Finicky dog how to#

The first step to overcoming picky eating behavior is to abandon the idea of giving daily treats and snacks. When a pet develops a food aversion due to sickness or bad experiences, positive training methods will be required in order to overcome the behavior. These negative emotions will decrease appetite in a similar fashion to food aversion from sickness. Food aversion is a safety mechanism to avoid consuming food that consistently causes illness.Īdditionally, the smell of certain foods can bring up negative emotions if the pet had a bad experience when that food was presented. If the pet becomes very ill from the food they ate, they may begin to avoid the food all together. In terms of dogs and cats, the ingredients fed in their diet can cause digestive upset. If the animal becomes very sick after consuming a food source, the subconscious identifies the food as dangerous and the animal will avoid the food in the future – this is known as food aversion. But talk to your veterinarian or qualified animal behaviorist if you already have a picky eater.All species, including humans, possess a biological trait that is designed to protect the body from ingesting foods that have been harmful in past experiences. The best advice still, of course, never start. If your vet’s diagnosis is that your dog has you trained, then it is time to implement some tough love. You will want to ensure there is no underlying medical condition creating this behavior. Before beginning a behavior modification program to change your dog’s picky eating habits, have her thoroughly examined by your veterinarian. Dogs are omnivorous and require a wellrounded diet that includes meats, vegetables and grains.Īnd as with us humans, a poor diet frequently results in obesity and medical problems. From a medical aspect, a diet of hot dogs, bologna or cat food, simply does not meet a dog’s basic nutritional needs, and in some cases may cause specific health problems. First, from a behavioral aspect, this particular dog learned through repeated behavior that all she had to do was wait long enough and “Mommy” would feed her what tasted better. Bad Human!Ĭhanging the habits of a picky eater is problematic, but advisable for several reasons. If you respond favorable twice to begging behavior, you have just created a pattern of bad behavior.

Allowing them to beg once encourages them to do it again. They stare longingly at whatever it is you are eating, and involuntarily lick their lips. They roll their eyes and look at you just so.

Finicky dog how to#

Puppies learn pretty quickly how to manipulate the humans in their pack. Very conscientious and loving owners unwittingly allow their dogs to order them around, and in talking to owners about this particular behavioral concern, we often uncover other behavioral problems. Owners experiencing this problem are always concerned that “their dog will starve to death” if they don’t feed her after a day of two. Remember this: We (humans) create (canine) picky eaters by giving in and catering to their demands. I’ll need to board her soon and I’m concerned that she won’t eat when she’s away from me, so what should I do?Ī: Well, the truth is, dogs are not instinctually picky eaters. Q: My dog is such a picky eater and all she will eat anymore is hot dogs or cat food.