Puppy won't eat/drink - Scared/startled by bowls

[Richard Costa]

We just received Zelie our ALD at nine weeks old after losing our original GD (Cosby) at 11yo this summer. Zelie is easily startled and knocked her food and water bowls, even though they are in a stand. She was so startled, she is afraid to eat or drink from the bowls.

We plan on trying new bowls tonight but wanted to see if there were any other suggestions.

thanks,

Rich

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

I'd try moving them to another location and seeing if that works. If not, putting out different bowls might work (before wasting your $$ on more dog bowls, just try one of your own bowls or containers and see if that fixes it).

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My girls do not like stainless steel bowls ... I think the noise from their tags hitting the bowl is why.  I agree, just try some you have until you see what works.  If she is going to be this sensitive, it is going to be very very important that you get busy on socializing her immediately.  Take her anywhere and everywhere that you safely can (without risking parvo exposure).

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would move the bowls to another location and get a travel water bowl that won't spill and a skid proof food bowl.

[Kamela & Beckett]

Our non-doodle, an 11 yr old mini schnauzer is afraid of lots of stuff including unfamiliar bowls. She does not wear tags of any kind on her collar because the clinking against bowls scares her enough she won't eat or drink. She's old and set in her ways so I accommodate her, but I agree with the advise to socialize your puppy to help ward off these type things. Her baby brother, 9 month old doodle has been socialized, out & about, to daycare, etc and he is not fearful at all.

[Richard Costa]

Thanks for all the feedback. Even though this our second doodle, you forget what it was like the first time.

The suggestions were great and progress has been made. We moved the bowls and she now drinks her water in the new location but she is still skittish when tying to eat from the bowl. She is eating fine though from a paper plate instead, so I think we will try a non-metallic bowl to solve the problem.

I don't think she is fearful but she does startle easily. We will socialize her around the neighborhood and then move towards puppy kindergarten in a few more weeks.

thanks again!