Hi, iv got a 2 year old English springer spaniel who we've only had for 2 weeks now(my cousin took him in about a year ago but he wasn't getting on with their other dog) iv noticed some odd behavior regarding feeding, I place the bowl down he gets excited butwon't eat it until I either leave the room or ignore him! While he's eating, if iv left the room he will bring some in his mouth and eat it where I am. He is displaying some separation anxiety, if I get up he has to follow, if I even just move in mx seat he's watching! Is this just separation anxiety or something else? How do I stop it? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Did he do this in the other house? Remember you have only had him 2 weeks and he is still getting used to you and the new surroundings.

Ask them what exactly they used to say when they put food down for him. He may have an unintentional release command that tells him its ok to eat. Bobby had one which took me over 2 years to find. It made him anxious about eating until I happened upon it one day. He has no problems at all now. Alternatively hold the bowl and get him to sit an wait then out the food down and praise, again it may be a routine he is used to. May be a case of trial and error.

Both the above posts are spot on, I suspect he has a feeding routine which if missed is making him uncertain that he is allowed to eat.

Also 2 weeks in is very early days, our rescue doesn't have any SA but for a good 3-4 months he would always follow if we left the room, look permission to get toys etc. it was just his way of working out what he could and couldn't do.

Poor Beau had lots of homes in his first 2 years so was quite insecure, we found lots of praising good behaviour and totally ignoring any bad behaviour (except if it put him or us at risk) worked a treat

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As far as I know they fed him outside and he ate quickly but I think that was because of the other dog! He just looks at the bowl and wags his tail, I got him to eat last night by picking up a piece and giving it to him, but then he kept running into the front room with some and eating it then back to the bowl ect. I'm his 5th owner so perhaps it is still early days, always worth asking just in case anyone knows anything that I dont! Thanks for the replys.

Try hand feeding him for a week, with you there and then gradually leave some in the bowl for him to finish off. Increasing the amounts in the bowl slowly until he is up to his full ration out fo the bowl.