FEEDING AND CARE OF YOUR PUPPY
Diet:
Mixed with the dry puppy food, we have been adding 1TBSP of a good canned food, such as
Pedigree canned or Purina Pro Plan canned, and moistened with water.
* PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE RECALLS ON PET FOOD!!
We have tried to adhere to the following schedule so as to make housebreaking easier:
7-8 a.m. - 1 ½ cups dry puppy food, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water.
*12-1 p.m. - 1 cup dry, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water. (This feeding can be eliminated if it does not fit your schedule and by 12 wks. of age. We then substitute this meal with a few puppy cookies.)
**Little Girl is no longer getting a mid day meal but she does get a few cookies.
5-6 p.m. – 1 ½ cups dry, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water.
As the pup matures, their appetites may decrease and increase at various times. If the pup is still hungry, increase the food in small increments per meal. If the pup is leaving food – decrease the amount per feeding slightly – BUT – remember to watch and increase it again as the pup show greater appetite.
Sometimes it takes a pup a few days in a new environment to eat well. Don’t worry if it’s a few days – they will not starve themselves and their appetite will increase as they get used to their new home. Give them 20 minutes to eat and if they haven’t put the food up.
**DO NOT FREE FEED THE PUP!!
This is NOT conducive to housebreaking – It’s imperative to have a consistent feeding schedule!!
**DO NOT EXERCISE OR PLAY BEFORE FEEDING OR RIGHT AFTER FEEDING!!!
Always give a pup or adult dog time to cool off before feeding and time to rest quietly after feeding. We do not do this to ourselves, nor should we do this to a dog. They need time to digest their food
and prior to feeding – time to cool down and relax.
**German Shepherds and other large breed dogs may have a predisposition for bloat it is imperative that owners NOT feed their dog immediately after playing or before. Watch that they do NOT drink an excessive amount of water prior to or right after feeding as well.
**DO NOT LEAVE WATER OUT FREELY!!
For housebreaking to be achieved, the puppy cannot have free access to water at any time. They must be on a consistent and regular schedule for the next several weeks. Offer water several times a day and remember that a puppy needs to relieve themselves shortly after playing, drinking
and eating. Get the pup on your schedule immediately and keep them as close to that schedule as possible. Of course things come up and feeding may be earlier or later one day – adjust the walking schedule in accordance to the food and water intake.
2
The schedule for “potty” breaks should be something similar to our schedule as a guideline – of course your schedule may be different – please make the necessary adjustments.
6-8 a.m. – Outside – potty, (lots of praise when they go – we use a command – “go potty”)
A drink of water and a few minutes of loving and light play – then feeding. Rest for about 20 minutes or so – every pup is different – then outside again for potty , small
drink and out again for potty. Just remember that these are pups and cannot control
their bladder and bowels just yet – so after stimulation/play, eating and drinks they will need to relieve themselves at various intervals. Usually they will show you their time frame within the first 10 days.
12-1 p.m. Let the pup out to relieve himself – if feeding midday meal – Meal – potty, rest.
The rest of the day will be according to your schedule, but note that a young puppy must go out several times a day and evening. Please do not get the pup in the habit
of having accidents in their crates! They would much rather stay clean also!! It may
not seem too big a deal when they’re 8-10 wks. old – but as they grow – so do their
“messes”.
PLEASE USE A CRATE FOR TRAINING!
It is not cruel to have a pup crated for a few hours – 3 max. and through the night – it makes housebreaking go quicker and easier for both you and the pup and provides the pup with a little sanctuary that’s all his own. NEVER USE THE CRATE FOR PUNISHMENT! This is their safe haven – not a jail! There are many more tips on crate training that is included in the packet you have received – please take a few minutes and read over the material – it will give you a better understanding of how to get things started off on the right foot. We start our pups off in the crates with puppy chew toys or marrow bones and they always get a “cookie” when they go in. This way they do not look upon the crate as a punishment or negative thing.
PLEASE take your pup to a basic obedience class!!! This starts the relationship between you and your puppy on such a good note. You learn or are reminded of how to train your companion and he will learn what you expect of him. This is also important for socialization skills. Learning to listen to you with other dogs and activities going on. Positive reinforcement – Consistency and Patience are what is needed for developing a trusting and lasting bond! The pups are usually old enough to begin a basic puppy class around 12 wks. of age. Please ask your vet.
COLLARS: Do NOT use any type of choke collar until they are at least 16 wks. of age. Their neck muscles are not developed enough and these style of collars must be used correctly Even on adult dogs!! Belt type collars – leather or nylon are fine.
GROOMING: Get the pup used to nail trimming, toothbrushing, brushing & bathing immediately.
Good luck with your new puppy – love them, be patient, be consistent and hopefully, you will have a loyal and loving companion for the next 10-13 years. Please stay in touch we want to hear from you and help in any way we can.
