[gaijingirl]

I was free-feeding my dog up until about two weeks ago. But, he was not very motivated by his dry dog food and pretty much just ate when he was hungry and would never over eat. I measured out the amount I wanted him to get for a day. Sometimes he'd finish, sometimes not. I think some dogs are more food motivated than others and that's something to take into consideration. I know my sister has a little 6 lb Pomeranian that is SO food motivated, she will literally eat until she makes herself sick. (She accidentally got into her bag of food one day and ate until she was vomiting). My dog would never do that, because he just doesn't care enough.

I just started my dog on a homemade, bland diet, due to some chronic digestive problems, and so I've stopped free feeding and now give three small meals a day. I honestly think that having my dog sitting there, watching me prepare it and being able to anticipate his food (that he thinks is sooo much better than the dry food that he got when free feeding), has changed his behavior. I think he sees me more as a leader because the food is really coming from me as opposed to just being there all the time. Previously, he used be be quite bossy and demanding with me, but he seems to almost respect me more since I started preparing his food.