Sometimes when a new foster comes to our place, they go on a hunger strike. Any dog can do it, but around here it's usually a German Shepherd. Rottweilers don't hunger strike. If they don't eat, it's because they are ill. But shepherds are often emotionally sensitive dogs and when a major change happens in their life, they will stop eating.
I brought in two shepherds in the past week. Boo Boo (above, left, and below), is on the hunger strike. He was returned to VGSR four years after having been adopted as a pup. Seems that he's fearful of strangers and yet was routinely exposed to new people and new dogs without adequate control. He developed the unfortunate habit of trying to attack passing dogs and even people, but always from behind--a typical move for a fearful dog. I can see that he's nothing but a scared dog who lacks confidence. He is not aggressive. Not surprisingly, he's refused to eat since his arrival, or at least has refused more than negligible amounts of food.
I always wait out the hunger strike. It's easier for me not to feed them than it is for them not to eat. Sooner or later they always start to eat, even if it's not the right food, served in the right bowl, in the right location, or at the right time of day. Boo obviously doesn't like the change in his life. The poor guy doesn't know what hit him. He had a nice home, a female dog companion, and now he has nothing. But he has another chance because I don't think Boo's problems are Boo's fault. He is getting along fine with two other dogs and he is even warming up to me, ever so relunctantly. Maybe tomorrow I'll give in and mix some canned food in with his dry to get him to eat.
The other dog I took in this past week is Hannah (left), the heartworm dog from Lynchburg. Hannah is rather malnourished and had probably been nursing puppies in that condition. Hannah hasn't had the luxury of engaging in a hunger strike and she eagerly eats anything put into her bowl. She is sharing space with Boo Boo and Rocky, and they all get along fine, but I have to separate everyone at feeding time.
Sometimes when a new foster comes to our place, they go on a hunger strike. Any dog can do it, but around here it's usually a German Shepherd. Rottweilers don't hunger strike. If they don't eat, it's because they are ill. But shepherds are often emotionally sensitive dogs and when a major change happens in their life, they will stop eating.
I brought in two shepherds in the past week. Boo Boo (above, left, and below), is on the hunger strike. He was returned to VGSR four years after having been adopted as a pup. Seems that he's fearful of strangers and yet was routinely exposed to new people and new dogs without adequate control. He developed the unfortunate habit of trying to attack passing dogs and even people, but always from behind--a typical move for a fearful dog. I can see that he's nothing but a scared dog who lacks confidence. He is not aggressive. Not surprisingly, he's refused to eat since his arrival, or at least has refused more than negligible amounts of food.
I always wait out the hunger strike. It's easier for me not to feed them than it is for them not to eat. Sooner or later they always start to eat, even if it's not the right food, served in the right bowl, in the right location, or at the right time of day. Boo obviously doesn't like the change in his life. The poor guy doesn't know what hit him. He had a nice home, a female dog companion, and now he has nothing. But he has another chance because I don't think Boo's problems are Boo's fault. He is getting along fine with two other dogs and he is even warming up to me, ever so relunctantly. Maybe tomorrow I'll give in and mix some canned food in with his dry to get him to eat. 
The other dog I took in this past week is Hannah (left), the heartworm dog from Lynchburg. Hannah is rather malnourished and had probably been nursing puppies in that condition. Hannah hasn't had the luxury of engaging in a hunger strike and she eagerly eats anything put into her bowl. She is sharing space with Boo Boo and Rocky, and they all get along fine, but I have to separate everyone at feeding time. 
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2 comments:
So, do you think BooBoo can be brought around and become less fearful over time? Or, will the fearfulness be a lifetime management issue?
One of my dogs is on the fearful side.
I think that Boo will come around to come extent, but he needs a leader that he has confidence in. Still, it will probably always be a management issue. He will need to go to a child-free home because parents do not have the time to manage a dog and kids both.
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