...for how long?
By jeanneyvonne
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
Philippines
April 27, 2013 11:51pm CST
Those who are familiar with my dog posts as of late will realize that I have a picky dog when it comes to his food and I am trying my very best to be still a good owner (looking for his health and well-being) and still keep my sanity.
This is the first time that my dog exhibited this behavior and while some might say that it is a rite of passage for any dog owner, I would like to know for how long should I hold the fort (or keep up with this behavior). It's not to say that I don't have enough patience but I am also a person and there are trying days when my day is bad and I have to deal with him. I would usually prepare his food and take it away if he doesn't want it with some kind of robotic or detached attitude. I don't want to feel frustrated or angry when dealing with him because it might encourage him in his behavior but I am also very tired in dealing with other concerns in my day.
I still have my bonding breaks with him but it really gets a little bit tiring when we are near his feeding schedule.
Hope everybody understands what I am trying to say.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
28 Apr 13
I'm afraid he might feel somehow that frustration or anger you experience when the feeding time comes. I don't know what could you do to feel more detached when it's his mealtime.
Giving advice is one thing, but living with this is a different thing.
I know how you feel because I have a picky dog for 13 years. I used to cook for her every evening. She liked fresh cooked food, even a little warm, and I did cooked for her so many times because I loved her so much!
There was a time when she didn't want to eat every evening. She had got the bad habit of eating every other evening. I was really frustrated because I was cooking fresh, warm food for her, and she didn't even come to smell the dish! Then I realized she was telling me that she's not hungry when I was preparing her food. So I watched her: any time she whined when I was preparing her food, she didn't come to eat it. So I started to prepare food for her every other evening, following her own schedule. Frustration was gone, and everybody was happy.
1 person likes this
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
30 Apr 13
I agree with the living and giving advice. It seems more straight when advice is being given.
I hope mine would also establish some sort of routine. I think I will need weeks just to figure that out. But I guess we could form sort of understanding when it comes to his meals.
@tipay26 (867)
• Philippines
28 Apr 13
Hello there!I am a dog lover too and I can understand your situation .Having a pet dog is like having a growing child too you have to be very patient with them also.If I may ask what food do you usually give your dog?Does your dog eat pure dog food with no mixtures at all?Have you tried giving your dog another type or brand of dog food?Maybe the reason why he doesn't eat it is because your dog doesn't like the smell or something.Do you serve it dry or with some water?This is what I do to figure out if my dog will eat the food I give him.I let my dog sniff or smell it first before I gave it to him/her in her plate and I only give him a little first so that it will not be wasted just in case my dog doesn't like it.I try to hand feed my dog first so that I would know if she will consume it or not.Some dogs like to eat raw or sometimes they like it with some water too.Try different alternatives but don't give your dog table food because of some table food ingredient which is toxic for dogs.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
30 Apr 13
I stuck to his first dog food and also bought a second brand just to keep his appetite. I also have wet foods or real chunks of meat in case I am already in despair in making him eat. He stuck in his first food for 4 months and he might be already reaching adulthood - a good angle if he's wanting for more taste.
My dog eats a specific amount of food - usually less than a cup. The vet advised me to give him more or as long as he wants fed because he might be losing weight or not gaining weight properly. I ma open to alternatives but sometimes, he's not helping me. In addition, I do fear that he might suffer a stomach problem when we are 'experimenting'.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
28 Apr 13
Well i can understand your situation very well and u cannot expect all your days to be good alike. In fact what u should do is never try to vent your emotions on your dog because all they need is our love and affection. if we behave rudely with them then they would feel bad n lonely that is not good for them.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
30 Apr 13
Even if I don't vent out, I think he can sense it all the same. In addition, dogs also need some form of discipline not just affection and love all the time.
