Below, you will find some guidance when it comes to nutrition and the overall health and well-being of puppies. Please, always feel free to reach out with questions! Too many dogs are spayed/ neutered too early. Please, read the information and speak with your veterinarian for the best advice for YOUR pup. Never be afraid to advocate for your pup! Please, never allow anyone to vaccinate a pup when they are feeling under the weather.
We are feeding Purina Pro Plan Puppy dry dog food (kibble). Our puppies (less than ten weeks old) eat 4 times a day: 6am, 10am, 2pm and 6pm. When they go home to their new parents, each pup is eating approximately 1 3/4 to 2 cups of food a day. We mix our kibble with raw food recipes OR excellent quality canned food such as Blue Wilderness puppy. Raw food recommendations and recipes can be found at the bottom of this page.
It is best to have fresh water available to pups throughout the day. Water can be withheld around 7pm each night to help with housebreaking.
As stated above, please speak with your vet about the best course of action for your specific puppy.
Poodles are too smart to sit around and be bored! If they do not get enough exercise, they will create new and naughty ways to entertain themselves. It is YOUR job to provide adequate activity for both your pups' body and brain. Often, stimulating dog puzzles and brain games are just as rewarding as a romp outside! There are tons of Level 1-4 dog puzzles easily purchased on Amazon. There are also fun games you can create at home; just Google "DIY dog games."
As outlined in our CONTRACT, our pups cannot be spayed or neutered before the age of 12 months but must be completed by age 18 months. There are exceptions made for service animal organizations. We understand this places a huge responsibility on the new owner to monitor their pup to assure no accidental mating occurs, but it is of the utmost importance to wait to sterilize. A Standard Poodle needs time to grow and allow the hormones released during this time to enter their body. Based on recent research from the University of California – Davis College of Veterinary Medicine, it is suggested that waiting to spay/neuter Standard Poodles until after one year old (or older) is likely to decrease their risk for joint disorders and/or cancer. Many vets now recommend waiting until 18 months of age of older.
We highly recommend brushing and combing your pup every day from the moment you bring him home. This not only assures your pup is free of mats and knots, but it also very much builds rapport and trust between you and your dog. Always groom your pup in a relaxed manner using kindness and patience. Your dog will learn to enjoy this time and not put up a fuss with you or the groomer. Always brush first and comb after. We highly recommend the Chris Christianson slicker brush. Yes, it's expensive but you will never have to buy another brush! Take care to brush BOTH sides of your dog's fluffy ears and comb down to the ear leather, gently.
Additionally, you should be brushing your dog's teeth at least 2 times a week. Just like humans, dogs have dental needs that, if neglected, can lead to gum disease, bad breath and health problems. Start this routine when your puppy first comes home and set him (and you) up for success! The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete has expert advice about how to get your puppy used to being touched and handled.
Ingredients
Ingredients
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