King of the hill~concerns of bloat and aggression?

[Kristy]

Max is 7 months old, weighs in at 125 and we have two other dogs-a Chocolate lab and a Golden Retriever. After considering the stomach stapling, I spoke with our breeder to see if bloat runs in the bloodline and she assured me that it does not. The breeder said that is part of the reason why she "free feeds". We measure Max's food and put it out for him twice a day BUT he eats as fast as he can so that the other dogs cannot get any food. We tried free feeding so that he wasnt eating so fast but would try to eat twice as much so they again could not get any. Max is also the hoarder of all toys, they are his an nobody can play with them. If one of the other dogs has a toy, he barks his head off! He is also king of the couch and king of the bed. The other dogs are not allowed any "one on one" time with any family member, myself, my fiancee, my son and even my mother when she comes to visit. Max uses his weight to scare off the other dogs. Im wondering if they are just trying to get the pack in order or should I have other concerns. If anyone else has had this happen, could you please weigh in?

 

[Geisthexe]

7 months old they really don't know pack order the way you are speaking
I am assuming your other 2 are older so in reality they are being kind to allow him to run a muck.

Are you planning on obedience training?
If so please don't go to a pet store for training, these are not trainers. Find a trainer that can help with the "behavioral problems" you are seeing that will get worse. If you need help finding please ask.
If not Hun these problems will escalate.

Feeding
Please do not free feed with having other dogs you can have issues
Over eating bc of other dogs wanting to eat
Fights over food

Ok on feeding
You can put big rocks in the food bowl which will teach the dog to have to eat around them. This slows down eating

Bloat, just bc your breeder says its not in the lineage a dog can still get it.

Hope this has helped, please ask any questions

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I have danes which is the number one breed for bloat. Earlier this year I lost my dear friend of 7 years to bloat unexpectedly. Whether its common in the lines or not prepare for it and know what to do. Know the signs. A breeder that tells you bloat doesn't run in the bloodline IMO is dishonest. Anything can happen, bloat can happen even in the "best" lines. Its like breeders who guarantee that your don't won't get HD, its not true, breeding has its risks, large or small. I've heard mix reviews in the dane wolrd albout tacking the stomach some people swear by others don't. Its a personal preference.

Also unless I knew my dog I would not free feed, my dane before he past I would "free feed" sometimes because he picky about the times that he ate. Some days he didn't eat at all ( his choice not mine) Otherwise he was on a schedule, like my current dane. Who like your boy I would not free feed as he would gorge himself.

As for the behavior issue your pup is becoming an adoslescent and testing his boundaries you need to put him in his place ASAP before it escalates. Just like you would not let your children disrespect so to is it with a dog. You need to instill it while he's young and "manageable."

 

[mx5055]

Agree with all above

 

[ruthcatrin]

Some dogs handle free feeding fine, but some don't (like your boy) and I personally think that free feeding makes bloat MORE likely since you have less control over when he's eating vs when he's exercising. Ditto the idea of putting LARGE (big enough he's not likely to try to eat them too) items in the bowl to slow him down (or consider buying a bowl made that way).

at 7 months he's hitting that adolescent "teen years" stage. He's normal (I know, not what you wanted to hear lol). He's testing his boundaries again, and trying to see what he can and can't do. Don't let him get away with something you don't want him to do. You may want to put a leash on him all the time and keep him attached to you by the leash, that way he's right where you can always correct him quickly (and you have a convient handle to grab for when need be).

 

[DennasMom]

Ditto all the above.

We did a 'free feeding' concept when we had a single dog (measured amounts, but no timeline for finishing a meal) - he'd graze at leisure and only eat when hungry. As soon as we added a second dog to the house - no more left-overs!
With multiple dogs I would not leave food out - you can't tell who's eating and who's not... which is often the first clue to an illness.

As for the rambunctious horder attitude... I'd put a stop to that. Your other dogs are apparently gentle souls who are avoiding conflicts, but even sweet submissive dogs have limits. Sooner or later the unruly puppy will push the other dogs past those limits and that could get ugly. That he's already over-possessive of all the family members is not a good thing. He's trying to see if he can take over leadership in the house - and no one's stopping him. In my experience, dogs are much more comfortable, calm, relaxed and happy, when they are NOT responsible for 'owning' everything in the house. Being in charge is stressful!

I would be taking puppy to obedience classes, and maybe also find a trainer that can work wit you at home. Someone who can help you get your pack balanced and teach the younger puppy to respect the others, including learning how to share. There are good ways and bad ways to do that... and I'm not an expert... thus the recommendation for a real trainer with multi-dog experience. Good luck!

 

[Robtouw]

I've had 6 giant breeds over 20 years and not one case of bloat or gastric tortion. With proper care and good feeding habits there isn't a need to worry. I put Cruisers breakfast, lunch and dinner in his bowl and usually he eats right away. With it being a bit warmer, he picks at it but I don't pick up what he hasn't finished. He gets 2 cups each feeding, normally he eats all at once so I don't consider it free feeding. I would pick it up if there were another dog in the house to avoid fighting and becoming over protective of food. I wouldn't myself consider stapleing unless I had several bloat events and found a desperate need.