Puppy feeding thoughts...

[MACH1]

Nice lookin dog.

If he's like mine get him a little kiddie pool, he'll love it in the summer time.
Good luck keeping him out of the water when you don't want him in, like when your trying to fish.

[Steelerstrength]

Originally Posted by Hammer67

MasterofPuppets: No joke...that's close to how my Sis in law's dog got!!


But, I have researched more then I care to elaborate. I probably read the equivalent of two books on labs. And, talked to countless lab owners and different vets.
One thing I am amazed at is how uninformed some people are who own dogs.

We have him going to a great obedience school (3rd week out of 8) and I had him trained to sit, lie down and stay early on. Crate training is the greatest as it house trains them in a matter of days. You just have to be careful and gradually get them accustomed to it. It becomes their kennel and they end up spending free time in there when you are home and the cage door is open. We were leaving him in during the day as both my wife and I work weekdays. She would come home at lunch to feed him and let him out. Now that he is going on 8 months, we leave him the entire workday. Not one accident in the crate.

He used to sleep in it at night but now he is so well behaved that he sleeps either under our bed or on it. We don't worry about chewing things like cords and furniture...he has enough toys that he knows is his.

I totally recommend researching the type of dog you want before you buy. Get a crate to make your life easier (especially if you don't have a fenced in yard to let them roam free in.

Plus, our trainer just showed us a prong collar. His only behavioral issue was pulling on the leash. I could control him but he is pushing 50lbs now and the wife can't handle him. So, we got the prong. it basically simulates the mother nipping at their neck skin. It doesn't choke them, it lightly pinches the skin if they pull. So, he ends up walking so nicely at our side now. What a great invention. he no longer tries to choke himself by dragging us!

Here he is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rcreely/...ey=z_gJ3OFYlnU

Great looking Pup!!! Boy he looks happy in the water with a ball! My Labs loved the water! Sparky even enjoyed running around in the rain. Thanks for sharing!

[Preacher]

Actually....

We have Beagles... they are both around 40 pounds... but they are not fat... they are just very big for the breed... you can still feel the ribs... barely, which is perfect for a beagle.

We feed them twice a day. If we let them graze, they would be a hundred pounds...

People say that it is more natural for a dog to graze...as that is what they do in the wild... but that is not true. IN the wild, they had to hunt down, kill, and then eat the food... and then not eat again for a few days maybe, until they were able to kill something else.

About the only thing my dogs hunt now-a-days is the kitchen garbage can... boy are there surprises when we get home, if we forget to put it up!!

[memphissteelergirl]

While we are on the subject...let me ask you guys this:

Where do you stand on training with treats? I know this is a standard practice, but it seems to me if you do it too long this could also lead to weight issues.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by memphissteelergirl

While we are on the subject...let me ask you guys this:

Where do you stand on training with treats? I know this is a standard practice, but it seems to me if you do it too long this could also lead to weight issues.

A good question that I researched thoroughly. I have found that some people are dead set against it as some dogs will not do anything even without treats if that's all you use.
I have found, that early on treats are great and keep a puppy's attention. The trick is to not use too many. I take tiny bits of string cheese or brake a slim jim type of treat into tiny pieces. They work just as well as attention getters and you can make one treat go a long way.

Then, as the puppy grows and learns, generally lessen the number of treats you give them. Just make sure you praise them a ton when they do something right.

If you moderate it like that, you shouldn't have a weight problem. Just break down the treats in to tiny bits for training purposes.

[memphissteelergirl]

Hammer,

Do you think that's the same for adult dogs? I am planning to adopt one from a shelter or rescue organization.

[MACH1]

I know you've read more books than you want but this is a really good one that works well, lots of good ideas.
You've might of already seen it?

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Dog-Ric...240026-8580665


If you plan on doing any bird hunting look up the one called 'Water Dog', it has more of the retrieving stuff in it.

[memphissteelergirl]

Originally Posted by MACH1

I know you've read more books than you want but this is a really good one that works well, lots of good ideas.
You've might of already seen it?

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Dog-Ric...240026-8580665


If you plan on doing any bird hunting look up the one called 'Water Dog', it has more of the retrieving stuff in it.

Actually, Mach, I am just reading one at the moment "The KISS (i.e., Keep It Simple Series) Guide to Living with a Dog." It is pretty comprehensive.

[Steelerstrength]

I agree with Hammers method with treats as "attention getters". As the pups mature, lots of praise & love become the treat.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by memphissteelergirl

Hammer,

Do you think that's the same for adult dogs? I am planning to adopt one from a shelter or rescue organization.

I don't see why not. Just don't overfeed it and if it is a high energy breed, make sure it gets the proper exercise.

One mistake my sis in law made was allowing their dog to just eat whenever. Dogs, like people, can have different eating habits. So, some will eat everything in front of them (like my dog) or just pick at their food. She left food in their dog's dish all the time and even fed it table scraps. Big no no in my house.

We feed our dog 4 cups a day (two in the morning two in the evening) of it's regular food and complement that with a few milkbones and training treats. he also gets some peanut butter in a kong before we leave in the morning as a treat and to coax him into the crate.