Icon134 0 #1 January 1, 2006 So most dogs that I've met are all about eating... you put down their food and as soon as its down (and they have permission to eat it...) it is as good as gone. Practically inhaled. Well Karma's not like that... sometimes she eats her food "quickly" other times she'll just kind of ignore it until she "feels" like eating it later... and when she does eat... she's really quite lax about it. Does anyone have any ideas about why this might be happening? FYI: I have tried changing her food before and it worked for about a week but then she went back to her normal routine. I also have reduced the amount of food I give her and although she is eating more she still doesn't eat it that quickly... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 53 #2 January 1, 2006 My dog is the same way. It's the first dog I've ever had like that, too. On the plus side, he's castrated and hasn't gained any weight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jloirsdaan 0 #3 January 1, 2006 My dog eats her food a mouthful here....and a mouth full there. She's a black lab....and we give her one full bowl of food a day....thats all she eats....all day. She'll go in there....grab a mouthfull....then without eating the food....she'll come in the living room or bedroom (wherever we are) lay down and chew it up...after she's back in the room.....takes her ALL day to eat her food. Jordan Go Fast, Dock Soft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #4 January 1, 2006 I leave food in the bowl all the time for my dog. She eats when she's hungry, sometimes a few bites, sometimes everything that is there. She also eats some when she thinks some other dog might be able to get near her dish. I much prefer it this way over the dinnertime craziness that some other dog owners deal with every day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #5 January 1, 2006 QuoteI leave food in the bowl all the time for my dog. She eats when she's hungry, sometimes a few bites, sometimes everything that is there. She also eats some when she thinks some other dog might be able to get near her dish. I much prefer it this way over the dinnertime craziness that some other dog owners deal with every day. My border collie was the same way... now my dachshund, if he even has the slightest notion it's food he'll eat it...The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alw 0 #6 January 1, 2006 QuoteDoes anyone have any ideas about why this might be happening? Some dogs eat every chance they get because they are never sure there will be anything to eat later. There are some things to try if you want to change this behavior - and there are some good reasons to want to change it. First, talk to your vet and make sure that her weight is what it should be. Like people, dogs have a range that is healthy, on the low end is usually best. The "One time one chance" method. Put her food down, leave it there for 15 minutes, pick it up. No more food till the same time next day. If she is healthy and the portion is correct, her weight will drop, she'll start eating reagularly, and her weight will stabilize. If she is not healthy or it is a food issue (mostly fillers - not enough nutrients) her weight will continue to drop. Monitor weight daily. The "eat it when you can - there may be none tomorrow" method. Skip one full day of feeding. Put the food down at a different time each day - varied by several hours. Also, vary the portion from 1/3 to 2/3. Monitor weight and feed enough to maintain at a healthy level. I've trained dogs for almost 40 years and I've seen many different eating habits. The worst is the dog that eats too much - who's fault is that? Take this simple test. Place your thumbs on your dogs spine and feel their rib cage with your finger tips. If you cannot feel their ribs, they are getting too much food. Dogfood manufacturers sell dog food and sugegested portions are based on that fact. --------------------------------------------- Every day is a bonus - every night is an adventure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #7 January 1, 2006 Fox is a grazer she is perfectly happy to eat a little here and there all day long. Sherpa is an inhaler he sees food and tries to get it down his throat as fast as he can. It actually took a few days to get her on the twice a day eat it all at once schedule needed for him. Now she still eats a lot slower than he does and I have to watch for her to be done to pick up her dish because otherwise she will guard it from him which normally ends in him getting bit.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divnswoop 0 #8 January 1, 2006 QuoteDoes anyone have any ideas about why this might be happening? It's because your dog is stuck in OHIO......and OHIO makes EVERYBODY CRAZY this time of year!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallinWoman 1 #9 January 1, 2006 I think that as long as your dog is a healthy weight, it should not matter. We have a grazer. We put food down and she will eat it when she is ready. When she is at my mom's, however, she eats her bowl immediately. Otherwise Mom's dog will finish it for her. With no competition here, she does not have the need to finish it right away. I personally do not understand feeding a dog once a day. I prefer to eat several times a day, and have no objection to Ruckus eating several times a day also. I would start to worry if she became overweight or underweight. ~Anne I'm a Doll!