Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
latchkey puppy woes and nervous about food transition
Hi all,
Well I've got 2 questions.
1. Duncan will be 11 months in a few short weeks. The vet said I can transition him to adult food. He's been such a good eater and pooper. Always enjoys his kibble. Never scarfs it. Always a nice firm poop blah blah. So now I'm so worried about the transition to adult food. I know i'll be mixing for a week or so but does it matter if i stick with the same brand or not? He's been getting Nutro puppy kibble since I brought him home with a sprinkle of Spots Stew mixed in. I just would hate for him to have tummy issues since he's been doing so well.
2. I normally work from home so he's used to me all day. Over the last few months i've needed to work onsite at one of my clients and he's been home alone. He has a dogwalker who comes at 12:30 and 4:30 and I'm gone from 8:30 to 7. So he doesn't go more than 4 hours alone. He gets a nice brisk walk from me before I leave in the morning and one when i return so a total of four 30 minute walks. But I see he's starting to learn how to be destructive. He never used to do anything of that nature but lately he's been lifting up the area rug and shredding up the padding underneath (yes. i'm actually happy that he chose padding over the rug itself). i leave him bully sticks and nylabones and sprinkle treats in his toybox but he doesn't seem to touch a single toy until I get home. He won't even touch his kong that's filled with peanut butter either until i return. I wish I could find something that he might feel comfortable enough chewing on when i'm not home. Anyone have any suggestions of other things that might help him pass the time?
As usual thanks for your help.
Well I've got 2 questions.
1. Duncan will be 11 months in a few short weeks. The vet said I can transition him to adult food. He's been such a good eater and pooper. Always enjoys his kibble. Never scarfs it. Always a nice firm poop blah blah. So now I'm so worried about the transition to adult food. I know i'll be mixing for a week or so but does it matter if i stick with the same brand or not? He's been getting Nutro puppy kibble since I brought him home with a sprinkle of Spots Stew mixed in. I just would hate for him to have tummy issues since he's been doing so well.
2. I normally work from home so he's used to me all day. Over the last few months i've needed to work onsite at one of my clients and he's been home alone. He has a dogwalker who comes at 12:30 and 4:30 and I'm gone from 8:30 to 7. So he doesn't go more than 4 hours alone. He gets a nice brisk walk from me before I leave in the morning and one when i return so a total of four 30 minute walks. But I see he's starting to learn how to be destructive. He never used to do anything of that nature but lately he's been lifting up the area rug and shredding up the padding underneath (yes. i'm actually happy that he chose padding over the rug itself). i leave him bully sticks and nylabones and sprinkle treats in his toybox but he doesn't seem to touch a single toy until I get home. He won't even touch his kong that's filled with peanut butter either until i return. I wish I could find something that he might feel comfortable enough chewing on when i'm not home. Anyone have any suggestions of other things that might help him pass the time?
As usual thanks for your help.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lynne B on
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Beck is about 10 months old and so far he has only chewed his toys, but he really destroys them. The one thing I have found that really keeps him busy is a jute toy with a plastic bottle inside, it takes him about a month to destroy one. I have a sierra trading post outlet here in town so I can buy them from the store, but I see that they are available mail order too:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=1447U&plp=... (ps do a google search for coupons, there are usually several available for sierra trading post -
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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on
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The food experts will tell you that Nutro is a really bad food. There have been several recalls of late. I suggest you join the Nutrition Group, if you haven't already, where there is tons of information. I keep my dogs crated when I'm not home and they do very well with that.
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Permalink Reply by Sally on
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I decided on buffalo blue chicken and brown rice. (i lurked around thru the food group posts to start my process so thanks) I just gave him a small palm full of kibble and he loved it. So we'll see how it goes. I'm really happy with my decision. I hope it serves him well. It was even on sale with my Petco PALS card so I saved a few bucks.
As for the chewing I got him a "galileo" nylabone. He seemed quite enthused. I just hope it'll still be appealing when he's home alone.
I'm also going to make our 30 minute walk more of a trot so he burns some additional energy.
I would have continued to crate him when I'm gone but he was a basket case and never took to it no matter how much I did. He's much calmer now that he is just confined to the living room/kitchen.
Jeez I love this dog so much that every decision feels like the biggest of my life...sigh! -
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Permalink Reply by Allyson, Peri & Taquito on
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I still crate Peri when I am not home and she is totally fine with that. As long as she gets her morning walk and lunchtime walk. At some point I will probably transition her to a room/area, but for now (at only 7 months old) I am not comfortable with that. I leave an elk antler with her while I am not home. She loves it, it does not break off and is not dangerous. Just make sure to get a smaller, fatter one that is not pointy.
For food - join the food group. My dood eats Fromm - puppies can even eat it (all life stages). I fed Nutro back in the day but have since become very ocd about my dogs foods (ever since the pet recalls). -
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