Any one hand feed pups raw diet? Thoughts?

Steve Lepic posted about how he did that for several months as part of training: http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=138871#Post138871

Not sure if it was raw.

Ah, hand feeding raw...

If you ever had reason to teach the "gentle" or "easy" command, this is it!

The only way I was able to deal with the whole chicken wing issue was by hand feeding it to my pup.

I started this at week 10, and right from scratch I used the word "slowly", when she got too excited. She learned quickly and actually slowed down and nibbled when she got close to the end of the wing (and nearer to my fingers).

I still don't know how she understood what I wanted, because I never actually taught her what "slowly" meant! As a first time dog owner I continue to be surprised at their intelligence!

Anyway, now, at 7 months, I finally feel comfortable enough to just dump the wings in her bowl. I still keep an eye on her, but so far she is still biting and chewing.

I think hand feeding is the best way to go when starting RAW. The dog gets to crunch the bones, and the owner gets used to seeing the dog crunch bones. Best of both worlds!

Thanks all who responded. I am doing the hand fed raw thing and I do suppose my dog prolly thinks I taste like chicken (yes, my finger ooopsed in there-- I'm ok )

At 11 weeks, he's actually quite gentle and very well mannered, I hold the meat with a firm grip, but not rigid, just kindof flow with his natural bites. He appears to be relaxed even with random (and sometimes regular) distractions (ie: cat, man, kid, stepson, music, noises, and even being brushed up upon--by a kid, by accident!) while eating. I will be curious to see if his attitude regarding distractions transfers when he eventually eats on his own.

I am curious how do you feed by hand things like eggs, salmon oil, kelp and alfalfa powder?

Also what is the purpose of this?

Oh, the eggs are slimy... I mix it all up really well and the dog licks the bowl clean at the end. So far, it seems the pup maintains a content look, is relaxed and seems well at ease with distractions. I've seen food aggression and don't want that type of dog in this house, of course *will* resort to kennel feeding if it ever becomes an issue.

I just want to teach the pup that life is good, even (especially) when you're eating, and there are no threats. He's doing really well with it and am glad to hand feed him.

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I am curious how do you feed by hand things like eggs, salmon oil, kelp and alfalfa powder?

Chicken wings only. All other products are mixed with Honest Kitchen's Preference and 'served' in a bowl.

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Also what is the purpose of this?

It helped me me deal with my paranoia of feeding raw chicken bones to a dog. I am over that now, but if I had not started with hand feeding I would not have felt comfortable giving her RMB, unless they had been ground up, which would have defeated the benefits of RMB for teeth.

 Quote: jason sidener

Also what is the purpose of this?

Purposes:

1) Like stated before, it gets you over the "anxiety" of "giving your dog a bone" literally. For years it has been pounded into our heads that "bones are BAD for dogs" even though in the wild they are consumed all the time.

2) It allows for great bonding time with your dog, and also teaches them some manners. If you have a food aggressive dog, this really helps get them over the feeling that you are there to steal their food.

3) GULPERS....my Mal is a gulper, so bad that she has choked before and I had to lift her by her hind feet and dig the bone out of her mouth and throat....I would tend to think she is an extreme case of gulper as most dogs know not to do what she does. Therefore, I grind all of her meat (bone and all) and if I am out of the ground I hand feed or cut it with kitchen scissors into manageable chunks for her. I also do not ever feed her and leave, I watch her eat.

4) Puppies tend to eat quickly too, at least the ones I have, but they are much better now that I have hand fed them (plus this goes back to bonding).

Well, that is all I can think of....and I feed all the "messy, gooey" stuff in a bowl also. But my Bloodhound loves whole eggs. Nothing better that giving him a whole egg, and then having him shake egg drool all over you while you are cleaning his kennel......YUK!!!!