You're holding your breath as you put down the food bowl, he trots over to see what's going on; could it be? Is today the day he FINALLY takes an interest in his meal? Ah... there he goes, waltzing away with his nose turned up, and another load of food destined for the bin, you might as well be burning money at this rate.
Sound familiar? You're not alone.
It’s such a massive problem amongst dog owners, and a real frequent question we are asked – ‘I’m worried about my dog, he doesn’t want to eat his breakfast or dinner’. Not only is it unhealthy for the dog, but for you the owner it’s awful to not feel as though you are in control of their weight, energy reserves, and ultimately a daily necessity!
The good news is, for the most part, fussy eating can be a really easy fix. But it starts with you being consistent, and strict with your pooch.
So how does this work in practice? Let’s start by putting their breakfast down, giving them 15 minutes to eat then picking the food up. If your pup eats, happy days! If not, he will have the opportunity again at the next mealtime. Dinner time comes around, and it’s the same routine – food goes down, timer goes on, food is picked up.
And here’s the hard part… that’s all!!
To start with we want to show the dog that the food you are putting in front of them is the only food you are going to have access to. No treats, titbits of human food or anything else is going to come your way. You eat your meals, or you don’t eat. After all, you wouldn’t let your children eat their ice-cream without eating their veggies, so why should that differ with your dog!!
Your dog will soon realise what is going on, and the animal instinct will kick in and they will start to eat their meals.
You may be thinking, 'but if he’s not eating his meals, surely it’s better for him to eat the treats I’m giving to make sure he doesn’t go hungry?' Whilst this is a completely rational human thought, it’s actually adding fuel to the fire. By giving them treats, bones, etc. you are teaching the dog that it’s okay not to eat your meals because I will give you food elsewhere.
This starts to become a real issue as the sausages you are slipping Fido on the sly will soon become his main source of nourishment. He will not be getting the balanced mix of meat, veg, vitamins and minerals that are vital for maintaining healthy development. Treat’s should be exactly that – a treat. That habit you have got into is comparable to solely eating McDonald’s, when your body is screaming for good proteins and nutrients.
Of course the usual statement applies - If you are worried, especially if it is behaviour that is out of the norm (if your dog used to be a gannet, and now is turning up his nose) I would consult your vet to rule out any teeth, tummy, or other problems.
But why not give the above a go? Let’s get you and your dog back on track and restore your mealtime harmony!
If you have any questions, give us a call, or send us a message through our contact page. We are always happy to help!!