Feeding/Eating Behavior Question
Background:
7 year old, in tact
male golden. With 2nd owner (2 years now), previous owner relinq after 5 years and
introducing 2 dominant german shepherds - fight/injury experiences +
increasing health expenses. Current environment has always had another
dog and he has no hesitations with other dogs, more a follower than a
leader, but no signs of fear or anxiety; social.
Health:
Currently being treated for thyroid/joint inflammation and dental condition is closely monitored.
Eating
Experience: Can eat around other dogs, but process and consistency of
getting him to eat is confusing to handlers. Change in environment or
person feeding (all known/trusted people involved) will lead to starting
the process (as follows) all over.
The process is: he will typically
not begin eating before the other dogs and food bowls are placed a few
feet apart in all feeding scenarios. He lays down and if food is
presented to him by bowl, he will sniff and turn/walk away. If food is
presented to him while he is laying down, after sniffing and waiting, he
will begin accepting food in this method (balls of wet food with some
kibble, can increase the proportion of kibble to wet increasingly).
Some meals are fed entirely in this method, some will allow for the
remaining portion to be delivered in his bowl where he will stand and
eat (there seems to be a higher frequency correlation if the male of the household feeds him). All scenarios, he will pause, walk away/circle the area and begin
again (self regulation?).
Just hoping to gather some ideas on how those of you might perceive this information with your expertise.
Thank you!