I have a 3-year-old, 80lb dog of mixed breed. We have his food dish in the kitchen where he eats twice a day. Whenever we feed him, he always takes the first mouthful or two into the living room to eat it. I read the answer to the question "Why does my dog leave food in the familly room?" and although it's similar, my dog doesn't leave the food, he eats it right away. Why is this?
2007-01-28 05:14:48 · 14 answers · asked by invisablechicchick 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs are pack animals and the pack eats together, it bizarre to them to eat alone. Try feeding him as you do the dishes, it might keep him in the kitchen (I assume you feed him in the kitchen) because he'll be close to you. My big dog will stop eating if I leave the kitchen. Then when I go back in he'll eat again. It takes the poor dog a long time to eat on days when I'm busy.
2007-01-28 05:22:13 · answer #1 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you're the leader of the pack, he's doing it so you can guard him while he makes sure it's safe to eat. This is left over from when dogs lived in the wild and had to make sure and guard their food from other predators. He eats it fast so no one or nothing can get it!
The living room is probably the place he feels safest and most secure in the house. Once he has a couple of bites, he figures it's okay to eat and goes back to eat the rest in the kitchen. Also, in the kitchen, is his back to a door? Moving his dish might help him feel more secure.
Isn't it funny how many dog behaviors are left over like that? Like turning around before sleeping and such?
Anyway, hope that helped. I agree that you can probably train him to eat in the kitchen. Stay with him and praise him when he does. Please see this article I wrote about choosing the right dog dish for your guy too, linked below...
2007-01-29 16:28:27 · answer #2 · answered by tlperl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are social... there are two main reasons for the relocation. The first is to protect their food... so they take it away from the source in order to insure that they get a share of the spoils. The other reason is exactly the opposite reason... go figure... it's so they are in the company of their pack. If you only have one or two dogs, then their pack is in the form of us humans. Domestic dogs still have the pack instinct to varying degrees and they do stuff that makes us scratch our heads in confusion sometimes. Watch your dog when there are people around and when there aren't... their reactions may be different. If you like one behavior over the other, then choose to feed him in that setting!
2007-01-28 13:34:05 · answer #3 · answered by The Queen of Doodlebug 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog did this too. We have ceramic tile floors in the kitchen. Finally figured out that being an inside dog, the floor was too cold for her. Went out and picked up a couple carpet squares and put under and around her food and water dish, and she just quit doing it.
2007-01-28 13:25:02 · answer #4 · answered by littlemomma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the question on why; to be near you. We had a dog who pretty much where he was supposed to, but after dinner when we would watch TV before bedtime and had snacks, he would grab a mouthful of his kibble and bring it into the living room to have a snack with us. Ya gotta love our pets, ya'know?
How to stop it? Alot of good answers here. Try them all until you find the right one that's comfortable for the both of you.
2007-01-28 13:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by stray cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if this behavior goes back to the days of old.... when dogs (wild or domestic) had to grab his food and run to a safe area to eat it. Instincts die hard. If it is bothersome, you may want to consider putting a baby gate across that doorway during feeding time. If it is not a problem.... enjoy your dog and his "wild ways"!
2007-01-28 13:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by muttly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does your dog eat in the living room when you are in there?If so, your dog loves you a whole lot that they want to eat with you!I think that is so ADORABLE!!!Does he go in the same spot to eat or change it around?If so, your dog feels comfortable in there!
2007-01-28 13:26:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not adorable and it is messy. The dog is not trusting enough around others and takes the food whenever he feels comfortable to eat it. That is something you need to address. I feed all my dogs in their crates and they cannot go somewhere else to eat it. I have fed them outside of their crates and they ate in the kitchen where their dish was because they understand the pack rules.
2007-01-28 14:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
it sounds liek a leftover wolf behavoir. wolves eat in packs, off the same carcass at times, dogs will grab what they want off the prey item and run and spit it back out in a private area and then eat in a more sensible manner. some dogs have remnants of this behaviour
2007-01-28 13:22:43 · answer #9 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog does this too. I think that some dogs just like to be around people when they eat, who knows. i also think my dog is picky and just wants to be on carpet to eat.
2007-01-28 13:19:24 · answer #10 · answered by Heather0925 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