Help Again!

[Louise]

Thank you for all your helpful advice. Yesterday Slinky (4 months) peed and pooped outdoor for the first time. We just got him on Monday. However, he pooped in his crate last night- the first time. I knew he had to poop because his last poop had been in the morning- I took him outside after he ate-around 6:30 PM. Nothing, then we took him for a walk that should last twenty minutes but ended up lasting 1 and 1/2 hours because he kept stopping to look at everything! I live in a small suburb and there were many cars out on the main road. Maybe he was distracted by all the noise. I do not think there was any peeing or and I know there was no pooping. I guess my question is we seem to spend a lot of time outside, but he doesn't seem to go a lot. We are feeding him at 6:00 AM and we leave the food out for 1/2 hour and then we leave his water out another 1/2 hour. When he gets fed again at 6http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/redface.gifO PM, we do the same thing. When should we put him outside- immediately after he eats or do I wait 1/2 hour then put him? And when we are outside how long shoud we stay out. If we are out for 1/2 hour, when should he go out again- in another 1/2 hour or in another hour?

And another question- how much should he be eating? The package said 100 grams (I hate that why can't they just say a cup etc..) Anyways, the hubby said to weigh it - it equaled about five scoops. Someone else said their dog was getting 1/4 cup in morning and 3/4 at night. My little pig is eating way more than that!! So, how much should he be eating?

You guys are so kind and helpful! Thank you for all the advice.

Louise

[~8DachsieAngels~]

My guys eat 2/3c. 2xper day of Flint River they used to eat about 1 1/2 c. of science diet 2xper day but this food seems more filling.... u might try to break his feeding up into 3 feedings breakfast lunch and dinner that way their may be less potty accidents in the house ... we always take ours out for about 1/2hr after eating then anytime they look like they may have to go we take them out again ... doxies are very potty stuborn... just have to keep working with them i have some 7mo olds that still occasionally have a accident. Good Luck

Jen

[Krista]

Puppies are allowed to consume more calories because they are growing. It will also make a difference if your pup will be a bigger dachsie when it is full grown. My little guy is full grown now at 10 lbs he ate more at 5 months old than he does now. TRUE minis will be 11 lbs or under full grown and will eat less than the tweenies which eat less than standards (16+ lbs). Many people THINK they have minis and try to compare food rations with those that REALLY do have minis -it just doesn't work.

Of course just like people, dogs have different metabolisms and activity levels. Some need more calories per pound of body weight than others. My little guy eats around 3/4 cup Flint River Ranch (=a cup of most other foods since it is so dense) divided in half for the AM and PM meals. If he is really active some days, I give him a little more. He is staying at 10lbs on this amount, so I know it is good for him.

My vet told me to let Rudy eat as much as he would eat setting the food down for 30 mins 2x a day or 20mins 3x per day while he was growing. About 8 months old I started trying to find the right amount to keep him at a healthy weight.

As Healthy Adults -You should be able to feel your dogs ribs and spine while exerting minimal pressure. You should NOT be able to SEE the ribs/spine. Viewing from the side and from above you should see a defined waistline at the end of their ribcage.

Does that help?? Sorry so Long. You can always ask your vet if you are unsure.

[Joanna and the Weez]

I'm concerned that you're limiting the amount of time that you're giving your pup water. I leave water out for Weezy all day every day - they should always have access to water.

[Con&Finn'smom]

My vet told me to limit my boys' water after 7:00pm to keep from having accidents at night. Of course, I adjust that if they have been active in the evening. I also do not leave water in their crates with them during the day (as per vet's suggestion). This has not caused any problems for them.

[Penny's Aunt]

Dog food companies sell dog food. The more you can stuff down your dog according to their directions, the more money they make.

Yes, growing puppies eat far more than an adult. They are eating for growth & maintenance at the same time.

Put down what seems a reasonable amount. If he gobbles it up & still seems hungry a half-hour later, the next meal increase the amount a little. Leave his food down 15-30 minutes, pick up what is leftover. No between-meal snacks (except for training treats) if he is a picky eater.

His eating should slow down when he approaches maturity. Watch for it & adjust.

I have just recently heard from several sources that a pup who is kind of "ribby" will never be a fat dog. I don't know if it is fact or theory.

If it's time to pee & poop, STOP WALKING!!! Just stand there until he gets tired of the same smells & attends to business. After that is accomplished, THEN take him on his walk. Don't walk first, then head for home as soon as he finishes his business, or he will delay the business to extend the walk. As soon as he realizes that he gets to walk as soon as he's empty, he will probably start doing it right away.

[Mickamack]

Penny's Aunt, Mickey is a "ribby" dog, so I hope that's true that he'll never be fat. He can eat whatever he wants, and never gain weight. My mom calls him "the vaccuum", but thankfully, it doesn't show.

I also do not leave water in Mickey crate during the day. He has access the rest of the day, but while he's in his crate, I know he will drink too much and not be able to hold his bladder. He seems no worse for wear by not having it. But that's just my observation.

[Penny's Aunt]

There may be no need to leave water in the cage, but if you are feeding mainly dry food, the dog needs water to digest it, so make sure he gets enough before he goes into the crate.