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Anna Site Addict
Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 518 Location: Kilsyth
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject: Hungry Puppy |
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I need a bit of help, Tilly only sometimes likes her breakfast/dinner and sometimes she doesn't.
She barks at her cage door which my dad thinks is linked to her being hungry, I don't agree.
How can we get her to eat her dinner when she gets it and to just like it? We are still in the process of switching her from Pedigree to JWB but if she likes her food sometimes it can't be the switch over can it??
Thanks in advance _________________
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Ashley I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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Righty... this is what I would do, did do, and still do...
Firstly.. the switching of the food.
You really dont need to do it in stages to be honest. When I switched Holly I took up one day. That day was half and half, then the next day she was on to the food I wanted her to be on. Remember that the balance of nutrients in the two foods will not be correct if you keep mixing them. So, stop giving her Pedigree and just give her JWB.
Thats the first step.
Secondly, when you put her food out to her, call on her and make her aware that its there. Give her 15mins to eat it. If she doesnt eat it... take it away. Dont give her ANYTHING again until her next meal time. No bones or chews or anything. Next meal time, do the same. Use the 15 mins as a RULE at eating times. She'll soon get the idea that she has to eat it. Dont worry if she doesnt eat for a full day. Holly done this too. When she is hungry, she'll eat!
My two now know that once ive drawn their attention to the food... its 15 mins. Its usually gone in 5 mins... but they know if they dont eat it I will take it away.
That also reinforces you as pack leader.
Make sure she eats AFTER you.
The crying at the door isnt her telling you she is hungry... its just attention. If she was that hungry she would eat her dinner.
The dinner SHOULDNT be left out for her to eat whenever she wants!
Wow, I rambled quite a bit. But hope it helped! _________________ Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!! |
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Janis I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 4643 Location: CUMBERNAULD
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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wise words from ashley anna!
i would endorse all she says!...........i have known one of mine to not eat for two or so days and she is still here full of life and bounce!
i think we can all fall into the trap when they are puppies to see them as cute and and give in to them! stick by your rules of 15 mins and show who is pack leader and you won't go wrong! _________________ Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!
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kendal I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 4956 Location: cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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how old is she now, as she may not need to meals a day. large dogs tend to need two, but i think most smaller breeds should only be on one.
that may be why she doesn't eat as she either knows shes getting fed again that day or is full by the time it comes to her second meal. just a thaught. _________________ microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk
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John Thomson Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 4780 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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I agree 100% with Ashley..........if Tilly is hungry she will eat. a health dog will not starve itself.It is entirely likely that she simply is not hungry.
The 15 minute rule is important it reinforces that you control feeding not the dog if a dog has free access to food then it is in control. _________________ John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk |
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Ashley I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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kendal wrote: |
how old is she now, as she may not need to meals a day. large dogs tend to need two, but i think most smaller breeds should only be on one.
that may be why she doesn't eat as she either knows shes getting fed again that day or is full by the time it comes to her second meal. just a thaught. |
Agree there too, Kendal. Holly was on two meals when we got her, and I continued this until she stopped growing (about 8 months).. for a while now she only has one meal a day. Murphy only gets one meal too. _________________ Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!! |
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Suzanne H I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 1145 Location: N. Lanarkshire
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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Yup we do this too. He's also made to lie in his crate while we eat, and has to sit and give a paw before I let him start eating.
He once turned his nose up at it after getting some chicken the night before - he didn't get any food until night-time. Hasn't done it since. (Bit like getting the stuff you didn't like as a kid for breakfast!!)
This morning was odd - he wouldn't eat it (not like him) until I sussed I'd forgotten to put in his daily evening primrose oil capsule (good for his dry skin) then he scoffed it. I wouldn't have thought the tablet made it taste better, but nothing like a dog to remind you what you're supposed to do. |
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Enid Site Addict
Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 642 Location: Dullatur
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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Ashley wrote: |
Firstly.. the switching of the food.
You really dont need to do it in stages to be honest. When I switched Holly I took up one day. That day was half and half, then the next day she was on to the food I wanted her to be on. Remember that the balance of nutrients in the two foods will not be correct if you keep mixing them. So, stop giving her Pedigree and just give her JWB.
Thats the first step.
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Sorry - I cannot agree with this.
