I have 2 dogs one nearly 3 and the other 8 months.They are both foodies. I feed them together but I stay with them as if iam not there the older one will pinch the puppys dinner.Today though when my older one tried to have a sniff of his dinner he was really growling at him.I didnt know if I should tell him off or just to leave it to sort it out between themselves.My older dog is very submissive until it comes to food but I do think the puppy has a stronger personality.What do other people do?.Leave them to it or intervene?

there are 11 months between my two and we let them sort it out.  In the end pup won and is now top dog but they do now have mutual respect for each other's dinner although as soon as they have both finished they swop bowls I suppose to check that neither has left any.

Hi wendles,
We have always had more than 1 dog ,We have three at the moment 2 adult 1 puppy have always fed seperately as food can be the cause of bad behaviour and I personally found it easier for to each have thier own area to feed.

regards
Roni

I would normally allow the dogs to sort it out - but you must bare in mind the temperaments of the two, their relative sizes/strengths and abilities to 'bounce back' and take the hint......

If the older one has been pinching the other's dinner,the younger one has every right to tell him off and defend his food...if the older one accepts this and they sort it out, fine, but if not, separate them whilst feeding.

I had the same problem with 2 Belgian shepherds, and ultimately they could eat together after training to a set routine (ie both dogs sit, bowls down, wait, OK youcan eat). I did this in the same room, but kept dogs and dishes apart for ages before i gradually relaxed (same routine, but I felt I could stop being so vigilant as they had worked out what was what by then).

Lindsay
X

I would never feed any of my dogs together as I think it would be asking for trouble.  Thomas allows the girls to eat all his food and the girls would just end up in a major bundle.  To be honest I can see their point how would you like someone coming and pinching your dinner :)

Mine all eat together in the kitchen.They all have their own special place in the kitchen and they all sit and wait unitil I've arrived to give them their food. Carina is very greedy and does sometimes try to push her look with her mum who gives her the growl, but I am there at all times when there's food around. 

My breed is a guarding breed but I must say they are great with food generally.