Does your dog tell you when it's dinner time?

I think sometimes my little Jack Russell is quite different from other dogs. She certainly is different from the dogs I've owned before.

She tries to manipulate me before I feed her dinner. She lays in front of me to get my attention. Then, she starts to shake from head to toe. There is nothing medically wrong with her. She is not cold either. She only does this before dinner time. She is trying to make me feel sorry for her because she hasn't eaten since her last treat! Poor Misha! LOL

Does your dog try to manipulate you into feeding him/her? Does anyone else's dog shake like Misha does to get attention?

It does seem as if dogs do know when their dinner time is and they will tell you. Its funny because you wonder how can they know what time it is? But maybe its just part of their instincts, so yes my dogs do try to get attention they don't shake but they will jump up on you as way to tell you its dinner time.

I have a Jack Russell mix, too, and he's not nearly as subtle or manipulative as yours. He goes right in for it. He'll just start whining. He'll sit near you or follow you around the house, whining and crying until finally you tell him that you'll get him some food. Then he jumps up and is full of energy again. He'll even start barking or jumping in the air sometimes, lol.

My Lab always knew when it was dinner time. At five minutes to 5, she stopped whatever she was doing and gave me the stare down. If I didn't respond, she was more persistent by hitting me with her paw or barking once to get my attention.

Jessi, Have you known a more verbal dog than the Jack Russell? Misha talks all the time. I have never had a dog that had so much to say. It isn't just barking. She will sit in front of you and give out all sorts of yeowls, whines, barks, and other noise. It sounds like yours has the same qualities. They sure seem to be happy to be fed.

Misha also does the "air" jumps. As I am getting the food, she sits and then she jumps straight up in the air. I'm not sure if it's because she is excited or she thinks I've forgotten her. LOL I've turned it into a trick. If I say "Jump for Joy", she will jump up about 4 feet in the air.

Yes! When my Shih Tzu was around, she would go up to me and stare at me. By doing this, I would ask her the word "food?" and she would cock her head and walk to the kitchen and then it would signify that it is indeed time for food!

Yes! Even though we don't table feed, if they see us eating then they know they will be soon. We eat first and then give our dogs food after. Does anyone else do this? I heard you're supposed to feed your dogs first. That way they won't bother you while you're eating. However, they already know they aren't getting any of ours.

It depends on the dog. With Candy, dinner time is no big deal. She is not a great eater. Just a fussy eater. She can go through the whole day with just one meal. For Black Lady, eating time is very important. That's because she eats a lot and, apparently has very short intestines. So her food passes through her body very quickly. When it's time for food, she would just stand patiently at her food dish.