Feeding Tips

Dogs should be fed on a regular schedule, in a bowl that is easy to keep clean (we like stainless steel) and in a place with no distractions. Feeding dogs separately as well will prevent squabbles at the trough.

Puppies need to be fed more often than adult dogs, (sometimes as often as four times each day). Most nutritionists and breeders now say that puppies do not need the high protein content of commercial puppy food and recommend your premium adult foods past three or four months of age. Also, puppies are often pushed to grow too fast. This can bring on hip dysplasia and a number of other growth problems. With proper nutrition, a puppy will achieve his potential for growth sooner or later.

Here are some other feeding hints to make chow time more pleasant:

1. Feed adult dogs twice a day to prevent gorging at a single meal and to lessen the chance that deep-chested dogs will develop bloat.

2. Don't exercise or run your dogs an hour before or after eating.

3. Teach your dog to sit before you place the food bowl on the floor. If he's sitting, he won't be jumping at the bowl, spilling food all over the floor (I've been there).

4. Allow 15-20 minutes for them to clean their dish, then pick up the food.

5. Don't free feed if you are housetraining; dogs that have constant access to food have constant activity in their digestive systems.