How to place my dog on an eating schedule?

Question

I have a two year old pomchi named Roxie. She is the cutest thing, but I leave her food out all day and she picks at it when she wants (very finiky). Hardly ever finishes all of it. I don't want her food left out all day and risk attracting ants. Is there a way that I can place her on an eating schedule even though she has been free-fed since she was a pup? Your advice and help is appreciated.

Answer 1

What you need to do is set her food out in the morning, give her 20 minutes or so to eat, then pick her food up.  No snacks, no treats, nothing until dinner time.  Then you give her food back to her and again, give her about 20 minutes to eat, then pick her food up.

Because she's been taught to be a picky eater, it's going to take some time for her to get re-trained and if you give in to her and give her treats in between meal times, you won't get her trained.  If you stick to your guns though, she'll get the idea after a few days.  

Just remember, no healthy dog will ever starve themselves.  She will eat when she gets hungry once she realizes that things have changed.

Answer 2

Like Nike says "Just do it". Dogs usually adjust fairly quickly, she'll get the hang of it after a few days.

.

Answer 3

Of course. Easy. Feed her once or twice a day, whatever you and your vet decide is best.  Put the food out, whatever amount is for that meal. If she hasn't eaten it all in 20 minutes, take it away and don't give any more food till next mealtime. Done.  

Answer 4

Yes, I've transitioned a dog before.  You put the food down, leave it down for 20 minutes or so and then pick it up.  Make sure she has a quiet environment where she won't get distracted from eating (my sister feeds one dog in a crate),  Do this twice a day. After a couple of days, she'll realize she only has a limited amount of time to eat before the food goes away.  Her eating habits will be better and it's healthier.  You just have to be strong until she gets it and not back down :-)

Answer 5

Yes, you should just put it out twice a day, breakfast and dinner.  You shouldn't free feed because there is a chance of overeating, plus if you only put it out twice a day, she'll be less likely to be finicky.  

Good luck.

Answer 6

I have a 9 yr old bt that was free-fed since we got him at 9 mo.  We just added an 11 wk BT pup to our family.  Since then, they have gone to 3 feedings a day (7 am, noon, 6 pm).  The older BT didn't seem to mind the change.  We'll go down to 2 feedings (breakfast/supper) when the pup is older.  My sister was always amazed that we free-fed because her lab would eat the whole dish in a few minutes.

Answer 7

well you can start out by feeding her two times a day let her food sit there for about 15 20 mins and if she dont eat it then pick it up untill the next feeding time note: a dog will not starvie its self i had to do this with my pitbull good luck take care

Answer 8

You're just going to have to go for it. Feed her half in the morning and half at night - put the bowl out for ten minutes. If she doesn't eat it, take it away and dump it back it the bag.

It sounds brutal, but it's the only way she'll learn. She'll probably be hungry from not eating breakfast, so she'll eat dinner.

Answer 9

Yes I did the same thing with my dog but when you put them on a feeding schedule you have to be sure to pick up and put down the food at the same time otherwise they will be mad.

Answer 10

put it out for 10 minutes and then take it away until dinner.  She'll get hungry eventually.  I also have a picky eater and I keep the treats to a minimum because she thinks that's her food sometimes.

Don't think she is going to starve they do eat eventually - she needs to be on YOUR schedule not hers.