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Author Topic:   Cant Get My dog To eat
Matt&Kat
New Member

Posts: 5
From:australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-20-2003 02:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt&Kat     Edit/Delete Message
Hi all

I have just got a Rough Collie from the Dog Kennels and i can not get her to eat. Every time i put dog food in her bowl she just covers it with dirt and pushes it..He has only eaten dog food on a few occasions by hand and a bit of our food while we are eating...How can i get her to eat dog food from her bowl as she is underweight as she is from the pound and she needs to gain weight. At this rate there is no chance of her doing this..Any help would be great , thanks.

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elizavixen
Member

Posts: 160
From:Columbia, SC, USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-20-2003 04:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for elizavixen     Edit/Delete Message
Personally, I would take her to the vet. Most animals won't eat when they're sick.

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Matt&Kat
New Member

Posts: 5
From:australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-20-2003 06:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt&Kat     Edit/Delete Message
Nah she isnt sick she gust got checked up on the day we got her home..She does eat but only a little and she does not like eating all by herself , only eats when either me or my girlfriend are with her..I think it might have something to do with her previous owners as she is very shy and not confident, ie if i ever go to pat her quickly she backs away..I think she might have been abused the poor little thing

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kyles101
Member

Posts: 227
From:Perth, Western Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-20-2003 07:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kyles101     Edit/Delete Message
just try making her food as yummy as possible. soak dog biscuits in warm water and put chicken bits in there. but dont stand around while she eats, itll just add to the anxiety problem.

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Karriesue
Member

Posts: 277
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 12-20-2003 08:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Karriesue     Edit/Delete Message
She could have had a history of abuse and it might be contributing to her anxiety and other emotions at the moment. After she settles in and learns to trust you and feels comfortable in her new home, I think all that will let up. As long as she is eating(even a little bit), I would back off.Being there while she eats may be indirectly adding to the problem by telling her there is something to be anxious about and she needs you to help her be ok (I hope I worded that OK!) She needs to learn the confidence on her own. It will take some time though, especially if the abuse was really bad. At least she has you to help her along and as she gets to know you, her confidence and happiness will grow. I would take her in for another check up next week if her eating still is the same just to be safe. In the meantime, offer her healthy treats(which are also useful in training too.) Kongs with peanut butter are a fun treat too. Also give her some fun toys and play with her. Show her that her new home is happy. Things will get better!

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katchatu
New Member

Posts: 7
From:Perdido Key FL
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-20-2003 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for katchatu     Edit/Delete Message
Hi,
You may have a pretty smart dog on your hands. But, first, before you consider my little piece of advice - how underweight is she? how old is she? Plus, I'm assuming your Vet is right and she's healthy.

I've got two Airedales - both of them I got when they were older. My girl-Moxie(10yo/f/45#)- for the first 48hrs I had her selected a spot where she could watch everything I did. I just casually went about my business and didn't make a big fuss over her. I left her food and water bowl out and she tenatively ate for the first 3 days. (Within a week she turned out to be a huge foodhound). Moxie has an alpha personality and we went thru a number of exercises of her trying to establish alpha status. They're actually pretty funny and manipulative on her part. What I'm trying to get to is - don't buy in to it. In some ways it sounds like your collie is testing you and your falling for it I've never really heard of a dog in a loving caring household starving to death.

When I first got Buster(14yo/m/80#) when he was 11yo - Moxie wasn't overly happy and would scarff down her food and then try to get Buster's. Luckily for me, Buster never challenged her alpha status, and he would step back from his food bowl and let her have at it. I tried putting him in another room to eat - but, he wouldn't eat. I think he felt he wasn't part of the 'pack'. So for the first 3 months - I held Buster's food bowl, while Moxie tried to get at it. It was a pretty funny sight - me trying to block Moxie with my rear-end, and pushing her aside so Buster could eat. (Whose training who ) Moxie finally got tired of the game and most of the time Buster can eat in peace now.

Just something to consider. Give her time, you want her to work into your routine, and not the other way around.

An excellent book to read is Nicholas Dodman's "Dog's who Love Too much". Very helpful for understanding dogs and how we (people) end up accidentially training behavioual problems in to our dogs. Easy, quick read.

[This message has been edited by katchatu (edited 12-20-2003).]

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Matt&Kat
New Member

Posts: 5
From:australia
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-21-2003 12:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt&Kat     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks allot peoples for your help..actually me and my girl had to laugh cause maybe our dog Jewels is playing and testing us..Anyhow we will see how she goes once again thank you.

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charmedagain
Member

Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-21-2003 07:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for charmedagain     Edit/Delete Message
Hi,
If your dog is really under weight as in you can see her bones then you will need to put weight on her slowly.

Feeding boiled chicken or lamb mixed with boiled rice for a couple of days then gradually add her normal dog food to this adding more dog food every couple of days and reducing the amount of chicken/lamb and rice eventually you should find she has gained weight and is eating well feed her small amounts about 3-4 times aday, scrambled eggs is also very good for weight gain.

Please keep us posted of her progress and if you would like anymore advice on feeding please feel free to email me and i will be happy to help out.

mike.

boro_lad1976@hotmail.com

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