my bitch is due to whelp in two weeks, however she can be aggressive when it comes to feeding,  has anyone ever had a problem with this and how did they work around it?
im worried that she might attack one of the puppies or will maternal instincts kick in?
i think i will just have to feed her and the puppies apart.

Well and truly feed them apart and never ever give her a chance if she's like that with food, I hope she's OK with the pups.

Good luck with the litter.

Yes, do feed them apart if only to try to avoid passing the bad behaviour on the the pups, food aggression can be a real pain and lead to people being bitten.

>im worried that she might attack one of the puppies

Personally I wouldn't have bred from her if she has aggression issues, but as you have, then definitely keep her well away from the pups when they are being weaned.

the puppies are race dogs, we will be keeping them all,  she is fine if people try taking the bowl off her, but if other dogs walk past her kennel she gets growly.

she is a little skittery around cats but over the last week she has started settling down and relaxing around them. so hopefully maternal instincts are kicking in.

> Personally I wouldn't have bred from her if she has aggression issues,

Me too.

Me three!

But maybe this will help the pups.

When you are weaning the pups, in addition to keeping her away from them, make sure that there is at least one bowl for each pup (add a few extra) and space them well apart, this way the pups won't learn to compete for food or guard it.  Also make sure that each pup gets enough by supervising while they eat so that no pup gets pushed off his food with no other food available.

I think there is a chance the dam may pass this to the pups and it will defiantly be likely that some of the litter will learn by example if they see the dam being food aggressive. She may be OK with humans but there is no saying if the pups will grow up to be, they may be a danger to people particularly children so it is best to do everything to avoid this being passed to the pups.

thanks for the help guys i will keep her seperated for feeding so hopefully she wont pass anyway it down to her puppies

thanks

update on the bitch-   her pups have just started eating some solids,  she can be fed in with the puppies and when i give the puppies food she lets them finish and then she cleans up after they are done.  funny how maternal instincts kick in!

Hi,

My bitch is due in two weeks time as well, she has become more possessive when she is eating her food, but it has only happened while she has been pregnant.  I'm hoping she will be fine when the pups arrive, but I'll keep an eye one her.