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A common area for people to ask about is that of feeding their dogs. Whilst they are happy with what to feed, the confusion comes from their interpretation regarding their dog's actions. Top of the list seems to be; how to slow down a dog that eats too quickly, with dogs often described as being greedy but let's remember that nature has equipped them to be just that.
The world that all canines were designed to live in requires that they hunt, kill and consume their food with little fuss or ceremony. The reason being that there is intense competition for any food and if they chewed every mouthful slowly they would soon lose their food to another predator and starve.
If you observe the wonderful wild dogs of Africa you will see that they tear off a piece of meat and almost inhale it, stripping a carcass in about 5 minutes but when you consider how many species of very large cats share their world, you can see that this is excellent behaviour.
I am also frequently asked how to stop a dog stealing food but I can assure you that a dog has never read the 'ten commandments' and being opportunist eaters, who do not assume that they will ever eat again, they will take full advantage of any food that appears unwanted. Remember that to a dog, any food which is not being given attention is deemed unwanted and is consequently released for their consumption. A common example of this is the one all parents have seen, their child is wondering around eating a biscuit and when the child turns its attention or gazes away from the food in their hand the dog will move in and take it. The reason for this is that in the canine world the signal for giving permission to eat is the senior pack member (having had its fill) will look away from the food. This is why I advocate 'Gesture Eating', putting the bowl down and then walking away, as the correct way of convincing a dog that you are the leader of the pack, that you are the provider of the food will leave them in peace to eat once you have given your permission.
The natural behaviour of the dog is why I totally reject the common practise of standing over the food, preventing the dog from getting to it or even taking it away from a dog. Doing this confuses the dog at best and at worst is seen as a challenge by the dog, who will defend what has been given to him and is rightfully his. This so often tragically results in so many lovely dogs being killed for defending what should be theirs, their very means of survival.
If your dog eats very slowly, sometimes leaving part of the food in the bowl or generally playing with its food then this is a problem, as your dog is giving you a very clear signal that it is in charge and I would recommend that you address this, for the dogs sake as well as yours.
At home here I choose to feed my dogs in two groups. One group eats quickly and at about the same pace. With the other group one of my girls resembles a vacuum cleaner and to prevent her from going to the others before they finish I simply coat the bottom of her bowl with some form of good tinned food, with the main meal placed on top, which results in her wanting to lick every morsel from that bowl and by the time she finally leaves her meal the others have finished too. Of course, I could feed her in another area but this works for me.
Always remember your mother's words 'Don't play with your food' and this should be same for your dog, Respect their natural rules, work with this and keep feed time simple, for only humans can complicate so many straightforward areas of life.
Your dog is from a family 'that has to get kicked in the head whenever they want to go and eat and they see life as just grand. They just take their hard knocks and don't think about the ones that are coming and if that is a lesson for me then I will take it and be happy', these are the words of my friend Dr Douglas Smith, Project Leader of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park., How wise.
Jan Fennell
30 March 2011
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