QuestionQUESTION: My girlfriend and I just adopted a 18 month male Sheltie from the humane society. He seems to be adjusting well however he barely eats at all. We've tried dry and wet food, he nibbled at both. And he won't even eat treats. Any ideas? Please let me know.
ANSWER: Hi Heath,
Ok: these questions are difficult. How long have you had him; where/what did he come from and he still looks healthy? Did your vet say he looks healthy?
When you have a Sheltie at the Humane society that can mean anything. You basically have no idea what happened before you came into the picture. Assume the worst: anything from abuse to the loss of a human he had bonded with. All he needs is a Safe, Consistent, and Balanced household that has a lot of love and patience for him.
If you adopted him in the previous week and he has nibbled but eaten little then I would be a little anxious but not worried. ONLY IF your vet has said not to worry-right? IF you have NOT taken him to a vet then please do so right now.
What did you re-name him? Is he using the same name he had in his old house? Change it if so. When you hit the right name he'll perk up and suddenly look at you. For example my dog's name is Possum: it's a long story but he named himself.
Here are my recommendations:
Make a set schedule that you can stick to.
Leave food/water down for 5 minutes when you can do the walking/potty schedule, if he doesn't eat take it and put it away.
I would give him a crate but not shut the door- always give him treats in that crate but leave the door open.
Give him a lot of space and gentle scratches under the collar.
After all that, keep in touch with the vet and monitor his progress carefully. Let me know if I can help.
Dave
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: We've only had him 2 days. He was given up to the humane society cause he killed a family's chicken on their farm. He seemed skittish right out the gate, more so of me than of my girlfriend for some reason. He's very healthy the vet said, just a tad underweight. We changed his name and he seems to respond to the new change more over the last couple days. He dosen't seem to like any of the various soft or hard treats we've offered him, and recommendations on a specific kind or flavor?
AnswerI would guess that his former family's daddy gave him quite a scare for killing that chicken. That's why he is timid around men in general more so than women.
If you like, try leashing him and taking him to the pet food supply and let him pick out his own cookie and chew treats. (Don't let people come up to pet him yet unless he initiates the contact with them.) OR-Instead of buying treats try fruit, vegetables and crackers. My dogs love carrots, peas, green beans, white rice, bananas, saltines, cereal...etc. Also, peanut butter (avoid zinc/zinc oxide as ingredient!) is a favorite of any dog.
Give him a week to start adjusting to you because right now he is extremely scared and confused. If he doesn't eat, take him to the vet.
Dave