Any change in diet, even from Pedigree to JWB (same company - both owned by Mars) should be done over a minimum of 5 days. A sudden change in diet can easily upset a tummy! _________________ "My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" - Edith Wharton |
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Ashley I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I beg to differ. It worked for me, and has worked for the other dogs in my family. No tummy upsets!!! _________________ Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!! |
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Lindy I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 3209 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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when I switched my dogs over to RAW I did it in one day no messing about with lessening one food and introducing the other just one day they were on dry the next RAW they were fine no upset tummies at all. Mind you I switched food regularly as I had been trying various foods to see what i felt was best for my dogs, and all of my family dogs have never been fed the same brand constantly we would switch from one brand to the other etc as they were cheaper or on offer and we have never had tummy problems. So I tend to agree with Ashley that it's not necessary. |
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Ashley I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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My switching over was firstly from Pedigree to JWB, then JWB to RAW. I had no problems. Ive also switched a few times between RAW and JWB whenever Ive run out of RAW... like now! _________________ Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!! |
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linsey I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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I switched Leon to raw quickly too... one day normal food, then next day 50/50 and he seemed fine with that, so the next day I just put down a bowl of raw and there was absolutely no problems with him whatsoever... he was just fine. _________________ Dogs are the leaders of the planet.
If you saw two living creatures, one of them does a poo and the other carries it for him, who would YOU think was in charge?
- Laurence Billi |
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Gaelle I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1070 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: |
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Ashley wrote: |
Righty... this is what I would do, did do, and still do...
Firstly.. the switching of the food.
You really dont need to do it in stages to be honest. When I switched Holly I took up one day. That day was half and half, then the next day she was on to the food I wanted her to be on. Remember that the balance of nutrients in the two foods will not be correct if you keep mixing them. So, stop giving her Pedigree and just give her JWB.
Thats the first step.
Secondly, when you put her food out to her, call on her and make her aware that its there. Give her 15mins to eat it. If she doesnt eat it... take it away. Dont give her ANYTHING again until her next meal time. No bones or chews or anything. Next meal time, do the same. Use the 15 mins as a RULE at eating times. She'll soon get the idea that she has to eat it. Dont worry if she doesnt eat for a full day. Holly done this too. When she is hungry, she'll eat!
My two now know that once ive drawn their attention to the food... its 15 mins. Its usually gone in 5 mins... but they know if they dont eat it I will take it away.
That also reinforces you as pack leader.
Make sure she eats AFTER you.
The crying at the door isnt her telling you she is hungry... its just attention. If she was that hungry she would eat her dinner.
The dinner SHOULDNT be left out for her to eat whenever she wants!
Wow, I rambled quite a bit. But hope it helped! |
Fine I don't disagree with that but what happens if they are on medication (antibiotics) with their food and don't eat do you then give them something to hide the medication in (which is usually by this point in umpteen pieces?) _________________ Happiness is watching my dog chase leaves dancing in the breeze. |
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linsey I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 2289 Location: Cumbernauld
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Gaelle wrote: |
Ashley wrote: |
Righty... this is what I would do, did do, and still do...
Firstly.. the switching of the food.
You really dont need to do it in stages to be honest. When I switched Holly I took up one day. That day was half and half, then the next day she was on to the food I wanted her to be on. Remember that the balance of nutrients in the two foods will not be correct if you keep mixing them. So, stop giving her Pedigree and just give her JWB.
Thats the first step.
Secondly, when you put her food out to her, call on her and make her aware that its there. Give her 15mins to eat it. If she doesnt eat it... take it away. Dont give her ANYTHING again until her next meal time. No bones or chews or anything. Next meal time, do the same. Use the 15 mins as a RULE at eating times. She'll soon get the idea that she has to eat it. Dont worry if she doesnt eat for a full day. Holly done this too. When she is hungry, she'll eat!
My two now know that once ive drawn their attention to the food... its 15 mins. Its usually gone in 5 mins... but they know if they dont eat it I will take it away.
That also reinforces you as pack leader.
Make sure she eats AFTER you.
The crying at the door isnt her telling you she is hungry... its just attention. If she was that hungry she would eat her dinner.
The dinner SHOULDNT be left out for her to eat whenever she wants!
Wow, I rambled quite a bit. But hope it helped! |
Fine I don't disagree with that but what happens if they are on medication (antibiotics) with their food and don't eat do you then give them something to hide the medication in (which is usually by this point in umpteen pieces?) |
Pop it in a dairylea triangle. _________________ Dogs are the leaders of the planet.
If you saw two living creatures, one of them does a poo and the other carries it for him, who would YOU think was in charge?
- Laurence Billi |
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