Update on our "issues" (no cows) - Page 1

I posted a few weeks back that Drake was reverting to being a picky eater, even on a raw diet.  I did a couple of experiments.  First, as suggested, I withheld food for a day and he was practically begging before I put some down.  He ate it right away (morning).  That evening, I gave him less than usual and he left it.  I put it away before leaving for work, put it down the next morning before I left for work, he left it again.  So, this was a 24 hour fast, one meal, then he fasted himself for another 24 hours.  On my day off, he ate right away, both meals.  So, I've now come to the conclusion that he is pouting because I'm going to work.  He knows the routine when I'm getting ready.  One day in particular, I worked 3 jobs in one day.  Left in the morning, came home in the afternoon and he was ecstatic.  Took him for a short walk, left again and when I got home, he wouldn't "speak" to me.  He was curled up in the kitchen, facing away and didn't even look up when I came in.  It scared me at first, I thought he was sick!  I didn't work for 18 months and was literally with him 24/7.  I think he's just mad that I'm not here and not eating is his way of expressing his displeasure/depression.  I only work, typically, 2 mornings and 6 evenings.  When I work mornings, I'm only gone for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  Evenings I'm away for about 3 to 4 hours.  Since he eats morning and evening, I didn't put the two together at first.  So, the solution is to put him back on TOTW until our lives even out a bit, too much turmoil right now.  I liked the raw, as did he, but right now I can't afford to be playing musical dog dish and, in the process, wasting food.  After the 3rd time putting it down, it was getting pretty rank.  At least I'll have no waste with kibble.  I can simply put it on the counter if he doesn't eat right away.

Second issue was dog aggression.  We are in an urban area and I think he was confused with boundaries.  We had a couple of acres before and anything within sight was "his".  So many dogs being walked, barking out of car windows, etc.  around here, he was going berserk.  Slamdunc suggested tobasco sauce and it worked like a charm.  His initial reaction wasn't as dramatic as I thought it would be, but evidently the aftershock convinced him.  He'll begin to react but now ignores when I tell him to.  I can actually walk him on a flat collar now!  Thanks Jim!  I do have his prong collar ready with a tab, just in case, but he's been great and I haven't had to use it.  This afternoon, on our way back from a walk, we came around a bend and there was a Lab loose in a driveway, heading for us!  I called to the man to "Please get your dog!".  He called him, the dog went back, he apologized and we continued on our way with no incident.  Drake didn't even react as the dog was approaching!  MAJOR stride.

Thanks to those who gave advice!

Now, if we can work out these cow issues...

Isn't that something! He's mad at you! This reminds me of when my ex and I broke up. He got the dog, a yellow lab and I got the cat. A year or two later he showed up with the dog at my place of work and I swear the dog would not look at me, he clearly was upset that "I" had left, it kind of broke my heart.

Can you repeat what is the tabasco trick Slamdunc told you about? I'm curious now.

Wet a sponge with tobasco and AS SOON as you see a reaction (ears go up, stance or gait changes, etc.), bop him on the nose with it.  He licked for a while but recovered nicely.  I actually had to do it twice, CURED!  Now, just remember, when you go to take your contacts out that you had tobasco on your fingers, LOL.

Cool too funny about the contacts :)
Always,
Cee

it is so funny when they are ticked at you.

Well I guess that is better than him taking a crap on your bed because he's mad at you.  Nan

I had a dog years ago that refused to eat in the morning when I was getting ready for work.  I ended up just switching to feeding once a day at night.  I was really nervous about bloat, and developed a routine of exercise when I got home from work and waiting to feed the dogs before I went to bed.  Let them out to the bathroom once before bed, and it solved the feeding problem.  She was always a picky eater, even as a pup.

Opal

OMG. I just did that with the contacts!
Glad to hear the new routine is helping.

S