I have trouble feeding my puppy sometimes

[Robtouw]

Have you tried switching your brand of feed? Everyone has an opinion, none are wrong, but you need to make changes based on your pup's behavior. He is telling you that either it doesn't agree with him or he just doesn't like it. Adding to it might help and isn't always a bad idea. Plain yogurt is beneficial because of its cultures. I never, never recommend letting a pup starve, continue to do so and it will develop bad habits such as guarding his food later. There is a fix, you just have to work to find it. Have him vet checked, try different diets, and be patient,most important observe your pup's behavior.

 

[Smart_Family]

Not eating for 36 hours isn't going to make a puppy starve and he offered him the food, he just didn't eat it. It'd be different if no food was offered over the 36 hour period but that's not the case.

 

[DMikeM]

I knew he was pushing you. Jade has done things with me that I know are tests of stubborness to see what she can get away with. Like not jumping up into the car when the crate was in it. I told her 3 times then just picked her up and put her in. Had to do this 2 times, after that she knew it wasnt going to work so she just jumps in now. Mastiffs are a lot smarter than many average dogs and have a stronger will than any I have ever had before. You need to show them you are stronger. I am happy you guys got past this test. Let us know when the next one arises.

 

[Francesco]

I have tried lot of things with my puppy...but i had never tried to be more stubborn than him...when he didn't want to eat or he didn't finish, i used to add something else to make it more delicious...the result was next time he didn't even start eating because he was expecting me to give him something tastier from the beginning of the meal...i couldn't take it anymore because sometimes he even skipped a meal, either because he was not hungry or because he didn't like the food...so 2 days ago i just decided to me stronger than him...and apparently it is working very well...actually way better than i thought...he always looks so hungry and impatient to eat and he always finishes the bowl

 

[Francesco]

Guys something weird has been going on and on.
My puppy has been doing very well with just kibbles thanks to your advice. My happiness basically is dependent on him eating properly every day LOL ... Anyway, 3 days ago i gave him a bone for him to practice and strengthen his mouth and teeth with, then the next day he didn't eat in the morning but just lunch and dinner...at night i gave him again a bone...the next day he ate just a little, he always left kibbles and didn't look greedy or hungry...so i got suspicious and i didn't give him the bone the 3rd time in a row...the resul is, today he started to eat again as he got me used to seeing him...do you think this has really something to do with the bone? sometimes i just thought he didn' eat up because he wanted me to offer him that...he looked so voracious and mean with that bone

thank you all in advance

 

[Smart_Family]

It's probably the bone .

 

[DMikeM]

Make sure to check inside his mouth for splinters or cuts or broken teeth. Also if the bone has a bunch of meat on it, that will be considered a meal. If he thinks he will get a real food meal versus a kibble meal of course he will try to hold out.

 

[Francesco]

Is it essential for a dog to have a bone to play everyday day with or can he do without that? I am asking just because if it is so important, i am gonna try taking the meat off the bone

 

[Smart_Family]

He can definitely do with out. Is it a cooked bone because that can be dangerous.

 

[Robtouw]

I don't give my boys bones, they can splinter and lodge in the throat and if you are not there to help out, ick! Try giving him frozen pieces of fruit or a big ole carrot or dehydrated jerky as a treat. There are loads of things he can safely chew without the danger. If there is a good deal of meat on the bone, he may be considering it a meal especially if he eats in small amounts. If you are wanting to supplement his kibble with meat try adding boiled hamburger to his kibble.

 

[Francesco]

i gotta tell you the truth at night, after eating his dinner, he starts biting everything...i just wanna calm him down LOL ...

 

[DMikeM]

Crate him after dinner if he goes into zoomie mode. You can run in to gastric problems if he gets too wound up after eating.

 

[SavingGrace]

My Corso was a tough eater as a puppy as well and they definitely learn to 'hold out' until you feed them what they want but MAKE SURE nothing is health-wise wrong with the dog. Our puppie's 'picky eating' was due to a liver shunt. She would hold out for 2 days, eat a few pieces or occasionally a meal and walk away. She wasn't gaining weight, was looking thin and slept a lot. Before you do the tough love (which Corso's often need) make sure the pup is healthy.

 

[Francesco]

thank you for the tip !!! We got over that though Now it's impossible to stop him from eating just kibble

 

[Kelly]

Francesco i love your posts. Your puppy makes you so happy. what is his name again?

 

[Francesco]

Francesco i love your posts. Your puppy makes you so happy. what is his name again?

Thank you so much I appreciate it...I am absolutely "obsessed" with him, actually I am totally into him

His name is Hugo though