Puppy Forum and Dog Forums banner

Feeding two dogs - help

343 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  debi1708
I have had my Boston Terrier for 7 years and just adopted a 4 year old Boxer mix four months ago. So, of course they both went through some adjustment, but they get along and things are good. Except...my Boxer deals with anxiety and needs coaxing eating. She sometimes vomited when I first got her, so it was an issue of finding the right food as well. So, her food is good and some days she gobbles and others walks away. When she was sick, I would feed rice, then add some baked chicken, then work her back to her food. I tried adding water to soften, shake her bowl, etc. So, now my Boston watches me, and waits to see if I add something to his bowl and now has to be encouraged to eat. So, I am assuming I have accidentally encouraged him to be picky and I need advice on what to do with feeding them.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
It's a bit of tough love, and will probably be harder on you than them, but fix the food, put it down, and walk away. Obviously separate them to where they can't bowl surf and/or get into a squabble (my dogs are fed in their crates). Give them ten to fifteen minutes to eat, and if the food isn't gone by then, pick it up and don't give them anything until their next mealtime. Repeat for the next meal, and the next, and the next, until you can put the food down and they immediately start eating, and eat until it's gone.

This is a good article on "un-fussing" a fussy eater. Teaching Your Dog to Eat | Mind to Mind
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top