My mini wont eat!!!

3730 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by KPoos, Apr 3, 2010

mrmusic08

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2010

Ok well i am new with poodles....but not dogs! I got her from the animal rescue 3-4 days ago and was told she is about 8 months, and she was a chewer! I bought her home ..she is very sweet, dosent bark and follows behind me when i walk.. But its been 3 days and she flinches and shys away whenever i go to touch her, shes scared to look me in my face. She barely eats, ive tried wet and dry food. She is attentive when i call though..but i bought her to the park and every woman that stopped to say hi, she ran up to them and wagged her tail and jumped on there lap! Im like wtf ? ! Any advice? And yes this is her in my avatar

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cbrand

· #2 · Apr 3, 2010

Ok. She is stressed. Give her some time. Put high quality kibble w/good protein (beef, chicken, lamb etc) down for her. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then pick up what she has not eaten. When she is hungry enough, she will eat. Don't feed canned food. It is very bad for the teeth.

Re bonding......She should be on a leash all the time even in the house. Google "tethering" to learn about this bonding technique.

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plumcrazy

· #3 · Apr 3, 2010

I used to manage a humane society and if I had a nickle for every time a new adopter called me within the first week of having their pet home worried about them not eating, I'd be RICH!! As cbrand suggested, make sure she has good quality food offered to her periodically and don't hover - set it down and give her some space - turn your back on her so she doesn't feel the "pressure" of your eyes on her while she eats. If she's even eating a mouthful or two here or there, she's doing well... make sure there's always fresh water available for her (unless you're working on potty training and you need to schedule her water too to help with scheduled potty breaks...)

Try not to stress - they know when we're stressing and they wonder if they should stress too! Stay calm and know that it's highly unlikely she's starve herself (especially since it seems that she's been eating a little bit - your post said she "barely eats", so at least she's getting a little something) It will get better as she adjusts!

Good luck!

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ArreauStandardPoodle

· #4 · Apr 3, 2010

She will eat when she is calm, at peace with her situation and hungry.

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Paris-London

· #5 · Apr 3, 2010

"every woman that stopped to say hi, she ran up to them and wagged her tail and jumped on there lap!"

So are you a male or female? If it is that she is more comfortable with females, you just need to give her alot of time. If you are male she may have been abused by a man.
If you are female, maybe you look like a female who abused her.
Also females always come off as less threatening than males. Smaller stature, softer voice.

Lay flat on the ground and let her investigate you, don't make sudden movements, talk to her in a high squeeky voice. This should start her wanting to play, and you wont be threatening laying flat on your back.

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Mister

· #6 · Apr 3, 2010

cbrand said:
Ok. She is stressed. Give her some time. Put high quality kibble w/good protein (beef, chicken, lamb etc) down for her. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then pick up what she has not eaten. When she is hungry enough, she will eat. Don't feed canned food. It is very bad for the teeth.

Re bonding......She should be on a leash all the time even in the house. Google "tethering" to learn about this bonding technique.

I agree, het her on a grain free or high quality kibble and i guarantee she will eat it, she needs something with a lot of meat in it especially if she only eats little bits. She might also be used to grazing so she needs to be retrained on meal times, do as cbrand said. I also agree with the tethering especially if she is running from you or shying away from you. She has only been with you for a few days so give her time. Keep things quiet and calm and let her adjust.

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KPoos

· #7 · Apr 3, 2010

I think that this is not just poodle behavior but a rescued dog in a new home behavior. Taking a puppy in at 8 months isn't the same thing as taking a puppy in at 8 weeks. At 8 weeks they forget a lot of stuff and you have food so they just adjust quicker. At 8 months they can have fear issues if they haven't been socialized properly and you are a new person and they recognize you as that and you have to build trust. Offer her treats, ignore her for a while and let her come to you and just sniff you out. Don't try to pet her when she does this, just let her investigate you. Give her time to adjust. This is like taking a 2 year old child from it's home and placing it with a new person and expecting it to adapt like it should just be happy to be in the new home within the first few hours and days. It could take weeks for this puppy to know that food that comes from you is okay and that you aren't going to do anything to hurt her.

I think people always rush to the conclusion of abuse where there is no abuse. Just because a dog cowers at the hand of the new owner doesn't mean it was hit and abused with the old one. It doesn't know this new person and isn't capable of processing that you are okay because the rescue person says you are. They are in fright or flight mode at this stage so let them or do like cbrand said and put them on a leash and have her by your side at all times. Dogs like to feel like they have someone in charge. If you don't take charge she will in order to adjust and feel at peace with her new surroundings. Part of taking charge is controlling her world and having her rely on you for everything including access to your home.

Hope you can give us good news in a few days.

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