Fast eater

Without getting into the argument about selective breeding, please remember dogs are opportunistic carnivores. Their ancestors gulped down huge quantities of meat, perhaps starting with the intestines (veggies) because they didn't know when the next meal would come. The thing I can't explain is the slow-eater. How did that get bred out of the species?

I know several people who place a large rock in the dog's food bowl. This slows the eating.

One other friend scatters the food onto the floor. The dog can't gulp.

Our weim was an inhaler too and I worried about bloat. We had him trained to "look at me". He would stop for a second or 2 and look at me, so it slowed him down. We also made him "wait" a few seconds after we placed his dish down.

It takes time and practice, but "look at me" is one of our basic commands that we teach in general to get their attention.

Might interject it into your training regimen, as well as food training. Don't get excited when you feed, feed smaller amounts 3 times a day if possible.

Yes Wilson is a small dog Jack - Chi. We feed him 3/4 cup twice a day. Pickles eats the same or a tad less each day. They both go about 15 lbs.

The bowl we have has 3 obstacle in it. I think I will try and find the maze bowl.

Thanks.

Don't know what 'slow feed' bowl you are using, but we went to one of these...
I guarantee you it will slow down your fast eater...

Pawz4me wrote:
...For bloat prevention I would consider feeding two or more smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal, limiting exercise for an hour or two before/after eating, and avoid allowing the dog to consume a large amount of water within an hour or so of eating. I believe those things are more important than how fast (or not) a dog eats.

Good advice. To also reassure you, Wilson is a small dog (Jack/Chi mix - right??) so the chances of a bloat are REAL low. Not impossible but huge percentage of these happen in large and/or deep chested dogs (think Great Danes, Standard Poodles, Shepherds and Retrievers).

Most out grow this behavior by the time they get full grown, but some never do.

Our dogs were inhalers...but at some point (about 3 years old) they only ate what they needed. We were able to leave dry food out for them all day and they would nibble on it throughout the day. The two of them (medium size dogs) would eat about a cup each per day.

I've never had a dog that wasn't an inhaler. I've yet to have one encounter any harm because of it. I do teach all dogs here to respect other dogs' food bowls, and to not attempt to steal treats from other dogs.

For bloat prevention I would consider feeding two or more smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal, limiting exercise for an hour or two before/after eating, and avoid allowing the dog to consume a large amount of water within an hour or so of eating. I believe those things are more important than how fast (or not) a dog eats.

For most people the puzzle bowls help with their dog's fast eating...but you've tried that. I googled it and came up with, of course the puzzle bowls, and a few other ideas, one with a treasure hunt. It's difficult for you, I bet, because of your other dog. Here are some links to some ideas:

http://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/1ahmt6/lab_eating_food_too_fast_any_tips_on_encouraging/

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Dog-from-Eating-Too-Fast

Also check some of the comments on this link:
http://www.mypawsitivelypets.com/2014/02/5-tips-to-make-your-dog-eat-slower.html

Maybe you've already googled and checked out those links??

My two are like that. One is an inhaler, the other a pick-at-it. With a lot of work - pulling the inhaler away from the other's dish, etc., the rule has finally been established that the inhaler is not allowed to eat the pick-at-its food. Instead, she comes and visits with me until he's finished, then they both race outside.

I haven't found anything that slows her down with her eating. I do make them both wait until I set the bowls down and say "OK" before they can start eating. This keeps her from jumping on me trying to get to the food faster. I do the same with treats and toys. They have to sit and wait until I say OK - then they can have it.

I do have single step stools where I place their food bowls - it raises the bowls so they don't have to bend their necks down as far. I don't know if it REALLY helps prevent bloat, but it was cheap enough to try. The rocks in the bowls, etc. don't seem to slow her down at all, so I don't bother.