Attn DOG LOVERS

[scotty score]

Hi guys. A question for the dog lovers out there. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but here goes
we currently have a 2 yr old male chihuahua/corgi mix. Approx 10 pounds and neutered We are looking at adopting another dog. She is 11 months, lab mix currently in a foster home. She is spayed and approx 30 lbs.

so my question is for anyone with multiple dogs. How do you handle the feeding. Our dog buddy has small kibble and gets 1/2 cup or so per day but he is a grazer. He never eats all his food at once

with the larger dog, we would put her food in the basement where buddy can't go. ( can't get down those set of stairs ) so that keeps him out of her food. But what can I do about keeping her out of his food located on the main floor.

I understand and we can train her etc but just curious of the food logistics others might be having succes with.

[autoease]

We have 3 dogs , 10 pound dachshund , 40 lb standard schnauzer and 35 lb 5 month old golden retriever and it is a total feeding frenzy. The schnauzer I inherited after my father died he was free eater however he learned to adapt real quick once he came and lived with us as the other dogs would eat what he left . We have set up three different areas for their food bowls however they usually never leave a scrap of food now. They will learn quickly once they have competition.

[hamiltonhacker]

I have two dogs, both large. I set their bowls down at either end of the kitchen. They know which is their bowl and go straight to it.

[duffer_mcmulligan]

No need to fret, they will adapt.

We have two, a small and a medium labdadoodle. On their own, they will graze. Usually they eat when it is put in front of them. If one walks away, the other will try to scalp what is left. We also house sit several dogs on occasion. We put down the food separating the dogs, but eventually the all figure it out.

[bl8d]

you won't change feeding hierarchy with same sized bowls for dogs large and small.
recommend you use appropriate sized bowls.
Large dogs can't easily get their snout into small cat-size bowls.

[Mule56]

with the larger dog, we would put her food in the basement where buddy can't go. ( can't get down those set of stairs )

Anytime I hear these I cringe. Look up hip dysplasia in dogs. Large breed dogs need to have stairs limited. As a former kennel owner I can tell you the most effective feeding schedule is to put the food down. Sit in the middle of the feeders to police, and take away any left overs. Quickly everyone will learn to eat when food is provided. You can also feed multiple times a day and lessen the portions accordingly.

[Marty Canuck]

We have 2 Labs. A 4 YO and a 4 month old. We try to feed them at the same time, 2 times per day.

If your little dog is a grazer his habits will have to change with a Lab around. Labs eat a "see" food diet.

[scotty score]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your comments and time

[DashRipRock]

I have two dogs and they don't eat each others food. They are Terriers.

[caddishack]

I have 2 dogs , one is a Corgi and the other a mutt I rescued from Kentucky. What I noticed when feeding, is they eat it fast and leave nothing as they know the other will eat it if they don't. We now feed them in those bowls that make it a little tougher to gobble from. I suppose if you have a grazer you need to lift the food off the floor and put it down again later...a pain for sure.

[Clipless]

We have two dogs a larger Labradoodle and a shorkie, my wife seems to collect them when I leave the house for any extended period of time. They are both grazers so we fill their bowls twice a day, sometimes they finish it other times they don't. They will even wait for people to come home before they eat sometimes. I am pretty sure the little dog, who is the youngest, learned these eating habits from the bigger dog.

Regarding the size of the bowl, the big dog prefers to eat out of the small bowl with only the 1/2 cup of food in it until it is done....he is a bit different.

[Badcaddie]

My two are PBGV's and have been trained to eat in their own crate- I say "where are you supposed to be" and presto they go. The female always finishes first and heads over to the male's crate (i leave their crate's door open). Mule56 is right, you must have a sherriff as my female would eat all of the males. Very entertaining most days as she never gives up. The male is a nibbler so I pick it up as well if he doesn't eat it all at once.

[TourIQ]

Just hope the big dog doesn't eat the little dog.