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hvhung · 12-19-2006, 04:47 AM

Obviously ChicagoSoul and Nancy have very different ideas about how to raise yorkies just like people in the world have very different ideas about how to raise human babies. Do what you feel is responsible and ethical for your babies and offer OPINIONS when asked. But please do not try to say one person is more right than another. After seeing these back and forth arguments I would like to point out a few things:

1. Vets are trained professionals using scientific methods but they do have to learn many different animal systems so it is only natural that there may be some things they do not know where a reputable long time breeder that specializes in yorkies may know.

2. However, regarding whether to free feed or to have a schedule I believe both have advantages and dissadvantages. Not one method is completely terrible or exceptionally good. Catering to the need of your dog is the most important thing. Just like some people like eating 3 big meals a day while other people have to eat 6 meals a day because their stomach can only hold so much food at once. Also keep in mind that puppies are developing and need extra nutrition for growth on top of calories to maintain everyday activity. I personally believe free feeding is a little bit more suitable but I am not against scheduled feeding in general. The reason being: activity levels for each dog is different and even the same dog will have more active and less active days. So how much to feed really is just a guideline. Counting out exactly how many pieces of kibble to eat is a bit excessive in my opinion. As long as you are feeding a well balanced healthy diet, obesity should not develop in a genetically and medically healthy puppy.

3. I work in the medical research field. I know about scientific literature because I read them everyday and I write some myself. Please know that science is ongoing, everyday there are new ideas being presented that overrule previous theories and many controversies exist because it is very hard to prove definitively one way or another. We would all like to believe that science is clear cut, either right or wrong. But the truth is it is not like that. So for the general public, citing specific articles or sources is really not necessary nor is it beneficial. Most of what either of you have cited are not original articles anyway. They are taken from people that read them and interpret them and rewrite them in their own words what THEIR understanding of the article was. So my point is: Somethings even the experts don't have definitive answers to, don't just believe every word you read or have been told and treat it like the bible. Being informed is great, but also practice common sense.

Sorry I am kinda venting because the hostility on this post sorta made me mad. But I just wanted to remind everyone how important it is to keep an open mind about new ideas. It can be as small as how to take care of your dog but it is just the same about more important stuff. We live in such a conflict driven world because too many people are too stubborn to accept anything other than what they believe in, what they were taught. SO PLEASE KEEP ＴＨＡＴ　ＩＮ MIND and let us all do our part in making this world a little bit more peaceful. Merry Christmas to everyone.

12-19-2006, 04:47 AM	#18
hvhung YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 3	Stop the Fighting Please Obviously ChicagoSoul and Nancy have very different ideas about how to raise yorkies just like people in the world have very different ideas about how to raise human babies. Do what you feel is responsible and ethical for your babies and offer OPINIONS when asked. But please do not try to say one person is more right than another. After seeing these back and forth arguments I would like to point out a few things: 1. Vets are trained professionals using scientific methods but they do have to learn many different animal systems so it is only natural that there may be some things they do not know where a reputable long time breeder that specializes in yorkies may know. 2. However, regarding whether to free feed or to have a schedule I believe both have advantages and dissadvantages. Not one method is completely terrible or exceptionally good. Catering to the need of your dog is the most important thing. Just like some people like eating 3 big meals a day while other people have to eat 6 meals a day because their stomach can only hold so much food at once. Also keep in mind that puppies are developing and need extra nutrition for growth on top of calories to maintain everyday activity. I personally believe free feeding is a little bit more suitable but I am not against scheduled feeding in general. The reason being: activity levels for each dog is different and even the same dog will have more active and less active days. So how much to feed really is just a guideline. Counting out exactly how many pieces of kibble to eat is a bit excessive in my opinion. As long as you are feeding a well balanced healthy diet, obesity should not develop in a genetically and medically healthy puppy. 3. I work in the medical research field. I know about scientific literature because I read them everyday and I write some myself. Please know that science is ongoing, everyday there are new ideas being presented that overrule previous theories and many controversies exist because it is very hard to prove definitively one way or another. We would all like to believe that science is clear cut, either right or wrong. But the truth is it is not like that. So for the general public, citing specific articles or sources is really not necessary nor is it beneficial. Most of what either of you have cited are not original articles anyway. They are taken from people that read them and interpret them and rewrite them in their own words what THEIR understanding of the article was. So my point is: Somethings even the experts don't have definitive answers to, don't just believe every word you read or have been told and treat it like the bible. Being informed is great, but also practice common sense. Sorry I am kinda venting because the hostility on this post sorta made me mad. But I just wanted to remind everyone how important it is to keep an open mind about new ideas. It can be as small as how to take care of your dog but it is just the same about more important stuff. We live in such a conflict driven world because too many people are too stubborn to accept anything other than what they believe in, what they were taught. SO PLEASE KEEP ＴＨＡＴ　ＩＮ MIND and let us all do our part in making this world a little bit more peaceful. Merry Christmas to everyone.