Questions for Multi-dog owners
- Thread starter wcladymacbeth
- Start date
Don't expect instant love 
It's a bonus if it happens, but that's rare. I'd even expect Maggie to be very shy. These things take time and there'll probably be some sulking and some pushiness on the part of Titus, and maybe even a little snark from Maggie. It's all part of adjusting, so maintain your calm, let them know there are lines of snarkery you won't let the cross and give them the time they need
It's a bonus if it happens, but that's rare. I'd even expect Maggie to be very shy. These things take time and there'll probably be some sulking and some pushiness on the part of Titus, and maybe even a little snark from Maggie. It's all part of adjusting, so maintain your calm, let them know there are lines of snarkery you won't let the cross and give them the time they need 
I would start out feeding seperatly until you know if there is any food aggression. You want to get started off on the right foot. AFter that you will figure it out. I can feed all three of mine at the same time and if Pepper chooses not to eat which she often does her food will sit until she is ready for it and hoover Mary will wish but not touch. That comes from keeping one eye on Mary for a very long time. SHe loves food more than anything else on the planet. IF it is a piece on the floor it is open territory for her but in Pepper's bowl is NO. Circle treats is a great way to teach my turn your turn.
In regards to your latest reply; I would leave it down for about 15mins, and then take it up. Maybe offer it 2 hours later. They will learn after a couple of days to eat it when it's offered.
I used to free feed my dogs. I would put dog food in one bowl, puppy food in another. I would do this twice/day, once at 6 am and again at 7pm(before and after work). I did this until I caught onto the fact that Cody was eating Lilly's food and Lilly was eating Cody's food. Now, I put Cody in the kitchen with the baby gate up with his food, and leave Lilly in the living room with hers. Whatever isn't gone by 6:45 when I leave for work gets put up. The first 2 mornings neither of them ate a single bite. Then at 7pm, I would do the same thing, but only leave them for as long as it took me to cook dinner(15-30mins), and they both scarf their food down. The past 2 mornings they have been eating about 1/2 of their morning food. I expect they'll get better in time.
I used to free feed my dogs. I would put dog food in one bowl, puppy food in another. I would do this twice/day, once at 6 am and again at 7pm(before and after work). I did this until I caught onto the fact that Cody was eating Lilly's food and Lilly was eating Cody's food. Now, I put Cody in the kitchen with the baby gate up with his food, and leave Lilly in the living room with hers. Whatever isn't gone by 6:45 when I leave for work gets put up. The first 2 mornings neither of them ate a single bite. Then at 7pm, I would do the same thing, but only leave them for as long as it took me to cook dinner(15-30mins), and they both scarf their food down. The past 2 mornings they have been eating about 1/2 of their morning food. I expect they'll get better in time.
Wilson didn't eat well for the first several days when he got here--but then he settled in and all bets were off.
I feed my three at the same time--but all with different "tools". Trav's is standard bowl, no frills--I give her bowl first to give extra time for her to eat while I get the boys food together.
To slow them down (hounds ) Baxter's food goes in a Tug-a-Jug toy, and Wilson's goes in another toy/dispenser --makes them work for the food and they stay away from Travs. But I am always there to supervise so no one gets pushy with anothers/
Hope all goes well!
I feed my three at the same time--but all with different "tools". Trav's is standard bowl, no frills--I give her bowl first to give extra time for her to eat while I get the boys food together.
To slow them down (hounds
) Baxter's food goes in a Tug-a-Jug toy, and Wilson's goes in another toy/dispenser --makes them work for the food and they stay away from Travs. But I am always there to supervise so no one gets pushy with anothers/ Hope all goes well!
Thanks. Yeah, he still hasn't eaten, but I guess I shouldn't be worried yet. Justin's at home and he keeps putting the food down for 15 minutes, and then he picks it up for about a half hour and puts it back down. I tried burying a treat in his food and he just dug out the treat and left the food. He's drinking plenty of water at least and he has had a 2 GINORMOUS BMs that looked pretty healthy.
Seems like he might not like the food you're offering because he was used to a different kind. Does the brand you use make any special flavors? I'm finishing up our last bags of Science Diet before I switch to something else, but Science Diet has a couple of flavors, like Chicken and Rice, Lamb and Rice, etc. Cody gobbles up the lamb and rice, but takes his time with the chicken flavor. So maybe if you brand of food has another option, try that, he might eat then. I'd chalk it up to being new to the house, if it wasn't for the fact that he dug through his food to eat a treat.