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Originally Posted by Ringo1  I'm not sure what to do about crate feeding. I fed her in there because when she first came home ~ Ringo would shove her out and get all the food. Food is the one issue they will still squabble about.
I'll think on it and try the chicken suggestion. Another thing I should probably stop doing is sharing her food with Ringo. In order to get her to finish her breakfast, I would take the last of her food (that she left uneaten) and take turns giving her a bite and Ringo a bite. That is the only way she would finish eating. I may have created a little problem there. It's no longer fun for her but me taking her food and giving it to Ringo - maybe that's how she sees it now. I never did it with her dinner food; just breakfast because she never wanted to eat. |
As long as Lucy is a healthy pup and not under weight then i wouldn't worry about her not finishing all her breakfast. It sounds like you do scheduled feeds so what i would do is feed them both at the same time in the kitchen with you standing over them. Separate the bowls by at least 10 feet so you can intervene if necessary. While holding both their bowls ask them to sit and wait. If they listen, place Ringo's bowl down and ask him to wait. Then place Lucy's bowl down, and ask her to wait. When you are ready, give the "ok" command to release them from their "wait" and they can eat. Stand there and watch them. As soon as one is finished pick up their bowl and say "all done". If the finished dog tries to go to the bowl of the dog who is still eating then claim the area by walking toward them and making them back out of the room until the other one is finished. If lucy tries guarding her food you will have an easier time removing the bowl out in the open. Walk towards her and make her move away from it. Claim the bowl as your own. personally i wouldn't give her anything to make her give up the bowl.
Or you can try hand feeding her a little at a time. You can try this method in the crate at first but if it doesn't work then move to an open area like the kitchen. What you do is take her meal and only place a few kibble in her bowl. When she finishes those pieces you can add a few more with your hand. When she finishes those, she will look at you for more. This will make her look to you to supply her food. She only gets to eat what you allow her to eat.