Tips about your dog

Starting your new Golden Retriever puppy out on the right foot by feeding him properly will helphim grow to be a happy, healthy adult. Puppies receive their nutrients from their mother untilthey're about 7 weeks old. But at about three weeks, it's time to start giving them puppy foodthat has been soaked and mixed to a thin paste that resembles the food they get from mom.The breeder should have started this process before you pick up your new Golden Retrieverpuppy.Before you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home, be sure to find out exactly what food he'sbeen given and the times he's been fed. Because puppy stomachs are very sensitive, it'simportant to continue the same regimen. When you begin to change to a more mature diet,gradually transition from 25% new mix with 75% of the old diet to the opposite (75% new and25% old) over a ten-day period. This will give your Golden Retriever puppy time to adjust to thenew diet without undue discomfort or digestive problems.When your Golden Retriever puppy is at least 8 weeks old, it is acceptable to separate him fromhis mother and bring him home to meet his new family. At first, your new puppy may not showmuch interest in eating. Changes this big can be very stressful. Don't force him to eat. Once hefigures out he doesn't have to fit his brothers and sisters to get his fair share, he'll become morecurious and hungry. So don't worry if he only sniffs and nibbles at first.Puppies need twice the nutrients that adult Golden Retrievers need to stay healthy. Don't betempted to use too many treats with your Golden Retriever puppy, as they do not containenough nutrients for his healthy growth. For the fist few weeks, stick to the type of food and thesame feeding schedule as he was getting from the breeder. It's hard for a new Golden Retrieverpuppy to adjust to changes, and maintaining a stable schedule with familiar food will be a nicebalance to the shock of new surroundings and people. During the transition to the new food,watch closely for vomiting, loose stool or constipation. If these occur, slow down the transitionuntil your Golden Retriever puppy adjusts and can eat without becoming upset or ill.Professionals recommend that puppies should eat three times a day until they are about sixmonths old. But it's a good idea to take the puppy to your vet as soon as you can. Get himHow To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health© Wings Of Success Page 26 of 79checked out, and discuss diet and nutrition with your vet. Your vet will be able to give you tipson appropriate weights so that you can avoid over- or under-feeding your new Golden Retrieverpuppy.The feeding schedule will, of course, be largely determined by your own schedule. But setregular times, and stick to them. Your new Golden Retriever puppy need stability, and stickingto a set schedule will help you with house-training, as his bathroom habits will be regular andpredictable. Be sure to provide ample water during and after his meals. Set aside some quiettime for your Golden Retriever puppy after meals to avoid stomach problems. Expect yourpuppy to need to go to the bathroom within an hour or so. Ask the kids not to play with thepuppy for the first hour to hour-and-a-half after he eats.When your Golden Retriever puppy has learned to sleep through the night, make it a habit totake him outside for a potty break each morning. Then feed him, allowing for about an hour ofquiet time afterward. Stick to your feeding schedule as much as you possibly can. You shouldschedule the last feeling at last an hour or so before you plan to go to bed so that you can givehim a potty break before everyone settles in for a good night's rest. Until your Golden Retrieverpuppy is house-broken, provide puppy pads or newspapers near (not in) his sleeping area incase he can't wake you up for a trip outside.By the time your Golden Retriever puppy is 8 to 10 weeks old, he should be on a diet of dry dogfood. You can add a little warm water to make it more appetizing, but don't use canned or moistdog food. These are mostly water and not nearly as nutritious as the dry foods. The warm waterwill encourage your Golden Retriever puppy to eat all his food, though you may need to sit withhim and add more warm water a little at a time. From three to six months, your Golden Retrieverpuppy will be teething. He may appear to be sick, but unless it lasts over two days, don't worry.It's growing pains.Never feed your Golden Retriever puppy table scraps. They are likely to upset his stomach, andthey are not the nutrition he needs at this stage of his growth. As your puppy grows, hisstomach will grow, and he'll eat more. At about six months, you should begin to feed him twice aday, in the morning and at night, but continue to use a diet of puppy food. Being larger dogs,you may want to keep your Golden Retriever on puppy food well into his second year. But youshould reduce feeding to once per day, always offering plenty of water during and after hisHow To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health© Wings Of Success Page 27 of 79meal. When you do switch to adult dog foods, be sure to select a quality brand with adequatenutrition for your Golden Retriever.If you follow these guidelines and show your new Golden Retriever plenty of love and affection,you'll give him a great start to a long, happy, healthy lifetime with your family. He'll be a valuableand beloved member of your family for years.