Problem about my dog

Question
QUESTION: Dear Sir,

Recently, we bought a 48 day old male German Shepherd, which is underweight.

We understood that the earlier dog owner fed the puppy with milk mixed with Ceralac (a baby food) every four hours with just two teaspoons of it with 4 teaspoons of milk.

Every since it came to our house, it is not liking the ceralac with milk combination.  It has a very poor appetite and refuses to eat anything with interest. We therefore had to force spoons of ceralac down its throat.

Yesterday, we bought a puppy food (Pedigree brand) and gave it to him.  He started liking it and asked for more. In our enthusiasm for feeding it, we feed her more than the stated dose and gave it water which it drank.  However, now it is just sleeping without moving an inch. It is 2 hours since we fed it with the puppy food.  Please advise as to what is wrong with it.

Secondly, while eating its feed or drinking water from the dish, it has a habit of placing its feed into the dish which is somewhat broad, while eating or drinking water.

What do we need to do in order to get it in the right track. Kindly advise.

Thanking you,

Yours truly,


B. Nitin


ANSWER: I am very glad you asked about your pup.  

It sounds to me that you have not purchased your pup from a reputable breeder.  Far too often novice breeders, pet owners breed dogs, sell at attractive prices can be kind to their dogs but do not have the knowledge to appropriately, nourish, care for and raise these pets.  It's why I am doing what I am doing today.

Puppies are way too often taken away from their mother and  weaned improperly and too soon and not provided with the proper nourishment that meets their special needs, or the social structure of the pack, as is the case with your pup.  If not caught soon enough can lead to many medical problems in life and even death.

I am concerned that you say your pup has not woken and if he is still not moving get him to a vet ASAP, his little, sensitive digestive system has been somewhat overwhelmed. Please keep me updated.

Many dogs are lactose intolerant so you did the right thing by replacing the cow's milk and baby food that work well on humans but not pups!

The puppy food that you provided was on the right track!  Your pup has never eaten solid food before and I can understand his hunger. However, he needs to be given solids more slowly and needs to adjust to the solid food.

Start by adding warm water to the kibble.  Let it soak for a couple minutes to start then drain the water. This will soften the food make it easier for your pup to eat and digest the solid food.   Kibble often expands in the puppy's tummy. To assist with digestion, I add the warm water even for my 8 week old pups for a few more weeks, but leaving the water for only 30 seconds to a minute leaving a little water for a yummy gravy.  

HOW OFTEN TO FEED
Pups at 8 weeks usually eat 4 feedings per day. Give your pup smaller amounts at a time. Your pup will require more feedings in smaller amounts to start and slowly increase as the puppy gets bigger and adapts.


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. 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. 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.

HELP WITH PUPPY CARE NEEDS
Potty Training, Crate Training etc.
http://www.puppy-potty-training.com/index.html

CONSULT WITH YOUR VET
If your pup wakes up, I recommend that you still take your pup to a vet and let him know your pup's history.  Pups normally get their first shots at 6 weeks and will also need to be dewormed (shots and deworming are not expensive, however you will need an office exam to discuss your pets needs this is an added cost.)  You may want to bring a fecal sample to assist with a dignosis.  (Testing again is an added cost) In addition, the back yard breeder you got your dog from most likely did not microchip or tattoo your pup which is commonly done at this age.  Reputable breeders ensure this is done prior selling their pups and is included with the purchase price of your pet.  Reputable breeders also provide a health guarantee.  You might want to ask your vet's office about the cost of the above that at the same time you make your appointment.


THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PUPPY
To help educate you and others on things to consider when choosing a puppy I am providing a web page from The Canadian Kennel Club on this subject  http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=111

Thank you for showing such concern for your pet and for asking the questions that needed to be asked.

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

Please keep me informed as to your pup's progress, I'm worried about the little guy.


Sincerely,
Gallant German Shepherds
www.gallantshepherds.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sir,

Thanks for your mail.

My dog has woke up about 4 hours ago.

I just gave him dog food and actually i read this message after feeding it.

As per your advice we have already bought a Royal Canin primium dog food which we intend to give once it is 60 days old.If you think that we should start it right away we would do the same.Actually we bought the 2 stage one which the store keeper adviced to give him after he is 2 months old.We need your kindly advice in the same.

Secondly,i have already told you that the dog is placing its feet in the dish while eating or drinking water.Please advise us the same.

thanking you,

Yours truly,

Nitin

Answer
I am glad to hear your pup is doing better.  It is OK to start your pup on the premium food right away since you have already purchased it.  Even though your pup has barely had a chance to get used to the other food I still recommend a gradual switch over to minimize the risk of diarrhea.  

As for the feet in the bowl, this is a new experience for your pup and he is very young and not sure about this whole thing.  Gently set his feet out of the bowl when he does this, in a short time as he will learn what to do and as he grows a little more he will longer do this.

There are stainless steel flying saucer puppy bowls on the market that are raised in the middle so the puppies can't step in.  However, intended for a litter, your requirement for one will be a very short time frame.

http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Flying-Saucer-Puppy-Dish/dp/B0002ZS3W0

In no time at all, even at eight weeks, your pup will be able to pick the bowl up with his teeth and spill the food unless it is one with a rim that dogs can't grab.  

I usually purchase the stainless steel bowls that are no tip, no skid for that age for this reason.http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Engraved-Plaque-Non-Skid/dp/B000F6WE6C

As your large breed dog gets older, leaning down for the food places stress on their joints and it is recommended that they eat from a raised bowl, unless as your dog gets older he lies down when he eats.

There is no need to go out and buy a bunch of bowls as your puppy's needs will change very fast over the next few months.  Try to choose one that will get you through many of these phases.

Hope This Helps.

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