Gsd Eating Issue

ahlihaff · 10-28-2007, 09:51 AM

We have a 2 1/2 year old GSD named Rhett. We got him from the breeder when he was 8 weeks old. His temperment has always been very laid-back. He and our 3 year old black lab female, Skye, are great friends. When we first got him, our youngest daughter, Becky, (then 28) lived with us for 6 months before her move to FL. She played a huge role in his puppy days.

In February 2007, Becky was hit by a car in FL and came home for 7 months to recover. IMMEDIATELY, Rhett appointed himself as her "guardian/protector" in true shepherd fashion. He rarely left her side and made sure to always be between her and Skye as all the lab wanted to do was play.

Within a few days of Becky's return home, Rhett choose not to eat. I have always fed them morning and evening, putting their bowls on the kitchen floor a few feet from each other. Becky would have to stand on her crutches next to him so he would eat. Skye would have to be within his vision, but not near Becky. This went on for all the time she was here. Two weeks ago, Becky returned to FL. Though Rhett is still not eating like he did before her return, he is doing somewhat better.

I'm sure this is related to Becky. Has anyone had this or a similar problem? If so, how was it solved?

Rhett has been vet checked, and all is well. I mentioned it to his vet, and he stated "shepherds can be like that". YA THINK????

roberts617 · 10-28-2007, 10:52 AM

Can he go live with Becky? It sounds like they are supposed to be together..

What a sweet dog. I love GSD's.

TanyaV28 · 10-28-2007, 11:15 AM

It sounds like he misses her. I have 2 gsd's and one of them doesnt eat much. I have tried everything to make her gain weight. She has had every test on earth and she wont eat much either. I dewormed reg. Usually I can get her to eat can food. You might want to try that if you havent already. I also give her bread. They are very loyal!! I would really try can food mixed with hard food.

HorseMomToSage · 10-28-2007, 12:02 PM

My "niece" is a female GSD and when my brother leaves on business she will not eat like she does when he is home-she will pick at her food and my "nephew" (also a GSD) will finish it for her, we stay at his house and play with her and make sure she gets plenty of attention but it's not the same. When he comes back she is o.k. again. Sometimes they just want a particular person and I've heard that you know a dog is "yours" if it follows you from room to room. It sounds like he belongs to Becky

ahlihaff · 10-28-2007, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the ideas. Adding some can food might be worth a try. It's not possible for him to live with Becky. The thing is, he was fine with eating before she returned home to recover. She was gone for a year and a half. It was right after he became her guardian that this food issue began.

It's weird. He has begun to eat under specific circumstances. Skye, the lab, has to be in the room and I have to stand near him. She is usually finished eating by the time he begins which means I have to keep her in the same room, but away from his dish or she'd eat it and he would let her. I suppose if this is all I have to worry about, it's no huge deal.

HorseMomToSage · 10-28-2007, 12:23 PM

It sounds as though his job was to protect Becky and without her there he's lost his "job" Dogs need a purpose (unlike cats who are here to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose

) It sounds as though he is very good around people in healthcare settings, don't know if you have the time or inclination but maybe you could consider using him as a Therapy Dog. I do this with my Great Dane and he enjoys it a lot. We visit every two weeks and when we finish he is exhausted and sleeps the rest of the day but is always ready to go again the next time.

A J · 10-28-2007, 12:52 PM

GSD's can be funny to deal with sometimes - mine is driving me nuts right now. She gets really bad seperation anxiety, so I have to ignore her unless I am telling her to do something. NO loving, petting, etc - and it kills me! But she destroys my house, otherwise.

As for the eating thing, I haven't had that problem with my gsd, but I did with my Border Collie. What I started to do: I would put down the food bowls, and when I felt like it, release the dogs to go eat. If my BC did not eat, or did not finish her food, then the food was picked up until the next mealtime. She now eats nearly every meal just fine.

The BC was used to having free access to food, but after getting a rescue dog, we couldn't leave the food out because he would have eaten till he was sick, and then probably some more. We had to train the BC that mealtime was mealtime no matter what.

