Suggestions about feeding

[Carrie king]

Wondering if anyone has some suggestions about how we can alter our feeding style to accomodate our new doodle pup. Hes a big time eater and we have always free fed our dogs. This worked well with our previous doodle, but I get the sense that this guy needs a schedule. The trouble is we have 2 toy poodles that have been free fed their whole lives. Poodles are picky eaters & we have a hard enough time getting them to eat enough, so I am worried about changing their routine. Does anyone have experience changing from free to scheduled?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Carrie, we have a very large, very active group here on DK called the Food Group, where we have a tremendous amount of information and lots of discussions about all aspects of feeding. Picky eaters is one of our most popular topics. Please join us.

I prefer to discuss these issues in The Food Group, but I will say that in fact, free feeding encourages picky eating. Your poodles will adjust to being fed on schedule and will probably be less picky once they adjust; it will probably be more difficult for you than for them. When a dog learns that food is not always available any time they feel like having a bite, they often stop being so "picky". Lots of us have switched from free feeding to scheduled meals, without any long term issues. A normal, healthy dog will not starve himself. 

(PS: Not all Poodles are picky eaters; my last one was the least picky of all my dogs.)