How about dropping a couple of chunks of food in his water.

 Quote: debbie bruce

How about dropping a couple of chunks of food in his water.

I also thought of food just "lying around" outside, on the way to the potty place, but then I thought that it might get something into him but probably not lead to real eating from a bowl, hand, etc.

But worth a shot, in my book! If it could be the same type of food as in his dish, maybe the initial resistance would be broken down a bit..... especially if Cameron was not exactly right there, but maybe close enough to make an encouraging sound and also to demonstrate that she saw and did not become angry.

Good thought -- outside the box!

Lots of great ideas to try. Thanks so much everyone! Tonight was still uneventful in the eating department, but good in others. Tonight was the first night he actually followed me into another room without any change at all in posture or speed. Actually, his tail was wagging as he followed. I did a little OB work with my boxer (she is actually GREAT at rehab, will "freeze" in place and/or drop instantly with verbal or hand signals, under distraction. I've used her before working with another rescue) then fed her. She looked at me like I'd gone batty (she is used to eating in her crate) but he watched the whole thing. Then I opened his crate up and put him on the 8 ft lead, called him over (he came promptly, tail going a mile a minute) and put a plate down for him. Kavik looked up at one point and took a step over, but stopped and went back to her food on the other side of the room when I stepped in front of him. I don't like feeding them both outside of kennels, or in the same room, but I knew that I could still keep her under verbal command and I had him on lead just in case... He put his head into the food, sniffed, but still no eating. Sat there the whoel time she was eating and when she was finished got up and walked over to her bowl, sniffed it then laid down. (she left the room after eating) Tomorrow I think I will try the eating then put the plate down and leave the room thing. This is the most interest he has shown for the longest amount of time. I know that eating is a big ritual to them, so maybe doing something that triggers instinctive rather than training will help...

 Quote: angela burrell

Edit: maybe he has a release word. ?? "eat" or "go" or "okay" or something???

I wanted to mention something about this. I use markers in training, but my gut tells me to be careful doing that with him. At least for right now. If the refusing food is a trained behavior, not stress, then this dog is amazingly obedient to the "training" he has received. While I do believe that it is important to focus on "now" (and my thanks to Connie for continuing to remind me of that - it can be hard to remember sometimes!) and the future with him, I have no idea whether or not some common words have been used in connection to fighting, and that is the last thing I want to unintentionally encourage. Sad truth is, he HAS fought. Even though he is showing no aggression whatsoever, I have a healthy respect for his past and what he had to do to still be alive today. I intend to use markers with him, but I'm holding off for now until we get to know each other a bit more and have a bit more of a trust built up.

Cameron, just a quick idea (may not be necessary at all after trust is established), regarding words used with him, including a marker word. You might want to consider using another language entirely for commands (when you start OB), even for a marker word. I understand he's a foster and his time with you is temporary, but for a dog who has been trained to fight, the next permanent owner might not mind using a foreign language for just a few basic commands. There's no telling what words he responds to.

If you do go this way, eliminate English and Spanish entirely for commands and markers as he could have been trained in either or both. Might even want to eliminate German. Stick to a language much less commonly used in the dog world in the U.S.

I'm using russian ;-)

We have success! Not a HUGE leap, but he ate some. He likes summer sausage :-)
A few friends of mine and I were meeting to discuss some stuff, and he was showing interest in what we were eating. So, I tried the eating some then putting the plate down for him thing... he ate it! hesitant, but he ate some. (I am NOT advocating the use of summer sausage BTW, it's just the only thing he has ever shown any interest in) He started to show interest in the kibble also after eating it, and ate a little bit!
It wasn't much, but it's a start!

Cameron, that's great news!

Heck, I'd use SPAM if it'd get him to eat...

same here :laugh:

Dear Cameron: that is great news about him eating. I was wondering if someone gave him the command to eat, since he stood over the bowl drooling, excited. Sounds like he was waiting for your ok. Maybe try some different words for eating, aNd see what happens.
God bless you