2 questions

Hello Everyone!

My first question is about our puggle,Jager,which is 7yrs old. He has issues about eating, always been territorial over his food. We have 2 other dogs. We are still working on the issues. He likes to gorge himself with his dog food, not chewing any of it.
I've tried the golf balls in the food dish to slow him down some, but it doesnt seem to work. He eats it so fast that he gets choked up and hacks back up the food in a slimey mess.
I'm not sure what to do with him,if it's an issue with just being territorial with the food or he has an issue with actually chewing the food up and swallowing it properly. He doesnt seem to have issues with eating anything else and does not gag on the food. He eats small bites Nutro Natural Choice
So is there something I could try to get him to not do this or help the situation??

Second question.. We have a 5 yr old pug female,Jade. I've noticed more when she's laying down relaxing or sleeping, that her tongue sticks out a little bit. She never did this before, so I was wondering if thats normal or is it something else. Of course my husband and I think it's really cute. Any input on this issue?

My Tilly is a choker. I feed her on a towel where the kibble can be spread out.

Most pugs I've known, which a couple of exceptions, gulp their food like that. It's a rare pug who stops to chew.

You could try one of those "treat balls" that you fill with kibble and the dog has to try to get one or two pieces out at a time. Would probably put a stop to the gulp-and-puke routine. But it might not be feasible if he's food aggressive toward the other dogs.

A tongue sticking out during sleep isn't anything to worry about, and your husband is right -- it IS cute, isn't it?

I have found the Brake-fast bowls work pretty well with slowing down a bolter.

I have found if I 'float' the food in plenty of water, it slows my fast eater down tremendously. And he gets extra water, a plus in all directions.

PS: With food aggression, feed him separately (behind a gate, or in a separate room, or in a crate). I don't think you'll be able to stop that at his age.

Many pugs sleep with their tongue sticking out, some more than others. I wouldn't worry about it.

For whatever reason, puggles are particularly prone to food aggression. I think it's the mix of pug (wildly food motivated) and beagle (wildly food motivated and inclined to territoriality and resource guarding).

The tongue thing, as others said, is nothing big. Happens to lots of older dogs--and is especially common in the flat faced breeds.

This is Jack.
His tongue has been poking out since he was six months old and he's almost three. It's just the way he is. He also, gulps his food. Jack has one of those bowls that Lisa has the link to. I also, add a bit of water to slow him down when eating.

I happen to think most pugs are gulpers.

I don't feed kibble, so we don't usually have the bolt and puke thing happen. But my pugs have done this with treats.

I have found that elevating the bowl when they eat helps them not gulp so quickly. Not sure why that helps, but it has made a difference.

All my pugs are 7 years old, and so far none of them have tongues that stick out. I did have a foster that was just 2, and her tongue already was sticking out. Some dogs have it and some don't. I think its pretty cute.

Zoe's definitely a gulper. I have an elevated bowl and like others, add water to her kibble. I also usually give her some raw veggies like baby carrots or green beans. that can help slow down a bit and fill her up too.

With the food issue, I also flood their food like Mary-Jo does. I usually add equal parts water to food. They are messy after eating and have grown accustomed to being wiped with a towel after eating every meal.

With the aggressive behavior, besides just being there to "check it" as if you are the alpha I have no other insight.

And finally with the tongue. Oscar has a tongue and it is BIG!! He is just 2 years old and it has been sticking out when he is tired (and otherwise) for the last year since we adopted him. I LOVE Oscar's tongue!! It's endearing! Not an issue at all. Just plain CUTE!! We use it as his tired meter.

Here's a couple.



And...

I don't have any tongues, but I do see bottom teefes a lot.

Not Afraid wrote:I don't have any tongues, but I do see bottom teefes a lot.

Great picture! My two "blackies" both have bottom teefes a lot too. I love toofy grins!

I think you've had plenty of great answers already.

I just want to say - thanks for asking the questions, 'cos I'm really loving all the great pics in this thread!

Thanks everyone for your input. We have tried the watered down food and that seems to work great for him. He's not making such a huge mess with it either. I do hope this continues and can fix the problem he had all together. The food aggression has lessen a little since he's not trying to eat his food so quickly. Of course I don't think the food aggression will be gone completly, but thats just something we have to be ontop of to watch out for the other dogs we have while feeding.
I also like all the pictures that are posted, that are soo very sweet looking.

I'm glad the watered down food has helped!

LuLu always has her tongue out when she sleeps, and often when she's awake too.


Tyson rarely sticks out his tongue, but he always has his toofers out.

I think you have gotten some great advice. I just wanted to share a picture of my little Emma and her tongue...which most of you have seen these pics already but for those that haven't....

Awe, cutest pictures ever!

Becky - Tyson's toofers are hysterical! How can you not laugh!!??!