hand feeding to help with doggie rivallry

[Gromit]

I've seen this suggested several times to help dogs bond with each other and do it sometimes with my two who have a bit of a love-hate thing going. I'm interested to know how it helps; does it remind them of being pups in a litter? Is it best to hand feed on a daily basis, and is there anything else anyone has found helpful?
Second question:  , does anyone have experience of training/living with a dog mostly deaf from birth, especially with recall ? Since getting Darcey who stays close by me when out my Truffle (the deaf one) tends to do her own thing and doesn't check in any more. Grateful as ever for your thoughts.

[Sarah1985]

Second question:  , does anyone have experience of training/living with a dog mostly deaf from birth, especially with recall ? Since getting Darcey who stays close by me when out my Truffle (the deaf one) tends to do her own thing and doesn't check in any more. Grateful as ever for your thoughts.

How old is your deaf pup? My friend has a deaf dog and shes going through a similar stage but shes a teenager so abit of rebelion is to be expected  She taught it originally by rewarding any signs thats shes cheaking in with her and shes pretty good now. With you having just aquired another dog it maybe that Truffle wants abit of space from the puppy so is having a little break. You could try varying your walks so that your not following the same paths each time. If Truffle doesnt know which way your going to go next she'll be more inclined to keep an eye on you.

I dont know if it helps but My friend has taught her hearing dog to go and fetch the deaf one back.  She runs over gets her  attention and then runs back. This might be useful to you now you have two

Good Luck

[Ben's mum]

I have definately found it helpful with my boys.  Top Barks reccommended it whn Harry arrived as Ben really didn't like him at all so we used to hand feed them small amounts several times a day.  From what I remember of Marks explanation I think it helps your dog to associate good things happening when they sit quietly and behave well next to the other dog.  So that Ben had a positive association to Harry being close to him as he came to realise that having Harry next to him menat he was likely to get treats

When Ben was getting revved up and cross with Harry I would call them both over and feed together and it seemed to calm the situation down.  It didn't stop all the fights as if I didn't noticed the warning signs Ben would be too far gone to be placated by feeding him but most of the time it was excellent. 

I still do it once a day just so that Ben remembers that sitting close to Harry means he gets the good stuff 

hope it works ok for you - would be interested to hear how you get on.

[Gromit]

Thank you for that, I 'll deffo hand feed them more often than I've been doing. I'll work on Darcey going to fetch Truffle too. She does come if she sees me waving to her but Darcey will be better at getting her attention (and save my legs too   )

[Gromit]

Sorry, forgot to say that Truffle is nearly 3 and Darcey (flat-coat) is 9 months (but twice Truff's size) and nearly flattens Truff, poor little lass. We got Darcey to be a chum for Truff too...best laid plans etc.