My Coton de Tulear won't eat anything but treats

by Marianne
(USA)

My Coton de Tulear was a gift from my sons last Xmas and was four months old. I love her...she is kind of rare, being that she is white and black...


My problem though is that she loves treats...she only uses wee wee pads and refuses to go outside. This I can live with and she is comfortable with it. My concern is her not eating...I have tried all different dog foods and even stayed with many for a while. She likes carrots so I do treat her with them some times.

I am at wit's ends trying to find something she will eat. Do you have any suggestions?

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Feb 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Won't Eat abut Treats
by: Joyce

I give my boys an assortment of foods so they won't get bored. I also blend some real meat - chicken ,turkey etc. (a small amount) into their dry. I use Natural Balance rolls also into their dry, Evo dry Blue dry, natural balance holistic dry formula Lamb, venison, etc. Good Luck - Joyce
Feb 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Which came first -chicken or the egg?
by: Leigh

I'm not sure which came first - my Coton not eating dog food so I gave her treats OR I gave my Coton treats so then she wouldn't eat her dog food.

I tried many different kinds of food and she would just walk over to the dish and literally just turn up her nose and walk away.

So.... I started putting little pieces of plain chicken breast mixed in with the dog food. SHE LOVED IT! She'll eat her food now with or without the chicken, but I still give it to her once or twice a week.
Feb 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		food
by: Anonymous

I don't really think it is a matter of who is in charge. My coton was 8 weeks old when I got him. He would only eat fresh veg. It has takem me 6 months to get him to eat dog food. These dogs can be very stuburn. I started with him getting him to eat treats. His treat were his dog food. I would take him over to the field and do some training and when he did what he was told I gave him a treat (of his dog food). It has taken him a long time but now he will eat dog food. Mind you only the dog foods that have just meat and rice in them, nothing with additives. It has taken a long time but we got there in the end. These dog are so cute and lovable but very stubborn. hope this helps a bit. good luck
Feb 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank You!!!
by: Marianne

Thank you for your response and I know I have to start being in control...yes you are right..she is so cute that I just feel bad for her. I do appreciate what you say and will try and get her on track now that I know it is not the fact that she does not want to eat dog food.
I am so glad I came upon Coton-de-Tulear-Care.com...So many people have never heard of them...and this just makes it so much easier to find other people with the same breed and help and information to go along with it....
Feb 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Who's in charge?
by: Gale

Sounds like your Coton has the upper hand in your relationship - at least when it comes to house training and food. I can totally relate to that; these dogs are so cute it's hard not to give in to them.

You say your dog loves treats which tells me it's not a medical issue; it's a control issue. Why should she eat dog food if she can get treats instead? Cotons are smart like that.

I would suggest laying off the treats for awhile and only providing her dog food twice a day (premium high quality food). Leave the food out for a limited amount of time (about 15 minutes). If she doesn't eat, take it away and wait until next meal time. I know this may sound harsh, but they can go a couple of days without eating and it's better for her in the long run - she's got to start eating food with the nutrients she needs.

She'll start eating when she realizes that she won't be getting the treats and that meal time means business. Once she starts eating regularly you can start adding back the treats, BUT make her earn them. Ask her to do a command first or reward her for going outside, etc. This puts you back in control!

Since my dog is anything but a finicky eater (he has never met a food he didn't like) maybe some others will chime in on what dog foods are best for picky eaters.

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