Can Dogs Get "Spoiled" on Canned Food?

[ckrott]

OK, this may be a silly question....

but I wanted to give our puppy canned food as a treat or on special occasions (there was mention of Merrick canned on another thread here). She currently gets just kibble and LOVES her food.

I'm afraid to give her canned only to have her refuse to eat her regular food.

Is this possible? or am I just being over-indulgent.

... and yes, I am the type of owner who will just "happen" to be in the pet store and just "happen" to pick up some new toys for her dog.

[Judi W]

Yes, it is possible. What kind of special occasion did you have in mind? What are you expecting her to do to earn an entire meal of "treat".

Just giving you a bit of a hard time. Treats should be earned and should be connected with the action that earns them. A treat to reward for learning a new command, or for doing a good job on a series of commands is certainly appropriate. A whole bowl full of "treat" food simply for showing up is not a good idea.

[AngelBunny]

Since is a treat is something given infrequently, it's hardly likely your dog will start refusing her regular food if you give her treats.

And if she does, the solution is simply--she doesn't get any more treats til her appetiate returns, even if this means she goes w/o eating anything for a day, or two, or three.

[ckrott]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Yes, it is possible. What kind of special occasion did you have in mind? What are you expecting her to do to earn an entire meal of "treat".

Just giving you a bit of a hard time. Treats should be earned and should be connected with the action that earns them. A treat to reward for learning a new command, or for doing a good job on a series of commands is certainly appropriate. A whole bowl full of "treat" food simply for showing up is not a good idea.

yeah... that's the part I'm trying to figure out. It's silly, but I was thinking more along the lines of Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc... sounds silly.

As for earning the "treat" that's the reason why I haven't done it. NILIF is all that. And just giving this to her for just being cute isn't a good idea. She gets rewarded when we work with her already so this is really not necessary.

My husband keeps telling me that she's a dog and that she gobbles up her kibble and it's good enough.

[Judi W]

Well, yep, I pretty much agree with your husband. Trust me, she doesn't know one holiday from another.

[lblax]

[quote=ckrott
My husband keeps telling me that she's a dog and that she gobbles up her kibble and it's good enough.[/QUOTE]your husband is a very wise man

[ckrott]

Originally Posted by lblax

your husband is a very wise man

hope you don't mind that I not pass along that sentiment.

[rottiluver]

LOL, Diesel only gets it as a treat and I think it's his favorite treat ever! But my older dog will refuse dry dog food and he's 13yrs old, so we give it to him daily. It's definately possible, but as long as it's occasionally there shouldn't be a problem...

[rottiluver]

Another thing you could do is mix it in with the dry dog food, it's still a tasty treat and they also get their normal food along with it!

[rottnelmo]

I occasionally stir in canned food or canned fish, when I dont add it...he doesnt miss it. Still eats his food like a champ. Last year at thanksgiving, Elmo got some of our thanksgiving dinner...a couple pieces of turkey, vegtables and a roll (not stuffing cause it had onions in it...)....silly, I know. But he loved it and that was his dinner instead of his kibble. He ate his breakfast like normal the next day...no problems.

But I do agree with your husband...not all of us are nuts (like me ) and dogs dont HAVE to have special meals like we do...they dont know the difference.