Trying to put weight on my pup - Page 4

Macrowe's dog doesnt have genetic defects - I know this pup - as well as the breeding - that is a big step for you to state that..........Problem is - the pup is young - handler is young - and the fact of the matter is the dogs food drive hasn't been focused on.........

I think with working long hours - having another bitch in the home - and over worrying about the pups development - when it shouldnt be worried about - has caused a little bit of over the top obsession .............

It doesnt have to do anything with genetic problems - focus problems or anything - other than - getting in a routine of teaching this dog what is exceptable behavior.  If the pup isn't hungry - then pick the freaking food up and stop over analysing the situation.........

Simple as that...........

Yogie

It's not a genetic defect. She doesn't have hypophagia, doesn't have EPI, no pancreatic problems. Like the typical "medical student disease", I work at a vet, see what comes in and what can happen by not paying attention, and then get paranoid, especially since she's not where most are weight-wise. It's not that she doesn't have food drives, when you get her out, she'll do anything you ask for the food or ball or tug in your hand, but when you go to feed her, she just looks at it and doesn't touch it. She would just rather do other things. I'm going to try to pull her food after 10 minutes and go from there. I've tried to cut back on the treats for rewards during training, and replacing them with bits of her food to help. I work long and odd hours, and Yogie is right it's probably that I haven't established a good schedule with her yet.

With all due respect, all dogs have genetic defects of some kind.

That being said, here's my Oops, My Bad.  I should have re-oriented on Macrowe's posts before making my previous post in this thread.  I just re-read through them and I realized that Laura's posts seemed to have dominated my thinking when I made my previous post and I accidentally thought it was laura's problems that were Macrowe's. 
So, in my previous post, just superimpose Laura's name in every spot where I said OP's and Macrowe, lol.

Macrowe, no need for me to add to the already more-than-sufficient advice here for you :)

In Laura's case, and in some other rare cases, I do think there is a real potential for being hormone problem that can cause starvation. 

I have known dogs with low desire to eat.  My parents had a show dog who did this for several years before becoming much more consistent.  It was hard to keep weight on her in the beginning.  These kinds of dogs just don't seem to have the survival desire to eat.  Who knows why...I think there are dogs like that. 

Clearly it is more normal for a dog to eat to survive.  A young puppy should be given food 3 times a day.  I feed 3 meals a day until at least 5 months of age.  I sit with the puppy when dinner is served and do nothing else.  No playtime, no petting, etc.  I will leave food for up to 30 minutes with a puppy before it is removed for the next mealtime.  Puppies are growing and need to have the opportunity to eat but also to learn that it does go away.

Also, you might check into foods that are totally nutritionally complete but that are treat like.  I use them as treats, but they can be used as food.  I love Ziwi Peak Daily Cuisine and Natural Balance that comes in the sausage like rolls.

It will kick in for Tala....she just needs more time for whatever reason.