[lovemybracco]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, and I really hope someone can help, as I am rather at my wits end

I am the owner of a 5 year old male Italian Pointer (Bracco Italiano). He'll be 6 in July. He hasn't been an easy dog to bring up; we probably made the mistake of getting him too young (he was 2 months old), and he has always suffered from separation anxiety. We have tried various behaviourists, and tried hard to solve the problem; in the end we decided to leave him with my mother and father in law when we need to go out. So he's never left alone.

He's a very sensitive dog, and has always had a delicate stomach; in the past he has often suffered from quite severe diarrhea, but we've finally found a food that suits him.

The problem is he won't eat his kibble straight from the bowl without anything added. If we add a little tinned food he will eat quite happily, although sometimes he won't eat even with tinned food added.

If we treat his kibble as a game (Kong, Buster food cube, Boomer snack ball) he will happily eat the kibble as it is. It seems he needs a lot of stimulation in order to eat, otherwise he will quite happily just not eat, despite the fact that his stomach is growling

He gets two walks a day (30mins-1 hour each), plus we take him out in the evening to relieve himself after dinner time.

I would love just to be able to put his food in the bowl and have him eat. But once he goes past a day without food I worry his stomach will shrink and make him less likely to want to eat. What if I simply put it there and leave him to his own devices? Will he go and eat when he gets hungry?

I know this all sounds really stupid, but I just don't know what to do any more. :sad:

All advice and thoughts greatly appreciated.

[cigwyllt]

It sounds like he has you well trained It sounds like his eating problem is a behavioural issue and not a physical one. It is generally accepted that a healthy dog will not starve itself if appropriate food is available. You know he will eat the food if the circumstances suit him and he doesn't suffer any ill effects from it. If you are sure that he is well then it will not do him any harm to go for days without food.

This is what I would do if he was my dog:

Over the course of the day I would offer half the amount of food that you usually give. I would put half the amount out first thing in the morning, make sure the dog knows it's there but take it away after 15/20 mins. No, cajoling, no encouraging. The dog can take it or leave it. Late afternoon I would do the same thing - take it or leave it. No treats through the day at all. Dog food from his bowl or nothing. It could take several days for him to get the message but he will get it.

In the past I have often wanted to treat my dogs like I treat my children - if they don't like this I try that or whatever but now I take control of the situation and refuse to allow them to dictate what they will or will not eat. Even now we have days where they leave half the food I put down but the next day they remember that when they fussed about eating they lost it.

If you have any worries about the medical effects of allowing him to go without food for a few days talk to your vet. But honestly, it won't do him any harm.

[Pitbull Lover]

Hi Lovemybracco,

As you probably know, Bracco Italianos were bred to be hunting dogs. Here is an exerpt regarding their tempermant from Wiki...: "They love to hunt, and they excel at it - in fact, a non-hunting Bracco is not a happy Bracco, and will act out in various other ways. Hunting without a gun is an area in which the Bracco can excel and this can be a great opportunity for training the dog to connect with the owner. They are an active breed, but require more mental exercise than physical exercise to keep them happy."

Try and find some non-hunting dog training. Bird dogging, scent training, tracking training. There are tons of useful Youtube videos and books available.

Don't think of this as something negative. You are now going to be able to create a much closer bond between you and your dog by providing him the balanced life he needs.

Keep moving forward.