[Nishantbindal10]

I have a 1 year old Frenchie. Her name is Elvie. I think the rest of the family members spoil her too much since she only eats by hands and not the bowl. We tried to get rid of this habit by not feeding her by hand for the past 2-3 days but she just stopped eating properly. Is this a training issue or some other reason? Pls help me find a solution to this problem🙏

 

[Kensi]

First, I hope you have stopped not feeding her. Just hoping she'll get hungry enough is not only ineffective, the dog finds it quite punishing, and does not understand what it did to deserve this hunger.

This may actually not be the result of spoiling- although, if the family members spoil her, it may be good to have a conversation. While it feels like you are making the dog happy to be indulgent or spoiling, in the long run, it makes them less happy. Dogs are happiest when they have clear boundaries, rules, and expectations- this way they are not confused, and they know just how to please you. They also enjoy to have a "job" or working for things. For instance, if your family members just hand her out treats for no reason, they could try teaching her a new trick or two and asking her to do that to get a treat. The training provides time for her to bond and have fin with them, and when she succeeds and gets a treat, she feels proud and accomplished. Getting handouts tastes good, but isn't much fun. They could also try hiding treats around the house while she's out of the room and having her sniff them out.

First things to check: will she eat if you put the food down and leave her alone in the room? Some dogs like privacy. Is the bowl too deep? Some dogs, especially ones with short muzzles like yours, are bothered by bowls that are not shallow.
Will she take meals if you put pieces on the ground? Instead of feeding her from your hand, put a few pieces on the ground and let her eat them. (if she won't do this, start by feeding her from your hand just a few piece at a time, then move your hand so it's resting on the floor, then put the food on the floor with your hand right next to it, then move the hand away. If she still cant do it, do this on your leg first before moving on to the floor) When she's confident with that, try putting the pieces of food on a plate- you may have to put your hand on the plate next to the food first, if she still won't. (don't use a bowl yet, she may find them scary to put her head into) Keep doing this, feeding just a few pieces at a time until she's confident, then put a bit more food on each time (over the course of a few meals), slowly adding more and more each time until she has her whole meal on a plate. (but stay with her, sitting on the ground) When she's confident with that, you can start using a shallow bowl. If you want, you can work up to deeper bowls. When she's confident with using her bowl, you can try feeding her, but standing up next to the bowl. Over several meals- this may take weeks- move father and farther away.

 

[DaySleepers]

It may be worth getting her a quick oral checkup at the vet's as well, just to make sure there's no sneaky issues going on with her teeth/gums that are making her uncomfortable and extra picky about eating. Especially if this is a relatively new behavior. Sometimes short-nose dogs are extra prone to teeth issues because their mouths have less space and things get crowded, so it's something to keep in mind.

I agree with starting with getting her to eat off the floor. If she won't eat if you place a kibble on the floor, try gently tossing it or sliding it to see if she's more enthusiastic about chasing and eating moving kibble. Once she's more used to eating kibble one at a time off the floor, you can try adding multiple at once, and then start confining it to a shallow tray. I agree that a deep bowl might just be too difficult for her as well, so sticking with a shallow dish that's easy for her to get her face into is a good end goal.

 

[Nishantbindal10]

Don't worry, I've stopped that. I couldn't see her go hungry all day long and she does eat from the floor like when I'm feeding her from hand some food falls down and she eats that keenly and I will surely try all this thanks a lot for your help

It may be worth getting her a quick oral checkup at the vet's as well, just to make sure there's no sneaky issues going on with her teeth/gums that are making her uncomfortable and extra picky about eating. Especially if this is a relatively new behavior. Sometimes short-nose dogs are extra prone to teeth issues because their mouths have less space and things get crowded, so it's something to keep in mind.

I agree with starting with getting her to eat off the floor. If she won't eat if you place a kibble on the floor, try gently tossing it or sliding it to see if she's more enthusiastic about chasing and eating moving kibble. Once she's more used to eating kibble one at a time off the floor, you can try adding multiple at once, and then start confining it to a shallow tray. I agree that a deep bowl might just be too difficult for her as well, so sticking with a shallow dish that's easy for her to get her face into is a good end goal.

I'm sure it's not teeth or mouth issue cause she eats the treats and other more flavourful things to her more keenly like eggs, cottage cheese etc. And we don't feed her kebble mostly homemade food like bran bread or boiled vegetables and fruits. Also yogurt is a significant part of her diet

 

[storyist]

And we don't feed her kebble mostly homemade food like bran bread or boiled vegetables and fruits. Also yogurt is a significant part of her diet

A lot of dogs wouldn't eat boiled vegetables, and you need to research the nutritional requirements of dogs.

 

[TropicalWinds]

A lot of dogs wouldn't eat boiled vegetables, and you need to research the nutritional requirements of dogs.

Most people do not understand the anatomy and physiology of metabolism. Pet foods are made significantly for pets.. Dogs do not get the correct nutrition when eating people food. A disaster waiting to happen.

 

[K9luv]

I'm sure it's not teeth or mouth issue cause she eats the treats and other more flavourful things to her more keenly like eggs, cottage cheese etc. And we don't feed her kebble mostly homemade food like bran bread or boiled vegetables and fruits. Also yogurt is a significant part of her diet

Everything you're feeding sounds soft. It could be a tooth or mouth issue.....
Where's the meat protein? She needs mostly meat protein, the rest are compliments. I certainly encourage you to check out dog food advisor sites, pick a brand and formula with at least 4 stars. You will want the first 5 ingredients to consist mainly of meat protein.