Feeding,toileting Everything Help

Question
Halo there

I just got a Pomeranian from a "rescue" yesterday. She is 1 year next month. I do not have faith in the "rescue" as when I got her home I found her to be full of fleas as well as being matted from head to toe in the hair underneath. I am trying to take the mats slowly as I do not wish for her to be scared of grooming. Sorry, I will get to my question.... What is the best to feed her? Times amounts? Actually, ANY information you have would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Bree Wolf

Answer
Hi Bree,

How sweet of you to rescue this dog!  I am sure she will be a grateful and loyal companion.  Putting frontline on her will get rid of the fleas.  If you haven't already, I would have her checked for worms by your vet even if the "rescue" dewormed her.  

Regarding feeding:
I recommend that you feed her a high quality dog food.  Stay away from commercial brands in the grocery stores. (Alpo, Kibbles and Bits, Purina Beneful, Pedigree, etc.) They are junk.  Science diet, Pro Plan, Eukanuba and Iams are better.  If you really want to feed a higher-quality diet, try one of these:  Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae, Spot's Stew, PetGuard, Natural Balance, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Neura Meats, or Wysong.  I feed my seven pound dog approximately 3/4 cup per day.  I feed him twice a day.  He is on Wellness right now.  I switch brands every three months or so.  I also include in his diet fresh beef, chicken, fish, eggs, veggies, fruit, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt, etc.  I never feed him anything with added sugar, hot dogs, or any other junk food.  (He eats off a little plate.  He use to have a plastic bowl but he didn't like it--he is so small it's easier for him to eat off a plate.)

Regarding grooming:
I use a steel pin wig cushion brush and a metal rat-tail comb.  Only use a comb with teeth that aren't close together.  I got the brush at Sally's Beauty Supply for $3.99.  I gently brush him first, then go over his coat with the comb.  (My pom has a soft, dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat.)  I also use a product called After Bath Conditioner by Professional Pet.  I spray just a little on his coat before brushing. It makes it easier to brush him out and keeps his coat static free.  I brush him about three times a week.  I wash his face about every other day with a washcloth and warm water.  Pom's eyes usually tear often so that's why I wash his face often.  I wash his feet about once a week and he gets a bath in the kitchen sink once a month.  Use a good shampoo made for dogs.  I was using efa HyLyt by DVM.  I recently bought PetGuard Shampoo and Conditioner for Dogs.  I haven't tried it yet but I trust PetGuard.  PetGuard was on Whole Dog Journal's top ten list for canned dog food.  I bought their canned dog food before and it is excellent.  Actually, I never ate it but my dog loves it!  It is very important to make sure you rinse all of the shampoo out of her coat.  Also, put cotton in her ears so you don't get water in them.  It is very important to dry her coat completely!  You may want to consider having her done by a professional groomer.

Regarding housetraining:
Do not allow her to have free reign in the house until she is completely trained.  When you are home keep her with you at all times.  When you leave the house either put her in a crate (never for more than four hours at a time) or block her off in a small area (bathroom, utility room or kitchen) with a gate.  Put newspaper or puppy pads in an area for her to use. If she has an accident but you don't catch her don't scold her for it.  She won't understand what she's done wrong.  Clean up the mess completely.  Using a product like Simple Solution will remove the stain and the odor.  If you catch her it the act, firmly say, "NO" and take her outside.  Never rub her nose in it.  She can be trained to go in a particular area in your yard and to go on command.  Take her to the same spot every time and use the same command like, "Go Potty".  Praise her when she goes!  Of course you'll want to take her out frequently, especially after sleeping, eating, and playing.  

I was never able to use a crate for training.  My pom would go potty in it.  I blocked him off in the kitchen and set up a dog litter box.  I didn't use dog litter but lined the box with newspaper.  Puppy pads would work as well.  I would put him in the box and say, "Go Potty".  If he did I would praise him profusely.  I always took him to the same spot outside too.  It took approximately two months and after I had him neutered at five and a half months he was pretty much trained.  I kept him blocked off in the kitchen when I had to leave the house for about the first year.  Now he has free reign when I am gone.  He is litter box trained and trained to go in a specific spot in the yard.  Having him litter box trained is great for when I am gone and when the weather is bad. (Rain, snow, etc.)  

Regarding playtime:
My dog loves rawhide chews.  Some dogs need close supervision when chewing these.  I only buy American beef rawhide.  Wal-Mart has it.  Nylabones are great too.  Chewing gives the dog something to do, relieves stress and prevents boredom.  He also loves soft fleece toys. Shop around and try different toys and chews to find out what your dog likes.

If you have anymore questions feel free to write again.  Please keep me posted on how your dogs is doing.  Hope everything goes great!

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Thank you,
Carrie