Food-Kennel question

[Arlene]

Since it doesn't work in our schedule to feed ourselves before feeding our dog (beagle/shepherd mix) we've had since 9 weeks old (now 8 months old), I have lately been spitting on her food before giving it to her. We're going away for a few days and are leaving her at a kennel. I feed her twice a day (around 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. usually). I will be feeding her her breakfast the day we take her to the kennel. I'm not sure what time we'll take her to the kennel in the afternoon - whether I'll be able to feed her her afternoon meal before we leave as I'll be giving her a car-sick pill. I might have to give her her afternoon meal at the kennel when we leave her. If so, should I spit on it, since I'll be giving it to her?

Thank you.

Arlene

[puppylove]

May I ask why you are spitting on your dogs food

If it doesn't work out for you too eat before you feed your dog, you can just eat a small snack like a cracker or a small cookie with your dog watching before you give her her food OR you could pretend to be eating her food by putting your hand along the outside the bowl and make it look like you are taking something out of the bowl and pretend to eat it.

[Arlene]

I spit on her food because I read from a trainer site that that was something you could do as part of being alpha.

Arlene

[taniajennifer]

fyi

my dog had serious alpha issues and i, like you arlene, could not logistically eat before my dog. However, it seemed to work out okay if i fed her immediately after walking her and making her "sit", "wait" and then "watch me" with her food in the bowl. Then I puttered around in the kitchen a bit before releasing her to eat. this was good enough to establish myself as alpha for Libby.

but i also like Shelley's idea of pretending to eat or nibbling a cracker idea too. i think that probably will work also.