Dinner with my dog

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Dinner with my dog

Posted : 2/28/2008 5:23:09 PM

I swear, Apollo wants me to "share" his food with him! Many times, if I don't stand there and watch him eat, he'll eat 3/4 of his food, the he'll pick up the bowl (stainless steel) and bring it to me and either drop it on the floor in front of me (which makes a mess) or he tries to put it on my lap (also a mess). Why does he do this? Sometimes he doesn't do it, he'll just gulp down his food, but more than half the time he does. Like I said, he only does this if I don't watch him eat...I never thought of it was weird until my best friend was over and was like, "Um....why does he do that?". I really don't know. Also, once he drops his bowl, he'll eat the fallen pieces of food of the floor really fast. I would like to put a stop to it, he makes a mess, but would like to know why? Maybe it's just a "quirk"?

FourIsCompany

Posted : 2/28/2008 5:43:45 PM

I don't know what methods of training you do, but I can think of a couple things I would try.

1. Walk away as he begins to eat, but keep an eye on him. The second he starts to pick up his bowl, say, "eh-eh. You eat" or something like that. If he continues to eat, say, "good boy". If he starts to pick up the bowl again, go to him and pick up the bowl and put it away. Eventually, he will learn that if he messes with his bowl, he will lose it.

2. Let him bring the bowl to you. Take it and put it away. When he finishes without disturbing the bowl, go over and make a big deal out of it and maybe have a piece of cheese to give him for dessert. Stick out tongue

My dogs' bowls are in cinder blocks and after they eat, if we don't pick up the bowls, B'asia ALWAYS picks up Jaia's bowl and drops it on the floor. Never anyone else's, just Jaia's. LOL Later in the evening, we'll hear her scooting it across the floor upside-down. We call it kitchen hockey. If that's not a quirk, I don't know what is...

AuroraLove

Posted : 2/28/2008 6:16:52 PM

That is pretty peculiar, lol! Its typically the opposite, they don't like you to hover but at least thats a sign he trusts you! Special dogs always have funny quirks....thats what makes them special! Maybe he's thinking 'My alpha may want some of my food so I'll keep a spot open at all times" LOL! I think its cute....if not a bit inconvienant for you!