HELP! A few ?'s before puppy arrives

Hi, our pup is now 4 months old, so all the early weeks are very fresh in my head.

I'm assuming your new pup is around 8weeks old? So I'll help answer you for that age and all the info we had from our vets and puppy trainer.

Firstly well done for being so thoughtful for taking time off work to get to bond with him, and getting a routine with the family He could be quite frightened for a few days to his new environment and new people/noises etc.

At 8weeks old we fed ours 3 times a day, the vet recommended 150g building up to 200g by the age of 2 months, then 250 to 350g as of today aged 4months. Always leaving fresh water out, we changed her water about 3 times a day - she really does love 'fresh' water.

We feed ours Hills Puppy Science Plan for Large Breeds, with nothing added, and have been told to keep her on this puppy food until she is around 12months old. She just has puppy treats for training and the odd puppy bonio's in between, and gets plenty of short walks.

I would also say that the vet and puppy trainer have made it quite clear to only ever buy good quality puppy food, and all treats/biscuits etc should be made specially for puppies as they all contain the vital minerals/vitamins that are really important for a healthy growing pup.

We were told to avoid marrow bones because it's too much protein and can make your pup quite hyper, and she isn't really old enough for bones at this young age, you can easily damage those little shark teeth, I won't be giving ours a bone for another few months yet, she is still teething. Stick to soft toys, and only chews for puppies, always read lables, I was suprised at how many toys and chews say ' not suitable for puppies under 4 months etc. but always supervise him when he has chews, I always threw mine away when they got really small, then started all over again with a new one. Yes, flannels and cold treats out of the freezer can help those painful moments whilst teething :-(

Leaving a towel in her bed with your scent on it is always a good idea, ours still loves our socks! She never rips them, just loves having a little gnaw on them lol

Good luck, the first few months are really hard work, and I'm sure a lot of our Daisy's naughtyness was due to the painful teething, but we worked through it, and she's nearly got all her teeth, another month or two and she should have a full set of gnashers by 6months old

Hi,

Your breeder should be more than happy to answer these questions and any others you might have. Your vet may also have some suggestions when you take your new puppy in for its new puppy check which should be right away. I would think you would get a puppy packet from your breeder that should also give you a lot of information. I would also recommend finding your nearest kennel club and as soon as your pup is clear shot wise enter in a puppy kindergarten class. New puppies are fun and a lot of work but it sounds like you are taking the new responsibilities very seriously.

1. Ask your breeder what she is doing and continue that routine will probably be 3x's a day.

2. Use a bowl don't hand feed and I go with damp.

3. A add water to the food with all of my dogs at all life stages.

4. I wouldn't give wash clothes as choking danger and will shred. Frozen toys or chew toys I have available for them all the time when supervised.

5.Depends on if you are going to keep the puppy on Iams. Do a search on dog food discussions.

6.Talk to your breeder. Some like 4 months some like six and some like longer.

7.When they are younger they can actually eat them but it helps with teething. Again with supervision.

9. You have to be carefull with anything like towels during sleep hours as if you aren't supervising them and they aren't sleeping the towel could be dangerous.

Good luck to you and your new fur baby!! Can't wait for pics.

Just my opinion...

1. Do I feed her 2 or 3 times a day? (I'm not sure how often the owner feeds her)
Ive always fed puppies 3x daily until they start playing with their noontime meal...then switch them over to 2x daily
2. How moist should the food be when I feed (hand feed) it to her? Soupy or just damp?
Damp...it is mostly to bring out the scent and somewhat soften the kibble...but also an opportunity to get fluid into them. Some puppies prefer crunchy kibble. Some prefer a teaspoon of wet puppy food again to bring out the scent
3. How long should I feed her the moistened food? week, month, etc
I still add water to my adult dogs kibble if the days are very hot or very cold or if they have been exercising a lot...
4. I've read a lot about frozen toys or washcloths, at what age do I start giving them to her? Ive only used frozen 'teething toys' for one pup with very sore, very swollen gums...so sore he wouldn't eat...for that pup I would let him teeth and then offer him very soft kibble... I do freeze Kongs for puppies & dogs, but not necessarily for teething....just to keep their minds and bodies busy!
5. What size bag of puppy food should I buy? They are feeding her Iams.
I wouldnt be too anxious to switch foods until the puppy has settled in perhaps a week or more - and then you will need to transition...so perhaps 20 pounds or so...
6. How long will she be on puppy food?
Tracer was never fed puppy food - with the full blessing of his breeder and my vet.
7. I should wait to give her bully-sticks until she's older right?
Wait until she is settled and has no digestive issues before introducing anything new....
8. Marrow bones and antlers are OK now right?
IMO no not until she is settled...marrow bones are very rich and high calorie for young puppies - if they are consuming marrow...they aren't consuming a 'balanced meal' Antlers are probably fine....but probably too hard for puppy teeth...
9. Is it better to for me to sleep with a towel for a few nights so it has my smell, to put in her crate, or is it better to rub a towel on the mom to have her smell?
Ive never bothered doing either

Thanks for all the help everyone. I just received some pics of Payton playing.