question about new basset

If the food aggression is really severe then I would feed the two dogs in separate areas of the house, using a door or baby gate to block access from one to the other. Doppler just growls and Virga backs off. And he doesn't bother Virga when she's eating. He just watches to make sure she doesn't miss any pieces!

As for going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I would probably try crate training the dog. The kennel or crate is like the dog's den and they don't like to mess where they sleep. It helps teach them that they can hold it and makes housetraining easier. If your dog is really young then you're going to have to wake up and let them out in the middle of the night because they just can't hold it. If you decide to crate train then you need to make sure that the dog associates the kennel with good things. Make a game out of going into the kennel and then reward the dog for doing it. Don't ever crate a dog out of anger or you're going to set yourself back.

Good luck and hope your problems get better!

Hmmm but why is the basset being blamed when the rude behavior is on the part of the beagle in an attempt to steal food.

I make up both food bowls, put one down, and the more dominant dog runs to it. I put the second food bowl in another room, shut the door if necessary, and don't open it 'til everyone is done eating

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I have a different approach. I train each dog seperately at first to remain in a down while the meal is prepared and placed on the floor they must remain so until specifical released. Once this is reliable dor each dog they can be fed together.

1. feed the slower eater first. You can delay feeding the faster eat so they finish at approximately the same time. They will be so focused on their own food bowl they will less likely look to the other dogs bowl.

2. Teach the dogs to remain at their food bowl after eating by adding a special treat in the bowl after they finish. You can over time extend the time they must stay their before getting it.

3. by having the dog more likely to guard finishing the meal first there is really no opurtunity to guard. By having the dog more likely to steal finish the meal last there is no oppurtunity to steal. Control the situation and you control the behavior.

4. When placing food dog and releasing dogs to the bowl you can control the dogs access to the bowl by placement of the dog an bowl and using body blocking techniques to prevent the more aggressive dog from even attempting to get to the food first. Once a system is establish dog general relish a routine and fall into that routine easily.


The use of a crate is a great way to prevent the night time problem other include Setting the alarm to the middle of the night to let the dog out. I have also used a leash attached to the dog and my arm so if the dog get up in the middle of the night it wakes me as well.

Also keep in mind if the dog is having to go in the middle of the night changing access to water or feeding earlier can change the dogs shcedule when it need to go. A schedual on feeding and access to water can make the dog much more predictable and therefore easier to manage.

While not always practical a doggie door is another option to give the dog access to outside without having to wake you.