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #10 January 1, 2006 Thanks for the thoughts everyone... From what I've read I don't believe she is over or underweight. I also feed Karma fairly good quality food (Nutro - Lamb and Rice) My primary consern is that on occasion I watch my brothers lab (pictured on the left in the attached photo) and she on the other hand is an inhaler (i.e. she eats her food very quickly.) and I usually have to defend Karma's food after Casey finishes eating... QuoteIt's because your dog is stuck in OHIO......and OHIO makes EVERYBODY CRAZY this time of year!!!! I hear that... Karma's a southerner (she's half Catahoula Leopard hound) and is from north Georgia where I was until about 5 months ago... I miss jumping in the winter... Scott edit: because I forgot to attach the picture Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #11 January 1, 2006 With our dogs back home, we have one of those water cooler type. Fill it in from the top and it funnels down to a bowl that all 4 can eat from [We also have the matching water bowl of similar fashion to go with it]. They choose when they want to and how much they eat. They have gotten use to it, and as said before, it eliminates the dinner table problem a lot of dog owners have to deal with. A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RhondaLea 4 #12 January 1, 2006 Quote(pictured on the left in the attached photo) They're looking up. If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #13 January 1, 2006 I have four dogs. They eat the same way too. The most recent addition tends to wolf it down quickly, but she is too nosey when the others walk away to finish whats in her bowl. She was a rescue dog and she still has that mentality that she doesn't know where her next meal may come from. She is learning though. You just got really relaxed dogs that feel comfortable in their "dwelling". Your pooch is happy and sounds healthy. Yeah!!! FYI......Don't change your dogs food too often, it isn't good for them. Also some other questions...does she snack thru (doggie bones) out the day? That may cause her to not be so excited about meal time. Does she eat inside or out? BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hungarianchick 0 #14 January 1, 2006 I wouldn't worry too much. I once had a small mixed breed who would eat very small amounts with these dainty little bites, and during the summer when it was hot he wouldn't even eat for a day or two. I guess he just wasn't feeling it. And eating slowly is a good thing for dogs and humans. "I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #15 January 1, 2006 QuoteQuote(pictured on the left in the attached photo) They're looking up. LOL.. wondered how long it would take for someone to mention that...The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NlghtJumper 0 #16 January 1, 2006 It makes you wonder how long we are going to stick with that? A man will do anything for the right woman, and when that woman destroys him, that man will become a hunk of meat with the common sense of a rodeo clown! ~ Christopher Titus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #17 January 1, 2006 QuoteQuote(pictured on the left in the attached photo) They're looking up. It's Photoshopped (to get rid of "red-eye" ) so I'm not sure it can be trusted. Quote FYI......Don't change your dogs food too often, it isn't good for them. I've only changed it effectively twice, once because she was initially fed Ol' Roy by her Mother's owner which didn't have things like DHA, etc... (to Science Diet) then I changed it about 5 months ago to determine if the reason for her lax attitude towards food was because she just didn't like it... She's been on large breed Nutro until this week I'm gradually switching her to adult dog food as I finish off the last of her puppy chow... Quote Also some other questions...does she snack thru (doggie bones) out the day? That may cause her to not be so excited about meal time. Does she eat inside or out? She has chew toys (real bones and hard core Nylabones as she destroys Kongs ) but I don't give her a substantial amount of dog treats. She eats inside.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hexadecimal 0 #18 January 1, 2006 My dog stands in front of her bowl looking at me and won't touch her food until I tell her it's ok to eat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pincheck 0 #19 January 1, 2006 both of my last 2 dogs where rescue dogs who would scoff the food as soon as it was down. this was just that they where used to competing in kennels with other dogs i suppose for food and being in the pack pecking order. Dogs are strange but they are the most loyal of companions. Billy-Sonic Haggis Flickr-Fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyL 0 #20 January 1, 2006 Is your Lab sneaking out on dates? Maybe your pup is on a diet trying to maintain the slim figure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #21 January 1, 2006 QuoteIs your Lab sneaking out on dates? Um... lets see... no... she stays in my fenced in yard when she's outside... oh, and she's been spade since she was 5 months old.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyL 0 #22 January 1, 2006 Just kidding! Last night at a friends house the dogs were outside and werent obeying their master, we joked of the dogs flirting with the locals for fun conversation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #23 January 1, 2006 QuoteJust kidding! Last night at a friends house the dogs were outside and werent obeying their master, we joked of the dogs flirting with the locals for fun conversation. its cool... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
