[nagdu] A Food Concern

[Gary]

Hi Robert:

Your issues sound like what I have faced with Bogart. He is a poodle but I
have heard that when it comes to sensitive eaters, poodles and shepards have
much in common.  Now I don't worry so much about how much bogart eats
because I know he will eat when he wants to. As mentioned previously I do
stuff that my school may frown upon but it works for Bogart so that is all
that matters. He is at his perfect weight so I guess it is working out. I
have changed foods four times since I brought bogart home about a year and 3
months ago. This new food seems to be his favourite though. I do use a lot
fo treats when we are out and about. If he hasn't eaten and I know we are
going to be out on a long hike or something like that I pack some food for
him with me and feed him some when we stop for our snack.

When I came home with bogart I had to do a food switch and then found that
the food my school used wasn't available in the part of the country I live
in. Not easily found anyways. So I had to switch him to a better but similar
food. Then I eventually switched him from that one to a more high quality
food with the same meat in it. Now I've switched flavours of the same brand
he seems to like it. I was calling my school all worried about bogart eating
habits but over the year I've learned to be more relaxed. Generally I don't
worry about different behaviours that only last for a day. So if he has
loose stolls, eats some grass, is a bit lethargic or anything like that I
pay attention but don't rush off to the vet. I have seen that he generally
is just going thorugh moods or different feelings. Also, when it is hot he
seems to eat less too.

Sounds like you're doing a good job and my only advice is to not worry about
it. Your dog will eat his foo if he is hungry. I get bogart weighed about
once a month at the local vet since we can walk by there. That way I can see
if he is losing or gaining weight and it re-enforces that the vet is a cool
place to go. :)

Have fun.
Gary




-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Hooper
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 3:00 PM
To: NFB-NAGDU
Subject: [nagdu] A Food Concern

Hello list:

Perhaps I'm a bit late in posting this information, but I returned home last
Thursday with my new Seeing Eye dog Bailey, a male German shepherd. He
stands 25-1/2 inches at the shoulders and is a pretty laid back fellow. I
contacted The Seeing Eye about the concern I am about to introduce, but
thought I could do with some reassurance/opinions from fellow list members
as well. I might also add that this is my first guide of any kind from any
school. Anyway, on to my issue.
When I brought him home Thursday, he seemed to take everything pretty well,
considering that in order to get home, I met two people for lengthy car
rides and arrived home to two undisciplined dogs, who, surprisingly enough,
calmed down pretty quickly. Now, they pretty much ignore Bailey. He ate and
drank his normal ration of food and water. I might also add that I've worked
him for about an hour total each day in a city with a pretty speedy pace,
which was probably the total amount of time spent working each day at the
Seeing Eye. On Saturday, his enthusiasm level concerning his food began to
decrease. He still got excited when I approached him with it, and sat and
rested as I put the bowl in front of him. After telling him to "take it",
however, there was a bit of a hesitation before he began eating. This
hesitation continued, and his momentum decreased and he finished with about
half (maybe less) the food remaining in the bowl. I might add that I haven't
switched foods. The only
 thing I did was put a large quantity of it in a food vault I bought at a
pet store. He still drank and relieved fine. His enthusiasm level continued
to decrease, and this morning he didn't touch a single piece of kibble or a
drop of his water. At his second park time at 11:30, he emptied normally and
even produced some solid waste of normal consistency for him, despite not
drinking at this park time either. At 5:30, following some of the advice
given to me by a training manager at TSE, I gave his food to him one cup at
a time and he ate all of it, along with a usual amount of water. We then
went outside and he relieved normally. I was told that many shepherds are
sensitive to change and can become one-time a day eaters. I was told that if
he continues to show no interest in his morning feed, that I could try
putting a small amount of water on a smaller portion of food in order to
increase the palatability of said meal. He hasn't showed any signs of
lethargy or sluggishness on route,
 however, which is why I decided to call TSE before calling a vet. He did
wretch a bit when we stopped for a while, but I'm sure that's because of his
high activity level and lack of any food in his system. Luckily we were
outside and what he produced was very insubstantial. I was told also by this
trainer that carrying around treats on route would be good to negate the
possibility that he might vomit or wretch whilst in transit. Has anybody had
any similar issues-and if so, how did they come to a resolution? I am
curious as he did not show immediate signs of anxiety or lack of appetite
when I first got home, however I am aware that some symptoms can be latent
in their manifestation. Any input of any sort regarding the topic outlined
above would be greatly relieving. :)
Thanks,
Robert Hooper
Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu<mailto:Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
The Ohio State University
553 Morrill Tower
1900 Cannon Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(740) 856-8195

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