Puppy Food
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I think at 7 weeks he should be fed 3 times a day. I also think that you need to keep him on the food the breeders had him on for a while, and then change him SLOWLY...Im sure others with more experience will tell you, but I am positive about the 3xs a day feeding.
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What food was your breeder feeding the puppies? That is the food that you will need to stick with for at least a few weeks and then you can gradually change over to something else of you choose to. We always fed our puppies one cup three times a day and then decreased to one cup two times a day at around 6 or 7 months old, which is also when we switched to adult food.
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If you ever decide to change because of dislike, allergies, etc......check out VERUS. My local pet supply store sells it. I'm on our 3rd 20 lb bag and Dusty's coat is just AWESOME - thick, full, and shiny. He's no longer itching and his temperament is even better.
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Is that what your breeder has been feeding? If so, then that is what you will need to be feeding him for the first few weeks that you have him home and then very slowly transition to another food if you decide to do so. SD wouldn't be my top choice at all, but you can't just suddenly change the pup's food when you bring him home. Otherwise, you will run into digestive problems.
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Jimm, Science Diet would be at the bottom of my list of foods to feed my dog. There are many foods with better ingredients at lesser prices. Have a look around the forum for food discussions; there have been many.
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Hank is 8 weeks old, he been eating 3x day. 1/2 c. Innova Large Breed Puppy dry with a spoon of Innova Large Breed Puppy canned mixed in. He's doing great on it. This week I've started adding a little more dry as he grows and consistently is finishing each meal.
We are using Purina Puppy Chow for Forrest. We started with the large breed one. Then my wife accidently just bought the plain Puppy Chow. I don't think there is much difference between the 2 but we plan on getting the large breed once this bag is finished.
This is a pretty good read on the subj:
http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/vth/sa/clin/cp_handouts/Nutrition_Growing_Puppy.pdf
I agree with sticking to what he's been getting and start a gradual transition to your food of choice.
I would NOT suggest letting him self-feed, especially at this age. Most adult dogs don't self-regulate well and become overweight. I have to believe a puppy would do the same, since he's been in competition for food with his brothers and sisters all of his short life. However that doesn't mean to take away a normal portion of food he hasn't finished. Just leave that in his bowl until he eats it. If he consistently leaves his bowl with food in it, cut back on the portion by about the left-over amount. And maybe consider adding an additional feed per day.
Puppies grow (consume energy) at a prodigious rate, usually reaching 1/2 their adult weight in 6 months. Food is their fuel. But giving it to them once or twice a day isn't the same as multiple feedings, even though the total amount of food is equal. Feeding excessive amounts at one time results in food passing through their little system too quickly and is expelled 'un' or partially digested. So he won't get the maximum benefit. For now he should be fed 3 or 4 times a day, and always have access to water, except at night (unless you don't mind getting up a lot
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