some advice please!!!!!!

[golfer19]

I have two yorkies Sophie is 11 months and weighs 9 lbs, Lucie is 7 months and weighs the same , my problem is Lucie has a enormous appetite, I feed them at 8 in the morning and 5 at night a 1/2 cup each time, my problem is lucie just wolfs her food, and then wants to eat Sophies. I dont want to feed her anymore as she is big enough. Dont know why she has such a enormous appetite, , does anyone else have a yorkie with such a appetite, I have read on here that some are picky eaters, mine are just the opposite. any advice would help , thanks.

[chachi]

She is just young and burning energy and eats more. I do just think some yorkies just have a greater apetite than others though. You may need to feed them separately though so she doesnt get a weight problem. What does your vet say about her weight?

[Ellie May]

A cup of food sounds like quite a bit, even for a pup. Could just be that she is growing though. When is the last time she was dewormed or had a fecal done?

[Wabbit]

One of the easiest things to do would be to buy a special food dish designed to stop this problem. One company called brake-fast carries these bowls.

I read this on one site....don't know anyone that's done it tho-
If you want to continue using your regular bowls you can also try to add rocks (cleaned) that are too large to swallow to the food so that your puppy has to work her way around them. Sometimes is it even a good idea to avoid a bowl and try feeding from a flat surface so that she cannot grab as much food at once.


Also are you feeding high quality food?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

A cup of food sounds like quite a bit, even for a pup. Could just be that she is growing though. When is the last time she was dewormed or had a fecal done?

ETA: At nine pounds maybe that isn't too much as long as she isn't getting fat (which is pretty uncommon in pups). A very hungry pup with a bloated look could indicate intestinal parasites.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I have seen many dogs that just have the propensity to eat from the other dogs dish no matter how full they are. Sounds like your Yorkie could be bolting food to keep it from the other dog and then going after his food. It can just be competition. Some dogs are just food hoarders and want all of the food themselves. It can be a trait of attempted dominance as I understand it. Alpha dogs control who eats what when and she could be trying for alpha. Try monitoring the feedings and repeatedly push her away each time she goes for the other bowl and say "No" as matter of factly as possible using your training voice. It will take unemotional determination on your part and the ability to get down there with them. Disagreeing with this behavior will tell her from the beginning that her behavior is unacceptable and you are the alpha in this house. But don't be condemning and make feeding time scary - just matter of factly disagree with the behavior and keep it up. An unemotional response from you each time she goes for the other bowl will give her the idea that she doesn't get to dominate feeding time. If you can't get down on their level, perhaps tension on a lease and an unemotional "Uh Uh" can accompany her attempts. She should soon get the idea that you and not she controls feeding in your home. Perhaps you can try feeding the other dog first and let her watch to get a clear idea that you have control of the bowl. Or take up her food bowl each time she goes for the other bowl if she hasn't yet bolted her food. She can make the other dog's mealtime just awful if allowed to continue; and your other dog can get very resentful and aggressive or regress and avoid eating since it is so eventful and unpleasant. Be as persistent as she is and she will learn that she doesn't get to choose to bully the other bowl. My impression with friends who have had this issue is that they just give up too soon if their errant dog doesn't respond right away or regresses over time. Unemotional persistence is your best ally in teaching proper group feeding techniques. Keep on disagreeing with that behavior.

[OwnedByJezebel]

At 7 months, she is still growing and will require more food compared to a full grown adult of the same size.

The amount that they need to eat is also influenced by whatever brand you are feeding them.

What brand of food are they eating?

[golfer19]

I am feeding them Go Natural, which is a really good dog food, and they like it a lot. someone said a 1/2cup sounds like a lot, but that is 1/2 twice a day, dont think that is too much for their size, and yes she is on Heartworm , which takes care of all worms.

[Yorkiedaze]

You could try and stretch that cup of food out to feeding three times a day. Some dogs are just little Piglets naturally. All of mine are.