In the past few weeks my dog Bud is acting afraid of his food bowl. He will not go near it. We have tried to get him to eat out of it and even held it. He eats but acts like he is afraid of something. Now he will not even do that. He will eat the food if it is on the floor and acts like he is scared. He has started being afraid of sudden noises and jumps or runs. We do not know what might of scared him like this. There hasn't been any thunderstorms. We know of no one who might of frightened him either. I do know he is a bit concern with our cat but they have lived together for over 9 years now. He has no scratches and doesn't seem to concern over the cat. It is when a sudden noise happens and when he has to eat his food. He drinks his water just fine. My son thought it might of been the medal bowl making a noise with his tags hitting it. He changed the bowl to a plastic one. Then to a plate. Still no results. He even let him get good and hungry but he would not eat for a couple of days unless we put the food on the floor. Then he ate like he was scarving and looking around. Something frightened him, we know not what. We are at a lost of what to do now. Any suggestions? Sorry about rambling on and on about this. It is late and I could not sleep. (I have been gone for a long time due to illness but I am back and of course with a prob.) I hope someone can help shed some light on this problem for us. Thanks in advance and it is wonderful to be back! Elesimp (Laura)

I would use a substitute for now...top of Tupperware container (flat), plate, paper towel, etc.  I am guessing something must have happened simultaneously with noise (in the bowl, in the house) that scared your dog.  I think you will find out in time what it was (maybe someone shutting a door and making a loud noise, etc.).  For now, I'd use a substitute bowl and possibly leave two or three types of bowls on the floor--maybe this will distract the dog a big (eating out of a couple bowls).  I'd be as cool about it as possible so no more attention is drawn to it. 

i would agree with feeding him  from the bowl  but also add  u might want to take him to the vet  I once had a dog that was kinda the same way when he got his food he didnt want to eat it all of a sudden the first thing i thought was it was the food and changed it a few times over time  but he still acted very strange when it came to eating  he didnt want to go near the bowl and eat  come to find out  he had an  inner ear infection and the vet said he most likely was acting that way  cuz  when he leaned down to eat  it would bother him more and chopping on the food hurt also    U know when u get a ear issue or tooth issue it always seems to act out in ur ear or mouth so   I would just bring him in  just in case it is something like that    she gave me some meds and in a few days he was back to normal   ....   Not sure if this is ur dogs issue too but  i would atleast check it out  ... 

 Good luck !!

D

Excellent point. never discount medical issues.

  Frank

If these ideas don't work, I'd go online and see if the Dog Whisperer has any documentation on this.  I don't watch the show very often, but it's obvious he's a smart guy.  Good luck.

My thanks to everyone on helping me with this problem. Bud is eating out of another bowl but still is nervous about it but he is eating abit better. We have taken him to the vet and his health is great! The Vet said to keep doing what we have been. It will take some time because he was frightened by something and he needs to understand everything is ok.  I have thought of asking the Dog Whisper but I doubt he would take my little problem. I can always try and see what we are doing wrong. Again thanks for your help. I will let you know if he gets better.