[nagdu] annoying behavior

[Meghan Whalen]

Oh Marsha, been there, done that, smile.

Can you put the cat's food up on a counter or desk or table or windowsill 
somewhere so Emma can't get to it?  I've figured out that's our best bet in 
this house, because then I never have to wonder if any of my dogs will go 
for it.

As for Emma not eating, the tough love thing really is the best route.  You 
probably don't want to pick the food up as soon as she walks away.  Is she 
walking away because she's following you when you leave the room?  If so, by 
picking it up when she follows you, it's possible you're giving her the 
message that she can only eat if you're in the room.  I would put the food 
down, make no big deal of it or her.  Pick the bowl up in 10 or 15 minutes 
whether she's eaten it or not.  Of course, if she's midmeal, let her finish, 
but if she's not bothering with it, tough luck, and she'll have to wait for 
her next meal.  This worked for Kirby.  I know it's frustrating, but I had 
to convince myself it didn't matter, because the more stressed or frustrated 
I grew, the less likely she was to eat.

I have also heard of folks feeding their shepherds once a day so that 
they're really hungry by the time they eat.  I'm not sure if this would 
work.  I know Kirby would throw up bile if I tried that, but it is something 
to consider.  Maybe you could feed her in the morning and give her a 
milkbone or something at night to tide her over to morning.

Just some thoughts for you to ponder.  Good luck.

Meghan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:12 AM
Subject: [nagdu] annoying behavior


> Hi Listers,
>
> Emma is having a bit of annoying behavior, and I am not sure how to solve
> this problem, thus why I am writing.
>
> I feed Emma twice a day, on a pretty regular basis. She gets her food in 
> the
> kitchen every single day. So in other words our routine is very normal. I
> even put her food in the same spot almost every day. She is a shepard
> granted, so maybe this is normal. I am not sure.
>
> So for the problem. If I am not standing right there with her, she will 
> NOT
> eat her food. If I am needing to do work at the sink, or some place in the
> kitchen she is fine, but once I walk away, out of the kitchen she stops
> eating. And in some cases has gone for the cats food. I have caught her in
> those situations, and given her a nice firm Fooyie. I have even offered 
> her
> the cats food, and when she goes for it, given her a Fooyie. Its annoying
> because, I would like her to eat, and for me to go on with my business of
> the day. Not to stand with her and hold her hand while she eats. If she
> walks away from the food, I do not give her the chance to go back to it. 
> And
> if I am not in the room, and the cat is, she will chase after the cat, and
> again not eat.
>
> I know, I know, shepards aren't that interested in food, but I want her to
> eat. Emma definitely falls into the GSD's who do not care about food.
>
> Any suggestions on this matter. I am more concerned with her not wanting 
> to
> eat while I am in the room. The cat food bowl is across the room, not next
> to her, so she has to leave her food to get to it. Maybe I am over 
> reacting
> in this matter, its just annoying!
>
> Thanks for any suggestions in advance,
> Marsha and the Emma brat!
>
>
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