not eating when i'm not home

[Princess3604]

i've noticed since princess and i moved to my dads house that she barely touches her food when i'm not home.. i have to keep her in the basement (thats where my room is and my dad and step-mom dont want her running around the house while we arent home).. i'm unsure on why she does this.. but now that i've thought about it she didnt really eat her food while i was at work while we lived with my mom as well.. but as soon as i get home she gets a big mouthful and starts eating... anyone have any ideas on why she might be doing this? and who else's boxer does this as well?

 

[kitikarial2]

Princess, my boxer doesnt do that (since she is crated when i am not home) but my other dog wont eat until i am home either, i always wondered why he did that too. I would be curious to hear what is said about it.

 

[K8IE]

If she only eats when you are home why not try feeding her on a schedule? Try feeding when you are still home before you go to work and in the evenings when you get home. We feed Killian in the AM and PM and that way we can take him out to potty and don't have to worry about him eating a bunch while we are gone and then having to poop and being in the house and possibly having an accident. I know a lot of people free feed, but I have found it easier to have Killian on a schedule because then he goes potty at more consistent times!

 

[sgbtab]

the problem could be that you are free feeding. you might want to stop that and feed her 2 x a day. IMO they become picky eaters if they have access to there food all the time.

 

[apollosdad]

the problem can be that you are free-feeding. it's always better to feed them on a consistent schedule, as to prevent them from becoming finicky eaters.
i've also seen this particular behavior in other dogs though. some dogs will not eat unless their masters are home. they feel more comfortable when their alphas are present. placing them on a feeding schedule should help solve that problem.

 

[tesster]

Tess has always been 2x/day schedule fed, but she too won't eat when someone is not home. It's just a quirk about many dogs. All the females I've had growing up were like that, but none of the males (now that I think of it). I doubt that has anything to do with it, but it's a strange coincidence.

 

[basak]

Maybe it's female thing. Krose always waits for us to leave home to start eating :rolleyes: go figure!

 

[sweetboxer]

Skye will never eat unless we're home. Only occassionally, if she's really hungry, will she eat when we're away. I always feed her in the am before leaving for work, and then as soon as I get home in the pm. Then she'll usually eat an entire bowl. My Cadence did the same thing. I often wonder what it is that they do all day when we're not home!! Lounging around, probably!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Same problem

I have the same problem with Maggie. She only eats when I am home, and only if she can see me. She was always under weight and we had to get her to gain weight, so I used to free feed. Finally it was suggested that I stop. She did start getting into a better eating schedule, if I was home. However, I leave for work Saturday nights 4:00-5:00pm and do not return till 12 midnight or later. So if she hasn't eaten by 5:00, I feel guilty not leaving food out because I do not want her to eat at Midnight, so I went back to free feeding. Mainly because it was so confusing with my work/ home schedule. I would stop the free feeding if you can- It really does help. I may try again myself!
Ellen

 

[josephine]

Our German Shepherd is even worse. She won't eat unless someone is in the room. My husband feeds her in the morning when he's making coffee and lunches, then at night when he's in the kitchen getting the kid's cups ready for the morning. I think some dogs are just that way, but it is best to feed by schedule. If you feed on schedule then normally they eliminate more on schedule. Our newest fur baby has only been with us 4 days and has caught on to the morning/evening feeding schedule and it is making my job of potty training so easy.

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Laura