Pet Lodge® Automatic Dog Feeder | Chow Hound Outdoor Pet Feeder for Large Dogs | Tough Galvanized Steel | Made in USA | 50 Pound

Bought because of unique feeder design and other reviews, kept for the good design and food capacity.Our dogs had a 10lb plastic upright style gravity feeder, they liked to knock the top piece off and the food would spill, very frustrating. They then would stick their heads in the empty top part, and run around in a panic because they couldn't get their heads back out, greatly amusing but ultimately unsafe (but man was it funny). They liked to chew the bottom plastic bowl, it just wasn't working out. This unit is large enough they have never tried knocking it over or any of those shenanigans, when loaded with food it wouldn't be easy to tip over anyway. Even if they tried, you can use the two holes to mount it to a wall behind.We own 3 dogs, 40lbs, 50lbs, and a 75lb. Husky/Eskimo mix and a lab/husky mix. They didn't get how it worked at first, but only took me showing them for 5 minutes and putting some treats in the bottom (while showing them this) before the smallest caught on and figured it out. Over the next few days I continued to ask if they wanted food, and then opened the flap with my hand and held it open until they stuck their head in, they were scared of the automatic shutting of the flap and slight pressure on their heads when I stopped holding the flap but eventually learned it was not a threat or danger. Give them time, when they get hungry enough (about a day of no food for our dogs) they will overcome their fear and stick their head in if you have shown them a few times. After a few days they all feed from it easily and I don't worry at all. I have owned it about 3 weeks now.One reviewer said it stopped the "guarding" behavior of their dogs. It didn't do that for me, but I'm ok with that, each dog has their order in which they should eat, and that is just nature.The unit is galvanized thin-wall steel, and has two bolt holes near the top on the back for mounting or securing. The top flips open to pour food in, and the bottom has a flap that snaps shut (magnetic?) when the dogs pull their head out. I wouldn't put this unit in wet conditions, but for inside it works great, looks nice, and holds a lot of food, about a week or two for our dogs.

We have had a number of different feeding systems over the years, and so far this is the best we have had. The product is American made, sturdy, and coated to eliminate rust. It will easily hold the 25 lbs. it is rated for, and kibble feeds nicely down through the bin into the bottom so the dogs can eat. The top opens to the back, making it more secure from accidental opening by a frisky dog. We also like that the feeding door has a small magnet that keeps the door shut when not in use, but can be easily pushed open by even a small dog. This keeps birds and larger insects out of the dog's food, making for a healthier system. So far, it has proven rain proof, even in heavy rains. It has two holes on the backside that we used to mount the unit to our fence, placing the feeder close enough to the ground that the dogs can easily access it to eat, but not sitting on the ground when pests such as ants will find it. We recommend caulking around the unit once installed so that ants cannot get behind it and enter through the mounting holes or gaps. We have had several similar models in plastic, however, they subject to UV light deterioration, and the feeding doors do not close completely, making them more attractive to bugs and even some birds. We also had problems with the plastic units with puppies chewing them up. We think this is a great product and we are very grateful that Miller Manufacturing builds it.

I have two dogs, a cattledog and a small rat terrier/chihuahua type. Initially both were weary or scared of the feeder, we didn't allow them to get food any other way than from the feeder to start out. This meant at first that during feeding times I had to sit with them and hold it open or slightly open it, sometimes gently nudging them into it with their head/nose to open it until they learned it wouldn't harm them and that at any time they could open it to get the food inside. My cattledog learned and mastered this after about 2 training sessions and the little dog took some more work. She was very scared/unsure about it so I went extra slow with her adding in treats to the food and holding it open for extended periods at first for her to just get used to eating inside of it, then I started smacking the metal while she ate (light and quiet at first, gradually louder) so she got used to noise and metal sound when eating/opening and closing. Once she was comfortable with that I started leaving it open smaller and smaller for her until she had to wedge it open more with her face to get to the food, after that she started to play with it trying to find a way to open it until she got the hang of nudging her head/nose into the door.So as expected just a little patience and soon they learned how to use it, they love always having food regardless of our schedules/life needs and we are delighted that they are taken care of even if we get home late or take a day trip. The feeder holds one of those massive dog food bags (25lbs or so) which is fantastic to double as storage. Flies have been around but I figure after I tape over the back screw holes (for securing/mounting) it should help get rid of them. If you have a small dog that is going to use this just be patient and keep in mind that to them this thing is massive, for us it would be like slamming your head into a 2-3 story house to get food. They will learn, making it the only way to get food greatly speeds the process though be responsible. I am not saying to starve them as you still need to set aside time to be there for meal assistance/training since they won't be able to eat any other way. After they know how to open it though you are free to put down your regular indoor bowl or normal setup. I am sure any dog can learn how to use it, just some require more patience and training than others.