My year old springer really gulps at his food and downs it in 10 seconds flat, how can I slow him down. He is also starting to go for the other dogs bowls as soon as his is eaten.
We have taken to putting him outside as soon as he starts this but I really need to find a cure.
Sandie.

He could be eating fast to get to the other dogs' bowls. Try feeding him in a different room to the others, with the door shut. Then there will be no competition.
:)

I'd agree with Jean - if he was simply gulping the food he wouldn't be interested in the other dogs - in this case slowing him down isnt' going to help (unless he's slowed down so much that the others have finished :() but then you run the risk of him getting frustrated and dashing about to the other bowls to keep the other dogs away - which could be dangerous......... Maybe a baby stair gate to seperate him?

could you put his food in a kong ? he would have to work a bit to get it.

I'd feed him seperately from your other dogs, so he doesn't think it's a competion. Also what we sometimes do (I work with labradors!) for dogs that really eat very fast, is put some toys in their bowl with their food, perhaps 2 or 3. A kong & a couple of balls maybe, this way he'll have to eat around his toys to get to his food.