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Newbie needing weight advice

Ginurse

Well-Known Member
Good evening!

I have been lurking on this site for about six weeks, just trying to soak up as much information as I can. We just got our first EM on the 23rd of December (his name is Augustus).

He seems to be a pretty finicky eater. We started him on Acana Pacifica and he really didn't seem to like it, so we transitioned him to Acana Prairie. He barely eats 2.5 cups per day. I started to add toppings like scrambled eggs and beef (big Mommy mistake, because this will become a bad habit).

My concern is that he is barely 21 pounds, and will turn 11 weeks tomorrow. At the end of the day, slow and steady is what I want for my pup to be healthy as an adult. I am concerned that we are doing something wrong? On the healthy dog profile chart, he is about a "5".

I don't really care how big he gets, as long as he is healthy (bone and muscles) but I have new Mommy nervous concerns about his weight.
 

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Ginurse

Well-Known Member
Sorry, I didn't know how to caption the pictures...
The first one is one of him sleeping today (almost 11 weeks), and the second two were when we brought him home.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
First of all, give him time. He's stressed due to the environmental change. Stay with one food until at least he's eaten one bag of food. Did you do a slow transition to the new food? No problems with bowel movements?

As long as he is drinking water, pottying normally and playing/walking normally, he will eat. Yes, you are creating a food monster. I have one. :)

Put the food down for 20 minutes. If he doesn't touch it, pick it up and store in fridge. Feed him again at next feeding time and add the extra food due for that feeding. Again, set it down for 20 minutes.

Do you make him sit before you place the bowl down? If not, start doing that. It's a great opportunity for training. Once he sits, place the bowl down. Point your figure at the bowl and tell him to eat. When he performs the command, praise him.

Start placing your hands near and in the bowl while he's eating to prevent resource guarding. Add food to the bowl while he's eating so he knows you are the one that feeds him.

Augustus is very handsome. Love his all black mask!
 

Ginurse

Well-Known Member
Thank you MusicDeb for all of the wonderful advice!

He is stooling, playing and drinking well. I think I am going to try your advice about having him sit then place the bowl down for 20 minutes at a time.

Thanks for the compliment, we really love him.
 
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musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Thank you MusicDeb for all of the wonderful advice!

He is stooling, playing and drinking well. I think I am going to try your advice about having him sit then place the bowl down for 20 minutes at a time.

Thanks for the compliment, we really love him.
Your welcome. You going to do just fine!
 

Robtouw

Well-Known Member
2.5 cups is actually quite a bit for an 11 week old pup. He is stressed from his environmental change, be patient, let him get to know you and your home before you dive into loads of changes. Also, many mastiff owners, myself included, put add in such as beef, veggies, fruits, yogurt, etc. regularly in kibble. Your mastiff is unlike other dogs and has nutritional needs that you may not be aware of. Frozen fruits and vegetables will be your best friends when the little guy begins teething.
 

gilles

Well-Known Member
be patient do not make him more finicky than he is...i did that mistake and now vollka does not eat dry food ...everyday i have to create a new mix for the dry food to eat just a little.
be patient ..once he starts eating well stick with the same dry food until he is a bit older you can give him some other food as supplemental food. we all want to spoil our babies and in the end he becomes a finicky eater.
 

Ginurse

Well-Known Member
@harrygto: Thanks, we think he is the cutest darned thing, but we are biased. :)

@Robtouw: Thanks for the info...we have been going off of the bag directions, and holy-moley, it's much more then he is getting. We have just recently started adding eggs and beef, and he seems to be in Heaven with the mixture. His Mom weighed 160 and his Dad is currently 205...I am obsessing way too much on weight, when I know (logically) that his body condition mimics a great form?

@gilles: I think I have already made him finicky? I know adding toppings is a slippery slope, but I did it, have regrets, and am kind of stuck right now?

At the end of the day, I just want to do what's best for Augustus. At this point, it looks like I am making some mistakes I will later regret? Despite my mistakes, he is such a darned joy...hopefully he will survive my learning curve. ;)
 

gilles

Well-Known Member
@harrygto: Thanks, we think he is the cutest darned thing, but we are biased. :)

@Robtouw: Thanks for the info...we have been going off of the bag directions, and holy-moley, it's much more then he is getting. We have just recently started adding eggs and beef, and he seems to be in Heaven with the mixture. His Mom weighed 160 and his Dad is currently 205...I am obsessing way too much on weight, when I know (logically) that his body condition mimics a great form?

@gilles: I think I have already made him finicky? I know adding toppings is a slippery slope, but I did it, have regrets, and am kind of stuck right now?

At the end of the day, I just want to do what's best for Augustus. At this point, it looks like I am making some mistakes I will later regret? Despite my mistakes, he is such a darned joy...hopefully he will survive my learning curve. ;)
no he is still young you can adjust that...let him get hungry in a couple of days if you are stubborn he will eat...i made the mistake myself of having a soft heart and he got worst and worst....just a couple of days will do . it is very hard i know but dont worry he will be fine. later as he starts eating well you can add some things... but first start with a kibble that he at least likes ....i had to change about 6 brands to find something he likes...when you find a kibble he likes stick with it and stay stubborn ...you can make them a bit softer with water if he likes...my dog drove me nuts with kibble...right now he is leaning more and more to regular food and raw food.
it is very hard to just watch him not eat i know but you have to take it for 2 or days..otherwise he will be a problem and you will eventually switch to raw food even then he can be finicky at times...
 

Ginurse

Well-Known Member
@gilles: Thanks for sharing your advice and experiences.

Funny, my Dad is a retired veterinarian, and he has always said "a healthy dog will never starve itself" and he's right, but those couple of days of adjusting things is going to be painful.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
I really wouldn't worry about his size. Kryten was 24 lbs when I got him at 11 weeks old. He is now 190 lbs.
 

Ginurse

Well-Known Member
@Smokeycat: Wow, you have a big, healthy, beautiful baby...congrats. It's good to hear your story.