New Lab won't eat unless I'm standing next to her?

 Give her food in a puzzle toy, make eating really fun.

Also, the dog won't starve itself, so give it the meals on a set schedule and walk away. If the dog doesn't finish the bowl in 20 mins pick it up and put it away until the next meal time. Keep doing that and the dog will eventually learn that it has to eat at a certain time no matter if you are there or not.

She probably got in trouble for either eating another dog's food or the cat's food or something ... I'd simply generalize walking further and further away.  If this dog is trying SUPER hard to please (so it doesn't get bounced) it actually could starve itself.

 If you feed both dogs together it may also be afraid that the other dogs will object ...

I dunno -- I *always* supervise eating.  Less problems that way.

Jewlieee

Also, the dog won't starve itself, so give it the meals on a set schedule and walk away. If the dog doesn't finish the bowl in 20 mins pick it up and put it away until the next meal time. Keep doing that and the dog will eventually learn that it has to eat at a certain time no matter if you are there or not.

I agree.  If she's crate trained, start feeding her in her crate so there is no worry that another dog may try and get her food or separate room if she isn't crate trained.  After 20 minutes, take the food away and offer again at the next meal.  She's so new to your household that she may be feeling insecure but it won't help her insecurity to cater to her.  The food toy is also a good idea.

I agree with Callie that if she is trying super hard to please, she might do without and make herself ill, or actually starve herself.

We have routine feeding times.  We have set length of time for the bowl to remain down, yet every now and then, Sheba and/or Theo will just flat not eat unless I am near by.  Usually, they get a clue after missing one meal, but Theo actually has gone several days without eating when he's on one of his "I can't eat without Mom" jags.

In my experience, most eating "issues" in dogs are caused by the owner.  Not the OP's dog, since she just got her.  I also don't agree that dogs are trying to please us.  That's anthropomorphism and it's not based in how dogs actually learn or why they do the things they do to make us happy.  Dogs are trying to get along with a different species.  They try to please us in the sense that they want to figure out how to keep the food coming, the praise coming and the good times/playing/walks/toys/petting.  I've never heard of a healthy dog starving itself to the point of illness.  Dogs can go much longer than a few days without eating (not without water) and be completely fine with no ill effects.   I wouldn't want to work a dog that isn't eating but I wouldn't be worried that it was going to become ill or starve itself to death. 

If the OP is concerned about the dog getting the nutrients she needs while she gets the dog eating normally (without her standing near) she can ask her vet for a supplement.  I do realize that it's very hard to see a dog not eat but I think the dog needs time to settle in to the house and a feeding program, as jewelee described, is the best way, IMO.

I'm not real sure where this issue with Theo came from, or why it started, but even as a tiny pup he wanted to be "with" me when he ate, and that might be because he needed to be supplemented so mom being there became important.  Who knows.

It rarely happens.  But, when he gets in one of those moods it isn't a big deal for me to sit in the room he's in while he eats.  It's a security issue for him and I suspect that's what this new dog is looking for, security.

BlackLabbie

So, I used to walk away and he'd follow me so after 15mins I would put his food away for the next meal. Well, smartie pants decided to carry his bowl filled with food to wherever I was going- yup, spilling almost all the food everytime.

That just cracked me up to imagine but it sounds like you handled it well. I'm guessing this new lab is just nervous about the new surroundings. Maybe getting fed meant getting left behind or locked out of the house before. Who knows but I think the idea of feeding at specific times and for only a short period will ultimately straighten things out. Good luck with the new addition.

JackieG

I also don't agree that dogs are trying to please us.  That's anthropomorphism and it's not based in how dogs actually learn or why they do the things they do to make us happy. 

I didn't so much mean 'trying to please' as simply trying not to screw up.  I've done a ton of work with damaged dogs and it sounds to me like this gal has been thru a pretty harrowing time ... I'd bet she's waiting for a release word or lacks the confidence to eat with the other dog without the human there.

It's too difficult to imagine what she may have been thru ... I have a feeling to her this human who rescued her may represent "safety".

calliecritturs

It's too difficult to imagine what she may have been thru ... I have a feeling to her this human who rescued her may represent "safety".

   For the most part, I don't focus on what a dog may have experienced or speculate too much on what could have happened to create a certain behavior. Often, feeling sorry for a dog. who may have had a very sad, neglected past only provides the dog with emotion rather than information.  I truly believe that dogs want and need a steady, structured start in a new home without too much emotional overload, initially.  Dogs are quick to pick up on our feelings of sympathy toward them but sometimes this doesn't do anything but encourage behavior we don't want. It's often the case that dogs become nervous because the owner is anxious because the dog isn't eating.   A vicious circle can begin. 

In the end, I don't think the OP's sweet dog will have too much trouble adjusting.  I'm so glad she's in a home with such a caring owner. :)

I just wanted to throw in that when Willow won't eat but then will eat when someone is standing there it's because she's guarding the food. 

willowchow

I just wanted to throw in that when Willow won't eat but then will eat when someone is standing there it's because she's guarding the food. 

Oh Willow! I don't know why this made me laugh, Lori, but it did. And it's most likely because I *know* Willow by now. Oh boy. Gotta love them.

 Brianna's had lots of food issues. We've been dealing with them one by one. No matter what though, she will not eat her food if I'm not in the same room with her. She'd much prefer to be wherever I  am. So I stay there with her. Now that she only takes a matter of minutes to eat, it's not a problem. My crew all eat in crates now.

When I'm not home, she'll eat most of her food.

JackieG

Often, feeling sorry for a dog. who may have had a very sad, neglected past only provides the dog with emotion rather than information.  I truly believe that dogs want and need a steady, structured start in a new home without too much emotional overload, initially.  Dogs are quick to pick up on our feelings of sympathy toward them but sometimes this doesn't do anything but encourage behavior we don't want. It's often the case that dogs become nervous because the owner is anxious because the dog isn't eating.   A vicious circle can begin. 

REALLY superbly put, Jackie