Alvord IA | 319-671-1835
Alvord IA | 319-671-1835
General information
Puppy food and feeding schedule
What goes into the mouth of your dog will greatly influence how your puppy or dog feels, looks, weighs, and how much they excrete.
We have chosen to feed our parents and puppies Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult and Puppy Formulas. Diamond Naturals is approved by our vet and we find the quality and customer support from Diamond to be acceptable to our program. We provide a FREE puppy kit to all of our families including a food sample pack so that you can continue feeding this to your pup or use it to help transition to a brand of your choice.
The dry is nutritionally complete by itself and the dogs and puppies love it. During pregnancy and nursing we switch the mother to puppy food. They are breeding dogs and we keep them in top condition. When pregnant or nursing, our mothers will eat up to 4 times what they would eat in a non pregnant state. Eating better quality food keeps them in shape, returns a weaned female mother back into shape quicker, and supports their nutritional needs while pregnant and nursing pups. Our males intakes are also increased as breeding males will neglect their nutrition while a female is in heat.
Our puppies begin eating dry puppy food at 5 weeks of age or when their teeth emerge. We usually begin feeding warm water soaked puppy formula that is a “cooked oatmeal” consistency for the first few weeks. The pups will eat soaked puppy formula once or twice per day as well as nurse from their mother. Once weaned, the pups are already used to eating puppy food so the transition is easier on them and mom. We allow the pups to eat all they can offering dry food 24/7.
When your puppy comes home it will require about a 1/2 - 3/4 cup of dry food 3 times daily. NOTE: It is very important for your puppy to eat regularly.
Choosing your vet
Just like you, your new puppy needs high-quality health care on a regular basis.
Ask a number of friends with small and large breed dogs, trainers, and groomers to recommend a veterinarian, then choose one with these factors in mind:
• Education and experience. Find out how long the veterinarian has been practicing and if he or she is a graduate of a well-regarded veterinary college. Do they have experience with small and large breed dogs?
• Specialty. In urban areas, it may be possible to find veterinarians who deal exclusively with the special problems of dogs and cats.
• Location. This factor should not override the areas of education, experience and specialty, but should nevertheless be taken into consideration. A drive across town during a medical emergency can be frustrating and delay needed treatment.
• Trustworthiness. There is a wide variation in skill levels of different vets, so be careful to choose one who is trustworthy and competent. Does the vet have time to answer your questions? Schedule a visit and interview.
Once you've narrowed down your choices, visit the veterinarian's office. Inspect the facility and talk to the veterinarian about your new puppy’s planned arrival. Be sure to choose a vet before your puppy arrives, as we require a visit to the veterinarian within the first three days after you bring your puppy home. The veterinarian may want to check the following things:
• Stool. A fecal exam will reveal the presence of internal parasites. Take a fresh stool sample with you.
• Body. A thorough physical exam includes inspecting your dog's coat and feeling his body for abnormalities, as well as checking the eyes, ears, mouth, heart and examining the anus for signs of intestinal parasites.
• Weight. Your vet will keep a record of your puppy’s growth.
• Immunization Record. Be sure to bring along your puppy’s vaccination and deworming record, and his birth date.
Once an exam is complete, your veterinarian can schedule further preventative health care (like vaccinations), and advise you on the importance of spaying and neutering.
Health and Training
Neutering and Spaying
Neutering or spaying your puppy a number of years ago were not common procedure. Presently, most puppies when raised as pets are neutered or spayed. Spaying or neutering your new puppy is highly recommended if you're not planning on breeding. Both “fixed” puppies, male or female make equally good pets.
In the past male dogs marked their territory quite often and hence developed a bad reputation. Veterinarians now recommend males are neutered around 4 months before the hormones mature which cause the development of typical male behaviors such as marking, roaming, and others. Neutered males tend to be less aggressive than unneutered males. Most males that are neutered at this young age will squat to urinate. If they do lift their leg they most likely will stay in one spot rather then trying to mark every bush, tree or object within their territory. The male genitalia are not fully developed in neutered males so they won’t have excessive secretions that cause licking, dripping, etc.
For females, there is no mess to deal with (drips and puddles of blood) during their 21-day heat cycles, which occurs every six months—the heat cycle begins in females sometime after six months of age. Spaying a female at 6 months of age will prevent a number of “female” health issues such as breast or uterine cancers.
Both operations are performed under anesthesia and may require an overnight stay at the veterinarian's office. Recovery time is quick, with most dogs resuming normal activity in a few days. Spaying (for females) consists of an ovario-hysterectomy. Neutering involves the removal of the testicles. When you bring your puppy to the veterinarian's office for his first thorough examination, have the doctor explain the operation in detail and schedule a time to have the procedure done.
Spayed and neutered dogs don’t have unwanted puppies. There are many programs that offer a discounted or free spay/neuter certificate that you can use at your local vet.
Vaccination and De-Worming
Although medical programs may vary per breeder or small animal clinic, we follow the vaccination and de-worming schedule recommended and approved by our veterinarian.
Vaccination Schedule
Our adult dogs receive vaccinations annually. If regular vaccination time falls during heat cycle or pregnancy, our dams (mothers) receive their annual booster prior to conceiving or after puppies are weaned. To ensure our puppies receive excellent immunities from their mother we prefer to vaccinate a few weeks prior to breeding. Our adults are thoroughly examined and approved by our vet annually.
There are standard vaccines that each dog should have and additional vaccines that may be administered depending on region or lifestyle of each dog. Please consult with your veterinarian for their recommendation.
Crate Training
Be alert for signs (sniffing and circling) that he has to go to the bathroom, and then take him outside immediately. If he goes, praise him. Never punish an accident. He won’t understand and may learn to go to the bathroom when you are out of sight. We recommend housebreaking your puppy by using a crate. Dogs avoid going to the bathroom near their eating and sleeping areas, so they will by instinct try to keep their den (crate) clean. Keep your puppy in the crate whenever you are not directly supervising them. Take him out the same door and to the same spot every time. This will create a Potty for Life spot. Be patient and consistent.
Potty Schedule example:
- First thing in the morning
- After eating
- After drinking
- After napping
- Before bed
-Once in the middle of the night
Take the puppy outside every 2 1⁄2 hours and 1⁄2 hour after eating (once during the night). Once again be patient and be consistent!
As your puppy begins to recognize the schedule, it becomes easier. Potty training can be done in 3-4 weeks depending how the puppy responds to its training.