What should I feed this puppy?

[Stacy]

17 weeks old, 27 pounds per report. They've been feeding her Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy and I know that's not on the list. She said that other food gave her diarrhea. I know I'm not supposed to change food for 2 weeks (is it the same if it's not an 8 week old puppy?) We're going to have to make a trip to Petsmart when they open. 

I'm already feeding 2 dogs 2 different foods. Do I have to find a 3rd? Or would Fromm (this bag is whitefish and potato) or Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Boost in Beef be appropriate? I guess it doesn't really matter if I need a 3rd food. It's just a lot of dog food storage containers! And it seems silly, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. But I can't do the nutrient comparison thing very well. So I don't know where to start on the approved food list! 

Thank you always! 

Stacy (and miss not-sure-about-my-name)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That totally makes sense to me. 

[Stacy]

One more dumb question? The chart on the bag says puppies 4 -5 months old who should be between 50 and 75 pounds full grown (which is where I estimate her) should eat between 2 - 3 1/3 cups/day. That seems like a pretty big range there. And I'm not sure exactly how big she's going to be. 60 - 65 maybe, should I just feed her in the middle of the range? I need closer direction. I

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Are we talking about the feeding instructions for the Pro Plan or the Fromm? How many calories per cup? 
Weight @ 4 months x 2  and then add 5 to 10 lbs is the formula for estimating adult weight for standard doodles. So yes, she should end up around 60 lbs., maybe a tad more. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, I just looked. It's the ProPlan. 417 calories per cup. She needs about 2.5 cups per day. 

[Stacy]

Yes, the ProPlan. Thank you! 2.5 cups sounds perfect. She eats as much as Maggie! Course Maggie's calorie count is a little higher I think, but still!

[Lindsey Holt]

I need pictures!

[Stacy]

She's making pictures difficult. She's lying there being really cute and as soon as I point the camera at her she leaves. But I have a couple that turned out okay. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I just saw this discussion!!!! OMG, she is adorable.  What -oodle is she?  What are you going to name her?  Was she an impulse steal??????? :-}  How could anyone resist that sweetie?  She is lucky beyond luck to have you for her mom. 

[Stacy]

She's an F1 Goldendoodles. So halfsies. Naming is still happening. 

Impulse, yes. I've been wrestling around with another dog for a while. I want one, I don't need one. But I want one. But but but. I absolutely thought my next one would be a standard poodle whose parents had all the health testing. But I wanted to be sure I was ready before I made a commitment. Then I saw this little nugget being rehomed on facebook and I didn't even stop to think. I just did it. From the time I saw her picture it was 3 hours before I was holding her, and I had to drive 100 miles to get there. Apparently I find spur of the moment decisions easier than planning? Which makes absolutely no sense. But sometimes I think you just know instantly when things are right. And I don't regret it at all. Even though I have to go through the whole potty training thing again. Surely it will be easier with a puppy than it was with Maggie at 18 months. Though my biggest challenge with Maggie was that it took me forever to convince her to stay in the crate. 

She's very sweet, and reasonably calm for her age. She seems to like everyone. Maybe she'll be the one that gets registered with Pet Partners. Right now besides potty training I'm working on four on the floor for pets and feet off the kitchen counters - she's going to be a big girl! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I'll bet you will get your Pet Partner in this sweetie. You have soooooo much experience that you will just set her on the right path and it will happen.  I know one is supposed to do the research etc. but sometimes when it is right, it is RIGHT.  DRC notified me about Charlie - asked my assistance the then sent his photo and it was a done deal. I called the people immediately and picked him up the next day.  I was NOT going to let him get away from me.  I needed him and apparently he needed my hubby and I too. 

[Stacy]

I took the Pet Partners handling class for Maggie, and I was surprised how much I got out of it. It's not always about being able to train the dog to do what you want, it's also about their comfort. I have no doubt that Maggie could pass the evaluation, but I think the actual visits would cause her stress.

I took her to the hardware store this week. She loves to go and she walks so proudly up and down the aisles. But we met a little girl who wanted to pet her. I though, oh okay, and put her in a sit and the girl approached and Maggie got up and hid behind me. She's just not comfortable with strangers. I accept that about her. She loves me, but the world is still kind of big and scary. That's okay. She will take treats from the cashiers, but she doesn't have to be the prom queen. I'm not super social either. I'm not going to push her in those situations. I don't think that would be fair (or a good idea.) 

I have a feeling that Willow will be more like Katie and think that humans were put on earth to love her. Her challenge will be more, don't jump on everyone, then please don't make me greet them. 

Maggie has taught me so much. I wish I could go back in time and do all these things with Katie too. I didn't know anything when she was a puppy. And I was kind of like the woman I got Willow from. Dogs don't really need training, they're pretty good and that's enough. But what I've learned from all of you is that the world gets so much bigger when they're well behaved enough not to embarrass you in public. And how much stronger the bond is when you do the work together. It's not about teaching them to do stupid pet tricks, it's about bonding and building a relationship. 

Wow, I feel like I just wrote you a mini novel. All of you have just helped me so much, even when I ask the same question 12 times. In my fantasy world I would be a dog trainer, but if I can at least get my own dogs trained I'll be pretty happy with that!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's a "novel" that every dog owner would benefit from reading. :)