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At 10 weeks old, I feel you should feed at least 3 x a day. I would set the food down for about 20 minutes at a time. If your pup is a hearty eater, then that would be fine for you too. If your pup is picky or prefers to eat a little bit, but eat often, then free-feeding should be fine.

Good luck!
 

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I like to feed three small meals a day. Ususally about 1/4 at a meal. This will help keep their blood sugar at an even level. I always make sure they eat something before they go to bed, especially if they have played a lot. My Teddy almost died from "hypoglicemia" when he was a puppy. It happened in the morning. He did not eat before he went to bed or during the night. It terrified me to see him so lifeless! :cry: I always keep little jars of 'Baby Chicken sticks" just in case they need to eat---but wont!

Sandra
 

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I free feed all my kids but if you're still potty training, you might want to feed on a schedule. Whatever your chi eats in about 15 mins should be the amount that you feed them. At 10 weeks, I would say 3 times a day. If you're trying to potty train, most puppies will have to poop within an hour of eating. For some dogs it will be 5 mins and some dogs it will be 1 hour. So if you feed on a schedule and then know they will have to poop soon, you can get them outside (or to paper, whatever) to reinforce good potty habits.

Since all my kids are potty trained and since little dogs generally like several small *meals* throughout the day, we free feed.
 

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I would like to be able to free feed, but Bruiser would eat all day long! He is a eating machine. If there is food down...he will eat it. I have to watch is weight....he gains weight very easily. By measuring his food, it gives me some control as to how much he is allowed to eat. I had food down for Teddy all the time when he got sick with "Hypoglycimia"? He just would not eat it? I had to hand feed him for a long time....it was a pain. He finally grew out of it.
 

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I got Poppy at 10 weeks and started off free feeding her but then she got so picky and ended up not eating. Once she went for 3 days! So now she gets 3 meals a day, one wet and two dry and the food is left out for her for 20 mins. If she doesnt eat it all I take it away and then she is hungry at the next meal.It works for us :)
 

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sjc,
I know exactly what you are saying! Stuart was the same way with the hypoglycemia and syringes of honey and a/d. I had to feed him small meals often through the day. It was tough back then but he also grew out of it. The big difference is when he wan't so picky with the food anymore. Now I just feed both of them about 3/4 times a day of the wellness can (smaller portions) and leave the hard food out all the time. So far so good.
 
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