Gulping/Gobbling Food... taking treats roughly

B

brattina88

Forums Regular
I know I lurk too much, and I don't post enough, but I needed advice so I wanted to pop in and tell you all that Bailey is doing very well, and is adjusting very well to the family. :D

However, we are having a bit of a food issue. My fingers/hands would appreciate any advice :eek2:

At her previous home, Bailey was free fed. She can not be free fed here, my other dog would eat all of the food (lol) and I want to keep their weights down.... so they get two meals a day. Plus training treats, bones, and interactive food stuffed toys(like kongs) throughout the day . She's on TOTW, and has been since she starting living here in Jan, we rotate flavors but that's about it.
She is gobbling her food down so fast, that she often goes to a corner shortly after and coughs it up (most of the peices are whole when she does this, and then gobbles it back down again. It's nauseating. I've started to put a bunch of water in her kibble, in hopes that it will slow her down a little.
And she is FAST!!. She is so fast, that she can snatch food out of another dogs mouth and run before they can even react or give a warning growl. For this reason, I've been keeping them separated to prevent her from stealing their food, or a fight or anything like that.

She's also started counter surfing, and snatching food out of my hands. Did I mention she is fast?? :dead: She's even gotten a spatula down, and was sooo disappointed when there was nothing on it.
Today, she snatched Maddie's pills right out of my hand and swallowed them right down - getting my last 3 fingers in the process. Thankfully, they were only vitamins, but they are very bitter and I have to disguise them very well for Maddie to take... and here she is gobbling them down :rolleyes2:

She does know "leave it", but that's only if I see it first, and get the words out. Also, training has gotten very dificult because she is taking treats so roughly. She has actually made me bleed recently, and left a small bruise on our trainer. Which is crazy because she is soooo sweet, and sooo gentle that after the CGC class the trainer asked me if I had considered therapy work.

Our trainer, by the way, has told me to only offer treats in a closed fist until she licks them gently, then I give it to her. This is NOT working -- I need another technique :eek2: My hands have marks, scratches, and bruises on them - I'm starting to dread training a little bit, to be honest.


So... any tips?? Do you think she's that hungry, and I need to feed her more? Or is it just a behavior that I have to work to change?

Thanks In Advanced!!! <3
 
I think it's a behavior that can be changed...she is starting to get a little pushy with you and the other dogs.

First, there are things that you can buy to put in a dog food bowl to slow the dog down. There are also special bowls you can buy. I don't have any experience with them, but I know others that have. http://www.amazon.com/Brake-Fast-Dog-Food-Bowls-Medium/dp/B000PE30MQ

You can also get toys that make her work for her food. I would recommend that because it will slow her down and also make her use her brain. Several people on the forum have used Nina Ottosson toys (a bit pricey), or a kong wobbler, or a tug a jug (you can find them all on Amazon.com).

I also think that you should work with her on the NILIF method which is Nothing in Life is Free. That means that Bailey has to work for everything she gets. Sits before dinner, downs before going outside, before you throw her toy, etc...I recommend this because that's a way for her to work on some of her self-control.

As for the nipping/snatching of the cookies, it's another self control issue. My two have a tendency to do a bit of that...so it's simple. If they snatch, they don't get the treat. I also use a command so they know what I want, I say "gentle".

Try this...ask your dog for a sit and slowly move a treat towards her nose. If she reaches up to grab it, correct her. Keep slowly moving the treat towards her. You should be able to almost put the treat in her mouth. You'd be surprised how quickly they catch on.
 
We had the same problem with Trapp,my golly he would gulp,then toss it.So a dear friend of ours visited from Florida,and she brought this red ball.There is an opening with a cap on one end,and it can be ajusted to how much kibble falls out the one end.

He took to that ball really quickly,and would roll it around till all the kibble was gone.Before the kibble ball,I also used a mini muffin pan,and with great results,and often alternated between the two.

You can also take a small glass (votive holder works well) one about 3-4" in height.And set that in the center of the dish,let the pup work for the food.

