new puppy feeding

[Pam Thomas]

I will finally be getting my doodle in less than a month. I have been planning and waiting since last December. These questions are probably for Karen and Jackdoodle. I know I keep the pup on their original food for 2 weeks-I think I then change over a week? I will change to Orijen puppy.Do I just use that kibble for treats also? I have ordered proviable in case I need it. It will be a 2 day car trip home with pup, so there maybe some stress change in stools-am going to use bottled water to avoid problems. Should I start a little pumpkin in food to start with? I have read to avoid chicken if possible due to high risk of allergies and to keep out a protein source in case of allergies and need a new source. Orijen has several sources in it's puppy food. What would be the best source to leave out. Also after 2 weeks do I also use grain free treats?  I have a million questions, in spite of all I have read. Read Pukkas Promise-lots of nutritional research and a good book. I am also going to have vet due titres to see if able to not revaccinate. I was more at ease and less nervous when I had my daughter! I really appreciate all the time she spends and knowledge Karen has. I have read over a lot of posts, but can't find all my answers. Thank you all so much.I will take any knowledge anyone has to help do the best I can do with my dood.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I'm sure Karen will chime in when she has a chance :)

Yes keep the pup on the same food for 2 weeks then switch over gradually.

The trouble with using kibble for treats is that it will get "old" fast... and the whole point of training treats is that they be high reward.  I'd use something like small pieces of dehydrated chicken instead (PureBites is a great brand).  

There isn't anything "wrong" with chicken, but some dogs (like mine) have a sensitivity to it.  It's just something you have to figure out with trial and error.  Many dogs do fine with chicken so I wouldn't rule it out right away.  The Orijen puppy food also has mostly chicken in it.

I wouldn't give pumpkin right away - keep the pup's diet exactly the same (as much as possible) as it was at the breeder's just so you can easily spot issues.

As for leaving out a protein source... as far as I can tell none of the Orijen formulas have duck in them, so that could be your novel protein source.  Champion's other line (Acana) has a duck and pear formula.

[Pam Thomas]

Thanks J and Luna. That is what I thought about treats, they shouldn't be the boring old thing.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's wonderful that you are so prepared for your puppy. 

As J said, there isn't anything inherently wrong with chicken, and it's absolutely NOT more likely to cause a food allergy than any other protein source. The reason you hear about so many dogs who have sensitivities to chicken is that so many dogs mostly eat chicken from puppyhood. Food allergies or sensitivities develop after regular exposure to a protein, so since most puppies' first foods are chicken based, IF they develop an issue, it's going to be to chicken. You cannot be allergic to something you've never been exposed to. If you started a puppy on let's say lamb and never gave him chicken, then he might develop an allergy to lamb and be fine with chicken. Does that make sense?

I would not concern myself with allergies at all right now. Food allergies are relatively rare in dogs, despite what you read on FB, lol, and it would be headline news for a puppy under 6 months old to have any type of food allergy. 

As far as saving a protein, pork and duck would be good choices, and it's not hard to avoid buying treats that contain those.

Find out what kind of treats if any the breeder is using, and give those during the first few weeks. If the breeder is not using treats, I would stick with pieces of whatever kibble she's eating, or some small pieces of plain boiled white meat chicken. Purebites chicken treats would be a fairly safe option as well. (Assuming the kibble contains chicken) Stick with those until after you have transitioned to the new food before introducing any other new treats, and yes, if you are feeding Orijen (or any grain-free food) the treats should be grain-free as well. But don't introduce a new food and new treats at the same time. So assuming that there are no digestive issues, (parasites), you can start to switch foods after 2 weeks, but wait until the puppy has been eating the new food exclusively for a week or so before introducing any new treats.

[Pam Thomas]

Thank you Karen, I knew you were the go to person.