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Originally Posted by kinnykins  thankyou everyone for your replies, looks like its back to basics again and working it back up, i think she is doing her teen age im in charge but im pack leader so i think thats perhaps where some of the issues like will keep u all posted any other ideas will be welcome, oh by the way a book i have says dont free feed kinnys only eats when she fancies it (anytime ) im worried she wont have ccess to any food when we are at work , she does nt allways eat breakfast before i go ?? |
Free feeding is advised for all puppies, and especially the smaller breeds, due to hypoglycemia. Some say you can stop at around 8-10 months. Some dog trainers don't believe in free feeding an older dog for a variety of reasons. First, they want a dog hungry when they teach it tricks. This is the reason I choose not to free feed anymore. However, my training periods coincide with his breakfast and dinner meals, so the training doesn't interfere with his nutrition. Other dog trainers don' t believe in free feeding because of the theory "everything a dog receives he must receive from you", and they must work for their food in order for you to be seen as pack leader. I do believe in teaching a dog to sit and stay before the food is placed down, but then it can be left out with no ill effects. When choosing what's best for your dog, look at health first, and then training, starving the dog all day isn't healthy. I take a little from this trainer and that trainer. For example, I love lots of Cesar's theories, but he doesn't believe that you should allow your dog to sleep with you. Now if we were having serious problems with aggression, and that's really Cesar area of expertise, I would probably follow his advice, but since we are not; we break this rule.