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How to get my puppy to eat from a food dish instead of hand-feeding?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Male | 3 months and 25 days old | 20 lbs

We just got my puppy a couple days ago, but he won't eat out of the food dish or off the floor. He will only eat when we hand feed it to him. How can we get him to eat out of the dish?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Kristin DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 12th, 2018

Thank you for your question. It looks like Elvis is a good size puppy, already 20 lbs, which means I am less concerned about him going a day without food. I recommend putting the food in the dish, and offering the dish every few hours. Don't feed him anything else by hand. If he goes 24 hours and still refuses to eat out of the dish, then we will move to plan B. This would involve holding the dish, and picking out one kibble at the time to feed to him. The goal is to have him take the kibble from your hand, and with every few pieces move your hand closer and closer to the dish or bowl eventually having your hand in the bowl if possible. I'm sure Elvis will get the hang of it soon. Some puppies are just not very food motivated, but he will eat when he is hungry. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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