Candy, like everything else with dogs, it’s just repetition and consistency.  Before I offer any treat or food, Mia has to be calm.  I have her sit and stay.  Then when it’s time to eat, I ask her to say “Please” this is “shake paw”.  She doesn’t get something for nothing.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t torture the poor hungry thing.  First your dog has to be able to sit (and stay).  Once he’s mastered that.  From the sitting position, offer treats.  Every time you show him the treat “shake” or “paw” whatever word you want the dog to respond to.  Physically reach over and gab his little paw and shake, then give the treat.  Do this everytime you offer a treat (as long as there isn’t any issues with aggression about the treat).  Then it’s really back to step one, helping him get over his food aggression issues.  If you repeat the word and command process about a zillion times; he’ll get it.  Cockapoos (well at least mine) are extremely smart – maybe even too smart.  Mia knows exactly the right time to do naughty things to get attention – I swear she’s just like a kid.



A basic training book can be helpful.  I just searched the web and got a lot of good ideas for dog training.  First and foremost is to work with the food aggression.  



Does he know any basic commands? If so, that’s a good start.



From: cockapoo@yaho... [mailto:cockapoo@yaho...] On Behalf Of candy02783
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:17 PM
To: cockapoo@yaho...
Subject: [cockapoo] Re: Food Aggression



Susan,

i agree with you that free feeding might not be an option for my dog
at least not right now until he establishes who's the boss. I started
with the eating out of the bowl thing. My other question to you is
how do u teach a dog to "shake" give paw and drop it.

He's gotten a little worse since we implemented the box covering so
he doesn't associate growling with wining over his food so im going
to start by eating from the bowl first and giving it a couple days
before i approach him.

--- In cockapoo@yaho... <mailto:cockapoo%40yahoogroups.com> , "Susan Hart" <susan-hart@...> wrote:
>
> LOL, definitely…extra treats. But if you could see the bowel
these two chow from, goodness, it’s full to the brim (always) and
the bowl looks like something a Great Dane would eat out of! But in
my house the treats flow freely so I always buy all natural healthier
choices.
>
>
>
> From: cockapoo@yaho... <mailto:cockapoo%40yahoogroups.com>  [mailto:cockapoo@yaho... <mailto:cockapoo%40yahoogroups.com> ] On
Behalf Of pittsue@...
> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 10:35 AM
> To: cockapoo@yaho... <mailto:cockapoo%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [cockapoo] Food Aggression
>
>
>
> Usually the weight problem isn't from the food the get and is
available to them everyday when you free feed. The problem in most
cases is all the extra treats and handouts they get.
>
> Sue, M, and J
>
> My neighbor free-feeds her two Shelties. They are inactive and
don’t get regular exercise, although they do have each other to
play with. Both are extremely overweight, have joint problems,
waddle â€" can’t run, and have major medical problems.
>