AboutNicole Expertise I will offer assistance to anyone needing help with general Basset Hound care, health and behavior/training.
I do not, however, assist those who have bred their pet. If you are responsibly breeding, you shouldn't have simple questions as your mentor should be providing you all the instruction you need.
Experience I currently own a 5 year old Basset Hound and his 6 non-basset siblings...(a mutt and 5 Boxers). I have studied dog behavior and training extensively and train my own dogs.
Organizations Buckeye Boxer Rescue
Education/Credentials I was a certified obedience instructor and a certified potty-training instructor with Petsmart and studied under a canine behaviorist.
Question I'm a first time dog owner and have a 4 month old basset. My roommate also has a 7 year old pit. I just noticed with in the last week, my basset growling, barking and attempting to bite our cat when eating from the same bowl as the cat (the cat is old and doesnt eat much anymore so i dont correct the cat). He has never done this. My roommates pit does get aggressive towards other animals when eating and believe my basset has picked this up. How do i break him of this habit? Due to having a child, I dont want the behavior to progress to being aggressive towards my 3 yr old.
Answer Hello Kristen,
Your cat shouldn't be eating dog food and your dog shouldn't be eating cat food...you don't specify which they are fighting over. Your dog also shouldn't be expected to tolerate another animal eating its food because the other animal is 'old'.
Animals, especially dogs, are protective over certain items...food being a major one of those things. It's a natural instinct which you are exacerbating by allowing the cat to eat from the dog's bowl (or vice versa). Each animal in the house should have it's own bowl and feeding area.
To break him of the habit, stop forcing him to share a bowl with another pet. Very simple.
To cure him of the habit, and to protect your child, you will need to test him to see how aggressive he has actually become. When you feed him, approach him and place a stick or wooden spoon in his bowl...making sure he sees you. Don't use your hand. If he ignores the spoon, you should be able to pick his bowl up without a problem. If he attacks the spoon let me know and I'll explain some things you can do.
Assuming you are able to take the bowl away from him without a problem, continue to do so at each meal, being sure to praise him when he doesn't react. Attacking you or your child would not be normal as you are the source of the food (the cat is not...it is only competition).
