feeding the doodle!

[Benalexe]

Hi everyone,

I am new here.  Just got a 8 month old amazing golden doodle.   She was being re-homed by someone on Craigslist and we were lucky enough to get her. She is amazing.

At home we also have a 5 year old yorkiepoo 15lbs.  The doodle is 52lbs . 

The yotkiepoo self feeds herself when she is hungry.  After a few days I realized that the doodle is also a picker and eats when she is hungry so I picked up one of those big self feeders that dispenses food for the dogs when they want. The bowl is always filled.

When we went to the vet to get checkups he said that most dogs can't self regulate their food and they will get overweight so he recommends feeding at set times.  

Here is my issue-  for some reason Casey (The doodle)  Loves to eat out of the small dogs bowl and leaves her big bowl.   The small dog can't reach the big bowl- so result is Tootsie has no kibble left and Caseys bowl is full. 

So not sure what to do at this point.  When I had the auto feeder it seemed to be working better for all but don't want them to get too fat.

The one thought I had was to get one of those electronic self feeders that dispense a set amount daily so they can't over eat.  Any thoughts our advice for me? 

Also curious.. do most of your doodles eat at once?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I feed my two strictly twice a day. I use it to reinforce training. I put down the two bowls and each dog sits and waits for the release command. Then they eat. If they walk away I pick up. This way they know that mealtime us for eating. I don't like free feeding with two because you may not pick up on illness quickly either. I know I sound like a Sargent major nut it really has been a wonderful way of making sure I stay top Dog.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

With all the mentions and concerns about overweight, there is also the concern that the little dog isn't getting enough to eat with the current system. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The down side of free feeding multiple dogs is that you really do NOT know if both dogs are eating consistently.  When a good eater quits eating, it is a sign of illness - you wouldn't know either thing.  You can monitor their weight - but what are you going to do when/if they get overweight?  If the larger dog is the problem, why don't you put the little one's specific serving in an inaccessible place but continue to leave it down?  Examples - a cupboard with a small cut-out, a shower with the slider almost closed, a laundry room with a small cut-out in the door. Feed the doodle a set portion - leave it down if you want.  I wouldn't just free feed but setting down an appropriate serving for each dog w/o the other having access, and letting them eat it when they want seems a combination that might be acceptable to you.

[Stella]

Meals twice a day is the way to go! I have two doodles and one is a resource guarder, so I couldn't free feed even if I wanted to. My two each have a designated spot to go to and sit while I measure out their meal, they sit on opposite sides of the room. Once I put the bowl down, they have to wait for the release word to begin eating. My one doodle would eat until he explodes if given the choice and empties his bowl in seconds. My resource guarder is a slow eater and is not food motivated, it often takes him a few minutes to decide to eat at all! He gets 15 minutes and then I take his bowl away, finished or not. This ensures they both stay safe while eating, I get to monitor how much each dog is eating, and as Nicky said mealtimes become training time.

[Benalexe]

Thanks everyone this is all great advice. Decided to try and out food down for each of the dogs for 10 minutes and then take away. Now just need to keep doodle to her own bowl and yorkie poo to her bowl

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would do away with the self feeder all together.  They do make your dogs fat over time.  Set your time for feeding the dogs and feed them in different areas.  My dogs - one eats outside and one inside.  They always want to check out each other's bowl and they always have clean plates.  When we have a visitor, they all have their own eating areas and they always check out each other's bowls.  I feed twice a day.  Casey will learn to eat her food.  But don't stress about it.  When they are hungry they will eat.  After a reasonable period of time, just put the food away.