I have a 21 month old Shih Tzu who does not eat out of his food bowl and wants us to feed him. We fed him once when he had a cone around his head from surgery and since then he has demanded that we feed him. When we don't feed him he will look so sad and upset that we feel bad and feed him at a later time. I would like to know how we can stop this habit...any ideas? PLEASE HELP!
2006-11-09 12:53:16 · 14 answers · asked by g_angel 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer" is your easy answer. He is amazing and his "ways" proved effective---almost immediately---for a problem with my dog. You can watch him on the National Geographic channel---OR get the book "Dog Whisperer"---OR get the CD. If you have a specific question (most everything is covered in book or on tv show) send it to www.pets911@cesarmellaninc.com
2006-11-09 13:44:01 · answer #1 · answered by LoneStar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are the pack leader here, put the food down for him and walk away. In 20 mins., if he hasn't eaten it, pick it up and DO NOT FEED HIM ANYTHING ELSE till it is feeding time again. Repeat the procedure and he will eat when he realizes that YOU are in charge and not him. No, he won't starve. He might bark and beg but don't give in because then he is again in charge.
DO NO WORRY ABOUT HOW SAD HE LOOKS OR HOW UPSET HE LOOKS. He wants his way. He needs to learn to do it the right way - out of his bowl on his own
I know this sounds mean, but he will learn and it is not cruel.
2006-11-09 15:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put food down for your dog twice a day. Leave it there for about 15 minutes and if your dog does not eat, pick it up and do not feed him until the next feeding. Do the same thing at the next feeding. When he is hungry he will eat unless he is unhealthy.
2006-11-09 12:59:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I for 1 stop feeling sorry for him.Have you ever heard of an animal starving itself to death ?no!anyway I would ease him into eating on his own if it's to difficult to go cold turkey.Start by just putting the food in front of him.If he doesn't eat it after half an hour take it away and try again later and keep doing that eventually he will eat.Just don't give in.
2006-11-09 13:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by too4barbie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the food in his bowl and leave it on the floor. If he gets hungry enough, he will eat. Sounds like he pretty much runs your house. maybe you should try to put a stop to that.
2006-11-09 13:28:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Had to laugh- the dog has your number for sure.
Just stop- get over feeling guilty, he will eat when he is hungry enough to realize you aren't going to feed him. Hang in there- it sounds harsh, but in all reality this is the only way I think of to stop it.
2006-11-09 13:30:00 · answer #6 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
QUIT FEEDING HIM! Eventually, he'll get hungry and he'll eat on his own!
For Pete's sake, who is in control here? You or the dog? Sounds like the dog is the pack leader/alpha dog and calling the shots.
I had a sick dog several years ago and the vet said she had to be put on a special diet. The diet dog food apparently didn't taste very good because she took one bite and immediately spit it out.
After 24 hours of her not eating, I was worried about it because she was diabetic and I was giving her insulin shots. I was afraid she'd go hypoglycemic on me and die. The vet said that dogs aren't stupid. If they're hungry, they will eat what's available even if it isn't all that tasty.
He was right. It took 3 days but eventually she broke down and ate the diet dog food. She wasn't happy about it but she did eat. I have trouble imagining your dog would let himself waste away or start to look anorexic and I know he won't will himself to die because you didn't feed him.
So he looks sad and upset?!? Guess what? ALL dogs with half a brain figure out that "sad puppy dog eyes" are great for making us humans do what they want. Don't you think my diabetic dog knew that? She did and I had to be strong because I knew that I couldn't give her non-diet food that she craved. It would have jeopardized her health.
In your case, feeding him is not jeopardizing his health but it is jeopardizing his MENTAL health because it encourages him to manipulate you and that's not good.
2006-11-09 12:55:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Seriously? The dog will not starve if you stop hand feeding him. Eventually his hunger will demand that he ingest food even if it means *aghast* that he lower his head to the bowl. Stop feeding him now.
2006-11-09 13:01:51 · answer #8 · answered by noxturnxonxred 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just take a day and don't feed him. He will not starve to death in a day. He should find his way to his food, and when he does, have a special treat for him and alot of praise and hugs. Good luck.
2006-11-09 13:02:15 · answer #9 · answered by doris_38133 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
first quit reinforcing bad habits. If you keep feeding him later he will keep begging to be fed. Try a treat ball and put his dog food in it. otherwise leave it for him. he will get hungery eventually.
2006-11-09 13:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by tera_duke 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