Dog help/ advice

[osulogger]

I'm in need of some help fellow ifisher's.

We purchased a female dog about a month ago. She wasn't fixed at the time, and when we initially brought her home, she would eat and then squat on her bowl almost in an attempt to "claim it." We also have a male dog, who is fixed.

Got the female fixed about 3 weeks ago, and since then she has still marked the food bowl; but now it is the male's bowl.

So my question is has anyone else ever had this problem, and how did you go about solving it? The male is not an aggressive dog at all, in fact the female initially would run him off his bowl of food (which we promptly stopped). She's only marked the bowls maybe 6 times since we've gotten her, but 3 times in the house is three times too much in my book

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

[rimrock]

Your dog is announcing the food bowl(s) are her property, and is not an abnormal behavior. The neutering (which is the term for both male and female dog) has nothing to do with the situation. And things like this become habit quickly.

First, feed both dogs in their crates. This seperates them and declares you the boss.

Secondly, regarding the female instead of giving her full meal everytime, break it down into 2 or 3 portions. As soon as you see her finish one serving - and before she marks the bowl - put another serving. After some time, she'll realize that it's in her best interest not to pee on the bowl where more food will be served. Obviously if she pees, no more food. As you see by doing this you are setting up in her mind you own the food and the dish. Make sense?

[osulogger]

Thanks Rimrock.... we will try that.

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

[Hunt'nFish]

Rimrock, that is some great info!
Hunt'nFish