Off Topic » Dog advice needed.

The male miniature pincer is acting stranger than usual of late.

This guy is a chow hound.  We can’t leave food out because he’d eat all of it.  So, 1/2 cup of kibble in the morning (4 am) and 1/2 cup in the evening (4 pm).  He used to get 1/2 can of green beans at 11 am, but with the female chihuahua, that half can get split between them.  Needless to say, we have to watch to make sure he doesn’t go after her share.

The min-pin has been eating dirt of late.  It started out occasional, but now he does it more.  I first thought he was going after grubs or insects, but I see nothing.  It’s either the roots of the grass or soil in which he’s found an interest.  Now, for the last day or so, he’s started “fighting” with the chihuahua at meal time.  We got the min-pin a slow feeding bowl because he’d inhale his food (causing its own issues), but when he’s done, he tries to bum food from the other two dogs.  The boxer mix will share a few kibble with the min-pin and growl to indicate it’s all he’s getting.  If she doesn’t finish her kibble, we have to take the bowl up so the min-pin doesn’t eat the rest.  When he’s done with the boxer mix, he tries to bum off of the chihuahua.  At first, there was mutual growling and he’d back off, now it’s snarling and gnashing.

Part of the issue may be that the chihuahua keeps getting a mouthful and leaving the kitchen to eat elsewhere (a new behavior that we will not tolerate).  Leaving the food bowl abandoned is a good way to go hungry.  So, I’m dealing with breaking the chihuahua of not eating outside the kitchen (FYI, they don’t make a containment gate that will close off the kitchen), and stopping the min-pin from aggressively trying to take the chihuahua‘s portion.

Otherwise, the dogs get along fine.

Research isn’t being helpful.  The food quality should be excellent…brand recommended by the vet.  I doubt it’s a nutritional issue, and I doubt the min-pin can claim to be underfed as he will eat anything…all time time.  We ration his food to keep him at a healthy weight.  He shouldn’t have any parasites as he’s and indoor dog.  The min-pin does lick the floor, all over the house, but min-pins are known to be neurotic, and other than a sticky floor, it’s not been an issue.

Yesterday, I had to grab the min-pin my the harness and put him in the crate so the chihuahua could finish her food in peace.  I don’t want to have to keep doing that nor do I want to have to feed dogs in different rooms.  It’s the change in behavior that’s bothering me more than anything else.

I’d like to eliminate other, cheaper solutions before going to the vet as I have no assurance the vet will have any better answers.

When an animal's long-term eating habits change or they become combative with other pets in the household, it can be a sign of a health change. That's all I have to offer.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #2

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you need a dog behaviour expert not a vet.

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Zitat von Freddyfruitbat im Beitrag #4

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Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #2

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you need a dog behaviour expert not a vet.

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... and dare I say, not a bunch of... BMW motorcycle riders?

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For a moment there I thought a chow hound was a type of dog.