Shannon:
There are some ways to keep your dog from gobbling down their entire bowl in record time. One way is to put a large link chain in their bowl. They have to eat around it. Another way to slow down the chow hound is to hand feed - yes, out of your hand.
It could be that he’s afraid of someone else eating his food.
By allowing dogs to free graze, you are setting someone up to be fat and someone else to miss out on eating. I would suggest that you feed, if the dog doesn’t eat it in 10 minutes, pick the bowl up. Offer it again in 15 minutes, and continue to do that until he realizes he better eat or miss out. It usually only takes 3 days to get them trained to eat and be done. This is especially helpful if you have dogs that will fight over food.
Free grazing isn’t the best way to feed. Think of this….you are on a schedule. You need your dog to eat, poop and be ready for you to leave the house. Another scenerio….you travel with your dog. You want your dog to eat, poop and be ready to be in the car.
Just like everything else in their life, they like life to be routine and predictable.
Good luck to you in training your dog to adjust to “your life” not leisurely at his.
