I think this started out as my fault now I just want to fix it before it progresses.

When we first brought Finn home I sat next to him because he was shy while he ate. He is a little ADD in the regards he gets very distracted and wont eat if he sees his girls. That being the case I had stared sitting with him in the mornings and afternoon feedings (3/4 cup in AM and 3/4 cup in PM). Now he wont eat unless I have him next to me. I have tried crate feeding and he flips the bowl because he wants out of the darn crate.

In the mornings now I am knowticing that he wants to do marker training and wont eat his kibble unless its out of my hand. Tonight I tried teathering him. Stuck him on his puppy leash, slipped the handle over my foot and gave him a 6 ft radius while I watched the news. It worked, he ate on his own without me feeding him from hand, but he is Still next to or near me.

This is only hard because I have the girls to get ready in the mornings, hubby is busy, and I have stuff to do like clean and laundry. I would like to be able to give him his food and he be ok with eating without the major distractions.

So am I doing the right stuff? Did I start this bad habit (I am thinking I did)? and Can I fix it? We meet with the trainer tomorrow 9am, and since its just the trainer, finn, and I if there is something I can get the trainer to show me that would be great!

Also would the place command work for this issue? If so how do I do it, because I am confused on Ed's video 8wks to 8months.

Thanks,

Mary

My gut says put the food down (where ever you normally do or in his crate) and leave him alone for 15 - 20 minutes. If he doesn't eat, pick up the food and offer it again at the next meal but also leave him alone. I bet he doesn't skip but one or two meals...

Do it with the attitude of "that was then, this is now, and I've changed your routine a bit but you will be fine." You did start "training" him that he eats when mom is there, but it can be undone.

Those with more experience will chime in if my advice is going to destroy your pup... (thankfully!)

good to know it can be fixed! I will start this tomorrow morning.

also really quick question. I knowticed since he is eating mainly in the evenings he's going 4-5 times a day where as 3-4. Also this last one (he didnt eat at all and drank very little) was formed at the beginning but runny at the end. Is this heat? Because he HATES being outside with the sun on his coat, oh does he go bananas.

Mary

I feed my dogs in thier kennels same time every day. I would find a more quiet area away from everybody, give him fifteen minutes and pick up the food.

How old is Finn again? Are you feeding him in the evenings only? He is MY kind of dog... I hate the summer sun on me too!

10 weeks. feed him twice a day 3/4 morning and evening. Vet said 1.5 cups total for ever 10 lbs.

He only ate tonight about 2/3 cup

At that age I was feeding Falcon 3x daily... I think up until six months, then went to two times. He might do better with smaller meals spread out more instead of two larger meals... can you give that a try?

I trust Connie or Michael will chime in, but if not, you can send them PM and ask them to check out this thread and ask for their input.

Edited to add... I think it is appropriate to feed ALL 10 week old pups 3x daily - not just because that is what I did with Falcon.

thats the thing, I have tried but he wont eat three times a day. I dont know what the breeder had him on but three times he isn't eating. He will nibble in the morning, and chow at night. Noon, forget it. He wont eat.

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He will nibble in the morning, and chow at night. Noon, forget it. He wont eat.

Tasha was the same way. She would eat a little in the morning, noon she would sniff her food, maybe play in it a little and walk away. At night she would eat no problem.

I tried dividing her meals all different ways. It was just the way she was.

If you are training with a lot of food sometimes this can happen. Just make sure his training treats aren't junky. Watch the calcium.

Just don't let him get picky. Trust me, I went down that road. As hard as it is just feed him and take it away. Don't feel like you need to bribe him to eat buy adding tasty extras to the food. If he is hungry he will eat.

Ok. His training treats are his kibble. He has food drive. He eats out of my hand just fine. But doesn't like eating out of his bowl. We have been giving him milk bones, as a daily treat. I wonder if that could be causing this. If so, I will toss them. I just dont want him to get sick. Arg, he is a picky little stubburn pup! But I love him and he's staying. I just have to figure out whats what with him. thanks everyone for all the advice. We start tomorrow his new schedule.

Mary