Neveah won't eat her food unless it's right on her bed

[NeveahsMommy]

Okay, normally I don't need training help, but this one I'm just stumped.

My problem is Neveah is a shivery, scared-of-any-small-noise kind of dog. When we got her she was MUCH worse. She's a different dog now, but still nervous. I want her to be able to have the confidence to go eat when she's hungry, and drink when she's thirsty.

4 lb dogs look pathetic enough. Add a food bowl in front of the bed she lays on for her to eat, and well, let's just say watching that really just makes me cringe (I really can't stand fru-fru helpless tiny little dogs lol. And it's not the dogs really. It's the owners who don't make the dogs do anything for themselves).

So I've tried just putting the food down in the kitchen, but that leads to her waiting until she's starving to eat. She will wait two or three days. And that is obviously not healthy, so we don't do that anymore. I can't seem to figure out the middle phase of training to get her to that point.

Oh, and I do not, and will not free feed. Whatever food is not eaten is picked up and put away after ten minutes. If she's still eating after ten minutes, I do let her finish it.

[sassy14830]

Maybe go right in the middle literally. Put her food in the same room as her bed but across the room. Or maybe feed her in a crate. When a dog is focused on eating their defenses are down. Her being secured in a crate may give her the confidence to eat.

[SwissNChow]

Is she comfortable with the floor surface? Using the bed as the only "Safe spot?" Sounds like she needs a smaller area so she can become more comfortable.

[Doubledogdare]

Just a personal observation here, based on having worked many years with tiny Toy breed dogs:

A tiny, little, nervous, shivery, four-pound "fru fru" dog that doesn't have a bowl full of tempting calories in front of her when the spirit moves her to eat could well end up in hypoglycemic shock and very dead very quickly if you aren't careful. You cannot treat tiny little Toy dogs the way you can larger dogs. They aren't built to take it and their metabolism works differently.

I'd worry more about making sure she eats than having her on a schedule. With a dog that tiny and nervous, if she wants to eat in her bed because she feels safe there, by all means, put a bowl of food in her bed and jolly well leave it there for her. Like, all the time.

[Dayzeemay]

Wow I have to say that is not the response I expected from Ddd. but I understand her rationale behind it. I myself feed my guys in their crates except for bad girl Dayzee this way they can eat in peace without her staring them down or acting like junk yard dogs. Does she have a reason for being nervous? Does she have any health issues making her not want to stand to eat? Just some thoughts.

[ItzaClip!]

I think both crate idea and same room idea sounds good. Its not so bad to put up with idiosyncracies.
You can also try feeding when she habitually is less nervous. Example is clients dog wouldn't eat while she gone or moving around home. She started feeding her in bathroom while she got ready each morning. It worked for her.

[SwissNChow]

http://www.dogwise.com/Item_Inside.cfm?ID=DTB878EBK

Have you seen this book? "Help for your Fearful Dog." I've had friends that have had good sucess with the tiny dog and these techniques.

[NeveahsMommy]

Just a personal observation here, based on having worked many years with tiny Toy breed dogs:

A tiny, little, nervous, shivery, four-pound "fru fru" dog that doesn't have a bowl full of tempting calories in front of her when the spirit moves her to eat could well end up in hypoglycemic shock and very dead very quickly if you aren't careful. You cannot treat tiny little Toy dogs the way you can larger dogs. They aren't built to take it and their metabolism works differently.

I'd worry more about making sure she eats than having her on a schedule. With a dog that tiny and nervous, if she wants to eat in her bed because she feels safe there, by all means, put a bowl of food in her bed and jolly well leave it there for her. Like, all the time.

Yes, I agree. That's why she eats on her bed, lol! I'd rather have her look pathetic than starve. And to all, I say that lightly - I don't literally think she looks pathetic

Sassy - I failed to mention I tried this. She would end up taking a kibble, going back to her bed and eating it there, going back for another kibble to do the same. What do you think of me sticking to this longer, though? Do you think starting close, and only gradual changes for longer periods of time would make a difference?

SwissNChow - No, in the old place we just moved from was all hardwoods. She doesn't like those. Now she's got carpets though which she ADORES, so hopefully that will be a positive factor in the training. I will so be reading that book - thank you!!!

[iant2005]

Leave the bowl by her bed for a couple days and then move it about an inch away from her bed and see if she eats. Then move it another inch after a couple days and another and another until the bowl is where you want it. If there is a point where she stops eating, then move the bowl back a couple inches and leave it there for a few days again and try moving it when she is more ready. Try adding a few special treats in the bowl too, like cheese.

[kat05]

I would feed her in crate.

[sassy14830]

Most toy breeds take a few pieces and eat them in bed or in a favorite spot then go back for more. It's just a thing they do. My maltese have low Tupperware boxes with blankets for their beds. They are much easier to wipe clean. They hop out grab two bits hop in eat hop out. It's so funny.

As puppies you have to put the food in the bed or they use up more calories getting the food than they consume. Then u get hypo issues.

So to sum it up it's a toy thing enjoy it

[daesue]

Okay, normally I don't need training help, but this one I'm just stumped.

My problem is Neveah is a shivery, scared-of-any-small-noise kind of dog. When we got her she was MUCH worse. She's a different dog now, but still nervous. I want her to be able to have the confidence to go eat when she's hungry, and drink when she's thirsty.

4 lb dogs look pathetic enough. Add a food bowl in front of the bed she lays on for her to eat, and well, let's just say watching that really just makes me cringe (I really can't stand fru-fru helpless tiny little dogs lol. And it's not the dogs really. It's the owners who don't make the dogs do anything for themselves).

So I've tried just putting the food down in the kitchen, but that leads to her waiting until she's starving to eat. She will wait two or three days. And that is obviously not healthy, so we don't do that anymore. I can't seem to figure out the middle phase of training to get her to that point.

Oh, and I do not, and will not free feed. Whatever food is not eaten is picked up and put away after ten minutes. If she's still eating after ten minutes, I do let her finish it.

Aggh, I missed this post... sorry. I've been sick. My Petey is the same way. He's about 55lbs and is not that nervous type... but does scare easily. He has to eat on his bed. And if he's not interested.. he will guard it.. only it is funny.. like he'll hear something outside.. but he can't leave his food!! So he sits there tortured. I finally pick it up after a few minutes and boy he is FREE!! He is sooo weird about food. I did buy some Costco canned food.. they have a new one and will put about a spoonful in there.. that helps.. but then it gives him room clearing gas. And Petey eats lying down. We call him Prince, the Dog Formerly Known as Petey.

Mollie.. our very old lab went through a strange phase at about 2-3 yrs where she wanted someone to sit with her while she ate. Really??? So.. we did. We are so bad. Then she got over that.

So, will she eat on her bed?? I don't know.. maybe it is because I'm tired lol and I'm so used to Labs who eat anything not not nailed down.. but if she eats on her bed??

Debbie

[daesue]

Maybe go right in the middle literally. Put her food in the same room as her bed but across the room. Or maybe feed her in a crate. When a dog is focused on eating their defenses are down. Her being secured in a crate may give her the confidence to eat.

I like that idea Sassy.. I may try it for Petey. He's not small.. he's odd . But he gets very possessive of his food.. I think you are right, his defenses get down. The other dogs know to stay away from him. But sometimes.. he won't start eating until my younger female lab comes into the kitchen.

Debbie