Mealtime is probably the most anticipated event of the day for most dogs. Feeding a group of dogs used to different food, a variety of food bowls and the individual rituals that many pet owners have at meal time requires knowledge, resourcefulness and absolute authority over your guests. Mealtime at a home dog boarding establishment can be trying.
A dogs' diet should not be changed when being boarded. This can often cause an upset stomach. The first task the home owner must do is question the pet owner about their dogs feeding time, food, snacks, whether their dogs food is left out to eat throughout the day (range feeding), rewards for finishing their food etc. If a dog is used to range feeding, this can be substituted with giving the dog five or six opportunities to eat during the course of the day. It is not unusual for a dog to get fresh chicken breast or meat mixed in with his dry food. When that is the case, that dog should be fed separately, away from the other dogs, because his food will be too enticing and cause a disruption among your other guests. Also, feeding wet food to some dogs and dry food to others should be done in different areas for the same reason.
For a lot of dogs, the food in the dogs' bowl next to them is always more appealing. When feeding several dogs at once, put their food in all their bowls before putting them down on the floor for them to eat. Then, in a large room, place the bowls on the floor as far apart as possible calling the appropriate dogs name as you place his bowl down. Do this rapidly and position yourself in the middle of the bowls, reinforcing, like a traffic cop, with voice and gesture which food belongs to which dog. Occasionally, you'll get a dog who is very food aggressive and this technique won't work with him. Feed him separately in another room, by himself.
One method you can use to get to get everyone to eat is to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese (any mild cheese) on all their dry food. They often think they're getting the same food, along with enjoying the new taste, and don't try to wander over to their neighbors bowl. Also, since dogs eat at different paces when one is finished with his food make it clear to him with a stern no that he can't pilfer someone else's food if he wants to.
For the most part these home dog boarding feeding techniques work but since dogs are individuals that come from different homes there are many variables to watch for. Some pet owners hand feed their dogs and are ashamed to tell the dog boarder. You should ask how and where they feed their dog because their dog might be trained to only eat a certain way and may not be capable of eating any other way. Some dogs will only eat when alone while others will only eat when a person is standing over them. I had a dog who would only eat off a blanket. Some dogs will only eat out of a shallow dish while others will only eat out of a deep one. I had another dog who would only eat after hearing his tag clink on the edge of his metal bowl giving him permission to eat. Some dogs will only eat outside, while others will only eat inside. And so on...
It is not unusual for a dog to skip eating for a day or two when first arriving at his new temporary home. If it goes on longer than that you should be concerned and try feeding him in different surroundings and circumstances. Don't try to entice him to eat by changing his diet without talking to the owner first.
Many dogs are quite sensitive and often take days to adjust to their new environment, feel safe and find their niche among their new friends and family. It's okay to give them a little more attention and protection than your more gregarious guests while being mindful of not invoking jealousy between your boarders.
In the vast majority of times, your guests will adjust to their new pet sitting environment and join in on the activities and find their place in the pack. They'll make best friends and casual acquaintances. As long as the home owner makes it clear that they are the boss that cares, protects and provides for everyone, you'll have doggy guests that are happy to see their owners and also thrilled to be back for their next visit.
My next article will be on jealousy between your guests-how to recognize it and defuse it.
Steven Linn
http://www.OurHome-DogBoarding.com is the web address for our network of home owners that welcome dogs into their homes on temporary bases. I've been boarding dogs in my home for several years and have accumulated an expertise in this enterprise. After several years the requests for dog boarding was far greater then I could accommodate. I then set about forming a network of dog lovers that would take the overflow and provide care, company and security for them in their homes. We Match Your Dogs Age, Personality And Temperament With The Perfect Host. Young playful dogs with younger hosts with energetic pets and fenced in yards, small apartment dogs with retirees etc. The process starts with an interview about your dog and what you'd like for him and culminates with a meeting between you, your dog and the host family and their pet if they have one. This assures a good match for your pet and lays the ground work for a dialogue between you and the host while you're away. That host is assigned to you for future use as long as they're available. Since we are a network of dog lovers there will always be a back up home available for your pet's specific needs.
Sincerely,
Steven Linn
For Fee Consultations Are Available
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