Ive always free fed and fed a little canned in the morning for breakfast and mine have not gained too much weight. For little ones and puppies I would definitely free feed. Some people want sceduled feedings for potty training reasons but I think you have to be very careful with it making sure your pup is getting enough nutrition every day.

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

If you think yours is going to be 6 pounds why ask about 4-5 pound dogs? Are you going to force her to be the weight you want? I don't understand all the weight obsession your pup will grow to what its going to be.

Absolutely, he's going to be what he'll be; this year even! I have no idea what mine will weigh. According to this growth chart, he's going to weigh 4 pounds. Yorkshire Terrier Information Center | Yorkie Growth Chart

According to the doubling game at 13 weeks, he's going to weigh 5-6 lbs.

His parents are in the 4 to under 5 pound range. Still haven't chatted with a single person who's parents were within ounces and the father being larger. I don't know what a larger father produces. Everyone breeds a smaller and sometimes super small male to female in the English speaking countries to get smaller puppies. I just picked a number compared to the charts and what I saw happen to my toy poodle...it was a guess for fun. Have no idea what the reality will be. When I talked to my vet about it, as stated in another thread, he said not to feed him much...It's good to ask to find out if people let their dogs graze, causing them to be larger, as per my vet. I don't need an overweight dog. But from asking all of these questions, I can observe and make better choices for my dog at 13 weeks, he still has his life ahead of him and I want him to make it to the 12-15 year mark.

Hey, if you're relaxed about it no sweat. Why have a growth chart or a scale? Obviously, I'm not the only one curious about it. I'm curious, gathering information because I'm interested in it. I don't have anyone to discuss this with. Why not ask others that have experience? In my experience, sometimes I have to ask a few different ways to get the answers I'm looking for. Not sure why the need to question the question. But if it's alright for my dog to be 4-5 pounds, I'd like to feed him into that direction. I have several herniated discs and really want to carry him around. I want him to be healthy but the reason I chose this breed was for their small size. Hope this helps to see why my obsession. Oh, and I bought a toy poodle for this same reason, to tote around. Love her dearly, she's just too big for me to tote around. Yorkies have anxiety separation, I really want him with me and like I said, if I can see what other Yorkies are weighing at 12-13 weeks and they also fell into the 4-5 pound weight category, with similar parents, then I can go ahead and feed him similarly or watch that at certain age he needs to be gaining more. I really want a healthy dog.

:(:confused::(

There was nothing argumentative about YorkieMom's post. She took time out of her day/away from her dogs to try and answer your question.

I agree. There is no way to predict like this.

My girl has been 5.8 pounds before. She ate around 1/2 cup of Science Diet Adult Small Bites and then later she ate homecooked food. Her caloric needs increased and she was a bit underweight. Now she eats approx 1 to 1 and 1/3 cups of a prescription food daily. If I went by the charts she should eat about 180 cal/day. However, she needs at least 300 a day which is not common, but just shows that there is no way to predict.

I have found EVERY on line chart to be inaccurate in guessing weight. I double the 12 week weight....and even then my puppies have NOT reached those.

Many vets don't recommend free feeding AFTER they are puppies but puppies really cant be fat and there are many many many dogs free feed who are not overweight. Please don't feed you puppy very little and feed him the food he needs.

Withholding food and nutrients so that your dog will be at a certain weight doesn’t work because the dog's skeleton will grow to it predetermined size, but it won't have strong bones and teeth. These early months nutrients go into making brain cells and eye cells, liver cells, etc., and if you withhold food, your dog never again has a chance to make up for this growing time and will not be a healthy adult with healthy organs, strong bones and teeth and a beautiful shiny coat. Heath should be the number one priority on your mind right now.

This!

Why is every single one of your posts about size & weight? You'd think you'd be more concerned about how to take care of a Yorkie! It seems to be an obsession on how big your pookie will be. Many people have made it quite clear you never can tell! Just wait & see! The bigger he is the more there is to love.

I hate to burst your bubble but most yorkies that weigh what yours does now are going to be more than 4 lbs. If this really is an issue for you please take this sweet baby back to the breeder and wait for them to retire an adult.

Dog weight
 

Pookybear. I have read this thread with interest, but I do not understand what you exactly want from us? You say you think your dog will be 6 lbs, but seem to be asking how you can mold him into being 4-5 lbs? You also say he will be what he will be. Please just feed him to keep him healthy, that is all. We should all be glad to have a well proportioned and healthy dog. Good luck with your baby whatever weight he grows up to be.

Not all, but many. I'm looking forward to Pookie growing up. Nobody can give you the answer you want to hear or with certainty. Did you mention that your breeder is hard to reach, wont respond, qnd you think they are BYB?

Totally agree!! I'm concerned for this sweet lil guy being underfed to achieve desired weight! Or lack of attention when he turns out 6+ pounds! Might be best to return the puppy!

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...wn-up-pnut.jpg

This is Pnut- he is now 5 years and 4 pounds