u/Phyore

So supposedly dermatitis is fairly common in German Shepherds, so we need to apply some steroid bits to his inner back leg for a couple of weeks, or until cleared up.

His group walker has let us borrow the doughnut to try out, hoping that will be enough as that cone is big! Shadow certainly won't enjoy it.

Anyway, he is him wondering "why we have done this to him" during his test run of the doughnut last night.

So our boy Shadow (2yr, 1mo) is not eating too much as of late. We noticed it when it when it was warm and thought it might be just that. But he would always eat the raw food (Natures Menu ready to mix with some kibble).

Given he is 32kg currently, our go to has been about 22g kibble + 200g wet (Both Harringtons), some salmon oil and some times a cooked turkey topper. The weather has cooled as he seems to still be not eating much / leaving the food to sit for a rather long time.

Would moving to an equal amount raw (Nature's menu ready to mix) while keeping the kibble and salmon oil work for him?

Any suggestions or even praise to pass on to him welcome!

I always find it adorable to hear, makes me think he is comfy and having some good dreams.

I won't lie, the first time I heard it I was definitely concerned!

Also 10/10 comfy pillow there I guess?

Shadow is just a poser I think! But who can blame him?

Some updates, he still pulls somewhat on the lead. Now trying a halti double lead plus 'head collar' the one that goes over the muzzle and you clip a lead to the dangling ring.

And his focus is still fairly bad when out and about and non existent when another dog shows up. He is a polite boy and sits / downs for them. But will try his luck pulling towards them when they near.

Any advice on the two? Always happy hearing other people's experiences!

Ps! It's his birthday in a week!

Not the best selection at my Tesco Express nearby. But while out I opted for a quick lunch pick up.

Picture because he looks adorable in his new bed.

So Shadow is just coming up to 2 years now and I have noticed a shift in how he is eating.

We went away and came back during the hot weather that the UK had recently. My mother was looking after him at home. When we got back he wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about his meals. He was eating them but nowhere near as quickly as before. He would finish most and then wander off. The vets seem to think nothing to worry about as long as he was eating and not losing weight which it seems not. Worth noting he did give himself a little shock with a stick in his mouth, no blood or any issues I could see though.

Fast forward to now (a couple weeks later) he is still very not as interested in his food, he is not interested in his breakfast and not eating it at the moment (I was going to leave it a bit) while asking here.

The food has not changed, still a mix of dry and wet food.

He doesn't do it all the time, I guess it is only when they are close to our wall? It is one of those UK front areas which goes window, maybe 2ft,then wall, the path.

He doesn't bark at everyone though. However our neighbours have a couple of younger kids and he barks at them. E.g we see them outside their house and we are going out at the same time to take Shadow for a walk. He will bark at them and will try and go towards them on occasion which we promptly shut down as he is on a slip lead.

He is certainly all bark an no bite as he has very much not tried anything to anyone or any dogs, however I very much don't want to take the risk. The neighbours and their kids are super lovely. Despite their barking they really like Shadow and are not scared of him at all it seems. As a side note, he will bark at someone he doesn't know who might come near (except other dog owners and walkers) and he is very much a Barker and trying to go at almost anyone who enters except us, again only barking though with the odd jumping up at.

What sort of training and habits can i do for him to reduce him barking at others etc? We are currently training him to go to his bed when the door goes which is starting to work. But if he hears a different voice or we let said person on, then he might move.

All help welcome <3 Thanks