Feeding and Bowels Movement

Question
Peppa is a 1 yr old male terrier mix (mutt) very muscular and strong. He has been neutered. Peppa eat on the run.  He will walk by his bowl and grab a bite and move on. He does drink his water.  However, I don't know when to let him out for a poop. His schedule is the first thing in the morning and when I get home from work.  I try to walk but due our weather it has been rather difficult.  When I take him for a walk he will always poop but when I let him out in the morning he will only poop if I stand outside with him.  What am I doing wrong and is he getting enough to eat?

Answer
There could be a couple of things going on.  In some cases, dogs need a little exercise to stimulate their body before having a bowel movement.  Also if you used praise or treats while housebreaking him, he may still expect them.  You can switch to rewarding him for going to the door.  

If he doesn't go ahead and eat, you may be over feeding him.  Many dogs will snarf down more than is good for them and look for more. Others refuse to eat more than than they need. Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.

The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.