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Post by Courtney on Apr 8, 2008 11:03:53 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on free-feeding versus scheduled meal-times?
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 8, 2008 12:01:58 GMT -5
I absolutely do NOT advocate free-feeding, as a trainer/behavior specialist. That's my short answer ;D
Reasons I do not advocate free-feeding: *Many dogs will eat past the point of what is healthy for them. *In a multi-dog household, food freely available at all times can easily trigger fights. *Food and other valuable resources should be under control of the owner - that means the owner provides these resources at specific times, under specific circumstances. This demonstrates to the dog that things he wants come to him contingent upon his performing certain behaviors. Dogs that have food and other valuable resources available at all times may be less likely to "work" for their owners, and unmotivated to perform for rewards because they have no reason to work for anything - they get it all for free!
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Post by valliesong on Apr 8, 2008 16:31:25 GMT -5
^^What she said.
I don't even free feed my cats. They eat too much if I do. Instead I feed them twice a day, once with dry and once with canned.
The only animals of mine that are free fed are the guinea pigs. They are herbivores that would eat all day in nature. Dogs and cats are carnivores that would eat only when they could catch something.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Apr 8, 2008 20:52:47 GMT -5
I feed my dogs 2 times a day, one cup in the mourning and one cup at night! But, I dont know what to do because my youngest dog: Boomer has been having bowel movements(so to speek) in his crate when I leave during the day so he might end up only eating at night!
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Post by coolhandjean on Oct 4, 2008 15:11:47 GMT -5
Notch, Tess, and Cuddles get "free fed" though once they finish what's in their bowl, they don't get more till the next day. Hawken, Locus, and Morgan get fed once a day at 5pm everyday.
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Post by tank on Oct 4, 2008 15:49:10 GMT -5
I free feed Lucy. I was told by her vet that as long as I have her potty training under control that free feeding is good for younger dogs because they are less likely to overeat and eat what they need/when they need it. I was doubtful of this after having a free fed pup before and when he hit 2ish he got overweight and I and to put him on a more regulated feeding schedule. So, I'm thinking as this works out right now, I will have to change her to a 2 times a day schedule when she gets a bit older.
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Post by Courtney on Oct 4, 2008 16:47:08 GMT -5
I am guilty of free-feeding my dogs. They have dry food available all the time. Homemade meals are given separately. I can see your points about having the dogs work for their "valuables," but I think I accomplish this via the homemade meals, treats, toys, etc. None of the dogs fight over food...they all have their own dishes (yes, that means I have 4 elevated feeding stations set up, all w/ food and water). I also haven't had any problems w/ them overeating...yet. If that changes, and it definitely could w/ Koda I'll switch them to a schedule. tank, I have heard the same thing re: pups and free-feeding.
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Post by bubsy on Oct 4, 2008 17:01:04 GMT -5
OMG if I free fed in this house the dogs wouldn't be able to fit out the door....The dogs are fed twice a day, cats are fed 3 times a day.
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Post by amspits2007 on Oct 4, 2008 20:55:06 GMT -5
The two dogs it fed twice a day and that cat gets fed 3 times a day. No free feeding here either. The cat will eat the food and then he won't be able to control his bowls.
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Post by maryellen on Oct 5, 2008 6:09:17 GMT -5
mine get scheduled feedings, i cant leave food out as there would be a fight.
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Post by jmetzler on Nov 11, 2008 12:46:52 GMT -5
I feed my three dogs twice a day, once early in the morning and once around 6 in the afternoon. They are fed separately, one at a time and have to earn the meal IE: "sit, stay" before given the food.
Water is kept topped off through out the day and the bowls for it are kept on the cool shaded side of the house as Florida stays pretty warm year round.
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Post by pitpupmom on Nov 12, 2008 9:01:44 GMT -5
I used to free feed with my other dogs but as my one dog is food aggro, I've started to schedule feedings. Odie gets 2 cups once a day and my chow mix eats what she wants and then when done I pick up the bowl. Chow mix is food aggro, but she came from a farm with 10 other dogs and was at the bottom of the pack. Now she's the alpha below humans of course. Never had a problem taking food from her but if Odie tried we would have a fight, and Odie scarfs his food down so quick he is always looking for more food.
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