not wanting to eat 2 meals

[Kimberly and Mikey]

Mikey has been doing this for a few months now. Since he was 5 months he has always gotten 2 meals a day and 6am and 6pm and never any problem. the last 2-3 months Mikey has not wanted any of his morning meal. We typically go to the dog park in the morning so I started feeding him after and sometimes he will eat and sometimes not. He always eats his evening meal. I seems like he wants it all at once. I know I read they need 2 meals. A friend suggested free feeding. Any suggestions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am not a fan of free-feeding; it encourages picky eating and can make life difficult down the road, especially if you ever have another dog in the house, as well as well for boarding situations, during illness, or any time the dog may need medical testing or procedures. 

It's also not the healthiest thing for larger doodles to eat large amounts of food at one feeding, as that contributes to bloat, and all of the parent breeds are at higher risk for bloat. 

Right after exercising is not a great time to feed a dog. It's typically recommended that you wait 30-60 minutes before or after exercising to feed them. (It's another risk factor for bloat.) Most dogs (and people too, for that matter) don't really feel much like eating right after they've been running and romping. That may be the reason he hasn't wanted his breakfast. 

[Kimberly and Mikey]

I have tried feeding him early morning like usual and he refuses. We normally head to the dog park at 8:30am

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Can you try feeding him about 7:30? 

Also, many dogs prefer to eat with their person nearby, and an absence of distractions. It's sometimes hard to do in the morning when everyone is rushing around getting ready for school or work, but it really helps to sit and keep them company at meal times, and keep activity to a minimum in the area where they eat. 

[Kimberly and Mikey]

morning are very chaotic. Everyone is getting ready and i'm dealing with the kids the most. I have always put his food down and he ate it despite the craziness. I do sit with him on the weekends but it doesn't seem to change

[F, Calla & Luca]

I feed twice a day. calla eats every morsel. Luca often does not eat breakfast although as the weather has cooled he is eating in the AM more often. His food remains locked in his crate, otherwise Calla would eat it and he often asks for it later in the day. sometimes he eats almost all of his food at dinnertime. It works for us.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

As a "Mom" of three Doodles, I can tell you that I have one guaranteed eater. Lucy will eat no matter what time I put her food down and she eats every morsel. Pippa will eat hers most of the time though she often only eats half. Daphne is the pickiest and sometimes while Im making her breakfast, she just leaves the room. She makes no effort to come over and sit for her breakfast. Some days she will eat half of it, other days she wants it all. But all three will eat their evening meal. I figured as long as they are maintaining a healthy weight, I have no reason to try to force them to eat. I wish I had the same attitude toward food..lol!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would avoid free feeding.  I offer two meals, and it isn't unusual for one of them to decide not to eat the morning meal.  I give them 10 minutes (and I don't coax them).  I stay in the kitchen with them for that time.  If they haven't eaten I pick the bowl up and they get it back at dinner.  I really don't think it's a big deal if they decide not to eat (although it sometimes does mean that they will spit up bile due to the empty stomach) because their weight is fine.  I have days when I want breakfast and other days when I just want coffee....I think they probably have different feelings of hunger from morning to morning too. 

[Kimberly and Mikey]

He did eat 2 of my youngest's socks again on friday and I have been waiting on those to pass.. Now I woke up to him throwing up 2 more of his socks that he got last night. I have worked so hard for my kids to understand that this can't happen but my 4 year old doesn't get it. My 6 year old knows now his socks better be in the hamper. but he was doing all this prior to the sock eating on friday. I swear I can't catch a break.

[Kimberly and Mikey]

I know I need pet insurance but my husband refuses and for some odd reason thinks it is a waste. no words

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, if the sock eating continues, you're going to have either a $3000+ emergency vet bill (with the possibility of ongoing serious digestive issues for life) or a dead dog. 

[Kimberly and Mikey]

I just don't understand why. I thought I had things under control. My 4 year old is the problem. I am going to have to take his socks from him the moment we walk in the door and put them in the hamper myself. I see a vet visit in the very near future. I have never had a dog eat socks. We never have ever let him play with them and he has food, toys and tons of exercise

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's very common. They smell powerfully attractive to a dog. 

I think taking the socks the minute you walk into the house is a good idea. 

But you do still need pet insurance. There are dozens of dogs here who have needed knee surgery and rehab, for several thousand dollars. Anything can happen to any dog. And then every penny you have spent up to that point would have been "wasted", that might be the way to approach it with your DH.