My black lab decided last week he did not like his food, has happend before. Still ate his cookies and still was begging like dogs do. Bought new food, ate it up the first day, second day did not eat it until late at night, today has not eaten it. Puts his nose up to it.
2007-01-08 11:59:02 · 15 answers · asked by Susan T 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It only becomes a problem when the dog is ruling the roost as it seems you may have started to let him do here.
NO more treats and only offer him food twice daily. Allow it down for 15-20 mins at a time. After a few missed meals he will eat fine.
Also, make sure he is exercising and working for the food.
If he has a poor quality diet he may be refusing to eat cause it tastes bad, is spoiled (the food), or he isn't getting what he needs from it.
A dog won't starve himself!
Good Luck
2007-01-08 12:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by doggie_poopie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing: LABS LIKE TO EAT!!!!! Of course he wants the cookies, if you offered a child the choice of vegetable or cookie...they would probably take the cookie. ( I have a black and a yellow lab) My black lab exhibits the same behavior on occasion. She can get moody. Do you feed on demand or leave it out for dog to graze all day. It's best to feed two small meals, one in morning, one in evening and don't give out treats. Put the food down and give the dog a chance to eat. When they walk away, pick it up. If they come back looking, put it down and tell them...this is it!!! They will eventually learn, eat the food or nothing. My black lab will skip several meals and eventually come back to her food when I put it down the next day. Labs put on weight easily cuz they like to eat so you have to give minimal treats or just little ones, chew strips and don't over feed. my yellow lab will eat cooked baby carrots for snacks. hope this helps. Just give fewer treats and more hugs or play time together.
2007-01-08 20:12:17 · answer #2 · answered by MJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aha! This is called manipulation or the dog training the person. By continuing to provide treats or switching dog food, your dog is training you. Next he'll have you cooking him a chicken or better yet, filet mignon!
I have a mixed breed who enjoys tryng to convince me that every meal should be a gourmet occasion.
As long as you're providing your dog with a nutritious and healthy dog food there's no need to fall for this.
Cease all treats, with the exception of their use as training help. He'll eat his food when he's hungry enough.
Begging and "puppy dog eyes" are proven ways for dogs to get their own way. Be the human.
2007-01-08 20:21:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jasmine2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stop the cookies. and, stick to one kind of dog food, their tummies can't handle switching foods like that.
put down his food in the morning and leave it there for about 20 min. then take up what he doesnt eat. don't feed him anything else(at all) unti that night. then try again. if he doesn't eat, take it up again, try in the morning again.
he will soon realize that, he won't get any food if he doesn't take that opportunity. Also, make him hungrier by feeding him after excercise.
Go for a long walk or swim or ball chasing, something to get him good and tired, go home, give him water and about 20 minutes to cool down, they can't eat until they cool down, and then try putting the food down , again for 20 minutes.
your dog will be fine ,skiping a few meals won't hurt your dog, if this lasts longer than 3 days(of no food), call your vet.
2007-01-08 20:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by ♪Majestik moose© ★is preggers★ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog could be sick, this may mean that he needs to have a vet check him out just to be sure. However, if not it could just be that your dog knows he doesn't have to eat the food because you will give him treats. Picky eaters should not be rewarded. If there is nothing wrong with your dog (he is not sick) then he will eat whatever is there once he gets hungry enough. Just don't give him treats because he won't eat his food.
2007-01-08 21:31:18 · answer #5 · answered by bailey'smama 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give the dog ONLY his food, withhold all other brands and treats and he will eat. Remember, you are the master, not the other way around.
BTW, don't switch brands all the time, dogs like consistency.
2007-01-08 20:07:05 · answer #6 · answered by know_it_all_NOT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop the treats for awhile. He's refusing the food because he likes the treats better and he knows he'll get them.
2007-01-08 20:02:03 · answer #7 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
stop the treats, until you get the dog back on his real food ,kinda like people he will eat when he is hungry and he won't starve himself to death there like kids there going to try anything to train you to there liking stick to your guns your the pack leader. good luck
2007-01-08 20:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by gunter_thehunter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestlly I think that you should try different types of food,and see which one he likes the most, if he doesn't like any of them then just take him to the Vet
2007-01-08 20:08:06 · answer #9 · answered by babycent2001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try changeing his food he might not like that certain brand try another one or he may just like the treats more so stop giving him the treats for a while i do not think that he is sick at all
2007-01-08 20:07:48 · answer #10 · answered by ...... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