[Whiteswan]

My 14 Month old Maltese/Bichion has recently started taking water from his water bowl and spitting it into his food bowl.
He does not eat it and does it to both dry and wet food.

Does anyone have any idea what he is trying to tell me?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Whiteswan

My 14 Month old Maltese/Bichion has recently started taking water from his water bowl and spitting it into his food bowl.
He does not eat it and does it to both dry and wet food.

Does anyone have any idea what he is trying to tell me?

Sorry, but I just can't believe this!!!!

[Whiteswan]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Sorry, but I just can't believe this!!!!

From your reply, I take it that this is more unusual than I thought.
I was hoping someone would tell me this has also happened to them.

It is true and I will try to film him to prove it but he stops and shy's away when I catch him.

It has only been happening for a week or so and I am more concerned with the fact that he is not eating enough.

I first noticed that the food was watery and it was only last night I court him in the act!

[cigwyllt]

I've never known any of the dogs I've owned to do that but if it is a problem, and it sounds like it is, why not separate his bowls - put the water bowl by the back door and the food bowl in the kitchen or, if you want to encourage him to eat more, pick up his water bowl when you put his food down. After 20 mins pick up the food bowl and replace it with the water.

I think in some ways dogs are a little like children - they find they can do something and therefore they do it - even if they don't like the consequences - a bit like a small child grabbing the icecream in their bowl and finding they don't like having sticky hands. Your dog can spit the water on to his food so he does it but he doesn't like what it does to the food so he doesn't eat it either!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Whiteswan

From your reply, I take it that this is more unusual than I thought.
I was hoping someone would tell me this has also happened to them.

It is true and I will try to film him to prove it but he stops and shy's away when I catch him.

It has only been happening for a week or so and I am more concerned with the fact that he is not eating enough.

I first noticed that the food was watery and it was only last night I court him in the act!

Sorry!!! But There are 'frauds' that try things in this forum sometimes and it really did sound almost impossible! It will be interesting to see if anybody else has ever seen this. When a dog drinks water--it laps it under it's tongue (I believe this is correct) so it is hard to believe that a dog would be able (or smart enough) to carry it to the food bowl and 'drop' it there. Are you sure that is what he is doing? I am going to your other post with a few more comments.

[cigwyllt]

My retriever would seem to carry huge mouthfuls of water around the house with a constant dribble - as though she got more in her mouth than she wanted to drink!

[Todd]

WOW! You must have a pretty darn smart dog!

No matter the cause for spitting the water in the food bowl the issue remains that he is not eating his food. He must not like it. What brand of food are you feeding him?

[Whiteswan]

Originally Posted by Todd

WOW! You must have a pretty darn smart dog!

No matter the cause for spitting the water in the food bowl the issue remains that he is not eating his food. He must not like it. What brand of food are you feeding him?

Is there a Mensa for Dogs lol.

I have been testing him over the past weekend and he is not going to starve.
He will eat it (water and all) if he is hungry!
I still have no idea what he is doing or why but as long as he is eating it's not a problem.
I moved the food and water bowls apart and he simply moved them back together so he is quite intent on continuing this strange behaviour.
He has a great personality and I assume this is just who he is.

Cheeky is what I would call him but he is so adorable - what can you do, ahey!

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Whiteswan

Is there a Mensa for Dogs lol.

I have been testing him over the past weekend and he is not going to starve.
He will eat it (water and all) if he is hungry!
I still have no idea what he is doing or why but as long as he is eating it's not a problem.
I moved the food and water bowls apart and he simply moved them back together so he is quite intent on continuing this strange behaviour.
He has a great personality and I assume this is just who he is.

Cheeky is what I would call him but he is so adorable - what can you do, ahey!

Maybe he's bored? Seems like a chasing the tail type of activity but a lot more creative lol How much exercise does he get? A bit more exercise/play time may calm him down and make it so he's not so bored. When dogs are bored they will find something to do and that something is often not what you would approve of... More exercise/play time with you may resolve or at least reduce this.