Post by: KFhunter on October 20, 2014, 08:05:21 AM
Feeding taste of the wild puppy, 2/3 cup 2-3 times a day.
It's enough food that her stools will change from a nice dark hard stool to a softer brown in trying to make her look healthier.
wormed 3 times, no visible indicators of worms in the stools. Vet suggested a feed change and listed off some lower quality feed than what I was already giving :rolleyes:
ribs easily visible, hip bone knobs visible. Her spine isn't protruding ridges like an emaciated animals will.
energy wise she's good but does get cold easy, everything else looks good eyes, gums, coat
Post by: AspenBud on October 20, 2014, 09:05:22 AM
Depending on your dog's activity levels I have heard REALLY good things about this feed...
http://drtims.com/ (http://drtims.com/)
I know of several field trial oriented guys whose dogs really burn the calories who use the stuff and are very happy with the results now.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on October 20, 2014, 09:06:37 AM
Post by: quadrafire on October 20, 2014, 09:08:56 AM
Doubt there is anything wrong, Just up the calories a bit, like Bullblaster said. Maybe not free feed, but up the rations per feeding.
Skinny is not a bad thing. Don't want to start off a dogs life obese :twocents:
Post by: vandeman17 on October 20, 2014, 09:13:27 AM
Post by: KFhunter on October 20, 2014, 09:13:58 AM
I'll look into some different feed, I landed on TOW as it was one of the highest rated feeds I had local access too. Choice is limited when you live rural.
Here is the review I was going by: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/ (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/)
Post by: vandeman17 on October 20, 2014, 09:17:19 AM
really leery of free feeding, she gulps the feed down and I'm not sure she'd stop filling her belly until it was jam full packed...then go lap up some water and swell it all up.
I'll look into some different feed, I landed on TOW as it was one of the highest rated feeds I had local access too. Choice is limited when you live rural.
My uncle doesn't recommend free feeding either. Do you put water on her food? He also prefers doing that because it helps them digest it a bit, or that is his theory.
Post by: KFhunter on October 20, 2014, 09:21:15 AM
What kind of dog? I fed, at the recommendation of my uncle who is a trainer and also breeder on this litter, my black lab pup 3 cups in the morning and 3 cups at night. I was feeding her 2 and 2 but she also was pretty skinny so I upped the food amount and she looks much better. I eat a lot of eggs throughout the week so I will also add some eggs to her food here and there to get her some more protein and calories.
Brittany, I added the breed to the thread title thanks for asking.
Post by: jetjockey on October 20, 2014, 10:04:40 AM
Post by: AspenBud on October 20, 2014, 10:09:55 AM
really leery of free feeding, she gulps the feed down and I'm not sure she'd stop filling her belly until it was jam full packed...then go lap up some water and swell it all up.
I'll look into some different feed, I landed on TOW as it was one of the highest rated feeds I had local access too. Choice is limited when you live rural.
Here is the review I was going by: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/ (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/taste-of-the-wild-dog-food-dry/)
Thanks to the internet your choices are not as limited as they used to be. You can order via these guys and their shipping isn't that bad...
http://www.chewy.com (http://www.chewy.com)
Dr Tims rates higher than TOW
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/dr-tims-dog-food/ (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/dr-tims-dog-food/)
Post by: BULLBLASTER on October 20, 2014, 12:04:31 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on October 20, 2014, 12:26:09 PM
If you're exercising your Brittany, it won't get fat. I would slowly start upping the calories until you get to the point where you just keep food in bowl.
I know I don't hunt my dogs or work my dogs nearly as hard as other people on here, but they are never fat.
Curtis
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 20, 2014, 03:26:31 PM
Post by: constructeur on October 20, 2014, 10:12:57 PM
You may want to do a little research on TOTW, it's made by Diamond Pet Foods, a company that has had a number of recalls in the last few years. Salmonella, that kind of fun stuff...
Before you feed your puppy adult food, research panosteitis, essentially growing pains in the joints and ligaments. Some vets believe adult chow is tied into all that.
One of the cool things about Dr. Tims is that if you e-mail the company with a question, you'll probably get a response from Tim himself...
Post by: scottr on October 20, 2014, 10:39:31 PM
My setter was on the same food and was getting bored with it so I bought some Taste of the Wild soft food and mix it in with the kibble. This keeps him interested in it.
Post by: jetjockey on October 21, 2014, 08:54:00 AM
Post by: McCRIZZLEY on October 21, 2014, 09:01:32 AM
As far as watering food goes, I was doing that for a while too until I noticed my dog was not chewing as much and would just swallow it, resulting in dirtier teeth and the occasional puke.
Just my experience, I wouldn't sweat it though, just keep an eye on it, I'm sure your pooch is just fine.
