2007-01-16 14:57:08 · 8 answers · asked by Young 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Why do you think he is afraid? And what are you doing about it - that is what have you changed for the puppy? Did you put his food on a paper plate or on the floor or ?
Assuming he is afraid it may be that he wasn't allowed to eat from the bowl with his mother and littermates. Remember, in the pack the alpha eats first - only when the alpha is finished does anyone else in the pack get to eat. He may have been run off, bitten etc when he tried to eat from the bowl at that point. That would leave a lasting impression on a little guy! Especially if you have other dogs.
Your dog will not starve himself. Think of all the dogs who live on the streets. Dogs will eat anything from anywhere. Put the food in the dog bowl and walk away. The puppy will eat when he gets hungry enough, and when he does he will realize that no one bit him or ran him off. You will have helped him get over his fear by letting him do it on his own. He has specific instincts about living in a pack and how to be a dog. Don't try to treat him like a child, you won't do him any favors.
Hope that helps.
Jen
2007-01-16 15:13:34 · answer #1 · answered by InstructNut 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2. My male is a year and a half and my female is 1 year. They have always stuck their head in the bowl and gotten the food out and put it on the floor before they eat it. They are not scared of the bowl. I guess they just like it on the floor better.
2007-01-16 23:37:09 · answer #2 · answered by BRIDGE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy probably has a flat face, is the bowl deep? If it is try putting his food on a plate, and get a very shallow bowl for water. You wouldn't want to eat if your food was going up your nose.
2007-01-16 23:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by Jinny E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the bowl for a small dog? If not get a smaller bowl, the puppy may be intimadated by a large bowl.
2007-01-16 23:02:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try feeding the puppy on a paper plate. I had a basset hound that would only eat off one.
2007-01-16 23:11:47 · answer #5 · answered by Caitlin G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe its not the bowl..maybe its the food..she/he might not like the food..get some wet food in with it and see if they like it then..or try hand feeding the puppy..but don't worry about it..when she gets hungry enough she/he will eat..just leave it out..encourage her to eat it..or just put it out and walk away, maybe she is too shy to eat in front of you..dogs are wierd..who knows why they do what they do
2007-01-16 23:01:54 · answer #6 · answered by *<3_Gizmo* 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
believe it or not, but my cat had the smae problem....it turned out that even though we cant smeel it, theres an odor, which animals withh good noses can smell....either wash a few times, or let it sit out by an open window and ur problem will be solved
2007-01-16 23:05:31 · answer #7 · answered by as 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it metal? If so, do you have tags on him/her? I'm only assuming because your question was so wide range...
I'm guessing it may be that. Try feeding from your hand, slowly dropping it into the bowl, he/she will catch on! Gotta love em, strange creatures that we are, they still love us,huh?;-)
2007-01-16 23:05:16 · answer #8 · answered by lizrdluvnmom 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