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Posted by Chelle on March 07, 2003 at 07:28:23:

In Reply to: Re: about scheduled feedings posted by rachael on March 06, 2003 at 18:27:32:

I did a "free feed" schedule on my dog for the first two years of her life- I didn't think it was a problem for the exact same reasons you discussed. I have a very good friend who has a "scarfer" and her dog really won't let you near it until there's nothing left in that bowl- and that bowl is finished in 2 minutes flat or less. She's over-zealous when any food is around. That's why one has to train their dogs carefully to accept human intervention when food is around. Most dogs don't "love" kibble as much as other human treats. Sounds like your pup is that way. So, I'd start by putting the bowl on the ground and leaving it down for no more than 15 minutes. If the dog doesn't eat the scheduled meal, the dog gets NOTHING until the next scheduled meal (it doesn't matter the number of meals a day technically so if you want 4 or 5 just make sure each portion isn't too much). I find 3 meals at your pups age quite effective. If your pup does eat the scheduled meal, drop other better goodies by the bowl while he's eating (you are not to the point of putting your hand in a dog's bowl yet). Most dogs will see it drop and get it. It makes your dog think while it's eating and not inhale everything. Some people hand-feed their dogs when they are this young. Some people make the pups work for a few kibbles before they start the full meal. Eventually one can work up to getting very close to the dog and dropping treats right by it and then again gradually go to putting the hand in the bowl and dropping more treats. I sometimes even shuffle the food around while I'm leaving treats in there (just in case my human youngster does). Don't go too fast on this process. You are changing a primal instinct. Also, don't feed your pup in a very inactive part of the house that can start to be percieved as "dog's turf only." Dog's tend to take "snap shots" at life and generalize differently than a human would expect. My nickle worth.

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