Need meal advice

[Nicole]

Just a few months ago, after my miniature Labradoodle, Jack turned six months, which was around the time that he was fixed (coincidence?), he started doing this thing I've dubbed "the Nomar Garciaparra" move.  For anyone who isn't familiar with this baseball star, before he can bat he has to run through a serious of taps and slaps and brushes and kicks and all sorts of whatnot which takes more than a few minutes.  During the time that Nomar played for the Red Sox I had to close my eyes until he was done because it drove me crazy.

 

Anyway, when I put down Jack's food bowl he walks over to it and then starts jerking his head at lightening speed from the water bowl to the food bowl, the water bowl to the food bowl, water bowl to the food bowl.  It looked like he had discovered a genius way to moisten his crunchy dog food.  But then he started also trying to bury his food dish, brushing his nose on the floor and through the air, again at lightening speed. 

 

My thought was that he didn't like his food so I switched his food from Innova Puppy Food to California Naturals Puppy Chicken and Rice.  The behavior didn't stop so I recently switched again to California Naturals Puppy Lamb and Rice.  [I keep buying the smaller bags and phasing him from one to the next.] 

 

Despite my efforts, Jack still won't just eat his food without putting on a show.  Why?  What can I do?  Is this normal (somewhat?)?  Has anyone else had this experience?  Jack is my first dog.  I had cats and they always wolfed down their food no problem.  Is Jack a finicky eater? Just quirky? <:)

 

BTW... Jack does eventually eat his food.  We don't give him a lot of treats so he's not filling up on "empty" calories.  At nine months he is a healthy weight for his size, 20lbs.  He's technically a double doodle or as I like to call him a Labradoodle Doo.  Jack's mother is a miniature labradoodle (25lbs) and his father is miniature poodle (17lbs).  Thank you in advance for you insight and advice! :)  

 

-Nicole

[Laura & Chewie]

I don't think it's anything to worry about, but it sure sounds hysterical. I was giggling reading your description.

[Amanda and Quinn]

I also don't think it's anything to worry about but I LOVE the Nomar comparison! It drove me crazy too but I was still sad to see him go. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well your dog is so much cuter than Nomar so at least you won't have to cover your eyes like you do with Nomar. Maybe he just finds feeding time so entertaining.

Would love to see him blessing his food. Let me know if you ever post a video.

[BG and Gavin]

Yeh, Nomar, the thing with the batting gloves back and forth argh! Great description though. So just a couple of ideas: Do you walk/exercise your guy before putting the food down - make sure he's good and hungry? How about putting his food bowl down for a few minutes and keep the water bowl up and then switch? How about stuffing the kibble into a treat ball so that he works for it or stuff it in a kong with some peanut butter. My guy will eat this way even when he is not interested in eating from his bowl. Just ideas.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am sorry, but your post is cracking me up! Sounds like Jack is a little actor :) He is putting on a show. He will probably stop doing it so much if don't make a big deal about feeding time. Jack is adorable.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

First of all, Jack is a real cutie. I agree that he's putting on a show. They are all CLOWNS. As long as he eventually eats, I don't think you have a problem, and what great dinner entertainment.