She's here, but food aggression already?!

[Darcy & Millie]

Well, our 8 week old puppy is here already, and we're in love!  Today was a very busy day for her.  When she was fed earlier, dh pet her while she was eating and she was just fine tolerating it.  The second time, I did the same, and she growled at me (after I had been petting her awhile.. she didn't do it as soon as I touched her).  I know this needs to stop NOW, but please tell me what I need to do!!!

Otherwise, she's been perfect.  She's went potty like within moments of going outside every time.  I've been letting her out hourly.  She's been playing gently, and just been a dream.  I'll post pics tomorrow.  We love her, but want that growl to never come back when she's being touched while eating!

Thank you for any and all advice!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My doodle growls constantly. He is noisy and harmless. Many poodle breeds are chatty.  There is a guttural sound and a growl. Know the difference. Many dogs are just given up because they make these  sounds

  Instead of petting her, as she really needs to eat in peace and this can be just annoying, try hand feeding her for awhile.  Take a chew bone and hold the bone while she chews.  Share with her  :)

[Dynamite & Doodle]

I don't actually have my puppy yet, but he is coming home tomorrow.

I'm planning to hand feed him for a bit and play eye contact games, rewarding him with kibbles when he looks at me and I say his name etc. My mom says this is good for bonding and early but fun training.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Hand feeding is a great idea. 

[Linda And Loo]

With my dogs I put their bowl down and make them wait a few seconds for me to give them an ok to eat! They had to look at me not at bowl before I would let them eat. I have done that from day one! I also would take their bowls away and when they would calm down give them back. They soon realized I was the keeper and the controller of the food. I have not had any food issues with them. My youngest granddaughter, 10 months, was playing with the dogs and she would take their bones and then give them back and no problems. The dogs are very gentle taking treats from the grandkids too. This does not happen overnight you just need to work on it everyday. Let her eat out of your hand sometimes! She is not going to be perfect on day one but she will develop good habits! Have fun with her!

[Darcy & Millie]

Whew!  Thanks to all of you for responding!  I'm so happy that it doesn't sound like a terrible big deal right now.  I like your sugggestions and will try them.  Right now she's eating 1 tablespoon of wet food mixed w/ dry.  I've been also giving it to her in her kennel in an attempt to get her to like it in there. 

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I don't know if this is the same thing or not - but - Cody makes "growling" and grumbling noises the entire time that he eats. It was interesting to see that Joanne said that poodle breeds are chatty because Cody's coat really resembles a poodle, while Casey's coat looks more like a fluffy golden retriever - and Cody is the grumbler!  

[Leslie N]

Congrats on your pup! We do the sit, leave it and okay through his meal to 1)steer away Dom aggression and 2) slow down his eating. I think it's good you know to stop it, you just have to teach her the "rules". Btw, we will be FOREVER going over rules with ours!

[Darcy & Millie]

Thank you again for the suggestions and help.  Update is that she has not done it since the one and only time.  I've been stopping her mid-meal and taking her bowl away from her and returning it a few times during a meal, and she's been just fine.  She doesn't know sit yet, but I hope to work with her today on that.

Also, while I realize it's not an ideal time to pet and bother her while she's eating, I still want her to behave if it happens.  We have four kids, and my youngest is a year old.  I'd be mortified if something happened because she pet her at the wrong time.

She's been a blast and great so far!  We adore her!  :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It's good that you are working on this stuff from the start. Make her sit and wait for the food and drop little treats into the bowl as she is eating, also put your hand right into the bowl.  If she associates you with good things and that you are no threat she will learn not to growl around food or treats.  Start teaching 'leave it' too from the start this is such a useful command. Boris does this talking growl when he is waiting for his food but it isn't an aggressive growl it's just him talking and saying 'get on and hurry up Mom, I'm starving' :)

[Darcy & Millie]

I love the talking growl!  That is so stinkin' cute!!  :)

Our last dog was sooo well-behaved, and she pretty much came that way.  (she was a stray I got when she was about a year-old).  It's very important to me to have a well-behaved dog, so I intend to work with Millie a lot when she's little (and big..LOL), in an attempt to have that.

I'll also work on "leave it" with her.  My boys went to school today, so I can have some alone time with her today!  They adore her, and it was impossible to do anything but play with her this weekend with them home.  I look forward to not having the distractions and hopefully soon she'll know a few of the basics.