How Much and how often should i feed my dog?

[Tara aka Harry & Wally's Mom]

My puppy is 14 weeks old now. What is the recommended feeding schedule and amount? Right now we just keep food in his bowl and he eats when he is hungry. We are now trying to housetrain him so need to start getting him on more of a regular feeding schedule.

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

My friends on doodlekisses know the horrors I have been throught with food with my first little goldendoodle. I tried every high end brand available to man and even tried home cooking. I also struggled with feeding twice a day, etc. I fed the girls in the morning and late afternoon and took them out to potty within 15 minutes after eating. Of course, Molly had intestinal issues with food, etc. but potty training was not a problem. I think both my girls might have gone in the house a total of 5 times combined. Now, I let their dry dog food out and fill it when they finish eating it. I am lucky that Nestle my lagere labradoodle does not overeat and is a grazer. My Molly eats twice a day when she feels like it and again is not an overeater. Currently Molly (23 lbs) ats about a cup a day or slightly less and Nestle (who is 41 lbs) eats 1 - 2 cups a day when she is really hugry. Nestle eats one cup some days and skips her evening meal...but she is a great weight. Both girls are the perfect weight for their size. I might have to change things as they get older but right now this works for us. I wish I could say I give them a higher end brand but diets too rich in protein really create problems for Molly.....after a very serious intestinal surgical procedure and a horrifically scary vomiting spell with blood...I listen to my vet's advice and follow his protocol on food choice. The girls are on Purina Pro Plan....and have done really well.

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

I free-feed, the vet thought Fenway needed to gain weight, so I give him all access to the food. Shiloh is not a big eater, either. So having it available for them whenever they want it just works for me right now. I also think it helps them to not be food aggressive, they know it is there whenever they want it, so there is no reason to hoard it. But if I ever need to switch to set meals, I am not opposed to that method either.

[StaceyW]

i bought the Taste of the Wild food today and the reccomendation for Ollie (10 wks, 12 lbs) is 2.5 to 3.25 cups per day - that is more than 2x the amount we were feeding him of purina pro? are the foods that different or maybe we hadnt been feeding him enough and that is why he is always hungry? i gave him 1.25 cup tonight and he wolfed it down and then snuck into mudroom and ate some more from my older dog's bowl! Yikes (I know I should have switched the food slowly but since he has had really mushy poop all along - decided to go cold turkey) - will let you know how it goes!

[Adina P]

Yeah...foods can be THAT different. Though I am surprised that a higher rated food would say to feed more. I suppose you can gradually give him more every few days and see how it goes.

[Tara aka Harry & Wally's Mom]

We are feeding Harry 1 cup 2x a day. He seems to be content with that. He nibbles at the food when he is hungry otherwise leaves it there.