My dogs behavior

Question
My dog simba is 5 months old it's my first dog (GS)on my own and i am constantly worried about her health. I have seen her behavior change a little bit latley she's been whinning frequently the past couple of days and it seems as though her appitite is not very strong? I don't want to take her to the vet each time i get nervous any advice.  Also this may sound kind of dumb, but how much time a day should you spend playing with your puppy, on average.?

Answer
Hi, dogs go off of their appetites off and on for various reasons.  Sometimes when it is getting really hot outside they will stop eating (or not eat until it is cooler in the day).  What is happening when your dog is whining?  Is she moving in some particular manner at the same time, is she licking somewhere or anything like that?  Thats when you start to worry.  As far as time spent with your puppy, that can vary depending on many factors.  Some puppies require more time than others.  Each puppy is different depending on their personality.  Hope this helps.

Dawn