New puppy- which food?

[txgirl]

Sorry for the OT, but I finally got the newer pic's to post!

 

[my3kids]

Hill's Puppy here. It is the food out vet recommended as a step above Purina Puppy Chow.

 

[mdhkitten]

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this, but because this is an open topic I'm going to post anyway. I'm not going to recommend to you what to feed your dog, rather make you aware of some issues. I worked for vets for 12 years up until recently, and was the nutritionist there. I was responsible for working with the pet food companies (we sold many different brands), and was made very aware of the cruelty involved with many of these places. This is why we started to try and push more holistic brands. If you're interested in reading more, please go here:

http://www.iamscruelty.com/


On the left hand column under "Resources" you can view photos, videos, and a list of companies who are "cruelty free".

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this, but because this is an open topic I'm going to post anyway. I'm not going to recommend to you what to feed your dog, rather make you aware of some issues. I worked for vets for 12 years up until recently, and was the nutritionist there. I was responsible for working with the pet food companies (we sold many different brands), and was made very aware of the cruelty involved with many of these places. This is why we started to try and push more holistic brands. If you're interested in reading more, please go here:

http://www.iamscruelty.com/


On the left hand column under "Resources" you can view photos, videos, and a list of companies who are "cruelty free".

Well, crap. Eagle Pack wasn't listed.

I've wanted to try Wysong if I do decide not to BARF again. They were listed.

 

[mdhkitten]

Please remember for any that do choose to switch dog food to do it slowly. Start off mixing a little of the new food with mostly their old food, and then gradually feed them only the new food. This will help alleviate things like upset stomach or loose stools due to the changes in food.

 

[mdhkitten]

Well, crap. Eagle Pack wasn't listed.

I've wanted to try Wysong if I do decide not to BARF again. They were listed.

Wysong is a great food! That was one that we sold, along with Innova and Solid Gold. I almost forgot about Sojourner's too, for those of you who do the BARF diet. At the vet that I work at they recently started carrying a dehydrated vegetable mix for dogs and cats that you soak overnight and then all you have to do is add the raw meat to. I forget the name, but if anyone is doing the BARF diet and would like the name, I'd be more than happy to find out for you.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Wysong is a great food! That was one that we sold, along with Innova and Solid Gold. I almost forgot about Sojourner's too, for those of you who do the BARF diet. At the vet that I work at they recently started carrying a dehydrated vegetable mix for dogs and cats that you soak overnight and then all you have to do is add the raw meat to. I forget the name, but if anyone is doing the BARF diet and would like the name, I'd be more than happy to find out for you.

YES! Please get it for me, if you don't mind! Usually the pre-made BARF products are so expensive, but this sounds doable!

 

[YorkieMom]

Science Diet for Hollie.

 

[mdhkitten]

YES! Please get it for me, if you don't mind! Usually the pre-made BARF products are so expensive, but this sounds doable!

The website is www.sojos.com , and if you click on food, the name of it is Sojo's Europa. It appears to have fruit, nuts, and herbs along with veggies in it. I haven't used it so far, but the vets there have and say that it's great and so much easier than cooking vegetables all of the time. Actually, the clinic accupunturist/chiropractor recommended it. I've been taking my "god dog" for accupuncture lately and it's worked miracles!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I also am a Nutro fan.

We had a cat that ate it and she was very healthy. We also give Nutro Healthy Choice to our Shi Tzu. It is additive and preservative free and also not expensive. Before the Shi Tzu we adopted a very old and sick Maltese. She had been fed grocery store dog food and was in a general state of poor health(on top of all her other issues) according to our vet. The vet recommended Hill's science diet senior (canned only) for her which did help to improve her health.

Overall, I think that as long as it is a good quality food you can't go wrong.

 

[Secondgradememories]

Thanks to the OP! This couldn't be a better topic for us! Day two went well with our new little one. As to sleeping, we haven't let Copper sleep with us. We're trying to keep him off the furniture if we can. Collie puppies on beds are one thing, all 70 pounds of him later will not be ideal. Both nights we set our alarm and took him out every two hours. When he came back in he went in the kennel, I sat with him for a minute until he went to sleep, and then back to bed. It's been fine. We'll try longer periods as time goes by.

We're having the "mouthing/nipping" thing too. He loves to pull on clothes as well. AHHH! We've tried just gently getting him off of us and then ignoring him for a bit. Once we had a time out in his kennel; not sure if that was the correct thing. Our DD is afraid too - and the running is great fun for the pup. We just keep having her go to him when he's sleepy so she can see him in his peaceful state.

Puppy folks out there - any ideas about what to do about the clothes pulling and chewing? I don't want to drench myself in Bitter Apple, but I will!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Puppy folks out there - any ideas about what to do about the clothes pulling and chewing? I don't want to drench myself in Bitter Apple, but I will!

I would put Chloe on her back with a firm, "NO". I would hold her there until she stopped wiggling and then I'd let her up.

I wanted to let her know early one who was boss. I would also praise Chloe when she played nice.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

The website is www.sojos.com , and if you click on food, the name of it is Sojo's Europa. It appears to have fruit, nuts, and herbs along with veggies in it. I haven't used it so far, but the vets there have and say that it's great and so much easier than cooking vegetables all of the time. Actually, the clinic accupunturist/chiropractor recommended it. I've been taking my "god dog" for accupuncture lately and it's worked miracles!

