The bowl scrapes the ground when he eats. That's his new fear, so he dosen't eat. I got one of those fancy bowls with a soft bottom but still. And then my other dog, she's slick she'll eat all the fancy soft food only even when I mix it, and leave him the hard food so he won't have that incentive to eat. I've been leaving food on the floor for him but I can't keep it up. He has to be trained to eat from the bowl. Any ideas?
2007-06-06 07:31:15 · 9 answers · asked by jamon 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
First of all, feed them from separate bowls if you aren't already. I had a similar problem with my two dogs. One was a pig and the other got scared at feeding time. We went to a specialist to help us gain control of our dogs and this was one of the procedures he taught us:
First, feed one dog at a time. What you have to do is stand above them in a dominant stance with an empty food bowl at your feet. Look at them but periodically look away so that they don't feel threatened. The dog will submit or "Reduce" (which is laying down facing you) in front of you. The second the dog lays down drop one piece of food into the bowl. If the dog stays down continue to drop one piece at a time into the bowl. Once the dogs understand the concept of how to earn the food (which should only take one training session) you then give them a 5 minute time limit for eating. You start a timer and stand above them. When the lay down you give them one piece. If they stay laying down you then give them several pieces at a time. When the 5 minutes are up you firmly say "done" and remove the bowl. Then repeat this with the other dog. Feed the older dog first. At first the dogs may not finish their food but in a couple days they will understand that they only have a short time to eat so they will start to chow down. It sounds like a lot of work but it does work. once they get the hang of it you can start to put the whole bowl of food down and one dog will lay patiently while he/she waits for thier turn to eat.
2007-06-06 07:48:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jon H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get an elevated tray that holds the bowls. This keeps them from moving around and also cut down on mess if your dogs are messy eaters. As for your other problem, feed the dogs separately. Even if you do nothing your dog will eventually get hungry enough to eat, and learn that the bowl scraping on the floor is no big deal, unless he is sick.
2007-06-06 07:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by New Dog Owner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try socializing her at some place less stressful such as puppy kindergarten or beginning obedience. Training class is a more controlled environment. Italian greyhound tend to be timid and easily stressed, so a regular dog park may never be a place she will be comfortable. Is there a dog park with a separate small dog area she could go to? Another thought would be to see if there are any Italian greyhound clubs like MeetUp or Yahoo Group who get together for play dates.
2016-05-18 02:20:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the bowl down for him to eat. Before you go to bed, take the bowl up and throw out any leftovers. (Food left out all night may sour or draw insets.)
If the dog has not eaten much, don't worry. When he gets hungry, he'll eat.
If he does not eat for several days in a row, or if he starts to show other symptoms, have him checked out by a vet to see if there is another problem.
2007-06-06 07:45:41 · answer #4 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are not getting a good grade in "dog behavior" Please wise up and give the dogs separate bowls to eat out of or else you and your friends start eating out of the same bowl so you can demonstrate to the dogs every day how to do it with no disagreements. The frightened dog was probably not socialized and taken places when he was 3 and 4 months old and his personality was forming. Because of human neglect he has a stunted personality.
2007-06-06 07:57:33 · answer #5 · answered by John F 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get a mat that grips his food bowl. You can get them at the dollar store and they are great. I use them for my dog because she hated it when her bowl moved around too. Now she eats her food with no problem.
2007-06-06 07:38:08 · answer #6 · answered by Sheena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself these ques:
--is it a dog that u just got? (insecurity)
--did u get it from a rescue leage? (probaly abused)
--does she have a mental retardation?
--if she does eat it does she itch or her eyes dry up? (she could know that she is allergic)
2007-06-06 07:40:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bama_ild is right on.
Dogs don't starve themselves.
It also sounds like he's holding out for the "fancy" stuff.
2007-06-06 07:50:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him to a dog training center.
2007-06-06 07:41:07 · answer #9 · answered by Avantika D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