Why does my dog?

[Marni and Hanna]

Why does my dog wait to eat when we do?  Ive noticed lately that we may give Hanna her supper when I get home from work, but then I will change clothes, check email, make dinner, etc. and she will not start eating until we sit down to eat!  Its not that shes waiting for scraps or anything either--she will usually mosey around outside, hang with us, or nap on her pillow, but then will get up and eat as soon as we sit down to eat.  I think its kind of cute, but just wondering if anyone has any insights as to why she does it?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most dogs like to eat when you do. They're pack animals, they do everything with the pack, including eating. Meals are group events. Before most puppies come home, they've never been alone for a meal in their lives. Eating alone continues to feel unnatural for many of them. 

Many people whose dogs are "picky" eaters find that the dog will eat if the person just sits down near the dog and keeps her company when she is fed; they don't have to actual eat anything themselves. :) 

[Marni and Hanna]

ok-that makes sense---My last dog was a beagle, and she inhaled everything as soon as you gave it to her, so this was new to me....and apparantly I couldnt relate to the concept of waiting when there is food in front of me !!  : )

thanks-

[BG and Gavin]

Wow Karen, I never thought of this before.  Gavin gets fed in the kitchen, usually after we eat, when we are clearing the table and doing dishes.  At the cottage there is no room in the kitchen so his food/water is in a room off to the side, but I hang out with him while he eats to keep him interested.  At the cottage we often dine al fresco and so does Gavin.   We bring his bowls outside so he can remain in the thick of things.  I always thought he preferred it that way because just like a kid, he hates to miss out on anything.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD will actually stop eating if I leave the room, and he is a dog who loves his meals! 

In the past, I had dogs who were free-fed, and the food would sit in the bowl all day while I was at work. As soon as I got home, they'd greet me, and then go & eat. 

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin did the same when I used to free feed him.  He still does it with water.  When we get home the first thing he does is take a good drink of water.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla will eat whenever she is given the opportunity. Luca, even if he has food in his crate will wait until I am home and usually until I sit down to eat too. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Both of my doodles are asking for food an hour before they usually get fed. Then they inhale it. We did have a dog years ago that was more Hanna's style. That pack instinct is sweet in many ways. 

[Adina P]

Our dogs start begging for food an hour before their meal time too. Our meals are not timed with theirs.  They eat at 11am and 4pm.  We eat around noon and about 6pm.  BUT...on days when I'm running behind I usually make sure to get us humans fed lunch and then and only then do I go feed the dogs.  They do love to hang out around the table and hope scraps fall....

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Our doods eat at the same time we do.  Beau is always the first one done, then ME, then Charlie Brown>  My DH always finishes last! LOL

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Enzo is not food motivated in the least. For this reason, we free feed. Never fails...we sit down to the kitchen table and she starts to " dine" too. Our older Golden did the same thing. I sort of figured they smelled dinner and since we don't feed from the table, they figured they may as well chow down on their own food.