How to feed new puppy? UPDATE post #7 and advice needed

[boobyfeeder]

I read on dogstardaily.com about only feeding a puppy kibble in a Kong toy in the beginning. Has anyone used this method? The breeder has been feeding the pups out of one big bowl. The puppy is a rat terrier so will remain small, but the Kongs for the small breed dogs seem tiny, like I wouldn't be able to fit enough food for her. The breeder suggested giving her 1/2 cup of kibble twice a day.

[MsVyky]

is the goal to have the puppy eat slowly?

One of our dogs is a scarfer, so we got her a slow-feed bowl:
http://www.dogsupplies.com/product_i...eat__94293.jpg

Or we put a kong in the bowl, but don't necessarily stuff it, it's just an obstacle that helps her slow down a bit.


If it's for stimulation, that can be achieved with a few treats stuffed inside (or peanut butter, then put it in the freezer for something to keep him/her *really* busy) a couple times a day. Of course walks exercise the brain as well, provided you're doing obedience and practising manners the whole time.

[boobyfeeder]

According to the website, it helps stimulate the puppy and also teaches them to chew only their toys because of the reward, with the added benefit of feeding them at the same time. It's a good way to make sure you don't overfeed the pup, I would think.

I am concerned she might be a scarfer, since she's been fed out of one big bowl with her siblings. It may be scarf or go hungry, kwim? We will find out soon, she comes home on Saturday.

[Hadward]

How to feed new puppy?

feeding to a Puppy is much difficult task. But as explain in this forum I know easily adopted the way to feed my puppy and its my pleasure to thanks all of you

[tinuviel_k]

I did a combo of things for feeding my pup. First, I set aside the day's food and treat allotment and put it in a jar (and a bag for the treats). Then I'd give some food in a kong or treat ball in the morning so the pup would not be too hungry after a long night of no eating. Then throughout the day we'd do lots of fun and games and "training", and I would use the kibble as rewards. When I needed 10-15 minutes of calm time I would fill the kong again and the pup would play and eat slowly.

It worked great: the pup got the right amount of food and treats for the day, and we got a lot of fun and training out of the daily food ration. People were really amazed that my 8 week pup knew "sit," "lay down," "wait at the door," "take it," "leave it," "go potty," and "come." She loved working for her kibble and treats!

[boobyfeeder]

Thank you tinuviel_k! That sounds perfect. I can't wait to bring her home tomorrow!

[boobyfeeder]

Ok, so a little update: We brought her home Saturday. I've tried giving her a Kong stuffed with kibble (with a liver treat in the middle) and she just doesn't seem interested. I use the kibble as rewards, she can already come, sit, and lay down on command, but I'm afraid she's not getting enough to eat. I also don't want her to chew on things she shouldn't, from what I read on dogstardaily, if you give the food in a kong and keep her in the crate with it, she will become a chewtoyaholic and only want to chew those. But she doesn't seem interested in chewing them. When she's out of the crate, she finds anything she can to chew on. What am I doing wrong?

[Oubliette8]

some dogs just don't like kongs. Mine doesn't. He can try to sweeten the deal with a little peanut butter around the rim. There are tons of treat dispensing toys on the market. My dog is crazy about a simple hollow rubber ball, I pour kibble into the hole and she's happy. She also has an Atomic Treat ball that she really enjoys. Busy buddy by Premier makes a whole line of nice, sturdy treat dispensing toys. Their Twist and Treat is very simple and might be a good place to start.

If he is only getting kibble from training right now I would also be worried he may not be getting enough. I would do this- measure out at the start of the day how much kibble he should be getting, then if there's kibble left at the end of the day, you'll know he's not getting enough.

As far as his chewing- he's a PUPPY. Thats what they do. He doesn't have hands, he explores with his mouth. Invest in some anti-chewing spray. Fooey is supposed to be effective, and the various Bitter products are popular (bitter apply, bitter lime etc). You spray it on items he is found of chewing but are off limits- for instance, say he has a penchant for chewing your door frame- you apply this to the door frame. When he gets a taste, he'll decide the door frame isn't worth it if it tastes so bad. He made need to taste it a few times, and reapplication should be frequent at first- read the directions. Also some dogs are undeterred by one flavor, but hate another, so if Fooey doesn't work, for instance, you might switch to bitter lime. You might need to try a few flavors to find one he hates.

When you catch her chewing something off limits, redirect her attention to something she CAN chew on- for instance, the kong, a nylabone etc. Have you tried offering the kong outside of the crate? Some dogs don't like to eat in their crate.

Also remember that its a process- feeding only out of the kong does not stop all chewing over night. It simply builds the habit of chewing on the RIGHT thing, and gives you something to offer when she tries to chew the wrong thing.

If toy-based feeding just doesn't work, you might try offering lots of edible treats. I do NOT reccomend rawhide, but sweet potato chips are great and edible, plus low calorie. Get the hard kind- they last much longer. You can also offer raw carrots- they don't digest so her poop will be orange, but they are great low calorie (and cheap) treats.