German Shepherd Puppy Feeding?

Question
How often and how much should I feed my 8 week old german shepherd?

Answer
HOW OFTEN TO FEED

Pups at 8 weeks usually eat 4 feedings per day and gradually go to 3 feedings per day.  

HOW MUCH TO FEED
Each dog food has different feeding requirements due to the amount of food that is absorbed by the dog.  Cheaper brands usually require more food and the dogs absorb less.  The Less the dog absorbs, the more food he will need.  Therefore you will need to feed according to the instructions on the dog food you have purchased.  With pups that young I usually add some very warm water to the kibble, wait approx 1 minute, mix it up and drain to soften the kibble and make a yummy gravy for the pups.  They gobble it all up.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PUPPY FOOD
When choosing a food for your dog keep in mind that German Shepherds increase their birth weight by approx. 70 times by 15 months of age.  As pups, they tend to double their weight each month.  

Your pup will require a puppy food made especially for the needs of a growing large breed puppy and for the special needs of your German Shepherd who have issues with joints and the digestive system.  There are many large breed puppy foods on the market today.  Find a PREMIUM one you can trust to ensure your dog is getting the proper nutrients it requires.

I feed Royal Canin Premium Dog food.  It comes in 40 pound bags and is a little more expensive than others, but my dogs absorb more of the food they eat thus eating less than many other brands.  My dogs do very well on it and have very shiny coats. They offer the 40 lb bag rather than the 35 lb.  A small puppy may go through 1 bag in 2 months.

Royal Canin also offers buy nine bags get the 10th free at retail outlets.  Ask Your retail Outlet About this.  (You will need to keep your receipts and the bar codes from the bags you have purchased.)  In the end I find this dog food well worth the price, a very good deal and provides peace of mind.  

A Video Clip Regarding German Shepherd Special Dietary Needs
http://www.royalcanin.ca/library/files/dog/gs.wmv

For Info on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy (under 15 Months) Designed specifically for the growing needs of the Large Breed Dog. Includes feeding instructions. http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/maxi/puppy_en.php; and

Feeding Guidelines For Pups on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy
http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/maxi/puppy_feeding_en.php

For Info German Shepherd (Over 15 Months)- Royal Canin makes a dog food designed specifically for the special needs of the adult German Shepherd. http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/breed/german_en.php


WHAT TO DO IF SWITCHING FOODS
When switching dog foods, puppies do not tolerate a sudden switch and this usually causes diarrhea.  In order to avoid this make the switch gradually.

Feed 75% old food and 25% new food for a few days,
then 50% Old and 50% New for another few days
then 25% old 75% new another few days
Then finally 100% New.

BE A PACK LEADER WHEN YOU FEED YOUR DOG.
Do NOT leave food out all day for your dog.  Do not feed your dog until after his walk in the morning so he feels like he earned it as he would in the wild.

Ask your dog to sit.  Do not give him his bowl until he sits.

Put the bowl down and then tell him to go eat.

Leave the food out for 15 minutes.  The remove the Bowl.  This teaches your dog that Meal Time Is meal time.  If he has to miss a few meals, he'll learn to eat when the bowl goes down.  With small pups, I allow them to eat until they have had enough.  Then I remove the Bowl.

Praise Your Dog For Good Behavior.

PRACTICE LEAVE IT COMMAND (Teaches Self Control.  Teaches not to be aggressive around food also)

Practice a Leave It command by placing food or treat on the floor.  Hold his collar as he is lying down.  When he goes for the food say "Leave It" and hold him back by his collar.  When he moves back say Good Leave it and give him the treat.  Then the next step is to teach him to look at you and wait until you say OK before he gets the treat.  Make noise, a clicking sound with your mouth to get his attention at first.  I've taught all my dogs this and meal time is a piece of cake...Uh Kibble....

This also translates into leaving things he shouldn't get into around the house.... and on walks.

A dog with rules and boundaries, structure, consistency and exercise are a happy dogs.  

TEETHING AND CHEWING
Your Dog will also chew a great deal, especially when teething

Some really good things to give pups when teething are Kong toys or Bully Sticks. Kongs are made of tough rubber that German Shepherd Jaws can't break and can be filled with goodies roll over or treats, I like putting rollover in them and so do my dogs.  Kongs come in many shapes and sizes and some are made specifically for teething and carry through your puppies growth.  They are excellent chew toys and wonderful for the teething period.  When thrown, they bounce all over and make a good retrieve toy as well.   

Bully Sticks (my and my dogs favorite and we never run out) are 100% natural and 100% digestible dog chews that are low in fat and great for your pup to chew on.  They are inexpensive and last a long time. And My Pups always have one in their mouth!  I keep them in their crate along with their favorite toy also.

My Pups love the Roller Over Bones.  The large bones filled with rollover it keeps them busy for a long time.  When they finally get all the rollover out.  I keep the Bones, boil them and fill them with rollover again.

Other chew toys that could be used are Nylabones which are made out of solid hard plastic and have bumps on them to soothe teething gums or other toys made of hard rubber or plastic.  

Reinforce which toys are for your pup by giving him the chew toy and saying something like, "Here is your toy, good Boy!" If your puppy chooses something that hes is not to chew on, Ask him to "Give", Praise him when he lets you have it, then take it away and replace it with one of his chew toys repeating, "This is your toy, good boy!"  or Go Get Your Toy... With persistence, he will learn what is his to chew on and what he is not to chew on



The key to a quality life and relationship with your pet is  owner education. There are many good books available at my bookstore about K9 and German Shepherd care, puppy care, health & nutrition, training & more.  These will assist you through the many stages of your puppy's growth

For further information and help with raising, caring for and dealing with puppy behaviors go to the help and info sections of my website.

http://www.gallantshepherds.com/help.htm
http://www.gallantshepherds.com/info.htm

Wishing you all the best with your pup.

Sincerely,

Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com