feeding the puppy

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Hi all, two more sleeps and Lilly will be here. I have read so much and thought I was ready and now panic..What do you guys do about feeding your puppy and watering? Lilly will be 8 wks. Some say leave food out for her through out the day, others say feed her 4 times a day.. leave water out unless they are crated. You have all been there, done that..suggestions please. hugs to all..

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Lilly is adorable!  Once I opened the picture I forgot what your question was, puppies took over my brain.

I personally have never left food out through out the day.  But it has been over 15 years since I've had a young puppy too.  I always did 3-4 feedings a day and took the food away when they finished. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Me too....I fed my puppies three times a day at the beginning, gave them 30 minutes to eat it, and then took it away until the next meal.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

3x/day for food. I never left it out either. As to water...keep it out throughout the day but take it away after 7pm-ish until Ms Lilly is a little older. Take out to potty after she wakes up, after she plays and after eating. These are just basic rules of thumb. She will be peeing a lot. You'll figure out her cues. Lots of paper towels,and Natures Miracle for those accidents. Lots of love and patience.

She is adorable and you will do fine...good luck

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Mimi - Your post made me laugh.  I remember I waited for Bexter a year with such anticipation and then RIGHT BEFORE (like you) we got him I started to panic and second guess everything.  Sooo normal of you (if normal is being like me...uh oh).  Anyway - about the food - I feed 3 x a day according to the directions on the bag.  Water - I give freely unless in the crate.  I know some people take water up a couple hours before bedtime.  I didn't ever do that & he has slept all night fine in his crate since about 3 days after I got him (and he was only 7 wks old when I got him).  Good luck and SAVOR THE MOMENT!  She is adorable!!!  You'll get her on a schedule & then write it all down for Dori, huh?  Nice!  Maybe she'll be totally potty trained when you get her back.  Tell Dori to get right on that!  LOL

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. 3x a day it is.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

It looks like you've reached a decision, but I'm chiming in anyway. I fed Barley three times a day, and took the food away after 20 minutes if he didn't finish it. I left water out all day for him. When Barley was six months old, I switched him to a twice-daily feeding time.