Hi everyone! I could use some help with trying to find out what I could do to get my new 8 month old Aussies to start eating. I can hear their tummy growling, so i know that they are hungry. When I put the dish down they kind of creep over to it slowly like they are scared, sniff it, and then walk away. Could this be nerves? They are both very submissive, spayed, females. (sisters). I have purchased the same food that was fed to them by the breeder but they haven't eaten in three days. I tried putting in some leftover gravy, then I tried some white rice. They would nibble at the mixture with white rice only if I held it to them in my hand, but they would only eat a couple handfuls. Surely thats not enough to make them full because they are 35 and 45 pounds!! No agression problems and no potty problems... they are drinking water though. strange, don't you think?

********** just wanted to let everyone know that they both ate from their new dish for the first time today! I put the regular dry food (didn't add anything to it or heat it this time) and then just left the dish on the floor and sat watching tv (prentending not to watch them). About an hour later they ate!

I would imagine that they would need about 2 mugs of dry food each per day. At 8 months they would be on two meals,

Are you trying to feed them from the same dish? Are the dishes perhaps too deep, or of a material they are unfamiliar with?

Three days would not be unusual for a dog to eat little in a new home, especially a sensitive one.

Do they respond to your food?

Just a few questions to get a bit more info.

Hi!

Thanks for your help! Those are all great questions and some that I haven't even thought of myself!

They both do eat together out of the same dish. I did this to start out because the breeder said that she feeds all the dogs at the same time out of the same food source. (big bench). I was shocked to hear this too! She had no idea how much any dog was eating but as you can see by the weight, these two big girls didn't have much problem getting some. =) I plan to get them to seperate eventually, but for now I was trying to make it as similar to the "old habit" as possible. I even tried to give it to them outside since they were "yard" dogs at the breeders, but that didn't work either. They are both drinking hardy out of the same water dish though.... so I guess I should be releaved that they arn't dehydrating!

I am feeding from a big rectangular plastic tupperware container that is usually used to hold cakes/cupcakes and such. They respond to my preperation of their food by standing next to me as if waiting. When I place it on the floor they slowly check it out and then just leave it. I've coaxed them into coming back to it by calling out and holding some in my hand. They take a couple bites, or eat a little (about three handfuls at most) and then refuse any more.

I am in the middle of making them a feeding bech that will hold two metal feeding dishes, you think that would really make a difference? It's not exactly like the one the breeder has because hers looks more like a pigs trough, but I thought that it would be close to home.

As you say they will eat food out of your hand, although not a lot, maybe the dish smells funny??

Fiona
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I was wondering about that this morning too. I am going to try a different dish today and see what happens. The bench will be complete in a day or two, I hope one of those ideas will solve the problem. You know, they did show GREAT interest in the smell of dinner last night. I just don't want to offer them the table food scraps at this point because I'm afraid that they will never go to the dog food if they learn they can hold out for the GOOD stuff! =)

wise choice !

If you heat their food in the microwave that'll increase the aroma of it and make it more appealing to them. Alternatively place it on the kitchen floor and see if they'll eat it then - that way you'll know if it is a problem with the dish.

Fiona
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Hi, when mine are fussy i put the food on the floor and it does seem to get them going again, I've got no idea why though! ;)Emma

Welllll.......... I heated the food, put some in the new dish and when they didn't go for that, I put some on the floor. Still no eating until I put it in my hand and offered it to them. After first few initial hand feedings only one began to eat some from the floor.

Pleeez tell me that I'm not gonna have to hand feed them forever. =}

They may not like the food go for a small bag of another type and put the leftovers in it and see how it goes.
Three days may seem a long time but dogs that are a bit strange to their surroundings can take a week sometimes to adjust . Not a young pup but an older one would .
I suggest providing they are not ill you relax and let them get on with it.
They will eat when they are hungry .
Mari

I also have an 8 month old Aussie bitch. There are times that she eats very little also. Aussies are intelligent dogs... not to mention stubborn. Sounds to me like they are making this a game and turning you into there servant. Easy thing to happen when they are sooo adorable! ;) Here is what I would try... as soon as the new dishes are done put the food into them. (If you are feeding the same kind as the breeder it shouldnt be a problem.) Leave the food in the dishes for an hour or so, then call them to you offer up the food again... from the dish not your hand... if they don't eat, put it away. Some time later (four hours or so) repeat this process. They should quickly figure out to eat when it is there or they will have to go without. And I wouldn't worry... if they are in good health it isn't likely they will starve themselves to death or anything. Since you just got them, and they are at THAT age (you know teenagers :rolleyes: ) they are probably just testing the waters to see what they can get away with. We have had our little one since she was 9 weeks old and still she likes to test us every now and again.

Also another point... do you know the breeder well? If not I would ask for a few refferences. From what you say I would be suspicious that she fed her dogs more table scraps and treats than dry food. Just a thought. But I think refusing to share ANY scraps with them is a good idea.

Have you tried putting the food down and then walking away and just getting on withsomething upstairs? Maybe they are just not used to people nearby when they eat.

Lindsay