I did try a slow feed bowl,but he still inhaled his food,slower,but still inhaled.I actually gave the ball to Greta (owner of Mia's brother) as she was also having the same probem with Duncan.If I still had it,I would send it off to you.

There are Tug-A-Jugs,but none of these guys liked it,and got frustrated with it.

As far as grabbing for treats,and getting your hand or fingers,we have made strides with Jasper. What we did may not be acceptable to some here,but after many bites,and his agressiveness with taking treats,our method worked.

If you want to know,PM me. Trapp on the other hand has soft mouth,and is so very gentle and slow about taking treats.It's almost as if his mouth is made of a delicate material,and its hard to explain really.He just has always been that way.

I think Ashleys suggestion of NILF is one that will work for you.Make the pup work,he will soon appreciate meal times,and know that he has to work for it.
Good Luck~
 
brattina88 said:
She is gobbling her food down so fast, that she often goes to a corner shortly after and coughs it up (most of the peices are whole when she does this, and then gobbles it back down again. It's nauseating.
Click to expand...

This is 100% normal carnivore behavior. As long as she eats it back up, who cares? We think it's gross, but it's normal. Dogs don't chew if they don't have to. Spit is only lubrication, it's not for digestion. When I feed kibble, I soak it down in cold water. It only marginally slows them down.

Absolutely separate them. My dogs are all separated, or I would have WWIII on my hands. Don't feel bad about that at all.

NILIF is an amazing tool for dogs who insist on being buttheads. I used it for my Collie with great results.
 
I agree to seperate them as well,that or crate her,till the others are done eating,until she learns how to eat properly & without issues.

Not ever an issue here with dogs going dish to dish.Earnhardt,Trapp & Jasper all eat together within a few feet of one another.

2 will finish within the same time frame,and mosey themselves right out to the porch or go directly outside.

Trapp takes a bit longer,and usually just looks at the other 2,once they are done,he will eat.
Mia eats in her x-pen,. Eating and cohabiting the same area,was one of the first things these pups were taught.And I don't waver,its the way it is.
 
Thanks for all the posts!!! :winkgrin: I'm definitely going to work on it, thanks so much for all the advice.

And no worries - they are separated until further notice :wink2: It makes training time hard, but I need to work on 1 on 1 with Bailey and get her under better control first ;)

corbinam said:
I also think that you should work with her on the NILIF method which is Nothing in Life is Free. That means that Bailey has to work for everything she gets. Sits before dinner, downs before going outside, before you throw her toy, etc...I recommend this because that's a way for her to work on some of her self-control.

As for the nipping/snatching of the cookies, it's another self control issue. My two have a tendency to do a bit of that...so it's simple. If they snatch, they don't get the treat. I also use a command so they know what I want, I say "gentle".

Try this...ask your dog for a sit and slowly move a treat towards her nose. If she reaches up to grab it, correct her. Keep slowly moving the treat towards her. You should be able to almost put the treat in her mouth. You'd be surprised how quickly they catch on.
Click to expand...

We've already been doing NILIF... Is there a way I could up the ante? I will deffinitly work on it! :yes: Is there any other exercise that may also help with developing some self control?

And for the last part, I will keep working on it. She snapped at my fingers and I corrected her 3 times, the forth time, she turned away and did not want the treat. I think I'm confusing her :confused2: But we will keep trying!! :)
 
You describe my Indy totally!

He scarfs his food in 20 seconds. And would move in on Bacca's food if Bacca did not finally learn to scarf his food in 30 seconds!

It's still a work in progress for us, but both boys have to sit and stay before they get their food or treat.

It helps but we are still a long way to being consistent.
 
Yes I second all the suggestions for self control. Juliet is so food crazy she would lunge and snap at hands for treats. And so did every foster pup I helped care for! (My poor hands) But teaching them self control really helps. No food reaches their mouth if they aren't sitting or standing with all 4 paws on the ground!
 
When playing with food in your hand lower value of your treats, start with a broccoli if it is marginally interesting for your dog.
Nina Ottoson has good games for brains which help with slower eating. While an investment they are long lasting. buster cube, pyramid, twister etc are good for beginners.
 
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