trutildeath360

i know this may seem like a dumb question..my dog likes to eat around 9 pm....is that maybe too late...he realy wont eat during the day....like i said come 9pm hes looking to eat..i dont want him to get fat cause we go to bed around 10pm..does anyone have suggestions on that or maybe the best method to change his feeding times....

bahamutt99

Good question. I sometimes feed my dogs at 9pm, but I also stay up later, so I'm letting them out for a last potty at 1-2am sometimes. I don't know what sort of impact eating right before bed would have, since my dogs tend to nap after meals anyway.

One thing you could do is start putting down his bowl at a set time -- say, 7pm instead of 9 -- and then take it up after 5 minutes if he hasn't eaten. I have a very structured feeding time here where my dogs all go in their crates, all wait for a release word to attack their bowls, and then all bowls are removed when they're done (which usually only takes about 1 minute). I've used the structured feeding method on other dogs that have come to stay with me, and usually after the first day or so, they get the picture. Eat when I feed you, or you'll be hungry until the next meal.

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trutildeath360

thanks..for the info....i guess i just have to make a schedule and stick to it.....

babyshae

My suggestion is to just give him free feeding. Obviously he won't take advantage and over eat so it's definatly an option for your dog. I feel it's unfair for them not to be able to eat when they are hungry(unless they are overeaters). We get to eat whenever we get hungry. Imagine the hunger pains. As far as him eating at 9pm-no worries. That's usually when mine all choose to eat their 2nd meals as well and they never have any problems. None are overweight and one last potty run before bed does the trick till the next morning. Another thing you could try is mix in a 1/2 can of wet food with every meal and I'll bet he'll eat every bite. Dog's don't comprehend the "eat now or you'll go hungry till your next meal".

NesOne

Don't feed him tonight, and tomorrow he'll eat at the time you put his food there.

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MADBood

They should eat when you feed them. I make my dogs work for their food. It creates a stronger bond between owner and dog. I feed at 6-6:30 and never leave their food sitting longer than 15 minutes...if they don't eat then.....oh well, guess they gotta wait another 24 hours.

SadieBlues

I agree sounds like a bit of ceaser milan in there... I feed my dogs at a set time and they eat it all within 15 minutes ... Dogs need set schedules and they need to work for their meal just like anything else. Well said Madbood

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Kane (Got the BAN STICK)

I really suggest that you do NOT free feed. Kane is on a set routine. 8am spring pole for 15 min(give or take) then 1.5 cups of food along with water. Then 7-730 anouther 1.5 cups and then more spring pole and a walk.

If your dog does not want to eat when you say they he is in control not you. Maybe try hard excersize prior to feeding. Make him work for his food. This will help your bond as well. I suggest spring or flirtpole. I like the spring pole, builds great muscle and calms him down for his long day inside.

bahamutt99

All that does is create bad eating habits, like the very reason this thread is being posted in the first place. Additionally, should the OP ever want to add a 2nd dog, he'll have no way of regulating how much each dog is getting if the food is always available. Not to mention, food left out goes stale and attracts ants. Stale food in and of itself will deter a dog from eating it. It's unfair for us to tell them when they can eat, but it's fair for us to expect them to eat stale, possibly buggy food?

They're dogs, not people. I would imagine that a dog's stomach is much the same way as a wolf's in that they're constantly ready to eat. That's why a wolf will gorge pounds and pounds of food when it's available. They simply have a genetic impulse to eat. It doesn't mean that if they have to go a few hours or even a day without food that their little tummies start aching. I would quote you the information directly, but I don't feel like digging through my wolf books right now.

It works in my house. They do understand that I control the food, and that they'd better take advantage. With 3 APBTs, I have to be in control. One of the ways I subtly enforce my alpha position is by controlling their essentials. If I caved and let them eat whenever because I felt sorry for their empty bellies, not only would I have brutal fights over the food laying around, I'd also have heiferlicious dogs that don't need me because the magic bowl is always full.

That's my two cents and I'm sticking by it.

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Kane (Got the BAN STICK)

Bahamutt You go Girl!! HAHA

lil bit pit karma

"heiferlicious dogs"



My new word of the day!

Marty

10am and 6pm here... cup fulls varies from dog to dog, some need more, some less

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