Questions About New Puppy

[koalathebear]

I share your perplexity about the whole: 'right food' issue. My puppy's been on Hills since he was about 10 weeks and has been fine ... I know everyone here hates it but I'm hesitant to switch him off it since: (1) he's doing so well on it - healthy, correct weight, shiny coat etc...; and (2) there doesn't seem to be agreement on what the best kibble actually is ..

He gets the occasional lamb flap but it's mostly Hills kibble.

Edited August 23, 2010 by koalathebear

[lovemesideways]

I share your perplexity about the whole: 'right food' issue. My puppy's been on Hills since he was about 10 weeks and has been fine ... I know everyone here hates it but I'm hesitant to switch him off it since: (1) he's doing so well on it - healthy, correct weight, shiny coat etc...; and (2) there doesn't seem to be agreement on what the best kibble actually is ..

He gets the occasional lamb flap but it's mostly Hills kibble.

I think that whatever works best for your dog is what you should use! If he's doing great on science diet then why change it?

[aussielover]

I reccomend this puppy school in pennat hills

Puppy preschool

I did the classes run by the same people but at a different location and couldn't speak more highly of them.

There are 3 teachers, the lady who owns and is also a teacher is an ex guide dog trainer and behaviourist and is really good.

Through carefully supervised play (5 mins at a time max) my puppy went from being a crazy silly boisterous lab to being really really gentle with smaller dogs (played very sweetly with a 10 week old Boston terrier yesterday) and very sensible around bigger dogs.

[minxy]

I share your perplexity about the whole: 'right food' issue. My puppy's been on Hills since he was about 10 weeks and has been fine ... I know everyone here hates it but I'm hesitant to switch him off it since: (1) he's doing so well on it - healthy, correct weight, shiny coat etc...; and (2) there doesn't seem to be agreement on what the best kibble actually is ..

He gets the occasional lamb flap but it's mostly Hills kibble.

I think that whatever works best for your dog is what you should use! If he's doing great on science diet then why change it?

Agreed. I think that if your dog's thriving on something, there's no need to change it.

[juice]

welcome, i am not far from you, if you want your pup to get used to calm dogs, most welcome to meet my lot one day, we have a big area at the end of our road with lake etc.

mine won't get in his face, they are very laid back.

so if you just fancy a trundle round the field in a relaxed walk, no stress, bring him over, they are big, but meet dogs all the time.

i would just be getting him out in a relaxed place, don't go to the dog park at b'hills, too many rough badly behaved dogs in there, but you can walk around outside, which i do when i take my kids to the skate park there.

just don't put him in a position where he feels threatened, keep calm and relaxed when he meets dogs, keep moving, and don't over fuss him. :D

[shellbyville]

It sounds like the puppy preschool is just very badly run and I would be looking for another or like others have said find a good obedience club and some nice calm dogs to socialise with. I take my puppies to a very well run puppy preschool run at a vets, run by a vet nurse. We let dogs of similar size or personality off to play with each other usually only 2 or 3 at a time, while the other pups are kept on lead and in control. Sometimes a big pup will be let off with a little one if it is a gentle or timid pup, it works well and by the end of the 4 weeks all puppies are usually very social with each other and the shy, timid ones come out of their shell as it is a safe environment and controlled!

Our PP also gives us samples of lots of things...food (yes it is Hills, but is not pushed on to us at all!) We do get a small bag of it though to sample if we like! We also get a wormer, heartwormer, flea control spot on etc, plus lots of other goodies!!! I find it good value and a lot of fun for people and pups alike. We are off to Graduation this Wednesday night...fun!!

Just wanted to share as a lot of people have a negative take on Vet run Puppy preschools, but just want to let you know there are some really good ones.

[Animal_Lover]

wow, thank you for the quick responses!

I think I agree with every one and we will not be going back, I had a bad feeling about it from the start but I thought that maybe I was just being over protective of Nelson, so I just let him get bashed by all the other puppies I hope this does not effect him long term, I will be looking for a new puppy school. We are starting at Hills District Kennel Club after his second vaccination (we went last tuesday to have alook and I though the puppy classes were very well run), however I would like to find another puppy school before that because I do not know many people with dogs that I can socialize him with. I also think he will never be particularly fond of other dogs, perhaps it is because we got him at 6 weeks, but I just don't think he is interested in them - he always prefers to stay with people rather then check out the other dogs.

Thanks again ;)

We took our puppy to Hills District Puppy Pre-School and they were fantastic....very well run and informative. Highly recommended. Is that the one at Castle Hill Showground?

[Sookeh!]

welcome, i am not far from you, if you want your pup to get used to calm dogs, most welcome to meet my lot one day, we have a big area at the end of our road with lake etc.

mine won't get in his face, they are very laid back.

so if you just fancy a trundle round the field in a relaxed walk, no stress, bring him over, they are big, but meet dogs all the time.

i would just be getting him out in a relaxed place, don't go to the dog park at b'hills, too many rough badly behaved dogs in there, but you can walk around outside, which i do when i take my kids to the skate park there.

just don't put him in a position where he feels threatened, keep calm and relaxed when he meets dogs, keep moving, and don't over fuss him.

Thank you for the offer, I will pm you ! And thank you to every one else for sharing their opinions, I am looking into a few of the puppy school you have reccommended