Growth Spurt at a Year?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha has been giving me her begging cry just before bedtime. She has never been much of an eater - grazes her kibble but does devour the dinners I cook for her. I give it to her in 2 courses. She gets a boneless chicken breast with green beans, craisins, and brown rice. Last night, she polished off the kibble (about 1 1/2 cups before dinner, ate her dinner and the then finished off the other 1 1/2 cups of kibble). As we were making the coffee for the morning, she gave me her 'I'm hungry speech'. I gave her 2 cookies and she still asked for more. She would have eaten the enitre bag if I had let her.

She will be a year old in 2 days, at 24" high she weighs 61 lbs and has the 'lab roll' which means I can just about feel her ribs. The vet told me 3 weeks ago he thought she should loose 1 pound. I don't want her to get fat but she acted like she was ravenous I didn't have the heart not to give her her chicken cookies.

We are in Florida and she is definitely getting much more exercise than she was 2 weeks ago. We go to the park, take long walks and we are playing ball in the hallway of the apartment (it's like her own bowling alley to play ball in).

Could she be having another growth spurt at a year? am I not giving her enough kibble or dinner? This wasn't an issue until the other day so I am not sure what to do.

Would love input - thanks

[sandy b]

She feels better - she's in Florida!! It's warm and sunny!! I would think it's because she's exercising more. And BTW when are they suppose to quit growing?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I have no idea. I hope someone 'in the know' lets us know.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

all of my dogs have had a growth spurt at a year

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Hi Adrianne,

Our doodle Penny experienced a growth spurt right at one year old. It was more of a "height" thing than weight - she got taller and filled out a bit but didn't gain much more weight. She's now four and about the same weight at 62 lbs. Sounds like you're taking good care of her - she's getting yummy healthy food and lots of exercise. She'll be fine!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

If we don't go home soon and back to the cold, she is going to have to wear a MooMoo (remember them?) We went out for a late dinner and both DH and I shared with her. Yes, we are actually feeding her fromthe table!!
I have NEVER done that in my life. So far she just lays there and waits. Doesn't stare at us or beg. I hope we are not creating a monster tho when we eat in, she lays about 10' from us like at home. Tomorrow we are off the 'practice' with the Fly Ball team - actually teaching us. They were kind enough to invite us after a demonstration last week so she will run off the cheddar burger she ate tonight.
Wish us luck - don't want to embarras the Doodle breed.
thanks all for you input.