|
Nov 2012
11:22pm, 24 Nov 2012
3,414 posts
|
Jambomo
Yeah Jet was fab  He used to stand in the doorway of the kitchen and look up at the cupboard where his treats were kept, then turn and look at us, then back up at his cupboard - all to say he wanted a treat! He did the head butting thing too, I think Greyhound/lurchers are all quite alike in many ways.
|
|
Nov 2012
8:58am, 25 Nov 2012
1,806 posts
|
lazydaisy
Daisy, our last Lab,also had us very well trained with the post-dinner Dentastix - if we forgot or were a bit tardy she would stand and stare at us very hard. Then she had to stay in the kitchen, while we went and hid the dentastik in the living room. She wouldn't come in until we shouted "Find it!" and then she would run in and hunt it down. I wonder how many years it will take to get Flossie well enough trained for that!
|
|
Nov 2012
9:43am, 25 Nov 2012
2,383 posts
|
Sharkie
At this stage I occasionally feel I have to 'train' Jess to eat. The breeders warned us that their dogs are far more toy and game led than food led - and Jess has certainly inherited the family genes. She sits and looks at her food bowl, then at me, then at both of us. We sometimes resort to getting on the floor and pretending to tuck in - both of us if one doesn't work. Crying 'yum yum nice food we love it!' (Secretly barfing) Eventually she gets the message, noses in and starts chomping. Sometimes she only eats if I offer her bits at a time by hand from the bowl - getting gradually nearer the bowl. Perhaps she's shortsighted? Or daft? She's a very dainty eater for such a big puppy - although already typically Alsation like with her drinking habits. Slobber, slurp, paddle if necessary. Water everywhere.
|
|
Nov 2012
9:53am, 25 Nov 2012
153 posts
|
MrsVanoord
Don't pander to fussy eating - you'll end up making life much harder for yourself. Put food down with appropriate command ('take it' or whatever you choose - if you have a command for 'eat now' then you have much better control over them not nicking food). If it hasn't been eaten within 10 mins, take the food away and don't re-offer until the next scheduled mealtime. Do NOT give any treats or extras in between. They will eat proper meals within 3 days. This can be quite mentally tough for you. It's important to get them eating reliably and independently so that a) you can occasionally go away and get other people to look after them without having to ask them to crawl on the floor with their faces in a bowl of chum, b) if they are unwell you can put medication in their food and know it will be taken at the correct time, c) they can go to kennels or stay in at the vets and are far more likely to eat well, d) having half eaten bowls of food lying around the house just isn't nice! Sorry to lecture but as a vet I battle every day with dogs that aren't getting a balance diet because they will only eat hand-fed chicken breast and whose owners are absolutely enslaved to the dog's dietary whims. If they never learn that being hand fed is an option, they will never miss it! Good luck.
|
|
Nov 2012
10:01am, 25 Nov 2012
2,384 posts
|
Sharkie
Thanks! No really - I know you aren't lecturing. I think I over emphasised the pandering for comic effect there! She's only being fed three times a day at the same time every day - and I do take away if not eaten. Am also making sure she's not 'possessive' about her food (or anything). Vets said she's in perfect condition - lean and healthy.
|
|
Nov 2012
10:57am, 25 Nov 2012
10,448 posts
|
early bird
Puppies ate like children they won't starve themselves I agree with everything MrsV says for techniques. My collie was a poor eater I used the same techniques and she never ate a full bowl of food ever BUT she was a very happy and healthy dog that loved long walks and lots of play time. Don't worry if she never eats a full meal they will not starve themselves its not I will their nature (((())) I do know how your feeling tho x
|
|
Nov 2012
10:58am, 25 Nov 2012
10,449 posts
|
early bird
Oh god typing on phone is a nightmare hope you got the just of that
|
|
Nov 2012
11:12am, 25 Nov 2012
2,385 posts
|
Sharkie
I was in a rush when I wrote the above - needed to take Jess out for a 'No Pull!' walk before the weather deteriorates. But I need to thank Mrs. Vanoord properly for her timely advice. We are so anxious to do everything right. But we could quite easily have let the coaxing thing become a habit. Eeeeeeek! No more of that then. EVER! Bop on the nose for me.
Ok in my defence - walk was much better again this morning. Lots of nice just moving along with a loose lead. And I AM pleased she won't be a food thief and doesn't try and get food or attention when we are eating at the kitchen table - she is still largely confined to our (large and uncluttered) kitchen at present. Other rooms need to be earned.
We met a lovely 1 year old Malmute husky - he was very friendly and we share the same vets. His lovely owners had also experienced the bonkers experience of their Puppy Playgroup.
|
|
Nov 2012
11:15am, 25 Nov 2012
2,386 posts
|
Sharkie
All my other animals have been no fuss eaters - it would be awful if I failed with Jess!
I'm glad she eats so politely from the hand though. I will persevere with that in training situations.
|
|
Nov 2012
1:29pm, 25 Nov 2012
1,808 posts
|
lazydaisy
Mrs Vanoord - thank you for your advice! Flossie is a surprisingly picky eater for a Labrador and OH and I are having words about it - I, being a tough old boot, favour the 10 minutes and take it up rule, he saying oh leave it for her to pick at, it will stop her looking for food along the worktops or table. She seems to do that whether her food is left down or not, so I will show him your advice and 10 minutes and that's it will be the rule from now on!
|
