Dog Puppy Forum - share dog and puppy information, news and tips

328 days ago

ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)

Having a debate right now. i feed bindi 3x a day as shes a young puppy but her daddy says its too much and should be 2x a day. i just cannot feed her 2x a day bc she comes to her food dish at lunch time for food. :( i could never turn her away. shes quite active as well and i feel that she would be burning off a lot of what she takes in. shes only been w. us a lil over a week now. ur thoughts?

327 days ago

nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)

They say that pups should be free fed ~ allowed food at all times but as they get older you can cut that to 3x a day and then down to 2x. Since you have a small breed i recommend that you offer food at least 3x a day. How old is your bindi now?

327 days ago

ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)

hi shes almost 10 wks now. i keep hearing conflicting suggestions. my vet told me to feed her three times a day at specified times so it gets her into a routine and so i know when to take her out to do her business (trying to housebreak her) but bindis dad think this is too much :(

327 days ago

nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)

Wow surprised a Vet would say that especially knowing that small puppies are at risk for a number of health concerns which can result from not being able to much on a few kibbles here and there when needed. Small pups cant hold much food in either so they need to come back several times a day to get their bodies nutritional needs met. Having a puppy is like having an infant, they require a little nutrition in small amounts several times a day, they arent meant to be housebroken so early even though some can actually learn that young, thats why a lot of people start off with wee wee pads or paper becuase its pretty unrealistic to think that a puppy that young will be able to hold it in for a long period of time, just like a baby goes from pampers to potty training. After a couple of months you can create a set feeding schedule that works for both you and your dogs needs but for now do what you felt was right from the start, a mommy always knows best :)

327 days ago

ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)

Thanks! ill always keep some out for her then

325 days ago

aussie6pk 147 post(s)

While I agree about a pup needing nutrition several times a day I don't agree about pottytraining. Now is a perfect time to begin to teach the patterns you will need to make housebreaking easier, even if puppy can't 'hold it' yet. By having a schedule rather than free feeding, you can establish that pup needs to go outside after every meal. You can also begin to teach whatever word you plan to associate with pottying, whether it's 'go potty', 'do your business', ' go tinkle' or whatever. When you use a word like this they will go on command later, and what better time to teach this than when they are young? No, you can't expect them to actually have control, but you can lay the groundwork for it, making the association for what is needed as long as you keep it positive.

325 days ago

nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)

Good point A6P however i feel that the pups health is more of a concern and housebreaking takes second priority, especially with small breed pups, besides a 2 month old pup doesnt even have all of their shots and shouldnt really be walking around outside...its also hard for most people to put down food several times a day because they work so having a large bowl of some dry kibble out enables the pups to feed whenever needed, and of course you need to leave out water too. Totally agree about the word association though, i use pee pee and poo pee and Bella can go on command, which really comes in handy when theres a bizzard outside :)

325 days ago

ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)

hi guys, thanks for all the info. just a tid bit that im with her 24/7 :) at least for 2 more months. then i will work. ttyl :)

325 days ago

aussie6pk 147 post(s)

Definitely understand about shots! people always thought I was crazy when I said to only let them in their own fenced yard or else carry them. See...I'm not totally insane! I am more familiar with Aussies and not small breeds, so you definitely know more than me. Thanks for letting me know too....if anyone asks for my advice on that score, now I'll know!

324 days ago

PookeyDookey 35 post(s)

My mini schnauzer was fed 3 times a day when he was a pup and the schedule really worked for us. He usually finished his meals. He is old enough now to eat twice a day. My vet told me to do the same with my Big pup - 3 times a day. At least we see that 2 times is not enough for your pup, even if she were larger.

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328 days ago ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)	Having a debate right now. i feed bindi 3x a day as shes a young puppy but her daddy says its too much and should be 2x a day. i just cannot feed her 2x a day bc she comes to her food dish at lunch time for food. :( i could never turn her away. shes quite active as well and i feel that she would be burning off a lot of what she takes in. shes only been w. us a lil over a week now. ur thoughts?

327 days ago nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)	They say that pups should be free fed ~ allowed food at all times but as they get older you can cut that to 3x a day and then down to 2x. Since you have a small breed i recommend that you offer food at least 3x a day. How old is your bindi now?


327 days ago ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)	hi shes almost 10 wks now. i keep hearing conflicting suggestions. my vet told me to feed her three times a day at specified times so it gets her into a routine and so i know when to take her out to do her business (trying to housebreak her) but bindis dad think this is too much :(

327 days ago nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)	Wow surprised a Vet would say that especially knowing that small puppies are at risk for a number of health concerns which can result from not being able to much on a few kibbles here and there when needed. Small pups cant hold much food in either so they need to come back several times a day to get their bodies nutritional needs met. Having a puppy is like having an infant, they require a little nutrition in small amounts several times a day, they arent meant to be housebroken so early even though some can actually learn that young, thats why a lot of people start off with wee wee pads or paper becuase its pretty unrealistic to think that a puppy that young will be able to hold it in for a long period of time, just like a baby goes from pampers to potty training. After a couple of months you can create a set feeding schedule that works for both you and your dogs needs but for now do what you felt was right from the start, a mommy always knows best :)

327 days ago ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)	Thanks! ill always keep some out for her then


325 days ago aussie6pk 147 post(s)	While I agree about a pup needing nutrition several times a day I don't agree about pottytraining. Now is a perfect time to begin to teach the patterns you will need to make housebreaking easier, even if puppy can't 'hold it' yet. By having a schedule rather than free feeding, you can establish that pup needs to go outside after every meal. You can also begin to teach whatever word you plan to associate with pottying, whether it's 'go potty', 'do your business', ' go tinkle' or whatever. When you use a word like this they will go on command later, and what better time to teach this than when they are young? No, you can't expect them to actually have control, but you can lay the groundwork for it, making the association for what is needed as long as you keep it positive.

325 days ago nyvettechdog... 16 post(s)	Good point A6P however i feel that the pups health is more of a concern and housebreaking takes second priority, especially with small breed pups, besides a 2 month old pup doesnt even have all of their shots and shouldnt really be walking around outside...its also hard for most people to put down food several times a day because they work so having a large bowl of some dry kibble out enables the pups to feed whenever needed, and of course you need to leave out water too. Totally agree about the word association though, i use pee pee and poo pee and Bella can go on command, which really comes in handy when theres a bizzard outside :)

325 days ago ProfessorPeteZa 5 post(s)	hi guys, thanks for all the info. just a tid bit that im with her 24/7 :) at least for 2 more months. then i will work. ttyl :)

325 days ago aussie6pk 147 post(s)	Definitely understand about shots! people always thought I was crazy when I said to only let them in their own fenced yard or else carry them. See...I'm not totally insane! I am more familiar with Aussies and not small breeds, so you definitely know more than me. Thanks for letting me know too....if anyone asks for my advice on that score, now I'll know!

324 days ago PookeyDookey 35 post(s)	My mini schnauzer was fed 3 times a day when he was a pup and the schedule really worked for us. He usually finished his meals. He is old enough now to eat twice a day. My vet told me to do the same with my Big pup - 3 times a day. At least we see that 2 times is not enough for your pup, even if she were larger.