Ask Me Help Desk - My dog never seems full

I feed her twice a day n every time she eats she eats like she hasn't seen food in years and is starved n then looks for more food. I'm not sure if she is getting enough or if she has something else wrong. She is very active walks plays has a runner n a crate for sleep. Toys the Kong u hide treats in. Very smart but never feels full. Now when u go around she hovers over her food n doesn't want messed with. I'm not sure of why she has become like this. I thought the structure n schedule I have her own was good but now that she has more free time to play outside(we live on a pond) she is more aggressive n harder to feed.

How old is she?

How long have you had her?

When did this issue start?

Any major changes in the household?

Is she losing weight?

This sounds like food aggression to me. But that's just a guess. I need more info.

When was her last de-worming? If you really have to think hard about it, perhaps its time for another dose.

Heartworm prevention, such as Iverheart and Heartgaurd are good medications that not only prevent heartworms, but other parasitic worms as well.

Dogs that become ravenous for food might be having a problem.. Diabetes and/or hyperthyroid come to mind.

I own a dog who is insatiable when it comes to food. I think he would eat until he exploded (literally). That is just who he is.

Try feeding green beans as a "filler". Instead of increasing the intake of food and getting a fat dog, fill them up with fiber.

However; the hovering over food and freezing is food aggression.

If all of these problems are new, than I think you need to talk to your vet. At this moment, I wouldn't worry about the actual food aggression part until all medical issues have been ruled out. Only than, would I worry about the food aggression. If you try and fix the aggression part, and nothing else, than your dog is still feeling miserably hungry and defeated..

Please contact your vet. This could be a major concern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

How old is she?

How long have you had her?

When did this issue start?

Any major changes in the household?

Is she losing weight?

This sounds like food aggression to me. But that's just a guess. I need more info.

She is about a yr old and yes is looking like she lost some but not much. I got her Feb she was on the kill list at three month's. I know how to fix the food aggression but the what caused it I don't know. And all the dogs I've worked with never have been thus mix shepherd and shibu inu. She went to vet about two months ago for a check up and bath. And no worms. She started this about then they seen nothing wrong. Only thing I cld to think to link it with is two things. One I have a autistic son and he is going through mood swings and screams I know she doesn't like that. And she has got and it with some of the wild animals around the pond. Raccoons foxes stray cats and recently my neighbors dog who charged into the yard with the baby and she went to stop it. That dog the owners told me was animal aggressive its wasn't after me or the kids. She hit a growth spurt and that's what I thought was the weight loss she got taller and needs filled out some more. But now that the food aggression has came into play I'm not sure if that's what it is. I feed her inside not outside so she doesn't feel she is competing with other animals from her coming from the pound. But her routine has not changed other than being outside a lot more with us.

You have a lot going on in your home. Since you did get a clean bill of health from the vet, I would say that this sudden change in behavior is due to all the issues at home. Your son may be stressing her out. Some dogs can be trained to accept screaming, others can't. You can try working with her on this, but I would recommend a personal trainer, one that comes into your home, does an assessment and then makes a recommendation on the training needed.

One final question. Is she fixed?

Just because she got a clean bill of health two months ago, doesn't mean that something didn't pop up now. I think I would suggest for you to go back and run some blood work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alty

You have a lot going on in your home. Since you did get a clean bill of health from the vet, I would say that this sudden change in behavior is due to all the issues at home. Your son may be stressing her out. Some dogs can be trained to accept screaming, others can't. You can try working with her on this, but I would recommend a personal trainer, one that comes into your home, does an assessment and then makes a recommendation on the training needed.

One final question. Is she fixed?

Yes she is fixed. And I'm pretty sure it has to do with my son. She has never been around him at this time. He is asthmatic around this time due to the weather n Florida because it changes so often. She is great with my girls and was with my son and the beginning. Now they don't mess with each other much she stays clear of him he stays clear of her. Idk what to do. We had her trained and the beginning when we got her because of him being autistic. I didn't want to take to many chances she was part of his therapy. Once she got to a certain size he wanted nothing to do with her. But she is still a major part of this family. I can't risk my son though. But I will not put her back and a shelter. Not and my natural to do so. Every dog deserves a chance no matter what breed. She has changed he has changed. She wants to be more outside and protective. And chase all the wild animals. I don't see what wld pop up now and her health that wldnt of a few months ago. I'm really at a lost right now. Her food aggression and temperament almost reminds me of a dog I had when I was younger his name was buster brown. He stop snakes and there tracks and all the other wild animals. He stayed very protective of outsiders and new people. I rode hin around like horse and he slept with the cat. Bit no one else cld disrupt his home. He eventually got shot trying to protect the home from a burglar. That person was caught and charged. But I don't know how she came to this point. If maybe she has took on to many animals and the yard and the neighbors dog. Maybe she thinks she is the top notch on campus and now has the game taste. But she doesn't act like it towards me or the girls. Only my son. Idk what has happened maybe she believes since she was used so much for therapy and family dog now that my son is better she thinks she is the mom and has to put him and line when he does his fits. Or she just can't handle it anymore. I'm not sure this why I have asked and this forum.

Is there any kind of therapy going on to help your son and the family deal with his screaming/temper fits? I'd start there.

If the dog cannot handle the environment that you are providing for it, than you need to rehome the dog.

If all of these behaviors have slowly progressed into what you have today, than this dog cannot handle your home and it is almost cruel to make it live like this.

Contact a rescue, not a shelter, but a rescue. Tell them your situation and see if they can help you place the dog into a home where the dog isn't stressed.