Change a dog’s bad eating habits
Carolyn L. Cheney
Board Member
Sometimes we humans have bad eating habits, and our dogs are the same way. It is very hard for us to change our eating habits, and it is just as challenging to change the bad habits the dogs develop — often because of things we do.
I have found some of the bad eating habits on www.ehow.com/info. Some dogs can’t leave a trash can alone. It can be very dangerous if the dogs find chicken bones or chocolate or some other forbidden food. A number of years ago one of my dogs managed to get a can of cocoa out of the pantry and ate all of it. It took at least eight hours before he got over the shaking, vomiting and diarrhea. It was very scary for me and the dog. According to a Good Morning American report, sprinkling baking soda on top of the trash will deter a dog from getting into it.
Stealing food from a kitchen counter or table can be very exciting for a large dog. If the repeated word “no” doesn’t work, it is best to put the dog outside or ban him from the kitchen. I have used a baby gate before to keep a dog out of the kitchen. My grand-dog Maggie Mae grabbed a small chicken off the counter once. Since she is a little older now, her manners are much better.
Pica is the habit of a dog eating items which are not food such as clothing, anything wicker (my house) or shoes. One type of pica is called coprophagy, the eating of stool. Sometimes a dog will do this so it is imperative the stools are cleaned up immediately. It has been suggested that sprinkling hot sauce over the area and the stools helps.
Often we think when a dog begs for food, he is hungry, but most likely he just wants attention. Many folks give in to the dog’s begging with food; once this happens, it is very difficult to break the habit. To stop the begging habit we should ignore it and not give him any tidbits. Gradually if the dog is not rewarded, the begging will stop, and then you can praise him and give him lots of attention.
Refusing to eat is an occasional problem for a dog. Sometimes a dog has received too many treats during the day and won’t be hungry. If the dog has had a change in dog food, he may not like it. If it is necessary to change the dog food, use the old dog food and gradually add more of the new each day. Hopefully he will be happy and eat again.
I feel very happy about my Henry and his eating habits. I don’t think he has ever missed a meal. Most dogs are fed twice a day, but Henry prefers breakfast, lunch and dinner — plus whatever snacks he can get. He seems to know his meal times and comes to me, then stands in front of me barking until I serve him. When we have popcorn in the evening, Henry takes his place in front of my husband, Joe, and waits for Joe to toss him popcorn. I am afraid Joe has not listened to my advice about curbing the bad eating habits of dogs.
Please, if you see any animals that are left outside without proper shelter, call your local animal control officer to report the situation. If you need a name and telephone number as to whom to make a report, call the Central Aroostook Humane Society at 764-3441. The staff will give you a name and telephone number. The thought of cats and dogs out in this extreme cold we are having is heart-wrenching. We have seen too many cats at the shelter that have frost-bitten ears.
No animals should suffer this way.