Post by: McCRIZZLEY on October 21, 2014, 09:05:03 AM
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/food/blue-wilderness-trade-grain-free-adult-dog-food-zid36-3290/cat-36-catid-100004;pgid=wGVgEzj3LslSRpUaXdJ1M_Jd00009BhMvpWN;sid=xSSLJaS5hFuAJfD_RpzJIZazrI0SXc0QXFxN9ghl?var_id=36-3290&_t=pfm%3Dcategory (http://www.petsmart.com/dog/food/blue-wilderness-trade-grain-free-adult-dog-food-zid36-3290/cat-36-catid-100004;pgid=wGVgEzj3LslSRpUaXdJ1M_Jd00009BhMvpWN;sid=xSSLJaS5hFuAJfD_RpzJIZazrI0SXc0QXFxN9ghl?var_id=36-3290&_t=pfm%3Dcategory)
Post by: Bmcox86 on October 21, 2014, 04:59:12 PM
Post by: hollymaster on October 21, 2014, 05:40:39 PM
Post by: scottr on October 21, 2014, 08:45:30 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b.cdninstagram.com%2Fhphotos-xaf1%2Ft51.2885-15%2F10724218_1497621517166077_1030745179_n.jpg&hash=99fca049a131f8e2de4af0621bc20182fe8f2cfe)
Post by: JODakota on October 21, 2014, 09:27:41 PM
Some people (non hunters) think my pup is too skinny. IMO he's the Usain Bolt of bird dogs
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fscontent-b.cdninstagram.com%2Fhphotos-xaf1%2Ft51.2885-15%2F10724218_1497621517166077_1030745179_n.jpg&hash=99fca049a131f8e2de4af0621bc20182fe8f2cfe)
That is a very fine looking setter!
Post by: KFhunter on October 21, 2014, 09:51:11 PM
I just been getting comments the pup looks too skinny, the vet said she was skinny too but then added it's hard to tell with the sporting dog breeds.
With all the feed I've been pushing through her she is looking a little better, but still folks think she's skinny
Post by: scottr on October 21, 2014, 10:45:46 PM
That is a very fine looking setter!
Thanks! he's almost 9 months and had his first real wild bird encounter last weekend on some grouse.
Post by: deltaops on October 21, 2014, 10:48:07 PM
Post by: scottr on October 21, 2014, 10:53:31 PM
at least the longer coat covers up the ribs :chuckle:
I just been getting comments the pup looks too skinny, the vet said she was skinny too but then added it's hard to tell with the sporting dog breeds.
With all the feed I've been pushing through her she is looking a little better, but still folks think she's skinny
I get those comments too, even from the vet. You're the best judge on her weight. Unless you like your Britts like Ben O'Williams breeds which look more the size of setters IMO. She's an athlete so she's gonna run on the lean side, but like the book title, they are A Feisty Little Pointing Dog.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51Y7MW5CA8L.jpg&hash=9306438c430dd673761032247a89fffeab284405)
Post by: jetjockey on October 22, 2014, 04:21:52 AM
Post by: AspenBud on October 22, 2014, 10:36:52 AM
at least the longer coat covers up the ribs :chuckle:
I just been getting comments the pup looks too skinny, the vet said she was skinny too but then added it's hard to tell with the sporting dog breeds.
With all the feed I've been pushing through her she is looking a little better, but still folks think she's skinny
Pointing dogs are not supposed to be flabby or fat. They are track athletes, their job is to run like hell and find birds, and just like a human track athlete they don't gain a lot of weight unless they aren't getting worked.
Weight leads to injuries. Weight causes problems with stamina. Weight causes a dog to worry more about catching its breath than what it is hunting.
I've seen some field trial Pointers that were literally nothing but bone and muscle. You could see their ribs, their spine, hips and shoulders, etc. Those dogs also looked like canine Arnold Schwarzeneggers. There is a vast difference between an in shape pointing dog that is thin because it's an athlete versus one that is emaciated.
A lot of people who don't know what an in shape dog should look like would say these dogs (not mine) are too skinny...at about 2:10 into the video you'll see why...
Pointers Pointing in the Back Yard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_8Hdi1ktAA#)
People who think that are dead wrong. That dog is a titled field trial dog, something an emaciated dog can not become.
Puppies also don't grow evenly. That can lead to the appearance of being "skinny" as well.
Post by: AspenBud on October 22, 2014, 10:55:15 AM
Post by: KFhunter on October 23, 2014, 10:54:41 AM
:chuckle: She's checking out the bacon
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10177503_837380046314147_5828785830999370359_n.jpg?oh=ff557c00b87cc5fa056eff89e4a5e66b&oe=54B83243&__gda__=1420459049_22677359d47ce669beec0f5ad7468485)
I put that fence in to keep the dog in the yard, it's worked great with the electric along the bottom and top. Gets lot's of exercise in there and I don't have to worry about her hunting the quail in the field without me there. She don't come out the yard w/o a check cord on. Got some pigeons too and a bunch of feral coming when I trap em. Neighbor has a barn full.
Post by: KFhunter on October 23, 2014, 11:03:57 AM
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/397479_837385529646932_435905985606812260_n.jpg?oh=0465fdf785cc66d24a420371f8f4f3b1&oe=54E87EC9&__gda__=1421553302_61222708262365cc7d2b07d5e953262c)
(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10734121_837385636313588_779180388043581474_n.jpg?oh=1d9329e9b093a6fcc173bbb03be88ac2&oe=54F7E79A)
hard to take pictures of a pup
Post by: jetjockey on October 23, 2014, 11:26:43 AM
Post by: scottr on October 23, 2014, 11:53:05 AM