MAL EDUCATION by Ruth I. Kellogg

FINICKY EATERS

When we live with a dog or group of dogs that eat their dinners promptly and without fuss when they are fed, we do not appreciate the frustration and worry that owners of finicky eaters have. As a general rule, finicky eaters are made not born. Most finicky eaters have learned that if they wait, their owner, who is becoming anxious about Buddy not eating, will "give in" and add something tasty to the meal. Many owners of finicky eaters become fixated on their dogs' eating habits which has the effect of making these habits get worse and worse. Hovering over the dog, whining/cajoling Buddy to eat, adding special treats are common traits of these owners. A finicky eater dog's owner, in the majority of cases, uses Unintentional Negative Training to cement poor eating habits with their dogs. Unintentional: obviously because they did not set out to train their pup to become a finicky eater. Negative: in the reinforcements that the dog perceives (hovering, whining, adding treats) increases the problem. Training: all of our interactions with dogs (and vice versa) is education or training.

At Inharmony, I can have my dogs and horses all fed within 15 minutes. It must be realized that I have had a "core group" of ten Malamutes for 20 years and have developed a very efficient way of doing the twice a day feedings. For a start, my dogs are all fed in individual crates set up in one area. Each dog knows its crate and the order in which the bowls are handed out. The housegirls all go to their crates, lie down, and wait with the doors open for their bowls. once they are fed (and doors closed), then I go to the dogs from the kennel runs. By the time I walk back inside the shelter, the dogs are in their crates waiting. They are fed and the next group is brought in. While the dogs are eating, I put hay and grain in the stalls and let my two mares into-the yard. They, too, go to their own stalls in the shelter. (Yes, everyone is under the same roof!) By this time, all the dogs have finished and the outside dogs go to their runs after a free play (while I clean runs), the housegirls are let out of their crates, and the chores are done.

If I have a dog who doesn't finish its meal, the bowl is removed and the dog goes to its run or inside. I always do a mental check of "why" and find that the usual reasons are male hormones (when a bitch is in heat) or the bitch just isn't particularly hungry first thing in the morning. Some bitches I've found aren't morning eaters, other regulate their "waist-lines" and decrease their food consumption when they've gained weight or haven't been active, and others eat regardless. When a dog who normally has good eating habits doesn't eat, then I start looking for medical reasons.

Recently, friends of mine have asked for help with their two dogs. Flower, a 6 year old Siberian bitch has had eating difficulties since they got her a couple of years ago as a rescue. Ebony, the pup, had good eating habits while I had her but is now starting to become finicky, too. These are two different situations, as I see it, in this family. The first situation is the rescue Siberian's poor habits and the second is the Mal pup starting to mimic Flower and thus become finicky.

Flower was originally in a multi-dog household. She often ran away so ended up being chained in the yard with all the other dogs loose. The owners were dealing with a dying child and had little time for any of the dogs. Flower got dry food in a bucket which often got rained upon. She was to "self-feed" from that bucket of questionable food. When my friends rescued her, she was severely underweight and probably malnourished. Flower is a very gentle, sensitive, bright, and loving individual with a very low pack orientation. As abused children who are placed in loving foster homes frequently exhibit strong concerns and/or fetishes around food; I believe this is a similar situation with Flower. She has somehow equated food with negativity (of a variety of forms such as the other loose dogs) and withdraws.

Flower's eating habits vary frequently. She'll always eat when pasta and tomato sauce are added. Realistically, it is extremely difficult for the owners to cater to that at every meal! So a better solution must be found.

Ebony, on the other hand, still enjoys eating and equates food very positively. But she has tried to eat from Flower's bowl (which makes Flower withdraw) and has clearly learned the trick of "wait until something better appears in the bowl". (Ebony is extremely bright and does learn by watching other dogs.)

As my friends are dealing with two different problems, it won't be a "quick fix" to get both girls eating well at each meal. These are some suggestions that I�ve made to them.

1. Make mealtime a happy event. Get "excited" when preparing the meal - even if it is a boring one for the dogs. The owner's excitement will help them trigger their digestive juices and get them mentally excited about eating the wonderful meal that is being prepared! It is important to remember that we are trying to reach the minds of these two very bright and intuitive northern ladies.

2. Isolate the two dogs at mealtime. Ideally, Ebony should eat in a crate. (She is crate-trained.) This will focus her attention on her meal and not Flower's meal. A crate effectively eliminates any competition and possible conflict between the dogs. With Ebony eating in a crate, Flower will be able to feel "safe" and eat her dinner without worry. Another factor that must be considered is that Ebony is not spayed which can have an effect on the pack dynamics as she gets close to coming into heat. (PMS for bitches is very real!)

3. Feed reduced amounts of kibble at the start of this "program". If there are any bits of food left, ignore it and take it away. If a "clean plate" happens, then praise with lots of enthusiasm. This will also let the dogs know that a "clean plate club" really makes us super happy! In the beginning with Flower, a small amount of special treats can be added. Do note that because Flower has been emotionally traumatized, she needs to learn to equate food with pleasure. For a regular finicky eater who is training its owner, do not add treats.

4. Let the dogs have their bowls with food for a maximum of 15 minutes of undisturbed time. This means no hovering over the dogs to encourage them to eat as it'll have the opposite effect. After the time is up, remove the bowls and any remaining food. Do not leave the bowls accessible to the dogs. It is extremely important that the dogs learn to eat when it is dinnertime. (This also has a good physiological basis as regular mealtimes promote good digestion and good general health.)

5. Increase the food until they are eating the normal amount of carefully measured food per meal. Ideally, the dogs should be eating their regular amounts of measurable food in 3 to 4 days. For example, 6 month old Ebony should be eating 2 cups dry kibble twice a day. This may have to be increased to 3 cups/twice a day depending upon her growth and weight.

6. Certainly put "special treats" in the meals occasionally (maybe once a week). I've certainly found that even chicken broth speeds up eating times!

7. Use food in teaching both dogs. We are working closely together in teaching tricks and acting skills to Ebony and Flower. These are fun activities mentally for both dogs. Pairing a fun activity with food will help Flower equate food with positives.

Healthy and emotionally stable dogs do not intentionally starve themselves. If such a dog learns to become a finicky eater then a "tough love" program with food only at mealtimes will quickly teach the dog that there is no benefit in finicky eating. Ebony, in the example above, is such a dog. She is young, impressionable, and could become a poor eater. Flower, I stress, has eating problems linked directly to her past. I know that with patience, persistence, and self-discipline my soft-hearted friends will be able to teach Flower that food is also related to positive things, comfort, and love. Finicky eating will then become a bad memory for these Happy Dogs!