Can anyone help me with an age old problem. My curly coated retriever Rannoch has stopped eating and is losing weight, he is an immature 2 year old that otherwise is gorgeous (in my eyes anyway). He is healthy and has been pronounced fit by my local vet. My other dog, a curly bitch, emma, eats very well and is in fact overweight. I have had the same continuing battle with Rannoch for two years and am now at the end of my tether.

I have tried a variety of food, starving him for a couple of days at which stage he will finish off his meal but then goes straight back to picking as soon as he goes back to a daily routine. I feel like I have to stand over him constantly whilst he eats because as soon as I move he is distracted and then leaves the dish and food and will not go back. After discussing the matter with doggie friends there is a definite feeling that he is dominant and this is affecting his eating pattern. Can anyone help or give me practical advise???

Caron

Hiya Chick,

Just thought I would say Hello... you've heard all my advice. But I'm sure the experienced Champ Doggers will be able to give some useful advice.

Love Vicki & Peps ( who is also not eating at the moment ) xxx

Hi C/Anne, would it be a problem if you continue to satand over him while he eats? At least that way he finishes it as you say it`s only when you move away he gets distracted, just till he gets the weight back on then have a rethink :) What about pouring some tasty meat juices over his food or something he really enjoys. What are you feeding him now?
Christine, Spain.

Mmm good point, it does only take about half an hour and if it keeps him happy, the only thing I worry about is the dominance thing, ie if I am watching him does he think I am his subordinate? I am currently feeding him on tinned dog food, my bitch loses weight when she is eating this so that make me think perhaps there is not a lot of goodness in it. I have tried the meat juices and it did keep his attention but only for a short time, the little monkey!!!

I have thought about buying the feeding dogs on raw meat book, what do you think, has anyone any experience with this form of feeding.

Caron

Dear Caron
I am not sure if this helps but I had a similar problem only for about 3 weeks with my corgi but only at breakfast time. He loved dinner [Nature Diet and Burns - very nice] but always turned nose up at breakfast (probably knowing that he would make me late for everything). At one point I was so sucked in I would give him a bit from my hand which I knew was a big mistake. Also tried gravy and other bits and pieces to no avail. Anyway I cracked it - it turned out that all he needed was a brisk walk before breakfast. We had been weeing him in the garden before breakfast and taking him for a walk after eating but once he started to lift his leg at 7 months he would no longer wee in the garden and was obviously uncomfortable. Once we changed this routine he was back to chomping away.
Do you think a pre-eating walk would help in your case - it need only be 20 mins or so.
cissy

Thanks Cissy

That sounds like a good idea, I do have a tendency to let him out in the garden for his morning refreshment but dont walk him properly till after tea, I will give that a go for the next few days and see what happens. It may be I am getting it all the wrong way round. Thanks for your advise and I will keep you posted.

Caron

Hi Caron, I always wait till my lot have finished feeding anyway, the dominance thing doesn`t bother me my lot know whos in charge :) :) I feed raw & have done for a while now, but my lot will eat anything, Labradors & not fussy eaters so don`t know about how easy it is to put weight on them with this diet. Not hard I should think but maybe one of the other raw feeders will give you a better idea. Melody has put a link on the cost of barf thread for you to have a read about raw feeding.
Christine, Spain.

Hi,

Have you tried Skinners Ruff & Ready at all? It's a 'muesli' type food which dogs seem to love, and is good for keeping weight on. Why don't you email them, explain your problem and ask if they'll send you a sample to try out on him?

http://www.skinnerspetfoods.co.uk/enquiry.htm

M.

Will give that a go, the breeder actually feeds her lot on that, worth a try, especially if if keeps the weight on.

Thanks

Caron

Field and Trial Muesli is the same product but VAT free for working dogs. I also think they don't put the colured biscuits into it. It is usually liked by dogs as it is like that mossed rabbit mix. Only thing I would say is watch he gets plenty of things to chew, as it isn't good for teeth!! :D

I have tried the field and trial and he did gain a little weight but then found it very difficult to get hold of in this neck of the woods. My supplier could not give me any consistency of supply so I was chopping and changing which as you know doesnt do the dogs any good, he did enjoy it too and there is the added advantage of no vat, does anyone know of any good suppliers in the lancashire area.

Thanks for that.

Caron