[Dailydrool] Puppy questions

[Sandi Wittenberg]

At his age, he should be eating three times a day for another month or so.
Then I would switch him to twice a day.  If he starts picking at his mid-day
or evening meal, then he is ready for twice a day feeding.  I give puppies
more than I think they will eat at one feeding, usually 2.5 cups. You
determine the schedule that is best for you and stick to it.  Feed him in
his crate and leave him with his food for 15-20 minutes, then pick it up.
Don't hover!!!  He will figure out quickly that he should eat when his food
is put down. 

 

Use small treats for training.  I have found that soft treats work best for
rewards because they are consumed quickly and they don't distract from the
"task" at hand.  The easiest thing to use is cut up hotdogs (sliced and
quartered).  You can use cheese, but hotdogs are cheaper!

 

At this point, I don't think I would completely cover his crate.  If he
settles down at night and during other crate times without a covering, then
that is best.  If he doesn't settle down, then cover the crate and walk
away.  NEVER take him out of the crate because he is crying, barking etc.
It will only reinforce the bad behavior.  Remember, the crate should be a
happy place and a refuge for him.  He should have access to it at all times.
Our dogs go to their crates to take a nap or chew on a Gumma-Bone.  I give
my puppies a treat whenever they go to their crate on command.

 

Food is a personal choice and sometimes an emotional one.  There are a wide
variety of high quality dog foods.  The first three ingredients should be
high quality meat/protein.  Try to stay away from foods with corn or
sugar(fructose/sucrose). I personally feed a high quality puppy food
(kibble) for large breeds until my pups are about 5 - 6 months old.  At that
point, I start switching them to a high quality adult kibble for large
breeds.  I make the switch gradually, mixing 25% adult and 75% puppy the
first week, then 50/50, then 75/25 and then 100% adult. This helps me use up
the remainder of my puppy food and makes the transition easier on the puppy.

 

Enjoy your puppy and have fun!

 

Sandi Wittenberg

Red Bay Bassets

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