Should your feeding habits change with the seasons?
Its getting hot outside, hot and humid enough that it can have an impact on the amount of time and energy your dog puts into play and higher physical activities. So, should this impact your feeding?
The truth is - there is not a direct answer. There is, however, the opportunity to discuss how free feeding limits your abilities to impact behavior and health - as an owner. Free feeding limits your dogs awareness of the Alpha. In traditional settings, the person responsible for providing meals automatically gets a leg up in the respect category.......that should always be you or your family. If food is always in the bowl, then it becomes cloudy as to who is responsible for that vital item. A dogs health system is also set up to eat until full and then sustain until the next feeding.
If that is the case, which it is, then the dog should empty his bowl comfortably in one sitting at feeding - not leaving food in the bowl. Food in the bowl should be discarded when the dog loses interest. This is whether you are feeding once, twice, or three times a day. Its not the quantity, its the quality of the feeding. This is a vital cog in training and influencing your dog, don't just give it away.
As the weather gets warmer, pay attention and feed at cooler times of day. Also, structure your higher activities early and later - not only because they are cooler - but because they are geared to perform during those hours in the summertime. The canine body WANTS to be lazy during hot, humid days - and the natural motivation leads you to working at cooler times, which should benefit you also. Just be mindful of these things during summer.
