Feeding-etc

[Wendy Latheron]

I didn't get a whole heap of informatoin from my breeder.  I was told to keep her on NOW for puppies until she was 6 months old and then switch her over to Oceana.  I did this but Lucy didn't like the food.  I then switched her to NOW for older puppies and she tolerated it for about a month.  She didn't like it at all and I tried everything (perhaps things that I should not have).  I put cottage cheese (a tad) on her food, and yogurt (a tad), and she would eat most of it.  She is healthy and at 8 months tomorrow is 42 pounds.  She is supposed to be about 50 pounds full grown.

My question:  Is it okay to give some gravy (home made) perhaps one tablespoon on the kibble?

Also, is it okay to give a marrow bone or a bison knuckle bone?

She is so destructive despite the fact that we are with her all of the time; and we have tried leaving her in her crate or using an X-Pen, but believe me, she will  find SOMETHING to eat.  She ate my new cookbook yesterday from the kitchen counter.  This is a puppy that gets three great walks (one of them at the puppy park) each day.

The knuckle bone disappeared from her bed and we figured she ate the lot.  She then developed diarrhoea, and white poops.  Now she has been on Metronidazole for a week along with probiotics.

We figured we knew how to look after a dog - our weimaraners were never this "needy", but with Lucy it is 24/7 and I am not sure that I am handling her the correct way.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Wendy - When you get a chance check out the groups section on the main page and join as many as you like.  There is a terrific Food Group with tons of info.  I have not had a problem with either of mine eating their food, but I have seen many others posting here.  Someone will jump in and give you some information.  You can also use the search section in the upper right hand corner of the main page and all the discussion concerning this issue will pop us.  Quick way to find info on the site.  Many new puppy owners join the Puppy Madness Group & Grooming group, so jump right in and join as many as you like.  Welcome to DK.

[Wendy Latheron]

Thanks Linda:  Where do I find the feeding group?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup

There is a tab for Groups at the top of every page here on DK; you can just scroll up from wherever you are. :) 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It is your responsibility to provide the nutritious  kibble and your pup's job is to eat.  If she is healthy according to the vet, then don't cater to her being picky.  Feed her the amount (which is only a suggestion) on the bag - set it down for 15 minutes; if she doesn't eat it, pick it up and serve it at the next meal. That's the start.  Some people rotate flavors within a brand to keep their dog's interest, but many don't.  

My Springer Spaniel was the most destructive puppy in the world - 2 couches cushion by cushion, a chair, wall molding, every corner of every rug, shoes (when we were dumb enough to leave them out), and  more. He eventually outgrew this and didn't even get into trash or eat a sandwich set on a low table. For a while, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep him!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Adding toppers to their food will allow them to become picky eaters.
As far as yogurt, plain with no sugar or sweeteners added, benefits the dog with probiotics. You should definitely check out the groups mentioned. I agree with Nancy as well,15 min for their food to be down and then it's put away. Neither one of my doodles are picky eaters. But, my schnoodle sometimes will just eat the smidge of yogurt I give him and walk away from his food. He only gets a smidge because of this - he then doesn't get anything to eat until the next feeding - and I mean nothing, no treats at all. He then eats his food rather heartily - like thanks mom!
The puppy madness groups will help with the behaviors as well, but make sure she has lots of things to chew on and she really needs to be watched anytime she's not in the crate. I wouldn't put anything in the crate that she can destroy - no beds at this age or even stuffed toys. I only leave chew toys that won't be swallowed when my puppy is alone. I tried the ex pen and it simply did not work at all. My pup would chew up anything in it that was meant to keep it clean.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/an-ode-...

[Wendy Latheron]

HI everyone, thank you for your helpful advice.  I am away for the weekend so "poppa" gets to do the poops.  But oh no, he has fixed them (apparently)!

"We are not having any more of this nonsense putting yogurt on her food, she will eat it if she is hungry".   Sure enough this morning's report is that we now have "poops" again.  Miraculous how I leave for two days and "poppa" fixes things.  Reading through everyone's advice though I do feel that the advice was great - never thought of taking the bowl away!  As a Mum I always tried to fix things.  I just have to get her probiotic back into her somehow.  Thanks for all the advice.