Do your dog eat its meal before you do?

Question

if so, is it more dominant?

Answer 1

Many experts believe that to feed your dog before yourself leads the dog to believe that he ranks higher in the pack than you do, as the pack leader always eats first. This could conceivably lead to some dominance issues.

In practicality, though, if the dog's dinner time and yours are separated by a few hours, this shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 2

NO, I never let my dogs eat before I do. It's pack instinct. Wolf packs have a dominance order. Alpha dog eats first, underlings eat when he's finished. In your home, YOU are the Alpha dog, so never feed him before you eat, and don't let him sit and watch while you eat. Make him leave the room, or go lay down quietly. Never feed him scraps from the table either.
If you do, you will be giving him dominancy over you and your family.
:o)

Answer 3

Every animal should be fed before a human sits down to eat. Not only does it keep them from begging for food while you're trying to eat dinner but it's also just a basic rule for animals. They can't provide for themselves like humans can so they rely on you. It's like having a baby, you wouldn't sit down to dinner and let the baby go hungry while you ate, would you?

Who eats first is not an issue in the domesticated animal world. Humans have their space to eat and animals have a separate area. In the wild however when there is not a separation, the dominant animal would eat their share first.

Answer 4

No. My family will eat b4 my dog. To tell him that we are the leader pack.
In the animal hierachy, the leader will eat first before the rest.
Whether your dog is dominant depends on the breed and how you train your dog.

Answer 5

I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and I feed them in the mornings before we eat.It's just easier on me to get them out of the way before I start breakfast for us.
In the evening they are fed again but it's usually after we eat.
I personally don't feel that putting my dogs needs before my own has given them the idea that they are above me.They know who's boss and I can tell they appreciate my efforts.

Answer 6

We don't go by who's dominant or not.

When our dog is hungry, we feed her (of course, two small meals twice a day)!

Answer 7

I place his bowl down around the same time that I'll eat my dinner, but he'll usually come back to it later on during the night.

He rarely eats when I do, and I dont consider him more dominant than me, yet he is a bit of a bully when it comes to other dogs! (hes a miniature chihuahua, yet to realise his size!!)

Answer 8

Any good animal owner will feed their animals before they eat. Train your dog to sit before you place the food bowl on the ground and do not let it eat until you give the OK.

Answer 9

Some dog trainers and "experts" feel that in order for you to maintain alpha status you must not feed the dog first. However, I am not letting someone else "ALPHA" me into adjusting my feeding schedule to their belief, lol.

My dogs eat twice a day, once in the morning, once in the evening. I give them a small snack at bedtime so they don't get the morning hungry barfies. I, on the other hand, eat when I feel like it, and generally not at the same hours they do.

Their bowls go on the floor. My dishes go on the table, unless I chose to dine in front of the television. They don't eat off of my plate.

There are many things that go into making you that alpha in your pack. Use the things that the so called experts tell you as guidelines, not as being set in stone. It's like the "rule" of not letting them go thru the door first. In my case, it is better for me to make them enter first....so that is our rule....dog must enter first...and believe me...they know who is alpha in this household....and who loves them.

Answer 10

Well if you are having domiantation issues with your dog. Then you need to feed him after you. But my dog always eats before me. Then eats my food too. I tell him, hey I don't go asking you to share your food with me.