I have a 6 1/2 year old male black lab (Oakley) who has recently started taking a mouthful of food and dropping it around the house. I also have a 10 month old daughter who is now crawling and walking so is all over the house. I don't see it as a big deal if she every so often gets ahold of dog food and ends up eating it, as it's bound to happen. To me it seems Oakley is almost purposely leaving food around for my daughter to get. My question is has anyone experienced this behavior before and any tips on how to redirect it?Other than just being on top of cleaning the dropped food up.
Hi Tyson I can understand the anthropomorphic move. But I doubt that empathy goes as far as what you suggest. Dogs do not display such behaviour to their own offspring. So, what is inducing your dog to drop food around your home? First, I'd get your dog checked by a vet. If clear, then as soon as your dog moves away from his meal, pick up the bowl and put away till next meal time. My hypothesis is that he is being overfed.
Thanks for the response. I don't think he is getting over fed as I give him 2 1/2 -3 cups of food a day ~1 1/4 c in the am and about the same at night. It is almost like he likes us having to tell him to go clean up his food.
