spin off of havanese problm child

milontobi · 10-01-2009, 09:45 AM

I posted in the training forum concerning my havanese's problems.

I am also wondering how much to feed the 11 pound dog and what time of day, how many times a day, when to pull water, and how to get both of my dogs to eat from the bowl I put in front of them and not from each other's bowls. My blue heeler eats from his bowl and then takes from my havanese's bowl and the havi is too submissive to put up a fight. I try to correct but once the heeler steals the havi won't eat anymore. I tried to mix their food with wet food to get them to eat but it gave them diarrhea. The havi will not eat the dry food by itself. When I put food down he may take a kernel or two but that is it and then I don't feed again until before bed. But he won't eat then either. I know he has some bad teeth but when I ix dry with wet (about one part wet to two parts dry) he eats just fine but it gives him such bad diarrhea! What to do?

Dreadog · 10-01-2009, 10:25 AM

I would just completely seperate them during meals, so the heeler can't steal the Havanese's food.

Also, mix his food with water, not canned food, and see if that helps.

milontobi · 10-01-2009, 10:54 AM

Do I let the water soak the food for awhile to make it soft? DOes it take away any nutritional value?

Dreadog · 10-01-2009, 11:16 AM

I am neither a dog food expert or a nutritionist, I just thought adding water would soften the kibble and might make it more appetizing. We add water to our dog's kibble sometimes, and mix it around and she likes it better that way. I think you should play around with the water to see what works best, and what your dog prefers.

I doubt adding water would change the nutritional value in anyway...but I make no guarantees.

milontobi · 10-01-2009, 11:57 AM

It is so funny...I added water to the morning meal and he still would not eat...well it has been three meals since he last ate so I took some out of the bowl and had him eat it out of my hand....he ate almost the whole bowl! In one sitting! Practically unheard of for this dog to eat in one sitting! He is the type to grab a few pieces and run like heck to go eat it somewhere quiet. This is so wierd. I have no idea how to handle my own dog!