4 month old food obsessive...

[iBaman]

And by food obsessive, I mean he cannot focus when there is food around. He gets 1 cup, 3x a day of blue buffalo lamb and rice formula. He is made to sit and wait until we tell him to eat...and then he ignores us until he's done, even if we tell him to leave it (which he's normally VERY good at). When we're trying to do training with treats, he gets so into the treats that he'll just start doing all of his tricks at once, or he won't listen at all. Any suggestions?

[carmspack]

are you sure that is enough.
I don't think he is ever at the point where he is feeling full.
Maybe two hardy meals would be better.

[chelle]

Yeah, three cups a day doesn't sound like enough for a growing pup at all. What does the bag recommend? How does he look physically?

[iBaman]

the bag says about 2 1/2 cups a day, so we're giving him a little more than that. should i maybe up to 4 cups a day? Physically he looks great. He was VERY skinny when we got him, so we plumped him up a bit. I cannot see his ribs (though him having a plush coat doesn't help with that xD), but they can be felt.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by iBaman

He is made to sit and wait until we tell him to eat...and then he ignores us until he's done, even if we tell him to leave it (which he's normally VERY good at).

Why would you tell him leave it after you've released him to eat? My dogs will sit or down and wait with eye contact as long as I want, with their food bowls on the floor, but I'm pretty sure that once I say "okay" and they start eating, nothing short of a bomb going off next to them would make them stop until they're done.

[iBaman]

because he eats so danged fast xD And sometimes he just lunges for his food before i say it's ok...so in those cases, i want him to leave it.

[zyppi]

You can get a bowl that will slow his eating.

Here's a link to a photo of one.

Amazon

Amazon

[chelle]

Originally Posted by iBaman

because he eats so danged fast xD And sometimes he just lunges for his food before i say it's ok...so in those cases, i want him to leave it.

I wouldn't go that route... I mean, once you've released him to eat, Lord Baby, it's time to eat. If he lunges before the "okay," then take it right back up and start over. But once the bowl is down, don't mess with it. If he's inhaling it scary fast, then you might try dividing up the portions and doing it twice per feeding. It honestly just sounds like he's not eating enough.

I'm really amazed that BB only recommends three cups a day for a 4 month old? Hmm!

[iBaman]

Once I say ok, he can dig in usually. xD

so how much should I up his food? He's not underweight in any way...He's about 40lbs, give or take a couple lbs (he was 40 when we took him in to be neutered 2 weeks ago).

[chelle]

Originally Posted by iBaman

Once I say ok, he can dig in usually. xD

so how much should I up his food? He's not underweight in any way...He's about 40lbs, give or take a couple lbs (he was 40 when we took him in to be neutered 2 weeks ago).

I think Carmspack is on to the right idea, just two feedings so when he's done he feels nice and happy-full. Is there something in his past that he didn't feel he got enough to eat?

What do you mean, "he can dig in usually." ?

I went to the BB site and it looks like you're on the adult formula? Not that that's an issue, many go adult pretty early. Without examining the other parts, though, it caught my eye. None-the-less, you're right as far as what they recommend for feeding. Just surprised!

How much exercise is he getting? If more than typical/normal, it could possibly up his need for more food.

Can you post some pics?