Hi,its been a while since i was on the site,i still have my westie Bobby,and my scottie Jock,i still have a problem with jock returning to his lead when let off,Bobby is fine to a degree! but he has developed this awkward side to him when he's at home,he definately seems to dominate the much larger Jock and if i did not know better they communicate in some fashion,when i now prepare there meals at the time they have it Bobby sulks off into the garden and refuses to return or eat his food,and Jock who loves his food normally also refuses to eat and i am certain Bobby is intimadating him,i have tried all sorts to get them to eat,but they insist in giving me the run around,eventually when my wife returns from work in the evening and will not suffer naughty animals lightly, they eat it,they are treated better than a lot of children and have a 5star inviroment,dialy long walks,attention through the day as i am retired from work,a warm clean home and are involved with most things we do,so as from today no more Mr soft guy!!!,i have been seriously thinking of re-homeing them as my health is not terriffic and they are beginning to tax me alot,it may be that i love dogs but they dont like me,although niether seem to give me that impression?,well its been nice to visit the site after a long break and hope everyone is in good health and spirit,i will close now and look forward to my next visit TTFN.
                                                                                                                                                       SVR

Have you tried feeding them in seperate rooms? Maybe they are not hungry ?
Don't despair I'm sure someone on here will come along with an answer!

Don't despair! It may well be that they are simply not hungry and one meal a day, fed separately, is all they need. They certainly do lead the life of Riley and your devotion is wonderful to read. However, I suspect that they know full well that you are totally focussed on all their needs and while dogs have a much simpler range of emotions, there's no doubt that they can pick up on human moods. It may be that you are now reading more into their behaviour than actually exists precisely because you have the time and devotion to do so and I'd suggest giving the pair of them something to do that will tire them out without exhausting you - some sort of training that occupies their brains, for example.

Not all dogs are cuddly recipients of the time we lavish on them (I quite like a certain self-containment in a dog and while Nips is a very loving chap, he's still his own chap if you get what I mean!), let alone give 100% indication of their devotion but I bet they'd be lost without you!

Oh believe me they do communicate and one canintimidate the other. 

My skinny little whippet X bitch rules the GSD with a rod of iron.  Recently I noticed she was putting on weight while he was losing it.  Strange, I thought, as there'd been no change in diet or exercise regime.  I then realised that, after she had 'inhaled' her food (takes all of 20 seconds),  she would walk over to him, give him 'the look' and old dopey would shamble off leaving her to consume nearly half his dinner. I thought I'd cured this problem long ago but obviously not.  Now I have to stand by ready to give her 'the look' when necessary. Still, at least normal body shapes have been resumed.

Good luck with the rest, SVR; perhaps you need to go on one of those parenting programmes where they teach you to be kind, consistent but firm. Your wife sounds as if she's got the 'tough love' thing cracked!

All the best,

Linda

Oh - dont give up on them yet.  I'm sure they love you and dont want to be rehomed.  Like kids I'm sure if you dont give in to the 'sulks/tantrums' they will come looking for food eventually!  Good luck and dont let them dictacte to you - surprise them by not offering the food at their normal time - they'll wonder whats happening and then be grateful when you do offer it I'm sure.  (nb - that is based on my kids moods I'm not a dog expert).  Maybe try offering the one who usually loves his food something extra special with a lovely strong smell that he wont resist is another way.....
Good luck,