Ask Pam – Should I leave food out for my dog all day?

Should I leave food out for my dog all day?

   I posed this question to Pam Johnson, Certified Professional Trainer and member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.  Here’s her answer:

” I am not a fan of free feeding.  I see many dogs, especially puppies  who become bored with their food if it is out all day.  Scheduled meal times also help with regulating potty times. With the free feeding system, you will get poop sporadically throughout the day.

I recommend feeding puppies 3 x a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)  until they are 6 months old.  I also use meal times for training the pup with their kibble.  Let them work for their food.  And, most pups love to train which helps get rid of excess energy.”