Strange Feeding Behavior

[jimsherriek]

Queston for the experienced houndie owners,

 

Since prior to our Kendra's death, Secret has been starting to avoid eating when hubby feeds her breakfast. Kendra was doing it rarely(not feeling too well). Then when Kendra died, Secret has avoided her dish until I get up and tell her it is OK. My husband gets up at O dark thirty, and I prefer to sleep in, and takes the hounds on their morning walkie. (Both retired). Hubby, has not changed anything. He gets their food, puts it in their bowl, and adds the salmon oil. Even if he gives it a stir and make a big deal over breakfast, Secret will not touch it until I get out of bed and swish her bowl and tell her to eat. Sometimes this will be at least an hour or two. We have had a foster in the house for several weeks now, and he has picked up the same habit as Secret. Hubby can feed them their yogurt snack at 7PM, and they bug him until he gets it for them. And he can feed them their afternoon dinner at 4PM no problem. Just breakfast is getting the special treatment.

 

 

 

Any suggestions??????????????

[greysmom]

Two thoughts:

 

> If neither one is under weight or having any health concerns, I would begin by having him leave the food down for a set time - 10 or 15 minutes - and then pick the food up and throw it away. If they don't eat when he puts it down, they don't eat. They'll get the idea or not. If they're not hungry - and as dogs age they might need less - they might not need two feedings a day.

 

> Have him give them a yummy treat right before. Something they never refuse. And put a small amount on the breakfast. It might jump start them to eat for him.

 

Good luck!

[Guest Shermanator]

When Travel first came home, she was not a big eater. We added just a little wet food mushed around in her kibble. Turns out, that's her kryptonite! She wanted the wet food, so she was willing to stand with us in sight, to eat. (She was a super spooky girl, and getting her out of the bedroom was hard.) Travel has come out her shell, but god forbid you don't give her a little wet food with breakfast or dinner! She'll sigh, and make the dramatic march to her bed, and sulk.

 

Edited to add: we are free feeders here, and when Travel came home, we couldn't regulate feedings with her- like taking the food away. And Patton would have pestered us to death if we did not feed free him. We did the best we could.

Edited April 24, 2011 by Shermanator

[Guest june]

Two thoughts:

 

> If neither one is under weight or having any health concerns, I would begin by having him leave the food down for a set time - 10 or 15 minutes - and then pick the food up and throw it away. If they don't eat when he puts it down, they don't eat. They'll get the idea or not. If they're not hungry - and as dogs age they might need less - they might not need two feedings a day.

 

> Have him give them a yummy treat right before. Something they never refuse. And put a small amount on the breakfast. It might jump start them to eat for him.

 

Good luck!

 

I agree. I feed mine twice daily. When a new dog comes in the food is left down for about 15 minutes. The second time it is eaten with no problem.

june

[GeorgeofNE]

Why can't they just wait until you get up?

 

I mean just how late do you sleep?

 

Having said that, mostly joking, I'm not a big fan of catering to the whims of healthy dogs when it comes to their food. If they don't want to eat it when he feeds them, they're not going to expired by 4 PM dinner!