It's not always easy, but it does work

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10-28-2007, 09:51 AM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,880	Gsd Eating Issue We have a 2 1/2 year old GSD named Rhett. We got him from the breeder when he was 8 weeks old. His temperment has always been very laid-back. He and our 3 year old black lab female, Skye, are great friends. When we first got him, our youngest daughter, Becky, (then 28) lived with us for 6 months before her move to FL. She played a huge role in his puppy days. In February 2007, Becky was hit by a car in FL and came home for 7 months to recover. IMMEDIATELY, Rhett appointed himself as her "guardian/protector" in true shepherd fashion. He rarely left her side and made sure to always be between her and Skye as all the lab wanted to do was play. Within a few days of Becky's return home, Rhett choose not to eat. I have always fed them morning and evening, putting their bowls on the kitchen floor a few feet from each other. Becky would have to stand on her crutches next to him so he would eat. Skye would have to be within his vision, but not near Becky. This went on for all the time she was here. Two weeks ago, Becky returned to FL. Though Rhett is still not eating like he did before her return, he is doing somewhat better. I'm sure this is related to Becky. Has anyone had this or a similar problem? If so, how was it solved? Rhett has been vet checked, and all is well. I mentioned it to his vet, and he stated "shepherds can be like that". YA THINK???? __________________

10-28-2007, 10:52 AM
roberts617 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 5,153	Can he go live with Becky? It sounds like they are supposed to be together.. What a sweet dog. I love GSD's. __________________ He who never made a mistake never made a discovery! Samuel Smiles

10-28-2007, 11:15 AM
TanyaV28 Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,119	It sounds like he misses her. I have 2 gsd's and one of them doesnt eat much. I have tried everything to make her gain weight. She has had every test on earth and she wont eat much either. I dewormed reg. Usually I can get her to eat can food. You might want to try that if you havent already. I also give her bread. They are very loyal!! I would really try can food mixed with hard food. __________________ Im movin on like a sinners prayer

10-28-2007, 12:02 PM
HorseMomToSage Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: A Whole Other Country-TX Of Course Posts: 1,501	My "niece" is a female GSD and when my brother leaves on business she will not eat like she does when he is home-she will pick at her food and my "nephew" (also a GSD) will finish it for her, we stay at his house and play with her and make sure she gets plenty of attention but it's not the same. When he comes back she is o.k. again. Sometimes they just want a particular person and I've heard that you know a dog is "yours" if it follows you from room to room. It sounds like he belongs to Becky

10-28-2007, 12:17 PM
ahlihaff Greenbroke Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Western MA Posts: 3,880	Thanks for the ideas. Adding some can food might be worth a try. It's not possible for him to live with Becky. The thing is, he was fine with eating before she returned home to recover. She was gone for a year and a half. It was right after he became her guardian that this food issue began. It's weird. He has begun to eat under specific circumstances. Skye, the lab, has to be in the room and I have to stand near him. She is usually finished eating by the time he begins which means I have to keep her in the same room, but away from his dish or she'd eat it and he would let her. I suppose if this is all I have to worry about, it's no huge deal. __________________

10-28-2007, 12:23 PM
HorseMomToSage Coming two Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: A Whole Other Country-TX Of Course Posts: 1,501	It sounds as though his job was to protect Becky and without her there he's lost his "job" Dogs need a purpose (unlike cats who are here to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose) It sounds as though he is very good around people in healthcare settings, don't know if you have the time or inclination but maybe you could consider using him as a Therapy Dog. I do this with my Great Dane and he enjoys it a lot. We visit every two weeks and when we finish he is exhausted and sleeps the rest of the day but is always ready to go again the next time.

10-28-2007, 12:52 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,479	GSD's can be funny to deal with sometimes - mine is driving me nuts right now. She gets really bad seperation anxiety, so I have to ignore her unless I am telling her to do something. NO loving, petting, etc - and it kills me! But she destroys my house, otherwise. As for the eating thing, I haven't had that problem with my gsd, but I did with my Border Collie. What I started to do: I would put down the food bowls, and when I felt like it, release the dogs to go eat. If my BC did not eat, or did not finish her food, then the food was picked up until the next mealtime. She now eats nearly every meal just fine. The BC was used to having free access to food, but after getting a rescue dog, we couldn't leave the food out because he would have eaten till he was sick, and then probably some more. We had to train the BC that mealtime was mealtime no matter what. It's not always easy, but it does work __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.