Q: I have a multiple dog home and during feeding time it becomes absolutely chaotic here. 1 of my dogs is pretty passive and will lay down calmly while the other 3 will act completely insane to the point of knocking me over, barking, jumping or sometimes even going after each other. We are at the point, as this isn't their ONLY problem, of thinking about finding some of them new homes. unless you can help us figure out how to get the other 3 dogs to remain calm during this process as well?

A: We will begin to help you first understand what drives your dog (s) to this madness that puts you at your wits end. Food and hunger will influence the social order of the pack as well as increases the readiness of the animals to react towards each other. Animals in general will act more aggressive when they are hungry. They are proving to each other that they are the most fit, that they have the ability greater than the other to "find the food" serving their self preservation drive.

Food is a extremely strong motivational factor and can be used to condition certain behaviors and act as a reinforcement of your leadership role when used properly. The key to achieving this goal is to remember one simple very important rule : " DOGS ONLY GET ATTENTION WHEN THEY ARE IN THE PROPER FRAME OF MIND" That frame should always be calm and controlled. Attention given when they are in any other state, will only serve to enhance unwante d behavior. If you are feeding the dogs or even showing them any type of attention when they are this frenzied state of mind, you are rewarding them for instability.

To begin creating proper leadership skills and a more desirable behavior during feeding time , you must create a stable routine , with clear decisive boundaries that will enhance stability rather than create instability. Begin by claiming your space. When you are preparing the dogs food, the dogs must respect your personal space. the dogs cannot be part of the preparation of a meal. Proximity to you in their mind means that they are active participants in mealtime, much like a pack of dogs joining together in the hunt. Dogs must learn and acknowledge and learn your absolute power over the food by giving you ample room to distribute it as you please.

Create a 5 foot boundary around you, whenever they try to encroach into your boundary back them off immediately by using a stern growling tone , saying something like " HEY HEY" in conjunction with an athouritive posture stepping toward them and instruct them into a more submissive position such as a sit or a down so that they can wait calmly as you return to preparing the meal. Should they move, repeat this correction until they have learned that the more they persist, the less likely they are to get what they desire. They must remain in this calm state when you are also placing the food to the ground. They have to understand that it is coming from you, and it is still YOUR food until you have given them permission to eat it. Once you have released them to the food, keep an eye on them. Do not allow them to go into each others areas or bowls. If one dog begins to head towards the others it is up to you not the other dog to back him off. You’re the pack leader, you control who eats, when and what they eat, even when they are still eating.

Food should also not be accessible at all times. It is something that is earned. This is equally part of creating that stable routine. Pack leader, which is you, should always eat first. When you are eating, your dogs should also be no where in your boundaries.

Repeat the same process as you did when you were preparing their food by backing them out of your boundaries. When you are finished eating, now you may feed the rest of your pack members. Only leaving their food down for 30 minutes. If they don’t eat it , to bad, pick it up and put it away for the next time.

They will quickly learn that they must eat it while you provide it, or they don’t eat at all. This may sound harsh, but keep in mind food is a great source of power. How you wield that power can greatly effect your dogs behavior.

  As always, before applying any of these techniques you should always consult a professional to ensure greater success.

This article was published March 15, 2009 on Page 3 of the Sunday Sentinel