Stupid dog, or stupid bowl?

[Karyn]

Morning all.

Thoroughly exciting video for you to watch, please, for opinions!

Clicky


Thought about posting this in the "weird things your dog is afraid of" thread, but, actually, she's only just started doing it, and I'd like to know why!

Is it time for a new/different shape bowl?


Does anyone else with an EBT find theirs does this, or is it just our own little retarded madam?


ETA - she is hungry, btw - this is breakfast, after an hour-long run around this morning. Prior to this video, she was sniffing out to see if t'other dog had left anything for her to eat...

Edited by Karyn on Tuesday 17th April 07:54

[jaybirduk]

Have you tried putting it on a plate? What about moving the bowl to a different position, maybe there is something in the cupboard the dog can smell?

[silvagod]

Doesn't look like she is afraid of it to me, more like something is putting her off eating from it. Have you washed the bowl out with some new fragranced washing up liquid or not rinsed it properly? As you will know, dogs have very sensitive noses.

[SmokinV8]

is the food off? taste it

[trickywoo]

I'm with the 'something smelly in the cupboard' theory too.

[Vanya]

It has to be a smell that's warning her off.

ETA: I hope you've solved the mystery by now or your leg could be history.

Edited by Vanya on Tuesday 17th April 15:18

[jagracer]

Do you have a problem with mice? Looks like the dog is sniffing for something in or behind the cupboard.

[itsnotarace]

jagracer said:

Do you have a problem with mice? Looks like the dog is sniffing for something in or behind the cupboard.

My thought too

[Karyn]

Cheers for all the theories thus far...

Ironically, that's the first time she's sniffed down that gap, but not the first time she's pranced about not eating.


Not convinced it's the food, as she gets identical to the other dog - out the same tray (they share a tray each mealtime), and she troughs down whatever is left in his bowl. Both sets of dog bowls are washed regularly, frequency of which hasn't changed.

I've tried moving the bowl around... she does exactly the same thing wherever the bowl is; minces round, nosing the bowl. She usually eventually settles to and eats it, as well...


Will try her with a plate this evening, and see how it goes!

I'm thinking it's something to do with the bowl height/depth, so reckon the plate/a shallower bowl might be a win.

Will keep you posted!



(So glad to know it's just her that does it, too... )

[Lunablack]

Just showd my Mrs the video...

First thing she asked is, is she coming into season??

[Karyn]

I sincerely hope not, as she's been "done"!

[Lunablack]

Karyn said:

I sincerely hope not, as she's been "done"!

That answers that then....

Don't know if this helps, but we've recently had a bit of bother with one of our dogs not wanting his food...

We took the cruel to be kind approach.... His food went down of 20 minutes and we then totally ignored him... If he didn't eat it it got put away..

It took 3 days, but he's now back on track, eating his food as soon as its put i front of him....

I felt very mean, but we knew there was nothing wrong with him, he was just trying to get extras...

[Karyn]

Exciting video number two


Plate idea wasn't completely successful...

(You might want to watch it on mute... t'other dogs eating noises are grim!)


Same food as other dog again... clean plate still... all that's changed is the plate.


Might give the plate a couple of chances though, see if it improves.


Any further ideas as to what might be up with Princess?!

[Lunablack]

Maybe she doesn't like being filmed


Wife has asked... Are you sure she hasn't got a problem with a tooth?

[Karyn]

Lunablack said:

Maybe she doesn't like being filmed


Wife has asked... Are you sure she hasn't got a problem with a tooth?

Hmmm. Can't be 100%, as she's not been for a dental recently. They all look OK, though... (To my completely trained eye )

And she gobbles everything else down. If I feed her by hand, she'll eat just fine... crunch biscuits, etc. no problem. If she eats from the other dog bowl, she eats like she's not eaten for six weeks. She gnaws on bones without problems...

[Lunablack]

I have to admit, I'm not keen on dogs eating from the floor.... We only have quite small dogs, but they all have a slightly raised dish...
It does seem to help with the way they feed, especially with Burt.... He's really greedy, and will choke trying to eat his food down as fast as possible...
Since we've raised his bowl a bit, he's now not choking

[bexVN]

How often have you resorted to hand feed her as this could be a trigger.

[Karyn]

bexVN said:

How often have you resorted to hand feed her as this could be a trigger.

Never hand-fed her her dinner! Goodness... they're spoilt enough as it is!

I meant, hand-feeding her tid-bits... chicken chunks, treats and biscuits, etc.

When she first started this mincing business, I used to give her a piece of chicken (for example) by hand, then get another piece, show it her and let her sniff it, then put it in her bowl on top of the dog-food to try and encourage her eating - figured that once she ate the chicken, she'd just carry on eating...



But no... she'll mince around, then pick the treats off, then wander off...


Could it be the smell of the wet or dry food she's not keen on?


But then, she eats Clyde's, no problem!


/confused.

[bexVN]

I'd go with the 10 min rule.

Put her food down if she doesn't eat it within 10 mins pick it up and don't offer it to her again until her next meal is due. Try this for upto 48hrs (preferably less!) don't give her any other foods during this time then see how she goes.

[Vanya]

Taking all you've said and things you've tried into consideration, but without knowing this breed (some breeds are smarter than others allegedly ), I'd have to go with her being super-fussy or attempting to pull a fast one, or both.

The overriding factor being that she is eating.

Good luck finding the solution.

Disclaimer: I'm not a vet, gawd I hope she doesn't starve due to some exotic medical issue!!!