I have a new dog, but she's always hungry!?

Question

I adopted a 1 year old dog from the ASPCA last week. She seems like a smart enough dog, but she is ALWAYS looking for food when she has the chance. I've been crate training her to get her housebroken, and she behaves in the crate (so I can at least be thankful for that), but when I let her out in the house or take her on a walk, she's always looking for food instead of going to the bathroom.

Should I be feeding her more (I add a tiny bit to what the bag says / feed her twice a day)? She focuses on the sound of plastic bags (she associates them with food) and always wants to climb up on my kitchen counters. It's tough to get her to even respond to me when food enters the equation.

I'm going a bit nutty trying to deal with her. She seems like a sweet dog underneath all of her behavioral issues (she also is a bit mouthy and chews on me). I wish she could focus on something other than food. I guess it might be just a matter of time until she settles down and realizes I won't starve her.

Answer 1

I would say your dog is not getting enough food or may have some lasting issues from her previous situations. At 1, she really is still growing. I would recommend feeding her a bit more than the bag says (weigh her and see if you should be feeding her more). On most bags of good food, it gives BASIC feeding guidelines (try not to get TOO inflexible about giving little more than a smidge more) if the dogs ribs are visable, you can feed more. If the dog is plump, a little less. If the dog is physically active (running, playing in the yard and so on, you can allow a bit more than recommended). Since your dog is so food motivated, I would suggest starting with feeding her a portion of food, taking her for a long long walk (get rid of her toxic energy) and then using food to work on her obediance. She should be easy to train being so food motivated. Also, during walks, you must be in control at all times. She doesn't walk in front of you EVER! You are the pack leader and must establish yourself as someone who control EVERY MOVE she makes, or SHE WON'T BE ALLOWED TO MOVE. If she pulls, you stop, bring her under control (sit, lay, whatever it takes) bring some treats which you can give as soon as her rump hits the ground, keep them small and keep it moving. DO NOT REWARD BAD BEHAVIOUR EVER! You don't have to be mean to the dog, just firm, calm and at all times in control! As to biting, it is fairly easy to stop, she is "checking you" by little gumming and nips and so on. STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY before she gets the idea you are her personal chew toy! When she puts her teeth on you or her mouth IN ANY WAY, yelp like a puppy who just got her paw stepped on, turn AWAY from her, do not allow her to cuddle you or even look at her, Get up and leave the room. Wait a minute or two and return. Initiate contact again and repeat. As soon as she open her mouth and sets it on you, yelp, turn away and get up and leave the room. This is how Mommy dogs and baby puppy mates let each other know they are being too aggressive or biting or playing too hard. They will get the hint as long as you are consistant and it won't take long if you set this up to happen so you can practice the breaking of this behaviour. I would also recommend books, DVD's and training programs on tv or from the library by the dog trainer Ceasar Milan (also known as the Dog Whisperer. He has great information about how dogs really think, pack leaders (and why we should ALWAYS be the PACK LEADER of our dogs) and how to correct troublesome behaviours! He is really good at it! I highly recommend him! I hope this helps you get started and I wish you good luck!

Answer 2

Dogs are always going to want more food, thats just how they are. If we fed them all they wanted to eat the majority of them would be obese. As long as shes maintianing a healthy weight keep feeding her the same. One thing you can give her that will occupy her for some time, thats healthy and will also satisfy some hunger, is uncooked beef marrow bones you buy at the supermarket. The thinner cut you get the longer it takes them to dig the marrow out. Her mouthy issue, can be solved pretty easily. First, and most importantly, she needs more exercise. Second when she starts being mouthy replace yourself with a toy. When you mention she is always looking for food outside, Im assuming you mean she is smelling everyhting? This is normal. If you want to get her to go to the bathroom give tug on the leash and add a command to it you will associate with going. Shell catch on.

Answer 3

I got a 1 year old dog this summer that we adopted and she was always looking for food when I first got her. She has now settled down because she knows that every day she will have food. Most dogs that are adopted were abused or homeless and had to search for food all the time. Once they are secure in knowing they don't have to look for food or fight for it they usually settle down. But it is going to take a few weeks and a lot of patience.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I think you're on the right thinking path though. I adopted a one year old from a shelter and when he first came home with us he ate everything in sight! We couldn't let him in the yard alone for fear of what he might find to eat. We were nervous about him being aggressive with food as we have a son, another dog, and two cats. He gained two pounds rather quickly (he's only 18lbs. to begin with).

Eventually the little monster stopped eating everything in sight. We think he just had to take some time and realize that there is going to be adequate food supplies for him at all times. Now he's settled in, not aggressive with food, and he's dropped the two pounds!

Give it a little time.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Sounds to me like she went hungry in the past or didn't like the pound food. you need to use treats when you are training her that well probly work good. teach her no and sit and stay and when ever she does what you command her to do then give her a special dog-treat or dog bisquit. when she trys to use the bathroom in the house catch her in the act just before and say no sternly and put her out side when ever she goes outside give her a special treat. Soon she well get the hint and traing is so much fun. then you will be able to teach her all kinds of things. Just make sure you give her lots of love and attention when she does what you want and don't focus too much on the negative. dogs crave love and affection.

Answer 6

Dogs nearly always want more food than they need. Additionally, she may have been starved before being taken in by the shelter. Just feed her the right amount to keep her healthy and keep food locked up where she can't get to it.

On the bright side, she should be VERY easy to train if you use treat based rewards.

Answer 7

You could get high energy dog food for her, or divide her meal into three a little at lunch a little at breakfast a little at dinner etc, also this is normal i know a dog who will eat his own food and also his sisters food just out of spite (this was stiopped) also a lot of habits dogs grow out of

Good luck :)

Answer 8

well first off she is still a pup even at 1 yrs old, you just need to lay down the law when she chews on you tell her no and don't notice her and what my animals do is they have a food dish that lets them eat as much as they want let her get so full she feels like busting then she will slow down, we usually have them let from tiny puppies but hey a 1year old she know too, and she will calm down believe me and when she is on the counter, get her down and say no in a firm woice scare her, with your voice, and she will get it adventually

Answer 9

Feed her more.You are only suppose to eat 3 small meals a day and include all the fruit and vegetables in your diet daily.Do you? Most dont.A dog is the same way.They get hungry and when she is eating all her food and looking for more then she needs more.

Answer 10

if you got her at the aspca she might have been abused at one point and never fed so she mightn know that you will feed her now and want more food. i think she is ok good luck to you and your puppy!!!!