10 month old ALWAYS hungry....

[Switchblade906]

I feed her Fromm LBP and use the higher side of the daily food amount. The bag says 3-2/3 to 4 cups per day and she gets 4 cups. 2 cups twice per day, she also gets some treats and sometimes without us knowing my 2 year old feeds her some of his food. Am i feeding her to little or should i do something different?

Shes 10 months old and is 65 lbs

[msvette2u]

When you say "always hungry" do you mean she begs constantly? Searches for food? "Would" eat if you gave it to her?
My dogs would eat 24/7 if allowed...

[qbchottu]

What does she look like? Can you see/feel last 2-3 ribs easily? Is there a defined and formed waist where stomach fades into hips? Do you see a line curved in, concave underline? Are there lots of folds or loose skin? Is the back firm or soft/loose?

I don't go by the dog's feelings - I go by how the dog looks. If she medically checks out, it's fine to have a food obsessed dog. Be aware that you are encouraging begging and forging behavior by having your child feed the dog intermittently between meals.

[ponyfarm]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

When you say "always hungry" do you mean she begs constantly? Searches for food? "Would" eat if you gave it to her?
My dogs would eat 24/7 if allowed...

Most people would too!

They only way to tell if she is getting the right amount, is to really look at her. Of course, you can post pictures here too...for opinions. But, it sounds like for her age, the wieght is about right, and the amount being fed sounds reasonable too! My Max will sit by the food bowls if we arent doing much and beg. Try keeping her busy and take her mind off eating all the time. Now, If I could just do that myself..lol

[Switchblade906]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

When you say "always hungry" do you mean she begs constantly? Searches for food? "Would" eat if you gave it to her?
My dogs would eat 24/7 if allowed...

She does beg sometimes and she would eat anything...

Originally Posted by qbchottu

What does she look like? Can you see/feel last 2-3 ribs easily? Is there a defined and formed waist where stomach fades into hips? Do you see a line curved in, concave underline? Are there lots of folds or loose skin? Is the back firm or soft/loose?

I don't go by the dog's feelings - I go by how the dog looks. If she medically checks out, it's fine to have a food obsessed dog. Be aware that you are encouraging begging and forging behavior by having your child feed the dog intermittently between meals.

I dont let him feed her, he does it when we arent looking.

How do i get her to stop begging? Do i just tell her NO and to go lay down?

[msvette2u]

Well, ignoring and not letting *anyone* feed her behind your back is a start, but once a dog does it, they will do it alllllll the time. And if ONE person feeds her a treat/what they are eating, it's all done.

You can keep her out of the room you are eating in, or crate her, but the begging? Pretty typical dog behavior. It doesn't mean she's hungry

[qbchottu]

Ignore her when she begs. If she persists, give a stern loud negative command (no, ah ah, whatever you use). Be consistent, firm, and sustained. She will get it over time.

Understand that she will continue to beg if she is randomly reinforced by your son - whether he does it behind your back or not is moot. End result is the same. Watch your son so he does not feed the dog and reinforce begging - dog is getting mixed signals. She is not supposed to beg, but she gets food when she stares/begs/nudges/whines to your child. Your dog is a baby too - she will do what gets her results. Begging works for her so she will do it. There is a reason most dogs camp out near the baby's high chair - reinforced behaviors continue!