3 kids and they know the rules about leaving dogs alone when they are sleeping, eating, or in their crates. Other times, they can ask the dogs to interact with them, but they can't force it. My Doberman loves everyone and they have to tell her to leave them alone, but my Great Dane is very anxious and generally will prefer to leave the room if the kids are there and I let him.

 

[Hector]

Generally a dog that is timid and nervous will have these issues and on top of it he is blind in one eye. It is best to leave him in a secure area to eat on his own and this means his food, treats, toys so there is no opportunity for surprises from humans and defensive/scared reactions from the dog. Also, the kids cannot play games like try to scare you because of past incidences. At night, he needs to be crated because someone will get hurt if he gets startled.

In addition, you need to work with the dog on food impulse control. Look up leave it, food impulse games, hand feeding, etc.

You should not allow people to pet your dog especially if your dog cannot handle the stress of being startled. It is important to make and show these dogs that you can keep them safe so they don't have to one day react with stronger signals such as lunging, snapping, biting at people.

 

[tisa.dilla]

Thank you all for your replies. Does this startle behavior ever improves with training and socialization or once a dog has this he will always have it and i will have to compensate instead of remediate?

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[tisa.dilla]

Thanks again you are all a great help. [emoji5]

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[marti1357]

The most recent is when he is feeding in his dogbowl, which is by the sink where my husband was doing dishes. My husband reached over to his waterbowl while was eating. He did not really leave a mark in his hand. 6 months ago, we gave him a treat of peanut butter in his kong which is very special for him when my one year old came close to him.[emoji20]he didnt bite but used his paws the scratch but considering how big he is that did good damage. Since then we put up fences and secure him a good deal whenever he is eating, which is by the kitchen sink in a corner. He stayed in a fenced area in my house. That uncident with my one year old is our mistake but i really didnt know that he can react like this because since 4 months he is very very timid ang calm. I rescued him from a breeder because they cannot sell him due to right eye blindess. I fell in love with him he is so beautiful but it is my mistake i didnt really research about him i am really, really determined to learn about him and make this whole situation better. So the very first time this happened about 2 years ago, is when he is sleeping beside me in the room ang my 4 year old sneeked/crawled in the room to scare me. Bootsie instictively bit her in the forehead. He is surprised i know becuase he was sleeping too. That one needed to be stitched. This is the time when he is roaming freely in the house. We segregated him from the kids since the incident with my one year old six months ago. In all these incidents, he scorned so fast so instinctively and that afterwards he is ao giulty and so scared that he is shaking. I had to tend over to my kid cause they where bleeding but he too is soooo scared i felt soooo bad and responsible


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It seems the dog has an uncontrolled impulse in some instances. Apparently related to what it considers "his territory" and possessions. Resource guarding.
As you correctly mention, the problem is enhanced by his size and power. These things are bred deep in his DNA. Corsi were bred as watch dogs, hunting and livestock protectors. The same things would go unnoticed with a Pomeranian.
The key is identifying exactly his problematic reactions and being vigilant at those times. Avoid getting him into the red zone. Don't mess with his dish while he is feeding. Don't grab his toy suddenly when he is playing. Teach the children not to jump on him when he sleeps. These things may trigger reactions that are unusual for the him when he is in a calm state.
Not much will be gained by restricting him to a small room or keeping him inside a small kennel.
I'm not an expert, but some people exercise the NILF approach. Basically, a form of discipline. Maybe your dog can benefit from that as well.

 

[Hector]

Thank you all for your replies. Does this startle behavior ever improves with training and socialization or once a dog has this he will always have it and i will have to compensate instead of remediate?

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It might improve with lots of training and socialization AND advocating on your part, but once he is in the right situation and state of mind, the defense aggressive reaction will come out. They get so scared, their first reaction is an explosive one to scare away things and to protect themselves. A nervous dog will always be a nervous dog.

 

[Hector]

Use as much management as you can to protect him and your kids such as crating and gating and heavy supervision. A dog that has a history of being so scared that it attempts to bite and has caused skin breakage will and can do more. He's learned that doing that stops whatever bothers him so don't let it happen and that is why training and advocating is very important. Correct and shut down unnecessary reactions immediately.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Bootsie is so big that he can do so much damage. i love him very much and determined to keep him despite the incidences...

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Good for you. Almost every problem can be overcome and you've been given some great ideas that will help. Err on the side of safety especially where children are concerned. I'm sure Bootsie will feel safer too when possible distractions around food are removed.

LOVE the name "Bootsie" it was the name of an imaginary dog my brother and I named as little kids. I like it a lot.

 

[tisa.dilla]

Lol. Someone told me.he does not look like a "Bootsie" because he is so big. Thanks.[emoji5]

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