Poor thing! I wonder if she may have an abscess where the lump is?
Home again
- Thread starter Candy
- Start date
- Location
- East Sussex
Poor girl 
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Put the flags out! Strike up the band! Set the fireworks off and let's all go dancing in the streets! She's eaten!
I'd left kibble mixed with tuna in her usual bowl in the kitchen, which she wouldn't touch and some in an old ice cream container in the hallway, which she wouldn't touch. I took her for her afternoon walk, thinking that if she still wouldn't eat when we got back I'd follow Fiona's advice and go for some tinned dog food and some roast chicken breast. I kept her on lead to avoid a repeat of yesterday's shenanigans and while I had stopped to admire a Heron on the canal bank (sorry Kate
) I noticed that she was busily tucking into something that turned out to be cat poo 
but at least she was eating. She wasn't pulling on her lead this time and was much more attentive than yesterday, not seeming scared of me which felt much better. When we got home she went straight to the food in the ice cream container and ate it all. She then somewhat cautiously went to the food in her usual bowl and ate all that as well, giving the bowl a good licking out afterwards. What a relief! She still won't take anything from my hand, but I'm not pushing that, the main thing is that she can eat without it hurting. It seems that the issue is perhaps one of trust, her perception is that when I gave her something to eat it hurt her. Possibly the change to her normal routine due to me being away didn't help, but I'd like to think that this is not the main problem. So now I've got to re-build her trust in me around food, not something I've ever had to do with a dog before. My thinking is to take it slowly and not to force the issue. We basically have a strong bond I feel, so it should be possible with time, patience,praise and love. Any thoughts/advice would as always be most welcome. Meeting some friends in the pub tonight to deliver their duty frees and tell them about the holiday. Joy likes the pub and loves these particular friends, so that should be good for both of us.
I'd left kibble mixed with tuna in her usual bowl in the kitchen, which she wouldn't touch and some in an old ice cream container in the hallway, which she wouldn't touch. I took her for her afternoon walk, thinking that if she still wouldn't eat when we got back I'd follow Fiona's advice and go for some tinned dog food and some roast chicken breast. I kept her on lead to avoid a repeat of yesterday's shenanigans and while I had stopped to admire a Heron on the canal bank (sorry Kate
) I noticed that she was busily tucking into something that turned out to be cat poo but at least she was eating. She wasn't pulling on her lead this time and was much more attentive than yesterday, not seeming scared of me which felt much better. When we got home she went straight to the food in the ice cream container and ate it all. She then somewhat cautiously went to the food in her usual bowl and ate all that as well, giving the bowl a good licking out afterwards. What a relief! She still won't take anything from my hand, but I'm not pushing that, the main thing is that she can eat without it hurting. It seems that the issue is perhaps one of trust, her perception is that when I gave her something to eat it hurt her. Possibly the change to her normal routine due to me being away didn't help, but I'd like to think that this is not the main problem. So now I've got to re-build her trust in me around food, not something I've ever had to do with a dog before. My thinking is to take it slowly and not to force the issue. We basically have a strong bond I feel, so it should be possible with time, patience,praise and love. Any thoughts/advice would as always be most welcome. Meeting some friends in the pub tonight to deliver their duty frees and tell them about the holiday. Joy likes the pub and loves these particular friends, so that should be good for both of us.
Hope GGJ is ok now xxx
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
When we were in the pub she wouldn't accept treats from anyone directly. If they were put on the floor she'd snaffle them. That has made me realise it's not just me, it's treats handed straight to her from anyone. This makes me feel much better.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Thanks for letting me know. No massive problem with a spot of cobwebs and tumbleweed, our house has those in addition to Labrador hair! Never did anyone any harm as far as I know. Myself and GGJ off to bed now. Goodnight! Tomorrow's another day.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
@Candy -- who knew cat poo could have such a brilliant use!
Good news that Joy is eating again, I would say that's the main thing, now you are getting to the bottom of the physical cause. I would say that once the pain/discomfort have been eliminated you have a strong enough bond to build up the trust. Does she like to catch food? That might help her trust your hands again. Or get some of those cat food pouches that she can eat from the sachet while you hold it? In good time though.
Good news that Joy is eating again, I would say that's the main thing, now you are getting to the bottom of the physical cause. I would say that once the pain/discomfort have been eliminated you have a strong enough bond to build up the trust. Does she like to catch food? That might help her trust your hands again. Or get some of those cat food pouches that she can eat from the sachet while you hold it? In good time though.
- Location
- Isle of Man
The first time ever that we have all celebrated the eating of cat poo 
Glad GGJ is eating again
Glad GGJ is eating again
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Didn't eat her breakfast when I put it down for her, but is now taking rewards straight from my hand when we're out, recall is back beautifully, bouncy, lively and funny on our morning walk, straight to her bowl and snaffled all her breakfast in about three gulps as soon as we got home. Barked furiously at the postman and is now sleeping in her landing bed. Think I've got my girl back now.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
- Location
- East Sussex
So good to hear she's back to herself.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Great news that she is better and eating.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Great news!
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
So glad she is back to being her lovely self
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
That’s good she’s back to herself 
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Joy has made me laugh today. We had a lovely walk thismorning, it's been such a beautiful day, perfect walking weather. She is very nearly back to normal and behaved really well throughout the walk, obviously very happy to have her usual routine back. The only thing she still refuses to do is to accept treats given by hand when we're in the house. She accepts them happily when we're outside. Anyway, when we got back from our walk I was making coffee and feeling a bit peckish. I happened to spot the sausages I sometimes use as Joy's treats in the 'fridge and thought that half of one would go nicely with my coffee. Joy saw me eating it and sat down, giving me a hard and meaningful stare. I tried to encourage her to take a piece from my hand but she refused so I put it on the floor and she ate it. More hard stares followed, so again I held a piece out to her, talking encouragingly. After a bit of thought (I'd swear I could see that little doggy brain ticking over) she quickly took it from my hand, dropped it straight on the floor, gave me another look, then picked it up and ate it! She did the same with a piece of apple later. This is obviously her new strategy. She does make me chuckle!