We have always tried to be present during meals as we learned early on that our puppies were "off their feet" (not eating) when we were gone. We discovered this the first time we took a trip without them. Our puppy sitter texted me that they weren't eating. Fortunately we weren't very far from home and we were willing to cut our trip short if there was a problem but the sitter asked us to wait one more day to see if they would eat, and they did. Our female (Gretel - God rest her soul) was slow to eat whenever we went away but she came round sooner and sooner till she just ate when the food was there. They can learn to eat when you are not there but it takes some time. The only time I would be worried to do this would be with a puppy that could be prone to hypoglycemia or a pet with injury or recovering. I wouldn't recommend leaving one of these pups alone for any length of time. Hope this helps.
__________________ Diane owned and loved by Hansel and Princess Sophie |