Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/8/2011

Question
We got our male boxer at 11 months after he was in four homes. He is now 3 going on 4 in July. Sometimes when he is in the middle of eating he walks into the next room and does a couple circles and reverses going a couple circles in the opposite direction before racing back in to finish dinner.  He eats twice a day and this happens with his afternoon meal probably 4-5 times a week. He is otherwise healthy and up to date with all shots and heartworm pills. Any reason for this bizarre habit?

Answer
He is so very young to have been shuffled around 4 times. It is a neurotic behavior because of his insecurity... an OCD behavior due to all the different routines and rules and insecurities.

Give him time. In the meantime, leash him when he eats and stand there and keep him in the kitchen with his food bowl and give love and routine-- no other choice but routine and habit.