Thanks so much! I'll save the link.

Chloe is on a diet right now and when I get her down to her ideal weight, I want to change her food.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks to the OP! This couldn't be a better topic for us! Day two went well with our new little one. As to sleeping, we haven't let Copper sleep with us. We're trying to keep him off the furniture if we can. Collie puppies on beds are one thing, all 70 pounds of him later will not be ideal. Both nights we set our alarm and took him out every two hours. When he came back in he went in the kennel, I sat with him for a minute until he went to sleep, and then back to bed. It's been fine. We'll try longer periods as time goes by.

We're having the "mouthing/nipping" thing too. He loves to pull on clothes as well. AHHH! We've tried just gently getting him off of us and then ignoring him for a bit. Once we had a time out in his kennel; not sure if that was the correct thing. Our DD is afraid too - and the running is great fun for the pup. We just keep having her go to him when he's sleepy so she can see him in his peaceful state.

Puppy folks out there - any ideas about what to do about the clothes pulling and chewing? I don't want to drench myself in Bitter Apple, but I will!

Check out books or the TV program "The Dog Whisperer" he is amazing.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Check out books or the TV program "The Dog Whisperer" he is amazing.

I LOVE that show! I've seen every episode. Unfortunately, it can make it to where you need the Husband Whisperer. DH thinks he's Cesar Milan now and it drives me nuts.

If I hear, "Ssshh" one more time, I'm gonna scream.

 

[Sammy]

I LOVE that show! I've seen every episode. Unfortunately, it can make it to where you need the Husband Whisperer. DH thinks he's Cesar Milan now and it drives me nuts.

If I hear, "Ssshh" one more time, I'm gonna scream.

OMG!!! You must live at my house!!!! DH is obsessed with that show and tries to use the "sssssht" on our new puppy all the time. I'm ready to stuff a dog treat into his mouth!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

OMG!!! You must live at my house!!!! DH is obsessed with that show and tries to use the "sssssht" on our new puppy all the time. I'm ready to stuff a dog treat into his mouth!!

Make sure he's in a calm and submissive state first.

 

[txgirl]

Thanks to the OP! This couldn't be a better topic for us! Day two went well with our new little one. As to sleeping, we haven't let Copper sleep with us. We're trying to keep him off the furniture if we can. Collie puppies on beds are one thing, all 70 pounds of him later will not be ideal. Both nights we set our alarm and took him out every two hours. When he came back in he went in the kennel, I sat with him for a minute until he went to sleep, and then back to bed. It's been fine. We'll try longer periods as time goes by.

We're having the "mouthing/nipping" thing too. He loves to pull on clothes as well. AHHH! We've tried just gently getting him off of us and then ignoring him for a bit. Once we had a time out in his kennel; not sure if that was the correct thing. Our DD is afraid too - and the running is great fun for the pup. We just keep having her go to him when he's sleepy so she can see him in his peaceful state.

Puppy folks out there - any ideas about what to do about the clothes pulling and chewing? I don't want to drench myself in Bitter Apple, but I will!

Our little guy goes all night! He doesn't cry until we wake up to get ready in the morning and he hears the alarm.

For the nipping and biting, we make an *eehhh-eeghh* (can you hear that??? ) really loud and annoying sound and immediately give him one of his toys and when he puts his mouth on that we heap on the praise. It has worked WONDERS!! The first day he was nipping toes, shoes, fingers and faces and today (2 days later) he will run up and put his face to our feet and either lick or lay down. He will walk by the flip flops and you will see this *gleam* in his eye, but no chewing! Now I know if we weren't sitting right there he would be going to town!

We are all (3 kids, dh and I) doing the exact same thing with him whether it be for house-breaking or biting and that seems to make all the difference.

I've been having my little one sit with me and when *Tex* goes to nipping I make the corrections while my DS watches and I put his hand on the dogs mouth and give the pup an opportunity to "learn" so if he opens his mouth I am right there ready to make my *obnoxious* noise and then redirect him with an appropriate toy.

Good luck and thanks for all the posts!

 

[texasthree]

AMITHEREYET, I would be curious to hear details of the green bean diet. Our dogs are overwieght and I have been trying to get some weight off them. They eat diet dog food but its not working so well. One has arthritis so I have to be careful of how long she walks/plays ball.

 

[jay-nee]

This question would best be answered by your vet.

This is GREAT advice! I read a whole bunch of information on the internet and was going to make some changes to my boys' diet, but I decided to ask my vet first and thank God because he said...stick with what you are using, he's in great shape and seems do be doing great on it! (Eukanuba Large Breed)

So, ask your vet and breeder first! You will find so much conflicting information, you need to wade through most of it.

BTW, have a blast with your new addition - what a very cute puppy!

******My 2 cents on top of nutrition is...get a trainer, it will make a huge difference in your life and, especially, your puppy's life. Our puppy kindergarten class was amazing for all of us. This is from a lifelong dog owner who has always trained dogs herself (and they were all great dogs!), but this is so much better! Plus it was such a great bonding experience!!!! It was some of the best money I've ever spent!

Have fun! (my soapbox is gone now - LOL!)