My corgi Charlie has been having some troubles eating, I don't think it's because he doesn't have any appetite I think he's just scared to start eating because he thinks I'm going to take his food away!

I've had some problems with him by being food possessive (I've talked with my vet and he says it's maybe due to the fact that he had to fight for his food with his 10 brothers and sisters). I've hand fed him and put my hand in his food while he ate but after a while I thought that it was my fault because I was constantly hovering around him!

For a while after hand feeding him, everything was normal, I put the food down and he ate normally especially at the time when I was switching his food from nutromax to blue buffalo. But recently, when I put the food down, he seems as if he is on edge! When he doesn't eat and I go to pet him, he growls and shows his teeth, but never to the point where he bites.

I might be going crazy but I just want him to know that I am not going to take his food and he can be comfortable. I understand that he just wants to be alone but if I leave him alone, he won't eat!

He is 7 months now and my first dog. I just want him to be happy and healthy. Thank you to all of your replies in advance!

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Have you tried feeding him in his crate? Perhaps if you put the food in his crate and shut the door, he won't feel threatened about eating. And then there's not much else to do but eat anyway.
Put half his food in his dish with your hands. When he starts to eat come over with the rest in your hands, if he growls or tenses up do not put it in his dish. I did this with Sparty when he did this as a youngster and he only lasted through one meal. Now anyone can come near him when he is eating and he is 12. The trainer that gave me this tip said she has never seen a dog go more than 3 days on half rations before they decide a person by the food dish is a good thing. I think playing with his food while he is eating is sending the wrong message.
I will definitely try this. Thanks!
I don't know at this age if he would be getting more teeth but you might also try softening his food with a little water...I do this for mine(even adults when they get fussy and they eat it right up:)This is if he doen't have an appetite other wise I think Bev has good suggestions!
In general he has just been acting weird not only with his food but as I train him, he is just fussy and doesn't want to do anything (for the past week I was sick and very stressed so maybe that could rub off on him?). Also he is not neutered yet (have to make the appointment in the next week or so) so could that be an issue of hormones?
Dogs can certainly pick up if we are sick or stressed or in a hurry! Feel better soon! They also go through the adolescence stage, my Sage has just started to not"come" as well and she just looks at me when I ask her to sit,stay etc. like she has never heard these words before!Sage is almost 9 months!
That makes me feel so much better! I guess he is just a normal teenager then! It is very hard to get stressed out when they give you a confused face. Thank you so much.
Today when I fed him, I know he is hungry but he refuses to eat! I try feeding him with my hand but he just gets fussy and shows his teeth. Do I just leave his food out? Or take it away until next food time?
My corgi has always been a fussy eater. We have tried all different kind of food expensive and inexpensive. Sometimes he would eat it for awhile and then he would stop eating it all together. He will not eat most kinds of dog treats also. I would try a different kind of food. We tried maybe 10 different kinds before we found one he reall likes. Mine did not like blue buffalo. He did like bill jack for awhile. Now he is on chef michaels.It is the first food we have found that he reall loves both the wet and the dry. I think it is because it smells good. Get a small bag of somthing and try it until you find one he really likes. Petsmart will take back an open bag of food if you save the reciept
Just out of curiousity....try softening it and see what he does. Is he used to a crate...maybe do feed him in there or leave him alone for a bit(week or two) and start over....maybe he is associating this with some past experience???...I don't have a great answer....
Tomorrow morning I will try softening his food and I'll report back to you!
Thanks...hope it works!

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