HOW CAN I GET MY FINICKY DOG TO EAT?
Of all naturally-driven or instinctive behaviors,
eating food is obviously among the most important. Dogs normally do not
have to learn how to eat—from the time they are born and are compelled
to seek their mothers' breast, they survive by seeking food. In pet
dogs, however, eating behavior can be associated with problems—either
because it is excessive and results in obesity, or because owners feel
their dogs do not eat enough and are finicky about food. Although it is
less common to hear of a finicky dog than a cat, some dogs just are not
voracious eaters. Why would this be?
First, it is important to realize that normal dogs
will not starve themselves to death simply because of fastidious taste
in food. Second, a thin appearance may not indicate that anything is
amiss. Individual dogs, like other species, have a physiologically
determined "set point" of body weight—while some are
overweight, others are quite thin, and efforts to change that weight may
not be successful in the long term. If your thin dog is maintaining his
weight over time, there is probably little to worry about (weight loss
or a new change in eating habits should be brought to the attention of
your veterinarian).
In some cases, dogs balk at the food we serve them
because they have learned that they can either get lots of attention and
hand-feeding from their worried owners or because, if they hold out long
enough, more delicious human food will be offered. To change finicky
behavior, the first step is identifying the ways it might (accidentally
or purposely) be reinforced.
If you are petting your dog, or hand-feeding her, to
coax her to eat, try stopping for a while. You can increase the
palatability of dry food by adding a good quality canned food to the dry
kibble. Place this on the floor for fifteen minutes—if it is not
consumed, remove it and offer a fresh bowl of food twelve hours later.
As long as food is available twice daily, your finicky dog will not
starve. It may help to feed your dog during your family meal so that he
is socially facilitated to eat. Otherwise, try ignoring him during the
meal—resist the urge even to praise him for eating. In time, even the
fussiest dog will begin to eat when food is placed before him.
HOW CAN I GET MY NEW DOG TO STOP BEGGING AT THE
TABLE?
Begging at the table can be something your dog
brought with him from his previous home, and it is understandably a
behavior that some find unacceptable.
If you're not used to having a wet nose poking at
your leg under the table or, worse, a pair of deep brown eyes staring
pitifully up at you as you enjoy your pasta, it is possible to change
the begging habit. Let's start with easy solutions and progress to those
that may require more effort on your part.
The most foolproof solution is to restrict your dog
from the kitchen or dining area during meals. A simple baby gate in the
kitchen doorway will solve your problem, unless your dog has resorted to
whining or barking at the dinner table. In addition, it may be helpful
to feed your dog before you feed yourself, just in case the begging is
actually driven by hunger. Many dogs probably don't know the meaning of
the word!
The longest-term solution is known as
"extinction": in order to extinguish a behavior (and begging
is a good example) you must remove every trace of reinforcement or
reward. In other words, not only must you stop giving your dog any food
from the dinner table, you must also try to stop dropping any surprises
onto the floor. (Wasn't it Freud who suggested "there are no
accidents"?) Although extinction takes longer than other methods
for stopping an undesired behavior, it tends to endure, as long as
reinforcement is no longer given.
Finally, it is helpful to interrupt begging by
giving the dog the "down-stay" command slightly away from the
table or even in another room. To discourage dogs from developing a
begging habit, or to help the transition to a "non-begging"
home, offer the dog treats away from the table. When the family's meal
is finished, place some dog treats directly into the dog's food bowl so
that your dog makes no association between treats and your dining room
table.
Note: You should not rely on the veterinary advice
or information provided on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any
specific situation. Always consult your own veterinarian for specific
advice concerning the medical condition or treatment of your own pet or
animal. The Puppy Place disclaims all warranties and liability related
to the veterinary advice and information provided on this site.
Full disclaimer.
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