confused

[jackie v]

First let me start off by saying the we are in love with our new puppy Mona she is a chocolate labradoodle and she is so stinking cute My question is should we leave food in her bowl all day or should there be structured feeding times. she tends to only eat a little at a time so I am afraid she wouldn't get enough if I took it away. She just turned 9 weeks old and she eats about 1 1/2 cups a day also when we take her for a walk she will only go a few feet and then sits down and won't go any futher she doesn't pick up speed until we are almost home. Overall she is a real good girl. Thanks in advance

[Dara8182]

Hi Jackie. I had the same question when we took our little guy home. For the first two weeks, he didn't seem to have a big appetite - but the breeder advised us to stick with three separate feeding times per day. I'm glad we did, because within 3-4 weeks of taking him home he either developed his appetite or got comfortable with us because he has become the most food motivated puppy I've ever seen. He scarfs down everything we give him and if we were to leave a full bowl out he would eat the whole thing and make himself sick.

So, my advice is stick to structured feedings - it also helps with potty training - you have a better idea of her going schedule and see if she develops into a dog who can self regulate her food intake.

[Ace's Place]

I'll pipe in about the walking issue. I SO wish we had not worried so much about it when Ace was young. Because we're big walkers, we couldn't wait until he would walk too! But at that age they are just looking around at the big new world they are in. It really takes time - at a few months old and Mona will begin to walk a bit more and more every day. For now just let her get used to her leash, look around, learn how to do her business outside and all will be good!! Don't sweat it like we did!

[jackie v]

thanks everyone sure appreciate the help

[jackie v]

I put a cup in the morning and in the afternoon it is still almost all there then when it is gone I put another 1/2 cup and in the morning there is still some there she only eats a couple of pieces at a time

[Moe]

My puppy was exactly the same way. I read all the things that say to take the food away but she was just so bony I couldn't do it. At 8 weeks she was 3.5 lbs. I fed her 3x a day and usually there was still food left from the previous meal. I worried a lot. I think it really doesn't matter how much they are eating as long as they are gaining weight. I used to bring her to the vets every week for a quick weigh in. At 4 mo we went to 2 meals a day and now she scarfs her meals down.

One thing I was thinking of was switching foods because maybe she didn't like the food I was giving her. I was giving her Origen. It is one of the best dry foods on the market. I was advised not to switch because it might make her a picky eater and any other food would be a step down anyway. I'm glad I stuck with it because she just had to grow into her appetite.

She was also the worst walker, she hated to even leave the yard. Now we hike in the woods off leash for an hour every day. I never had a dog before so I worried about everything. I think with patience it all works out. Good luck.

[Moe]

Last thing - I used to put some of her kibble in a

treat ball

treat ball

. Even though she wouldn't eat it out of the bowl she would eat it out of the ball. My trainer said it is good for dogs because it gives them something to do and satisfies their hunting instinct.

[jackie v]

thanks Moe I feel better after your post

[Lucy&Lennon]

Definitely feed on a schedule and after fifteen minutes of putting the food down take it away. Even if your doodle doesn't finish it all take it away. They will quickly learn that when the foods down its time to eat and soon enough he or she will eat it all as soon as they get their bowl of food.