Puppy Care Directions For a Happy, Healthy Dog in Radford, VA
FEEDING TIPS:
Continue Loving Care for Riverbluff Retrievers Puppies
As veterinarians, the care for the puppy you adopt is very important to us, and we want to offer these puppy care directions. From what type of food to how often they eat and a preferred bathroom training technique, Riverbluff Retrievers in Radford, VA, can help. When you take a puppy home, they not only become part of your family, but you become one of ours. If you have any questions on the following tips and directions, feel free to reach out. You can text Riverbluff Retrievers at (540) 239-1734.
Riverbluff Retrievers Puppies Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet will keep your dog happy and healthy. A poor diet cannot only affect the growth and longevity of your dog’s life but also their behavior. The Riverbluff Retrievers’ labrador retriever, labradoodle, and golden doodle puppies eat Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Chicken and Rice dog food. It is advisable to maintain the puppy on this food initially to prevent stomach issues. If desired, you may gradually alter your dog’s diet over five to seven days. Do this by slowly changing the ratio of old and new food. Dry food is generally better than canned food to help prevent diarrhea and dental tartar.
Benefits of Planned Meal Times for Puppies
Plan to feed your puppy three times a day and allow them 15 to 20 minutes to eat their bowl. Remove and save any food left for the next meal. Labrador puppies grow quite rapidly, doubling their weight every four weeks. Increase the offered food as your pup grows. At 6 months old, reduce the amount of meals to twice a day.
You will gain several advantages from planning regular meals. First, eating meals on time will enable planned toilet breaks. This expedites toilet training while also being beneficial for the puppy’s health. Second, studies show scheduled feeding slightly reduces rapid growth in breeds prone to hip dysplasia, lowering the risk. Until about 18 months old, large breed dogs should eat puppy food. Do not offer “people” food as it can throw off their balanced diet.
CRATE TRAINING:
Crate Training Offers a Safe Place for Your Puppy When Alone
The most efficient, secure method for housebreaking a dog is crate training. Riverbluff Retrievers advises purchasing a crate that will accommodate your dog once it is an adult. The aim behind crate training is to make housebreaking easier because dogs don’t like to dirty their sleeping areas. Anytime you are not able to offer your puppy all of your attention, utilize the kennel. These moments might be during supper, housecleaning, bedtime, or when you leave the house. The puppy can have an accident if left alone for any amount of time. Do not place food or drink in the crate; instead, place a towel and a few toys inside. Once used to the crate, the puppy will make a valiant effort to avoid urinating or defecating in it. The puppy will eventually be able to stay in the crate for up to 8 hours without having an accident.
Crate Training Can Help Expedite Potty Training
Paying attention to your puppy’s indications that he or she needs to go potty is an essential part of training. When crated, the puppy may need to go out every three to four hours. When out playing, bathroom trips are usually more frequent and could be every 30 to 45 minutes. Four to eight hours between bathroom trips is possible with enough time and training. Encourage housebreaking by taking the puppy to the same designated area, instructing it to go potty, and rewarding positive behavior. Treats are great motivators for dogs to encourage them to use the bathroom outside.
A firm “no” is typically sufficient to discipline a puppy when it has an accident in the house. Take the puppy outdoors as soon as possible, and after it has finished its business, shower it with praise. If you find an accident spot after the pup has already finished, do not attempt discipline. It will only confuse the dog as it will not understand why you are upset.
