Truly hungry or just pigging out?

[Theresa and Doodle Dagny]

Dagny (Standard F1 Golden) is 12 weeks (almost 13) and weighs nearly 22 lbs.  She has been the biggest in her litter since the time of her birth.

The breeder free fed her, so I'm not sure the breeder knew how much the puppy was eating.  When we picked her up, I believe the breeder said 1 cup/day.  Well, Since we brought her home almost two weeks ago, we have switched her food from puppy chow to Orijen and feed her 3x/day - 2 cups according to the chart on the bag.  But, since we started feeding her Orijen, it seems her appetite has been increasing - so much so that she's scratching at her food bowl even after she's eaten 2 cups of food. 

She had her first vet appt  shortly after coming home, and her health seems to be very good so far - no more stool issues and no pesky stomachs bugs.

Is she truly hungry?  Should I be supplementing her food?  Should I be feeding her more?  Why is she constantly begging for food?  Sometimes she acts like she's starving.  Thanks for any advice you can give!

[Theresa and Doodle Dagny]

Darwin is adorable!  Thank you for the encouragement :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Clancy would never act full either, Camilla. Mealtimes are his favorite time of day.

[Chris & Abby]

Ditto for my Abby. She's 5 months now and still eats like there's no tomorrow! She tries to eat her bowl after meals. Just never satisfied. As long as she's healthy and lean I'm happy. She gets plenty of training treats too so I think she's just a hungry pup.

[Theresa and Doodle Dagny]

Thanks Chris!  It helps to know I'm not alone :)

[Kaitee and Orwell]

My Orwell was very much the same way. He was the biggest out of his litter, but as Karen said, I don't think he got as much food as he needed. It's not in his nature to be pushy about food, but he LOVES it. I thought it was weird because he was the biggest. You'd think he would dominate everyone. When I first brought him home, he inhaled his food.

Training has been easy with him because he will eat anything and everything. I would assume that your doodle is food motivated as well, so I would teach her to sit and wait for her food until you tell her that it is okay to start eating. It calms them down a bit. It doesn't take long for them to get the idea. It took Orwell just one meal to understand that he has to wait now. Now, he automatically sits four feet away from his bowls and waits until I say, "Okay, get it." 

If you are unsure of how to train her to wait, make sure she knows sit first. Have someone restrain her in the beginning. Pour the food on the counter and put the bowl down. While the other person is restraining her, repeat "Wait" and wait until she settles down. Then let her "Get it."