I have an 8-month-old corgi who developed separation anxiety around 4 months old. Our vet recommended feeding her in her crate and giving treats, Kongs, or lick mats when we leave to create positive associations. It worked, and now she gets excited when we leave because she knows she will get a treat.
However, she now associates eating with us leaving, so she won’t eat her regular food when we are around. She “buries” it under blankets and eats it when we’re gone. If we don’t leave for a day, she won’t eat.
I read about scheduled meals (putting food down at 8:00 and picking it up at 8:15), but it has not worked for us. She only eats a few bites when she’s really hungry and leaves the rest. The only way she’ll eat when I’m around is if I feed her by hand, which isn’t practical. Any advice?
It sounds like your corgi has linked eating with you leaving. Try adjusting her feeding schedule by putting the food down for short periods and then picking it up if she doesn’t eat. Making her food more appealing and feeding her in different settings might help too.
Does she like puzzles? Or maybe more active eating? I got a kibble ball that my dog adores, just pushes the ball around and eats whatever falls out. Puzzles were also how I fed my dog in the early stages. I sometimes feed my current puppy with puzzles as well.