CURRENT PUPPY DAILY DIET AND ROUTINE
Currently these puppies are just being puppies, with just a little structure added to the daily doggie life. If time would permit I would individually take each step furthur, but the basic steps are part of the daily routine that will at least get them use to some home plans.
FOOD: Eukanuba Puppy for small, medium and large breeds (depnding on the breed of puppy you get..... 3 times a day!
I use this brand because each of you can obtain it nation wide, it does supply the important nutrients Abrupt changes in diet can be hard and possibly harmful to any animal, so I recommend that if you choose to change or even if your vet suggest change.. Please do this gradually.. Start with a 75-25 mix for three or four days, then a 50-50 mix for the same time, then 25-75 for the same time then you can switch to 100% of the new. This gives the digestive system time to adjust. Feeding amounts, on the bag follow the guidelines for the breed size and age, it will tell you how often and the amounts your puppy will need daily and when to change the times and amounts.
ROUTINE:
BREAKFAST: 8am Play Encourage to go potty , some hands on and then they nap. YEAH!! FREE TIME, NOT! I get to clean up the puppy pooh!
LUNCH: 1pm Play Encourage to potty and then we go for flight training in the big loud, bumpy truck.. LOL When that is complete they are all snoozing on the ride back to the house. Then they are ready to play more in the puppy yard, it's tug a war with toys of all kinds, doggie ropes, tennis balls, old towels tied with knots etc. These are puppy proof toys!!! A little hands on and then more naps and more puppy pooh!
They are on their own until dinner. I try to take one or two into the house, the yard, the car where ever I am working to follow along. I switch them out every chance I get. Others spend that time playing more tug a war and napping.
DINNER: 7pm Play, Encourage to potty and then I will spend the next hour holding, cuddling, singing and checking each one over, grooming, cleaning ears and brushing teeth. They need oral hygiene twice daily but time does not allow for that, they will at least be used to the tooth brush, and a soft grooming brush. After about 10 minutes each, it's the potty time again. Each only get a small amount of my time then, but you will make up for it and the basics will be there. I do have those that come for seconds and I try to teach them patients in having them to wait for the second round, they usually just crawl up in my lap and go to sleep. When all done there is lights out!!!
There is a radio on 24/7 in the puppy house, we listen to a variety, some rock, country or oldies during the day and at night it's easy listening. I have found that this helps drowned out howling of the near by coyotes and barking from the adults responding to the coyotes, and they are less appt. to respond by joining in.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: The litter mates all share the same room and I have found that because of this I can not put in doggie beds, but they do share a mat and I notice the smaller ones dog pile on the others. It is a cute site.
POTTY TRAINING: They all go out of the puppy house to take care of business when they are about 4 weeks old they start, they have a doggie door that allows them to come and go as they need. I do put them in crates for short periods each day starting at 7 weeks after weaning as not to stress them. This is an excellent aid in helping to house break them and it gets them used to the crate for shipping. There are many good books on training, you should research and find the one right for you. If you are able to install a doggie door that is one of the best and invest in a crate that has a divider so that it will last for years to come and the puppy will grow into it. Wal-Mart and Petsmart have some nice ones that are wire w/vinyl coat for under $75.00.
AS A GENERAL GUIDE, Your puppy can stay in his crate comfortably for several hours depending on his age. Take his age in months, add 1, and that's how many hours he should be able to stay in his crate (up to 8 hours max) For Example: a 2 month old pup should be comfortable in his crate for about 3 hours.
Things you may want to have on hand before your puppy comes home:
1. PUPPY FOOD 2. CRATE 3. SOFT BRUSH OR GROOMING MITTEN 4. TOOTH BRUSH AND PASTE..NO! NOT CREST…GET DOGGIE DENT! 5. BED, JUST LOOK AROUND AND FIND ONE YOU LIKE, PLAN FOR GROWTH SO IT WILL LAST. 6. GOOD PUPPY TUFF TOYS, CHEW TOYS ARE A GOOD THING.. There are things I am sure I have forgotten to include in our DAILY ROUTINE, but as I said THE BASICS are there and I am sure you and family members will enhance this routine. Thank you all so much... Sharon "DAWGMA"