Dog won’t eat without owner

Many dogs love to eat, but there are those who flatly refuse to have breakfast or dinner in the absence of the owner. Why the dog does not eat without the owner and what to do in this case?

3 reasons why a dog may refuse to eat in the absence of the owner

1. The dog is bored. Perhaps she is used to having you around when she eats. Dogs are social animals and may consider eating in your company as a safety net. In this case, it is worth doing something to help the dog feel comfortable eating lunch or dinner when you are not around. You can gradually reduce the degree of your presence. For example, first stand in the doorway of the room where the dog eats. Gradually retreat further and further literally for a second, and then increase the time and distance, monitoring the condition of the dog. It will take you some time, but as a result, you will get a dog that can eat without you.
2. The dog is busy guarding the territory. Some dogs won’t eat without an owner because they’re busy guarding the house, and this can be stressful. Every “suspicious” sound, movement or smell makes them wary. And in such a situation it is very difficult to start eating. One way to help these dogs is to make the home safer from their point of view. You can close the curtains, turn off all sound sources (such as the radio or TV), and remove other stimuli if possible. You can also take a good walk or play with the dog before leaving so that it splashes out a little energy and is tired. But remember that overexcitation only aggravates the situation.
3. separation anxiety. Separation anxiety, or separation anxiety, is a rather serious condition in which the dog is not able, in principle, to remain alone, not what it is. I described this problem in detail in one of the articles, so I see no reason to dwell on it in more detail here. I will only emphasize that this is not a “bad habit”, but a disorder that the dog is not able to cope with on its own. And, most likely, you will need the help of a specialist.

Is it necessary to do something if the dog does not eat without the owner?

Yes! Regardless of the reason, if the dog does not eat without the owner, then he does not feel too well. And this needs to be worked on. If you cannot cope on your own, do not hesitate to seek help from a competent specialist working on positive reinforcement. Moreover, now there are specialists who can help not only in face-to-face meetings, but also in online consultations.