Please call me with any questions or concerns.
Mixed with the dry puppy food, we have been adding 1TBSP of a good canned food, such as
Pedigree canned or Purina Pro Plan canned, and moistened with water.
* PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE RECALLS ON PET FOOD!!
We have tried to adhere to the following schedule so as to make housebreaking easier:
7-8 a.m. - 1 ½ cups dry puppy food, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water.
*12-1 p.m. - 1 cup dry, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water. (This feeding can be eliminated if it does not fit your schedule and by 12 wks. of age. We then substitute this meal with a few puppy cookies.)
**Little Girl is no longer getting a mid day meal but she does get a few cookies.
5-6 p.m. – 1 ½ cups dry, 1 TBSP canned – moistened with water.
As the pup matures, their appetites may decrease and increase at various times. If the pup is still hungry, increase the food in small increments per meal. If the pup is leaving food – decrease the amount per feeding slightly – BUT – remember to watch and increase it again as the pup show greater appetite.
Sometimes it takes a pup a few days in a new environment to eat well. Don’t worry if it’s a few days – they will not starve themselves and their appetite will increase as they get used to their new home. Give them 20 minutes to eat and if they haven’t put the food up.
**DO NOT FREE FEED THE PUP!!
This is NOT conducive to housebreaking – It’s imperative to have a consistent feeding schedule!!
**DO NOT EXERCISE OR PLAY BEFORE FEEDING OR RIGHT AFTER FEEDING!!!
Always give a pup or adult dog time to cool off before feeding and time to rest quietly after feeding. We do not do this to ourselves, nor should we do this to a dog. They need time to digest their food
and prior to feeding – time to cool down and relax.
**German Shepherds and other large breed dogs may have a predisposition for bloat it is imperative that owners NOT feed their dog immediately after playing or before. Watch that they do NOT drink an excessive amount of water prior to or right after feeding as well.
**DO NOT LEAVE WATER OUT FREELY!!
For housebreaking to be achieved, the puppy cannot have free access to water at any time. They must be on a consistent and regular schedule for the next several weeks. Offer water several times a day and remember that a puppy needs to relieve themselves shortly after playing, drinking
and eating. Get the pup on your schedule immediately and keep them as close to that schedule as possible. Of course things come up and feeding may be earlier or later one day – adjust the walking schedule in accordance to the food and water intake.
2
The schedule for “potty” breaks should be something similar to our schedule as a guideline – of course your schedule may be different – please make the necessary adjustments.
6-8 a.m. – Outside – potty, (lots of praise when they go – we use a command – “go potty”)
A drink of water and a few minutes of loving and light play – then feeding. Rest for about 20 minutes or so – every pup is different – then outside again for potty , small
drink and out again for potty. Just remember that these are pups and cannot control
their bladder and bowels just yet – so after stimulation/play, eating and drinks they will need to relieve themselves at various intervals. Usually they will show you their time frame within the first 10 days.
12-1 p.m. Let the pup out to relieve himself – if feeding midday meal – Meal – potty, rest.
The rest of the day will be according to your schedule, but note that a young puppy must go out several times a day and evening. Please do not get the pup in the habit
of having accidents in their crates! They would much rather stay clean also!! It may
not seem too big a deal when they’re 8-10 wks. old – but as they grow – so do their
“messes”.
PLEASE USE A CRATE FOR TRAINING!
It is not cruel to have a pup crated for a few hours – 3 max. and through the night – it makes housebreaking go quicker and easier for both you and the pup and provides the pup with a little sanctuary that’s all his own. NEVER USE THE CRATE FOR PUNISHMENT! This is their safe haven – not a jail! There are many more tips on crate training that is included in the packet you have received – please take a few minutes and read over the material – it will give you a better understanding of how to get things started off on the right foot. We start our pups off in the crates with puppy chew toys or marrow bones and they always get a “cookie” when they go in. This way they do not look upon the crate as a punishment or negative thing.
PLEASE take your pup to a basic obedience class!!! This starts the relationship between you and your puppy on such a good note. You learn or are reminded of how to train your companion and he will learn what you expect of him. This is also important for socialization skills. Learning to listen to you with other dogs and activities going on. Positive reinforcement – Consistency and Patience are what is needed for developing a trusting and lasting bond! The pups are usually old enough to begin a basic puppy class around 12 wks. of age. Please ask your vet.
COLLARS: Do NOT use any type of choke collar until they are at least 16 wks. of age. Their neck muscles are not developed enough and these style of collars must be used correctly Even on adult dogs!! Belt type collars – leather or nylon are fine.
GROOMING: Get the pup used to nail trimming, toothbrushing, brushing & bathing immediately.
Good luck with your new puppy – love them, be patient, be consistent and hopefully, you will have a loyal and loving companion for the next 10-13 years. Please stay in touch we want to hear from you and help in any way we can.
Please call me with any questions or concerns.