YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - How to stop hand feeding my 10 months yorkie?

YorkieRose · 10-09-2010, 09:42 AM

I used to board Yorkies for friends and others..many were hand fed..one was offered a bowl of ice water every hour or so and I was told that was the only way she would drink. The owner had a heart attack and recovery took about a month...I kept her Yorkie during this time...I put the water bowl down and told the dog she had the choice to drink or not to drink..of course she did not understand my words, but dogs do understand body language and tone if voice..the dog drank fine from the bowl..

This also applies to eating...I have never had a dog starve themself to death or even come near it..as a rule it takes 3 days and they will eat...BUT you attitute is very important and if the Yorkie suppects you are worried and concerned you have lost the battle...make an issue of eating and it will be an issue..or you can put the food down and go about your day...your dog may lose a bit of weight, but a touch underweight is much healthier for them anyway..I would only be concerned if my Yorkie became weak from lack of food, but if they show no signs and are walking, playing, acting normal, they are fine..your Yorkie is playing you like a piano.

10-09-2010, 09:42 AM	#4
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	I used to board Yorkies for friends and others..many were hand fed..one was offered a bowl of ice water every hour or so and I was told that was the only way she would drink. The owner had a heart attack and recovery took about a month...I kept her Yorkie during this time...I put the water bowl down and told the dog she had the choice to drink or not to drink..of course she did not understand my words, but dogs do understand body language and tone if voice..the dog drank fine from the bowl.. This also applies to eating...I have never had a dog starve themself to death or even come near it..as a rule it takes 3 days and they will eat...BUT you attitute is very important and if the Yorkie suppects you are worried and concerned you have lost the battle...make an issue of eating and it will be an issue..or you can put the food down and go about your day...your dog may lose a bit of weight, but a touch underweight is much healthier for them anyway..I would only be concerned if my Yorkie became weak from lack of food, but if they show no signs and are walking, playing, acting normal, they are fine..your Yorkie is playing you like a piano.