should I switch foods

Question

Miley   QUESTION: I have a 5 month old, Female not fixed yet puppy. I was told she was a golden retriver/german shepard mix. She looks a lot like a lab so I'm not sure her exact breeds. She is 48lb and slim. I got her at 11 weeks. The person I got her from had her on Kibbles and Bits (Adult). She also had worms. But has been de-wormed and has had three negative fecal tests. I switched her to California Natural Lamb and Rice Puppy when I got her. But her stool has been soft since I got her. She is eating about 3 cups a day. Somedays a little more. She is an active and playful puppy. Her weight is now good. But she was a little thin when I got her.    Do you think the lamb could be the problem? I was thinking of switching her to a chicken based food.    I was thinking of switching her to Wellness super5mix Large breed puppy or the Chicken formula of the California Puppy. What do you think?

ANSWER: In 20 dogs, I have never had to switch foods to clear up a soft stool problem.  Iwould work with the vet more.  Sometimes it seems to be difficult to find giardia or coccidiosis.

Switching to an adult chow early for the larger breeds, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.

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

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QUESTION: You said switching early for larger breeds. When is that? 6 months? 9 Months?  
As for spaying. The vet and I are working on the stool issue before surgery. He says we can wait until 7-8 Months.

Answer
The service dog schools I volunteer for switch atr 4-5 months.  Any time now should be OK.  

Since the food is unlikely to be the problem, I could see waiting to make any switches to keep from confusing things.  

Waiting to spay her risks her coming into season, but that isn't an unsolvable problem.  There are some arguments that it is better to wait.