ingred. list in puppys food

Question
My 3 mo.puppy & I went to our first puppy training class.  The trainer said "meat & meat byproduct" should be the first 2 foods listed on the ingred. list of his puppy food.  I've been introducing slowly the new food with his other puppy chow, but his poop is loose all the time now.  Even when giving immodium to help with the diarrhea as recommended from the vet. What should the ingred. lists be?

Answer
I pay very little attention to the ingredients in a dog chow.  I think how the dogs eating it do is much more important.  Of course, that requires careful observation of large populations beyond most people.  I am a position to know what a number of large dog guide and assistance dog schools do.  Their dogs thrive on common chows that do have meat and meat by products at the top of the ingredient lists.  Most dogs will thrive on most chows.  A slow change of chow shouldn't cause diarrhea, and most chows will be OK.  Has the vet checked the stool for cocidiosis or other parasites?

Perhaps the best thing would be to go back to what you were feeding before if he was doing OK on it.  All but the cheapest chows are carefully formulated to provide the complete and balanced diet dogs need.  Most puppy chows are formulated to maximize growth.  Large breed puppies do better to be on adult chow by 4 months, slowing growth and giving more time to develop sturdy joints.  it is also important to keep the growing puppy lean.  Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them.  Each dog is different.  Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx