DEAR JOAN: My dear little terrier, who is 12 years old, is the most well-behaved dog that I have ever had. He seems to be quite healthy, but his eating and drinking habits are a little strange.
He is on a diet of good dry food. I refill his food and water bowls, located in the kitchen, whenever they are empty or near empty. Often he will eat his food, when I sit down for a meal, but not always. Mostly he nibbles on his food throughout the day.
I never feed him food from the table, and he never begs from me. He does beg from other people if they are present, because he has learned that sometimes they will feed him. His behavior in this regard is just what I would expect.
When I am gone for several hours, Dexter is put outside on my deck. He does not have a “doggy door.” I do live in a very temperate climate, and I always manage to get him inside when it rains or becomes very hot.
While I put water and kibble on the deck for him while I am gone, he never eats or drinks during my absence. When I get home, he often acts very thirsty and will wait for me to bring his dishes inside before he will eat or drink. This troubles me, because I am often gone for several hours, and I do not think it is good for him to become so thirsty.
Have I in some way “trained” him not to eat or drink on the deck? Whatever ideas that you might have would be greatly appreciated.
Margo, Scotts Valley
DEAR MARGO: Although this is causing you stress, it’s not unusual for a dog to behave this way.
There are a few reasons to explain Dexter’s abstinence. Most dogs prefer to eat with others. It’s that pack animal mentality, which is why he’ll often chow down when you sit down to your own dinner. He likes company.
By putting him outside, even for a short time, he might be suffering from separation anxiety. His focus is on missing you, not on eating or drinking.
Some dogs also go on alert when they’re outside. They take their roles as protector of home and hearth seriously, and a dog on guard duty won’t be snacking or lapping.
It could also be that Dexter is having too much fun when he’s outdoors to be bothered with anything else.
Dexter might also suffer from anxiety from being in the yard. My dog, Bailey, does not like traveling in the car, and although he’s gotten better, when he’s in the car and anxious, he won’t even eat his favorite treats.
If you think Dexter’s lack of interest in food and water is because of anxiety, you can work on it by taking him outside to feed him, staying with him to assure him he’s safe. Do this a couple of times a day. To encourage his interest, add some special treats or food in the dish to whet his appetite.
Many experts recommend time-restricted feedings — feeding your dog at specific times, giving the dog 30 minutes to finish the meal and then picking up the bowl, empty or not. You might consider doing this to create a regimen for Dexter, although considering his age, he might not like that idea. You should continue to supply water at all times, however.
Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.
