New Puppy Feeding Guide
Start Healthy Habits Today
Welcome your new puppy to the family! Now, let's tackle feeding. You're probably wondering: should you free-feed or schedule meals? For puppies alone at home with you all day, free-feeding is an option. However, if you have other dogs or puppies, scheduled feedings prevent food guarding.
Why a Feeding Schedule Matters:
Predictable Potty Breaks: Schedules create consistent potty times, simplifying house training.
Prevent Resource Guarding: Many breeders free-feed litters, which can lead to food aggression. We avoid this.
Safety for Children: Protect your kids and grandkids. Food guarding poses a bite risk, especially to small children.
Easy Puppy Feeding Steps:
Designate a Feeding Area: Choose a specific bowl and location.
Teach Sit and Stay: Make your puppy sit and stay before meals. This builds patience.
Release to Eat: Place the bowl, wait a few seconds, and say a release word ("Eat," "Okay"). (We'll cover sit/stay in a future tip!)
Supervise and Pet: Sit nearby and gently pet your puppy while they eat. This desensitizes them to hands near their food.
Involve the Family: Have children participate in feeding (with supervision) to build positive associations.
Maintain Consistency: Stick to the schedule and routine.
Address Resource Guarding Immediately: If you see signs of food aggression, contact a professional dog trainer in West Central Minnesota right away.
Consider Hand Feeding: For puppies without guarding tendencies, hand feeding can be a great way to bond.
Here is a video demonstrating this technique:
Video demonstrating Puppy Feeding Training from Kainer’s Dog Obedience Trainers in West Central Minnesota
West Central Minnesota Puppy Owners: Get Expert Help!
Start your puppy on the right paw with healthy feeding habits. Prevent problems before they start.
Have questions? Need a consultation? Contact Kainer’s: Schedule a consultation today!