Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

Hi Susan,

"Kibble" simply means dry feed - regardless of the actual size of the nuggets. I used to think kibble was a particular type of feed or just the small bite feeds, but it refers to all dry feeds.

As treats, using kibble is much more nutritious than treats like Pupperoni, Beggin' Strips, etc. Those things are full of fats. You can use fresh veggies and fruits that she likes as treats instead.

For feeding a puppy, you want to stay with a high quality puppy food for at least 6 months, preferably one year - canned or kibble, either one, or a combination. Controlled feeding VS free feeding is best for most dogs regardless of their age. Free feeding can lead to obesity and problems with systems like skeletal. In my studies, I have read that free feeding puppies can also lead to hormonal imbalances. This is something I haven't had time to delve into deeply, but I have seen the references enough to know it is something to consider. As a cush parent, that really stuck! LOL

In choosing a feed, read the labels and not the packaging - the hype on the actual bag that catches your eye. The package may say chicken and rice but when you read the label, chicken is the 8th ingredient listed which means there is very little chicken in the feed. If the feed is supposed to be chicken and rice, those ingredients should be listed in the first 4 ingredients. BTW, chicken by-products, or ANY by-product, is not what you want. By-products are things like feathers, feet, beaks, etc. - things from the human grade product that are not edible. You want to see meat and meat meals in those first few ingredients.

Hope this helps!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Leslie has already given you some great info. Here's a couple thoughts to add. First, here's a link to an independent website that gives reviews and ratings to different dogfoods:

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

In the past, I have not always agreed 100% with the reviews, but there is still a lot of good information available for you to consider. You will find puppy foods interspered throughout the ratings categories. Do pay attention to the dates of the reviews, too, because companies seem to change formulas with a fair degree of regularity now. And an older review may not correspond with the current ingredients for any given product once you actually look at the current label. So if you find a food you're happy with, you can always visit the website for the actual manufacturer and compare their current ingredient list just to double-check.

My Labs have always been chow-hounds, and so they are always happy to get a piece of kibble as a reward for good behavior. But not all dogs are that keen on dry food, and in the early training stages when you are seriously working on initially shaping behavior, you may want to have something REALLY enticing to throw into the mix. Trainers who I've worked with have recommended soft things like low-fat turkey hot dogs or string cheese or a slice of lean deli meat. With all these things, you can nip off tiny pieces with your fingers to give as a reward. That way, the cumulative food total isn't that big, but the dogs are really excited over the treat. You may want to reserve those treats to be used only for training, so they remain a special enticement. I'll bet Saskia will have some suggestions, too.

I'm so sorry to hear about the rods! But I guess this way you'll really be forced to rest up in advance of your big trip...:o

Marianne

Aha....I do have some thoughts on the matter :D I personally would not use the high reward special treats for all the "normal" training like sit, down etc. I reserve those for training that prooves to be especially difficult for the pup (could be something else for each pup) I prefer to use kibble and what I will do is I will measure the amount of food that the dog should be eating during a day and then take some of that to use for training and rewards. For example, your dog should eat 80 grams of kibble each day. You feed it twice a day (in case of an adult dog) so that would make for two meals of 40 grams each. Now, grab a handful of kibbles and set them apart for training and rewarding. Let's say you took 10 grams of kibble to use for training. That will leave two meals of 35 grams each (80 grams - 10 grams = 70 grams : 2 = 35 grams) :) This way the dog will not get more food then it should. Each treat or reward is extra food...if you feed the 80 grams needed and hand out treats on top of that amount. It's very important for any dog to be in good shape and have a healthy weight but for puppies especially. So I would start training and rewarding with kibble (taken from the daily amount) and see how that goes. If she doesn't respond wel to the kibble you could always try to use a toy or cuddles as a reward, not all dogs are food motivated allthough most are :D And when the training hits a really tough to learn excercise, then use some really enticing reward :) At least, that's how I would do it ;)

Saskia and Yunah :)

Hi Leslie-thanks for all the useful information. That is very helpful. Any recommendations as to brand for the dry?
-Susan

Well now, see,Marianne.....if I had kept reading and not been so quick to jump the gun..... :rolleyes:

That's a great link to have and I thank you.

-Susan

Saskia-thank you for your thoughts as well....but they bring up another question I've always had......what IS the recommended amount for total food for one day? Any time I read a packages instructions it is very obvious they are out to sell more food. I've never given as much as those products recommend. I am sure there must be some generally accepted calorie or gram total.

Thanks-:)
Susan

NEWSFLASH........NEWSFLASH........NEWSFLASH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am just about to add three pictures to the album......maybe I should start a second album? Hot off the presses, just taken a few hours ago.

That's my girl.....tail and all!!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

(I figured this out. ) I'll try to get this in there, right side up.............I guess they have to come in that way. I am unable to edit the pictures, even though there is an "edit picture" selection. :(:(
-s

OMG, that has to be the cutest baby ever. And what a lucky baby to have you as a mom. Palmer would be proud that his mom has love to share with another precious soul. What a tribute. Congratulations!!!
Love,
Carrol & Chloe

Oh Susan, I love her already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn't she just melt your heart??????????????????? :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

What a total cutie-pie!!!!!!!! :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p

Marianne