Starving dobe!

[Kane08]

Well, my issue is Kane acts like he is starving! All the time..I feed him twice a day and for at least 5 min after he is done he is on the hunt for more food..like that is the only thing on his mind! I figure its from his backround (rescue) but I hope I am feeding him enough..2 cups hard food (nutro big dog) + 1/4 cup soft twice a day? Does this sound ok? his is about 16 months and around 70 lbs..:confused:

[magtie]

Sounds like you're feeding him plenty. How is his weight?

BTW, i made your post it's own thread

cheers,

[Rich S]

Our guy Magnum was like that for his first 8 months or so. But one day he decided he no longer liked dog food. Now, we have a hard time getting him to eat his daily requirement.

Give it some time. Make sure his weight is where it should be.

Sounds like he is perfectly normal.

[Kane08]

His weight seems fine to me..around 70 lbs last we were at the vet. Its so funnny though cause its like he went thru puberty cause when we got him his color was kind of mottled..red, blond, orange mix..but he has gone completely dark brown/red.(looks great) and finally filling out..But he is still such a puppy..

[jelly8bean]

You should be working on training.. that food drive is great when you are doing tricks or obedience. Makes for the great "watch me" persona. One of my girls is very food motivated, the other can take it or leave it. With my first dobie(male) he looked like he was starving his first two years.. I was concerned enough to ask a vet about it since his tummy seemed to just suck in when he was eating. It seemed like part of the hoovering when he ate.. he sucked that stomach in to create the vacuum affect in the mouth area. Ha Ha..

[MLR]

Kane08 & Rich S,

This is just my take on dog feeding and if your vets are telling you something else, by all means don't disregard their advice.

I have never had any of my dogs on a feeding schedule. I found a good high rise dog food/water dish combo which also has food storage in the bottom of it. I keep this filled at all times. Regardles of the fact that they can eat at will, my last dog, a dobe mix, and the two dobes I have now almost always eat at night. I think it has something to do with their drive. My last one was a rescue and the current two came from breeders. So I really expected something different with the ones I've had from puppyhood.

I go through two big (37.5 lb) bags of dog food a month now with the two of them. When I just had the one dobe I went through one bag a month, and since neither of mine are fat and they both weigh in the 90's I know they are getting the same amount of food apiece.

I agree with Jelly8bean about useing food as a motivator when training but if weight is a concern I wouldn't regulate when and how much food your dogs have access to. Unless there are health concerns I've never known a dog to over eat by feeding them this way. It stops food agression,too, because it's always available. I think this goes to trust on the dogs part that the food supply will always be there no matter what.

I've had a day or two when my oldest seems to be 'off his feed' but unless I know for sure he has an upset tummy I add parmesian cheese to his bowl of food and he gobbles it up anyway (about a 1/4 cup mixed in with his food). I also don't feed canned food. I'm sure they would like it but I've found that it upsets their stomachs and produces loose stools. Dito on table scraps.

I also monitor treats and dole them out sparingly throughout the day; mostly when they come back in from going potty. They get a vitamin, small biscuit and a half a beggin strip first thing in the morning (this is to get something on their stomachs in case they need to be given meds which require food on their stomachs), then once in the morning and once in the evening I give them a chicken strip made for dogs. They each get one Marrow bone when they go down for their afternoon nap and at bedtime at night. They also get one pigs ear at around six o'clock for extra fat intake. The only other time they get treats is when we go for a walk. Then I take Snassages (I know these are zero nutrition) and cut them into little slices (about 5 per piece) and give them no more than the equivilant of one whole one throughout the duration of the walk. They think they are getting a lot at the time but they're really not because of the reduced size. As far as any treat goes they have to do something to earn them like sit before I hand them out.

One thing I know for sure is that switching dog food products all the time only leads to upset stomachs which leads to food aversion. Just find a good well balanced dog food for large breed dogs and stick to it. Sooner or later they will eat it. Consistancy is the key to eliminating picky eaters and control freaks in your canine family.

Mary Lou

[jelly8bean]

I don't give pigs ears anymore because I have heard they can splinter and cause issues in the GI tract. I also do regular feeding schedule because it allows me to see exactly who is/is not eating, the quantities etc. I have 3 dogs in the house and they are all piggies..I would never leave food just "out" with multiple dogs. Too high a value. Just as I don't give them meaty bones when together. One is always wanting what the other one has and I don't want to initiate a dispute so I manage it rather than asking them settle it. I have to be careful with certain long lasting chew toys as well..I supervise Nylabones.. but regular toys (IE rubber rings, squeaky toys) are fine.. they play tug and keep away and generally maul each other over them. Super good stuff (meaty bones, stuffed kongs) I use for crate treats. They love those crates and frequently when I'm going to bedroom they rush in front and pop in their crates to see if I will give them treats... silly things :)

[MLR]

Jelly8bean,

This is the first I've heard that pigs ears can splinter. I've been giving them to my dogs for the last 4 1/2 years without incident. Not saying your not right but I've just not had a problem with this treat as compared to raw hide bones. The pigs ears I buy are baked and pretty much turn to pliable mush when they get wet so maybe that's why I've never worried about giving them to my dobes.

I agree with you 100% on the not giving multiple dogs a longer lasting treat in the same area. It does cause fights if one finishes before the other one and decides to 'help' the slower eater finish his. Mine now get theirs in seperate rooms. And I have started letting them go potty independently outside since reading your posts which is working out much better. Thank you.

But the owners who were asking about food issues and worrying about whether or not their puppy/dog was getting enough to eat were one dog families as far as I know and I didn't think the issue was one of someone else eating more than the one who was being picky.

I can see with more than two dogs that there would be a lot more feast or famine mentality going on in a household. This is part of the 'pack' nature; survival of the fittest and all that. But I really haven't noticed one or the other of my two eating more than their fair share because I leave the food bowl out and keep it filled at all times. Since I am home every day with my two I do watch to see how much they eat, which is about a bowl and a half apiece a day. If one or the other was loosing weight or guarding their shared food dish I would probably change they way I do things. So far this is the only thing they have never fought over. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Mary Lou

[jelly8bean]

I used to feed pigs ears as a treat.. but after hearing some of the horror stories I quit. Just not worth the possible concerns. When I had just two dogs I could feed them together, but three seems to be kind of a threshold number and I keep them all separated for my peace of mind now. I work from home as well and can be with them most of the time.

to the OP.. My vets say that dobies only put cover on their ribs when it is winter and they don't get out as much. They are highly energetic and burn off calories in a way I wish I did. Don't worry about it.. it is better to have a dog harder to keep weight on that is active and happy than a pork chop! Ha ha!

[MLR]

Jelly8bean,

You are so right on the winter weight gain thing. Mine seem to pick up an extra 5 to 10 lbs over the winter but shed it as soon as it's warm enough for regular walks again. I wish it worked that way with people.

I do not know where you get the stamina for three dogs. These two wear me out completely. Do you have help? I live alone except for my managerie.

Mary Lou