Question
Miaya
Hi
We have a 16 week old border collie. shes of course and very smart little girl but were having problems. We are finding out that we're not feeding her enough (we both work during the day. and we feed her 2 cups a day) I've been told while shes a baby we should free feed her. Problem with that is we crate her during the day. Can you suggest some good please were i can get info on crating? Also we found out that shes eating the fabric toys and cloths. We figure its because we're not sitmulating her brain enough. What can we do while were at work to keep her busy?
We read that we shouldnt put water or food in her kennel, is that true? Its hard to free feed and not feed her in the place she is. Please I really want her to grow happy and healthy. I've never had a border collie before and i though i did enough research before getting her but i guess thats not true.
Please help us
AnswerSmart little pups need a lot of mental and physical exercise. Generally they need 2-3 times the calories of a mature dog. Likely Myaia is teething and that is why she is chewing. Pups will do this to almost a year in many cases. She needs a healthy chew such as raw hide or a non edible toy, Kong ball etc. Denta bone is also good. The dog is keeping its teeth clean and satisfying its regular needs to chew and mentally exercise.
Normally the crate is the dogs home, a place to sleep, feel safe and undisturbed. Your dog also needs intelligent toys, ones where it has to figure out how to get a treat out of the toy.
Some dogs will self feed, ie not scarf up the entire bowl as my Beagle does, but eat some and go back later. You can use a baby gate to keep the dog in one room or area.
As a puppy it needs puppy food that is made to have a higher calorie content and more neutrients. With a kennel where we board nearly all breeds we use Pedigree because it has never upset a dogs digestive system and never recalled. But feel free to use any name brand.
Leave a water dish out at all times. Stores have both non spill type and self refilling types (there is a jug of water on top). The bowl should be washed daily, or get several so you always have a clean bowl to put food/water in while the others are in the wash. Stainless steel is best as it does not develop cracks that can allow bacteria to grow. Plastic can become chew toys, and ceramic are OK if fully glazed and no cracks.
The dog should be eating enough to gain weight but not get fat. Looking down from over the back, the dog should have a fairly straight line from front legs to tail, if you can easily feel or see ribs, it needs more, if it is barrel shaped, it is over eating.
The feeding guide on most dog food bags is a guide only, and over feeds an adult dog and may under feed a pup. You need to gauge how your dog is doing and adjust accordingly.
After the age of 2 change to an adult dog food and for your breed, at 14 or so to a senior food.
Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
www.dogkennel.org
A doting mother in need of help!
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