I was so excited and so nervous to give our pup (14wks) her first raw meal! Well not actually a meal but a chicken leg. The first sniff and she was hooked! She grabbed that leg so fast, and just started to chomp away. I took it away for a few seconds a couple times because I was worried she wasn't chewing it well, and she sat eagerly waiting for me to give it back. I let her eat nearly all of it and then freaked out and ended the meal - calmly. I will give her alittle more later but I was afraid she was eating it to fast. How do I know if she is chewing enough? I am just a worried mommy I guess! It goes against all I have been taught before and my weeks of research did not prepare me for the gobbling, and chomping...lol Has anyone had experince with puppy feeding? I have joined a raw pup feeding group so I hope to gain more insite on this issue there. But so far so good she loved it, and I was happy to see her eat with such energy!

Excellent!! Congratulations!!! Isn't it awesome to watch them eating with such joy? I think it's a VERY good thing for you to continue reaching out and taking the bone from her while she's eating. That way if there is every a problem, she will know that you are there to help her and that you have the right to take food away from her. You might want to try a softer chicken part if you are anxious or she seems to be struggling with the leg, perhaps a wing or some necks.

This morning I just relaxed and let her eat it :) All went well, and she looked like she was smiling the whole time. Thank you so much for your encourgment and kind words....m
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d608b3127cceb52186e5ea5b0000001610

That's Great!!!

McBain's first raw meal he didn't know what to do! He kept licking the chicken back and then looking at me like "OK, I know this is food, but how do I eat it?" Once he learned how to chew he now loves every meal (I had such a hard time getting him to eat kibble, so this is great).

Chicken wings may be easier like ZenCat said.

Good Luck!

Grip (my lab) just dove right in from the start. He's never even looked at what's in his bowl. Sometimes he's so enthusiastic his elevated bowl tray bumps against the wall and knocks things off shelves.

Drum (my greyhound) took a LOT of attempts before he decided raw food was ok (even when he had refused his kibble and was obviously hungry). The first time I tried to give him a piece of rabbit he picked it up with his front teeth and flung it at me with the dirtiest look. He refused everything until I tried him on chicken necks and he took a dainty nibble, crunched one, got this "WOW!!!" look on his face and never looked back. Now he prances around the kitchen at meal times and devours everything in his bowl (including chicken leg quarters).

i've recently entered the raw food world a bit myself. upon my holistic vets recommendation, i now give my dogs a raw turkey neck btw 1-2 a week as a meal. THEY L O V E IT!!!! my lab wags her tail throughout the entire devouring of the turkey neck!! the turkey necks are larger than some chicken parts, which is partly why my vet recommended it for my dogs. they get to have wonderful chewing action as well as a scrumptious meal!

I think I enjoy the Raw Feeding just as much as my pup :) At first it kinda grossed me out, poor hubby gagged....lol But only a week into it and wow what a difference in my pup and us. Last night I had a dream I was at a meat sale...hehe I was buying turkeys for 3.99 a piece....too funny!

oops double posted :(