Noticed that free feeding is not recommended. Not to sound dumb but how come ?. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

There are a couple of reasons why free feeding is a bad idea:
1) Most (not all, but most) dogs will eat any food they can get their faces near, and go looking for more. If I constantly left food available for my dog, instead of 70 pounds he would weigh 300.
2) Even if you have the rare dog that does not overeat given the opportunity to do so, if there is always food available then the dog does not associate its food source as being the owner. The consequences of this are for sure a missed opportunity to increase the bond you have with your dog, who should see you as the source of all things wonderful, and possibly (depending on the dogs temperment) a missed opportunity to reinforce your position as the pack leader (food provider) which could lead to or contribute to dominance issues with your dog. There may be other reasons, anyone else please feel free to add to this.

-Jeff

In the morning I put out about 2 cups of dry food before I go to work. He's there when I do the food thing.The food is not touched so I leave it. He never even as a pup did he wolf his food down. He's kinda like a real slow eater. Takes a little and hours later maybe a little more. He get's a lot of excercise 2 or 3 hours off lead (20 foot check cord/shock collar attached) woods and swimming. Come home and maybe just maybe takes a little nibble of food. Damndest thing I ever saw. Solid muscle no flab. Just curious why he don't chow down like I see people at the all you can eat places. Listens well and he's a year one month old.

There is an exception to every rule - sounds like you have the exception. Cheers.

Hello, If you would like to feed your dog twice a day so that he is not so picky, just feed him in the morning, like say in his crate or a room where he can concentrate on his food. Don't make any big deal or a fuss over it, and definately don't tell, ask, or beg him to eat! Leave it down for 10 to 15 minutes. If he didn't eat, NO big deal! Sometime in the evening, like after you eat or something, put his food down again for 10 to 15 minutes. Again, if he doesn't eat, NO big deal! Pretty soon he will come to realize that he only has a window of time to eat his food and he will eat it when you put it down! Don't be surprised if this takes three to four days for him to figure it out. Dog's will not starve themselves! Well, at least not "normal" ones!!! My dog did this to be in K-9 School. He refused to eat for three and a half days and the students were on a strict feeding schedule. Once my dog gave in, he thought it was wonderful! He looked forward to eating, was very happy, had regular bowel movements, and ate his food each and everytime I fed him! It would take him about four or so minutes to eat, he was a 90 pound GSD and I feed him two cups twice a day of a quality dry dog kibble. Oh, and don't forget to be consistent if you decide to switch and try to feed at the same times each day.

I personally have four Boxers and two German Shepherds right now and I actually free feed myself. I have no problems with free feeding and my dogs are not overweight. Actually, if anything, the are also a bit on the nibbling side. I don't believe that dogs that are raised being freefed are predisposed to weight problems.

I just am sure to not feed before heavy excersize and waiting at least one hour before excersize. Also, I let a dog cool down before eating if they have been playing. This has never been a problem for me, or my Mother either that has Great Danes. We have never had a dog bloat on us!

Hope this helps also!

I did this when I only had one dog, or only had one in the house. I never had problems. I never had odd issues with those dogs. I have a dog now that not leaving food down helped him bulk up a little. He ate very little and could run with me on my bike 20-30 miles a day and want to play ball afterward. I got tired of people telling me to feed my dog more (IDIOTS!) I know that when you feed on a schedule pavlov's theory kicks in and they will eat more. This also sucks if they find the pantry door open, unlike in the past when they never had food made such a big deal over. He was pretty round that day!

Thank you all for the reply's. I just was curious about the why not and I guess it's ok to do the free feed eating. Don't seem to bother him any nor me. He's fit and pretty good in the ob tasks. At the moment we are not training for anything special. Basically off lead and retrieving. And boy he does like the swim thing. Had to order the tennis ball sling shot thing from ED. Well thanx again.

I don't free feed for medical reasons. I hate seeming like an idiot at the vets when they ask me a question and I have to say, duh, not sure.

I always want to know exactly how much my dogs eat, when, and what's 'normal'. Usually one of the first things the vet asks when something is wrong is 'How much does your dog eat and when was their last meal'. If (God forbid) emergency surgery is involved they need to know for anethesia purposes.

I agree with putting the food down and if they don't eat, up it comes until the next meal (I feed twice a day). It's fine if they aren't hungry. I know that 2 of my dogs are chow hounds and if they didn't eat, I would immediately be on high alert for a problem. My 3rd dog skips meals all the time so I know to NOT panic, but just keep an eye on her.

Additionally, my dogs seem to gain/lose weight through out the year depending on their exercise and the weather. It's alot easier for me to increase/decrease their food amounts to adjust when I know how much they are each eating.

I am closing this thread. Free feeding is a lazy mans approach to healthcare for their dog.

As a professional dog breeder we would NEVER consider free feeding our dogs. Free feeding lends itself to commercial kibble and not an all-natural diet. Not only that we monitor the weight and food intake of every dog in our kennel. Their condition is monitored on a weekly basis and adjusted if needed. Its our belief that a thin dog is a healthy dog - free feeding does not produce thin dogs.

My advice to anyone who is considering this is to NOT DO IT.