He is growing up so beautifully. I love the pictures.

Chance is a champion napper. I can't really remember when it started (how old he was).

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..... have a Golden day

Something new to add to the strange napping. Bentley begged all day yesterday for more food. Last night he woke me up crying in the night, I thought it must be a potty emergency since he never wakes me up. Nope..didn't want to go out, he went to the food bin and was whining and scratching at it.

Following our normal routine this AM he had his breakfast before we went to the nursing home. It's almost 2 more hours until lunch time but the minute we got home this morning he was at the bin scratching and whining again.

He's getting plenty of food and he's been happy with the amount for quite awhile now. Fed 3 times a day, 1 cup of kibble + about 1/2 cup of veggies. In between meals he gets half a banana or apple or some other fruit or veggie.

I don't know what to do with this. He's turning 6 months old and I thought at 6 mths I would be able to cut him down to 2 meals a day and start feeding him less but suddenly he thinks he's being starved to death so I don't think I'm going to 2 meals a day anytime soon.

I don't want to increase the amount of kibble if I can get away with it because I don't want him to get fat. Once again with my little pup I find myself lost

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Sounds like he is getting ready for a growth spurt. You may have to give him a little more food, either kibble or veggies, for a short while.

I read this to DH and he went out and gave Bentley an early lunch

Looks like we'll be adding a 4th walk every day for awhile.

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Since he had an early lunch I'm taking Broadway out for a walk in the snow, he loves the snow as long as it doesn't land on his head...such a diva

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That pup is definitely up to something! I always get suspicious when my pup lies down for more naps then usual! It usually means no good later on! I've noticed with this pup and my last few pups that just before a major growth spurt, their bellies in the rib cage area get wider. I know then I'm in trouble!


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Can I have some of whatever is making Bentley sleep more...please...I feel like I have an energy bunny on double lithium batteries right now. And I'm coming down with something on top of it...ugh...I am actually looking forward to work tomorrow morning so I can relax a little..

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Hi Joyce, Sounds like Bentley is in the middle of another growth spurt. I am of the opinion that it is most important to feed a growing puppy enough food to support his growth. Bentley's actions speak for itself: he is hungry. I do not know what kibble you feed, but here is a link to the Purina Pro Plan feeding chart.

http://www.purina.ca/images/mypuppy/...t_how_PPLB.gif

Based on his projected adult weight and current age, he could easily be eating 4-5 cups per day.

Do not worry so much about him getting fat now. He is growing. While the veggies may fill him up a little, they do not provide meaningful nutrition.

When Max was a puppy, he ate a lot more than he does now. He only gets 3 cups a day now, and pretty much no treats, except when training. He is a big boy, as you know.

Good luck figuring this all out.

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Dave

This is my thinking, also. He's growing, he needs more food to support that growth. As far as getting nutrition from the veggies, are you steaming them or pureeing them in a blender? If not, then no, he's not getting a lot of nutrition from them. Most likely just passing right through him. Plus, he gets a lot of exercise, so the added food during this phase is probably necessary for him. Three cups just doesn't seem like enough for his age and size. Even grain free, which is fed in much less amounts than grain inclusive, calls for more than 3 cups a day for a puppy his size.

My general rule concerning puppies weight is to be able to see the last two ribs. I know on a Golden puppy they're more difficult to see, but you should be able to easily feel them. Even if you can't feel them, with him going to the food bin, it tells me his body is requiring more sustenance. Especially if this is a new behavior and he's doing it at weird hours.

I would at least try increasing his food and see what happens. I bet he won't get fat because his body will use up the added amount.

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Karen, Chance, Lucy and Savanah RB



“Everyone needs a dog to adore him, and a cat to bring him back to reality”

I also agree that it sounds like a growth spurt. I think around this age isla also started sleeping a lot more often (although she never asked for more food) and im pretty certain she was growing.

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