Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have two dogs. Recently started them on BARF diet (about one month). Doing well. Older dog bolts his food which is resulting in some issues for him. He often will eat so fast that he doesn't chew the bones up. Then bones come out the other end ... after a bout of diarrhea. Any thoughts on how to convince him to eat slower.

Have tried.
1. tying him away from other dog
2. feeding him first
3. feeding him last
4. feeding him in separate area.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks
Link

>>Have two dogs. Recently started them on BARF diet (about one month). Doing well. Older dog bolts his food which is resulting in some issues for him. He often will eat so fast that he doesn't chew the bones up. Then bones come out the other end ... after a bout of diarrhea. Any thoughts on how to convince him to eat slower.
>>
>>Have tried.
>>1. tying him away from other dog
>>2. feeding him first
>>3. feeding him last
>>4. feeding him in separate area.
>>
>>Any other thoughts?
>>
>>Thanks
>>Link

>>>>>>>>>>>

You put something like a big rock in the middle of the dish so the dog has to slow down and work harder to get the food out. There are some dog dishes made this way. Be sure, too, to feed the dog at least twice a day so that you are not feeding too much at one time. And yes, always separate your dogs for food. Terrible fights can start over food and spill over into other issues.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

>>
>>You put something like a big rock in the middle of the dish so the dog has to slow down and work harder to get the food out. There are some dog dishes made this way. Be sure, too, to feed the dog at least twice a day so that you are not feeding too much at one time. And yes, always separate your dogs for food. Terrible fights can start over food and spill over into other issues.
>>

The large rock works when feeding kibble but doesn't really work for a raw diet.

However, if you feed a K9 grind you can use a large rock or the specially designed bowls.

The best I can offer is what we do.

We choose to feed a K9 grind but we opted to train our dogs to eat "slowly" to address the scarf issue, or "inhale issue" as we like to call it.

We have a RR and a RR mix that we've had to work with on this issue with - RRs are known as being "chow hounds." (Also had to teach our Pharaoh Hound, but she wasn't as severe at the inhale issue.) The key for us is control, we are in control - not them.

We do not feed the dogs all at once. They each wait in the living room on a dog bed until they are called for their turn. The dog that "waits" the best is the first dog called to eat. The other's are called after they are being well behaved (laying calmly on a dog bed). This is the first step.

Then they come into the kitchen and have to show that they are willing to calmly wait. We do not let them get into a feeding frenzy prior to eating. They must keep their heads and wits about them. (This is also part of our version of being alpha, if they don't then they go back to their bed - and yes, if they don't calm down the food goes in the fridge and we'll try again after they've calmed down and will lay nicely in their dog bed.)

I teach "gentle" when giving treats, meaning don't grab my hand with the treat and you take it nicely from me. I use this phrase at first and then change it over to "slowly" once they correspond to eat "gently". Basically I teach them "slowly" as a command and use it until they understand to eat slowly.

I still have to watch our 14 month old RR, he's great if no one else is within 15' but if anyone (human or dog) is closer then that he tries to scarf. So on occasion I stand right next to him and remind him. If he doesn't listen then he get's walked out of the kitchen, away from his food, and to a dog bed. We'll try again after he's calmed down.

There isn't any "disciplining" just a concept of control, you can have it when you follow my rules. This requires consistency and no rule bending or you'll confuse the dog (which is not fair to them). It takes time for it to fully sink in. It takes time to feed also, it isn't just throw it in a bowl and come and get it. You have to be willing to take the time every time you feed.

This has worked very well for us. We can now feed our RR mix and our PH at the same time in oposite ends of the kitchen and only have to remind the RR mix about "slowly" on occasion. We rarely, if ever, need to remind the PH.

The key for us is control, we are in control - not them. If they are in that feeding frenzy then you are not in control.

Hope this helps...

.
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tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'

tabitha

thank you. We'll look into teaching him to just slow down a bit. he's not going to starve! Hard though I think to get that through an old dogs mind.....

Thanks much!

Also, maybe try using small bones like chicken wing portions, and putting a chain with big links in the bowl. That way the dog has to pick each one out from the chain.
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Kadee Sedtal
home of old lady Lucy (boxer/lab/garbage disposal), pretty girl Fancy (beagle), and our new rat pack- Gershwin, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Joshua