May 03, 2011
My 7 month old GSD doesn’t like to eat. What should I do?
Full Question:
I seem to be having a couple problems with my 7 month old GSD, (full German). First, eating. He doesn't like doing it. I've tried 3 different brands since I got him and he just doesn't like to eat. Our vet has given him a clean bill of health. It's at the point I have to stand over him and continually point at his food bowl and tell him "eat." I loop the leash under the table leg and his bowl is in the corner (if I don't leash him, he won't stay and eat). You can't see ribs on him. However he is "lean" looking. Should I just try free-feeding and let him eat when he wants to? I don't like using canned food as it causes diarrhea.Second, he has a problem with "playful" biting. He doesn't "hurt" when he does this. I sternly tell him "NO bite" or "BAD bite" yet he continues this. I read awhile back in beginning protection training in puppies that you allow yours to bite this way. Should I allow him to "play bite?" He will eventually be trained in personal protection work and is currently in obedience. I also use a prong collar.
Debbie
Ed's Answer:
It sounds like you worry too much.
I have never seen a healthy dog starve to death in his own home. Leave the dog alone. If he is hungry he will eat. A 7 month old dog is suppose to be thin. It's healthier for the dog. If you can not see ribs there is NO PROBLEM.
Your comment on canned food is also wrong. While I do not agree with feeding a dog only canned food, there is nothing wrong with supplementing some canned food with the normal feeding.
Read my Q&A sections on my web site concerning the biting. It's also normal. You need to redirect it into something else. By that I mean you need to teach the dog that there are other things besides your arms that are more fun to play with.
This dog is old enough to begin basic obedience. If you intend to protection train him you need to start now with the bite development. This work is covered in The First Steps of Bite Training. That work will help teach him to bite other things besides your arms.
I have never seen a healthy dog starve to death in his own home. Leave the dog alone. If he is hungry he will eat. A 7 month old dog is suppose to be thin. It's healthier for the dog. If you can not see ribs there is NO PROBLEM.
Your comment on canned food is also wrong. While I do not agree with feeding a dog only canned food, there is nothing wrong with supplementing some canned food with the normal feeding.
Read my Q&A sections on my web site concerning the biting. It's also normal. You need to redirect it into something else. By that I mean you need to teach the dog that there are other things besides your arms that are more fun to play with.
This dog is old enough to begin basic obedience. If you intend to protection train him you need to start now with the bite development. This work is covered in The First Steps of Bite Training. That work will help teach him to bite other things besides your arms.
100% (2 out of 2)
respondents found this answer helpful
Can't find what you're looking for?
100% (2 out of 2)
respondents found this answer helpful
