General Questions

Question
QUESTION: I just got a 17 week old puppy and I have had him almost 1 month.  He has 2 accidents in the old house and now only 1 in our new place. He doesnt bark, doesnt like car rides, doesnt like deing outside, and I don't think that he likes my boyfriend very much. He acts like our stairs are murder for him.  I try giving him treats and he still will not go up and down them. The treats do work because I have taught him to come and sit. (we are working on shake) Also he is all white with blue eyes and my parents think he is albino.  I have looked at pictures and I don't know. The lady I got the pup from said to feed him 6 times a day only giving him a half cup. How can I switch him to the diet you suggest?? My boyfriend also wants to get a Rott how will Rasta act?
ANSWER: Hi Michelle,

My concern is where did you get the puppy from?  You don't feed a puppy 6 times a day.  At 17 weeks he should be eating about 2 meals a day maybe 3.  The amount of food will depend on how much he eats in 10-15 minutes.  Measure the amount you give him before you give him the bowl of food and the amount when you take the bowl away (after 10-15 minutes).  If he is eating all his food in the matter of minutes then he might need more food during his feeding.  

I am a little concern about how he doesn't like being outside or car rides.  I would just keep working with him with rewarding him when he is outside with a toy or treat and also when he is in the car.  Don't worry about the barking, because huskies really don't bark.  They aren't vocal dogs.  My husky will only bark when I am playing with her.  Yes, there are all white huskies with blue eyes.  No it is not an albino.  It is just their coat color.  Huskies come in all different colors.  

Huskies love to be around other dogs.  I suggest getting another huskies, but you can get other breeds.  Just make sure you don't get an aggressive dog.  A rottweiler should be okay. I would suggest bring your husky along when search for a rottweiler or other dogs.  Introduce the husky and new dog before purchasing, just to make sure they will get along.  After bring the new dog home try not to leave the two dogs alone together for a few weeks.  It will reduce fighting.

I hope this is what you were looking for.  If you have any more questions, please ask.  Good Luck.

Thanks,
Laura

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

QUESTION: I got him from a lady in Jewell Iowa and I just looked at his papers and found out that he was not 12 weeks when we bought him he is 14 weeks. When I put food down to feed him he eats everything I give him which used to be 1/2 cup 6 times a day. Now I am feeding him 1 cup 3 times a day and he seems to eat everything. I want to switch his food to your diet, how should I do that?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

Well since he is 2 weeks older than what you thought then you can feed him 2 times a day.  You may start off with three times a day if you wish.  You need to feed him once in the morning, in afternoon or after you get home for work, and again in the evening. If it is two meal times a day then feed him in the morning and evening.  

To start you should leave 10-15 minutes only during the first day.  The reason why is you need to measure the amount of food that is left after his 10-15 minute feeding. If he is eating the cup of food you give him in a matter of a few minutes, then you might want to start giving him a cup and a half.  

If he eats all the food before his 10-15 minutes are up, then give him another cup and a half.  After 10-15 minutes pick up the bowl and measure what is leftover then subtract that from the total amount you have given him during his feeding time.  That should be the amount you give him during his meal time.  It might be the same amount for all the meal times, but it could also be different (more or less food).  Huskies usually eat less then other dogs.  As he gets older his diet will start changing, so just watch how much he eats during the 10-15 minute meal time.  

I hope this helps you out.  If you need anymore help, please ask.  Good Luck.

Thanks,
Laura