Vegas not eating much - 8 weeks old

bosstheboxer · #1 05-26-2007, 06:38 PM

He's home. We LOVE him. He is such a clever little man too! He has learned to fetch and just loves his teddy bear - won't even sniff the food stuffed Kong.
Only problem is, he isn't eating much. He'll have a sniff in his bowl (same food as breeder was feeding him), put a few bits of kibble in his mouth then crunch and drop some out onto the floor. He likes some of the human food we've tried hand feeding - bits of chicken, polish sausage, etc. - but won't eat his kibble. It's good human grade stuff too.
He is fetching but half-heartedly. He's not overly excited like everyone on here says their boxer is.
He doesn't seem too traumatized by being away from littermates. He's accepted us as his new pack. He's good in his crate, cries a little then settles and sleeps - A LOT!
He went to the vet today who said he's a very healthy young man. His stool sample was good. So, why won't he eat? Will he just eat when he gets hungry?
The vet said to just free feed but everyone seems to have varying opinion on that.

Help!

bosstheboxer · #2 06-02-2007, 03:21 AM

UPDATE:

He's a little terror lol! He has come out of his shell and now barks at us as we prepare his food, as if to hurry us up (which has got to stop!) and licks the bowl clean - and then some!!

He gets little bursts of energy like someone shoved a firecracker up his backside and does sprints around the room and crawls under the coffee table, rolls over and lolls about on his back. He's certifiably nuts!

Still won't go near a kong though...the king of dog toys. Anyone else with this problem?

Also - he screams like there's no tomorrow when we tried to wash him with the shower attachment. ...suggestions?

ELubas · #3 06-02-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosstheboxer

UPDATE:

He's a little terror lol! He has come out of his shell and now barks at us as we prepare his food, as if to hurry us up (which has got to stop!) and licks the bowl clean - and then some!!

He gets little bursts of energy like someone shoved a firecracker up his backside and does sprints around the room and crawls under the coffee table, rolls over and lolls about on his back. He's certifiably nuts!

Still won't go near a kong though...the king of dog toys. Anyone else with this problem?

Also - he screams like there's no tomorrow when we tried to wash him with the shower attachment. ...suggestions?

Sounds like he is settling in

What are you putting in the kong and is it a baby kong? They come in different sizes. As for the shower the attachment is probably pretty scary to a baby boxer. I actually used to put my little ones in the sink-yeah I am crazy

Make sure the water temp is not too cold or warm and one of us would wash gently while one was the cookie dispenser-something good like beef hearts (which are easy on boxer bellies). And do not "over wash"

as boxers can get very dry skin. Good luck with baby

bosstheboxer · #4 06-02-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELubas

What are you putting in the kong and is it a baby kong? They come in different sizes.

Thanks for the shower/bath advice, will try that on our next attempt at cleanliness!

As for the kong...we have three - one med for large puppies, one small for small puppies and a round one. Inside is a whole host of yumminess - honey, chicken stock, peanut butter, kong biscuit, etc. - he'll lick them for a few seconds then lose interest. Is it because they're frozen? He really likes to chew away on his teddy bear - we call it 'punishing bad teddy' lol.

Biff · #5 06-03-2007, 04:54 AM

Glad you got the feeding issue sorted

Biff was a good big older before he started getting interested in toys

mybubbieroo · #6 06-03-2007, 06:59 AM

Sounds official! You have a Boxer baby! Loved your description of him. It so sounds like what Bubbie was like when he was a baby. Bubbieroo hates kongs. I have every size, and have filled them with more combinations than I can name, and he still won't have anything to do with them. Congratulations on the new baby!!

northernboxr · #7 06-03-2007, 11:55 AM

My puppy isn't particularly interested in the kong either. He'll lick out as much of the good stuff as he can and give up as soon as it becomes remotely challenging!

As for the barking at you... silly puppies....mine pulled this stunt so I tied him to a door nob in the kitchen with me (mine jumped at me too). I praised him if he was quiet and turned my back on him and stopped moving if he started barking as if to say, "just look how slowly I can prepare your food" He didn't get any dinner until he was sitting quietly. Within 3 days the harassment had stopped!

He sounds like a little terror- just like any self-respecting boxer puppy should be