We just got two 8 weeks old brother and sister doxies, I'm a little confused as to how much to feed them. The breeder said to feed them two times a day, but I didn't catch how much and she is out of town for a week. We are feeding them Purina Puppy Chow and a little Avoderm. This is what the breeder was feeding them. Please help, I want to give them plenty, but not to much. Any help would be great.

labman

Likely a cup a day each total would be about right. Stick with the Purina. I have raised a number of dog guides on it, nothing wrong with it.

Likely they came from the breeder too fat. Do not increase what they are getting until they have a waist. Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest.
You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is
different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog
must have its food adjusted to its individual needs. See
http://www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292.

presfritz

I have two doxies one is 8 months old and weighs 11 lbs. He according to the vets will weigh approx 13 lbs.
the second is Fritx he is 6 months old and weighs 9 lbs.
the are eating Flint River Ranch all natural food rice and millet. no wheat and no corn. I have been fedding them each a 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening. Still starved eating everything they can find. The bag states 1/2 cup daily if I do that I am afraid they will be chewing and stealing everything in their path. How much is to much.

labman

Many puppies come from the breeder fat and used to eating more than is good for them. They will gleefully continue to over eat until their early death. Read my previous answer. Whether they are happy with it of not, you must adjust their food to where you can feel the ribs. Too much is not something the package or somebody on the net can say. You can only go by their ribs. Even with the best chow, too much of a good thing is bad for a dog.

presfritz

I am not sure what to do..I now add alot of water to their food hoping that will help fill them up they have resorted to eating their feces...due to the fact it freezes. I pick it up immediatly after but if I miss one the next thing I know is welll.......
Also at what age can I expect they will be house broken the nine month old is pretty good but the 7 month old will go out and come in to poo.
Help

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labman

From my housebreaking tips:
Choose a command and spot you want it to use. The less accessible to strays,
the less chance of serious disease. If it is a female, choosing a
non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it
to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep
repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. If it does anything,
praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it,
and maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it,
but it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it
inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to
go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine.
Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back
inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the
house until it does go.

Being out there and praising the 7 month old may make a big difference in getting him to go outside. Also run him around to stimulate the body and bring on the bowel movement.

Try adding generous amounts of canned pumpkin to their food. This will help 2 ways. It will help fill them up without adding calories, and make their stools distasteful. If the pumpkin doesn't work try grapefruit juice or one of the commercial additives, Forbid or Deter.

Obedience train them too. Sometimes it isn't an accident, but a control issue.
Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.

presfritz

Going to try the pumpkin...I watch and praise and love them but then they poo in the house. I will try the don't go crate method. And purchase the pumpkin tonight.
Thank you for the advice
Presfritz