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We adopted our dog in the beginning of Dec. He was tested for food aggression at the shelter and I tested him at home too since I have three kids. I would often pet him during feeding, offer food from my hand and offer treats during feeding to prevent food aggression. All was wonderful until I switched to once a day feeding a couple weeks ago. Suddenly just touching him would make him tense right up and if I touched the top of his head he would growl. I immediately switched to hand feeding. I can pet him while hand feeding him and he doesn't tense up but he still seems a little anxious. It seems to me he's obviously very hungry and is nervous he wont get enough to eat. I feel horrible. 
He has gained 6 pounds in two months thanks to coming to us a little underweight and treating his Giardia. Now I'm nervous he'll keep gaining because I think a diet is going to compound this problem. Thankfully spring is coming so it will be easier to get more exercise and he starts doggy day care 1x week on Monday that will burn off even more.
He does get a small treat during the day and one hot dog through the day for training purposes.
I switched to 1x day feeding because he gets car sick very easily. Switching has made a world of difference and I really don't want to go back to 2x day.
Does anyone have any advice? How long before he gets used to his new feeding schedule? How long before I can try the dish again or should I just commit to hand feeding forever. (I don't mind at all and actually prefer it. It gives me much more control if one of the kids runs over and I can give the kids handfuls of food to feed him too.)
He has gained 6 pounds in two months thanks to coming to us a little underweight and treating his Giardia. Now I'm nervous he'll keep gaining because I think a diet is going to compound this problem. Thankfully spring is coming so it will be easier to get more exercise and he starts doggy day care 1x week on Monday that will burn off even more.
He does get a small treat during the day and one hot dog through the day for training purposes.
I switched to 1x day feeding because he gets car sick very easily. Switching has made a world of difference and I really don't want to go back to 2x day.
Does anyone have any advice? How long before he gets used to his new feeding schedule? How long before I can try the dish again or should I just commit to hand feeding forever. (I don't mind at all and actually prefer it. It gives me much more control if one of the kids runs over and I can give the kids handfuls of food to feed him too.)