Two questions. 1 food aggression and 1 raw diet portion

[corsotx]

Initially, he is fine with chasing and following since puppies usually do that. Then, he stopped. We then bought a flirt pole and it worked like charm for a week. He couldn't care less now. I guess that he is still a puppy and do not really have the drive as I expected him to have. Probably breed related as we met a St Bernard pup that has similar situation.

 

[musicdeb]

For me personally, a pup with a low prey drive is good. I've seen a person almost dragged because the pup has a high prey drive and chased after a squirrel.

 

[corsotx]

Yes, I actually agree. However, my wife was hoping for a jogger. =) seems like we got a sprinter than a jogger.

We are still kind of hand feeding him. He wouldn't eat when the food is in the tray. He would just lay in the crate and wait. We have to "activate" him like putting the food in front of him or to let him lick it.

We were jokingly wondering if the food aggression training prevention was so good that he could resist food put right in front of him.

 

[musicdeb]

I would stop hand feeding him unless you like hand feeding him. He will eat. As long as he is pottying, drinking water and walking/playing normally, he will eat when he's ready. Set the food down for 20 minutes and pick it up. Feed again at next feeding with the additional food for that feeding.

The pup could still be a jogger despite low prey drive.

 

[corsotx]

Hi Musicdeb, we definitely do not like hand feeding as a long term solution. It would be a terrible idea when we will have a dog sitter.

Let's try the method you have suggested! I am positive! Tnx!

 

[musicdeb]

Your welcome!

 

[corsotx]

Update. The puppy will take the food once in awhile if we leave it there after giving "Okay" command. Sometimes, he would just lay and bark or leave the crate crying.= )

 

[musicdeb]

Just keep on keeping on. He will get the hang of it. Have you considered searing the meat to get the juices going in the meat?

 

[corsotx]

The tip was excellent. Instead of searing, we microwave the food for 30 secs and it works. I think he does not eat much mainly he is a low energy dog and does not really need much. He stopped after like 1 chicken neck, 1 liver, 1 small chicken breast and 1 chicken thigh for his breakfast that weighs only 1 lb or so.

 

[musicdeb]

Glad it worked! He will start to eat more. Time...is the key.

 

[corsotx]

I noticed yesterday while walking realising that my puppy might have issue with his front legs. I am afraid that if will affect his growth. Does it seem like a symptom for you guys? I have also posted in the general discussion hoping there would me more replies. I have contacted the breeder and breeder asked to cut down his weight and feeding twice. He also mentioned that his grandsire's puppies had outgrown similar leg situation at maturity.

That said the reason I am posting it here if it is related to raw feeding, I am feeding about a whole chicken or turkey a week that amount about 31% and 21% of bone respectively. Is it too much bones? I know it should be at 10% but I am just about estimating it.

The breeder asked to cut down his weight but he is already eating less than 10% of his current weight. I doubt the raw feeding guide is breed specific. However, based on his current activity level, he walks about 15-30 mins each time and sometimes playing with our neighbour's dog at the park for about 1 hour which is normal, I think. However, puppy run/ moves at his own pace which means he would lay for rest.