Question for all the doggie people

[Elaine]

A young and rather impatient friend of Grahams has gone and got himself a puppy . My big concern is that this puppy is only 6 weeks old and is being fed on Pedigree Puppy dry food. Actually I have a lot of concerns but dont want to bombard they guy with too much too soon and end up falling out over it. I'd rather help them both. So my questions are
1) What would he be best feeding the puppy, by that I mean should he supplement the current food with something such as lactol or add water to the dry food?
2) How many times should the puppy be fed per day?
3) Am I right in saying that the puppy should not be let out of the house until all vaccinations are done?
4) How best to house train the puppy?

I have printed alot of info off from Dogsey and will give it all a good read this afternoon with regards to house training etc but any further info or advice may prove invaluable.
Thanx in advance xxx

[Erin]

We fed ours natures menu puppy and they thrived on it and also James welbeloved puppy which is a dry food.
Like the kittens we fed them 3 times a day untill they were about 8/9 moths old then went to feeding them twice a day.
I wouldnt let them out untill they have had all vaccinations.
House training was a nightmare and took quite a while but we got there eventually.We took them outside everytime they had eaten or had a drink,after they had woken up from a nap and after they had been playing for quite a while,lots and lots of praise when they have gone outside.If they stated to go when indoors we would distract them then take them outside.Sometimes we would be stood out with them for nearly 30 mins before they would go because they forgot what we had taken them out for

[dinahsmum]

1. If the breeder reared them on Pedigree Puppy he should stick to it for now. Follow the feeding plan on the packet, which probably doesn't recommend milk/milk substitute.

2. At least 4 - probably 5, or even six for a week or two. he is very young

3. Correct, except in the owners arms, which is quite nice for socialising. Don't take him anywhere where stray/rough (you know what i mean ) dogs may have been.

4. After every feed and every sleep take the pup to where you want him to 'go' and say the magic words. Anything you like. We use 'quick, quick' for wee-wees and 'Hurry up' for the other thing. Puppies will usually oblige at those times. Praise them to the hills. 'Clever dog! Clever, clever'. Watch them at other times. They are like small children and get a little vacant look 'must do something? must ..... , must? oh yes - squat!' Catch them whilst they're still vacant, before the squat! Never scold accidents.
In a little while try to get him to go to the door to 'ask' to go out - i.e. don't carry him for ever.

It's pretty much common sense really, but some people don't have a lot!

Good luck.

If you have a specific problem/difficult question go to Dogsey and PM Minihaha (tell her I said so!) and ask her advice - she is a fount of knowledge and common sense)

[Erin]

Yes Mini is great

[dinahsmum]

lol @ Erin and the 30 minute wait for a wee!
I remember when we first got Dinah - downstairs @ 6am, make quick cup of instant coffee then out in the garden with her for what seemed like hours as she skittered round, came up to tell me, yet again, that she loved me, sniffed, circled ...... yes this time she's going to squat - No! she's coming to tell me she loves me again! It was a fun time though!

[Erin]

Originally Posted by dinahsmum

lol @ Erin and the 30 minute wait for a wee!
I remember when we first got Dinah - downstairs @ 6am, make quick cup of instant coffee then out in the garden with her for what seemed like hours as she skittered round, came up to tell me, yet again, that she loved me, sniffed, circled ...... yes this time she's going to squat - No! she's coming to tell me she loves me again! It was a fun time though!

lol it was fun,and I would go through i all again not much fun when its frozen stiff out side though

[Elaine]

Thanx guys, thats very helpful.
I bought him a book today and i also spoke with my vet about it all too. She said pretty much the same as you guys have but has offered him a free puppy health check.

[dinahsmum]

Is the book 'Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey? - it's excellent!

[Fran]

I'd go with what DM has to say. Stick to what food the breeder raised him on and no he doesn't need any milk supplement at this age. Take for walks in arms only. Lead walking only after full vaccs

[Elaine]

Originally Posted by dinahsmum

Is the book 'Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey? - it's excellent!

Yes it is