Hi I wonder if anyone can help us?

We have two labrador pups, both come from same father, different mum though, but were reared and raised semi-together by the breeder.
The girl is now 6 months and her brother is 5 1/2 months old. We took the two on board because we thought they would make good company for each other and grow up nicely together and mostly they do!

However, they have always fought over food so we feed them seperately. However, when trying to get them to eat together, they have started fighting viciously over food and now some treats too. Since day one, we have had to feed them seperately, because the boy is very greedy, stronger and much stockier (we should have called him Dyson). Whereas, our girl is more timid and eats much slower. They have always play fought and rough and tumbled, as puppies do. But, they have now started to really fight over scraps of food, treats etc. The fighting is really loud, nasty and vicious. Although we always go to the rescue and have to literally rip them apart, our girl always ends up hurt and bleeding. Both times around the ears and face. We then always seperate them and punish them both, because it is hard to determine who is the instigator.

Any suggestions on whether this is normal/expected behaviour or any suggestions on how to curb it now, before it gets anymore out of hand?

Thanks

Mike & Amanda

Hi,
What a horrible problem. First, no it isn't normal. I have 4 dogs and have nothing like this.

When you say you feed them separately, how exactly do you mean? Are they in the same room? I would have a closed door between them at mealtimes so there is absolutely no competition for food. When they can't see each other eating they will relax more. Don't let them see each other until both have finished their meals. Then remove both bowls and let the dogs back together.

When you give them treats, make sure the dominant pup gets a treat first - say the name, then treat. Say the other's name, then treat. Do it in the same order, every single time. That will also lessen the competition. Put their foodbowls down in the same order, too.

Good luck with this. Let us know how you get on. :)

Make them sit for the treats, that will make them earn it, and keep them from fighting too. I agree, feed in separate rooms.

I agree with much of the above, i'll just add my own suggested version :)

Aim to get control by general obedience training both in the house and out and about. Use food treats and toys as lures and/or later, rewards. OPlenty of praise when they get it right.If you don't attend a training class, consider one ;)

Feed separately - a lot of this sort of thing can become an ingrained habit and get worse.

Insist on a sit before feeding - it may be possible to eventually get them together more if they understand you are in control of them. If necessary put them on leads to ensure they get the food when you say so, use a release word such as "OK" then they can have the foood :)

I always fed my first 2 BSDs in order as has been suggested, it was also used for getting in and out of the car, leads on and off, etc. Makes it all so much easier.

Probably best in some ways to train obedience and aim for control, rather than punish, as you don't want even more tension or conflict around the food bowl.

Hi!
As an owner of 2 male labradors less than one year apart I can sympathize with your concern. When we first brought the younger dog home(Darby) we tried feeding them together, the older one(Bailey) would simply inhale his meal then push Darby out of the way to steal what was left. This lasted for two days when Darby started fighting back. Blame him? If dogs feel that their resources are being threatened they'll defend it. My dogs have since always been fed seperate this way I know they are each getting the right amount of food and I noticed they eat much slower when locked in their crates (must feel safer). I would suggest feeding them seperately, it may be a little more inconvinient but if it saves your little female some scraps and you some stress, why not?