New member...Hello Everyone!

[Laura & Chewie]

I got my darling puppy, Chewie aka Choo Choo 4 days ago and am in love already. He is such a good boy. I am "sharing" him with my granddaughters, ages 6 & 7-1/2 who are over daily. Their parents work, but really want them to grown-up with a pet (as they did), so this is a wonderful solution for all of us.

Chewie is a F1B Goldendoodle estimated to get to approximately 30#. He loves everyone, has had minimal potty accidents indoors and now that his crate is on my bed...LOL, is sleeping all night without a peep. I'm sure I will have lots of questions as time goes on, but I'll start with two:

1. He is very itchy...scratching a lot. I don't think it's fleas and he also had his first Frontline treatment the other night. Could he have allerigies already?
2. The breeder had him eating Purina Pro Plan puppy and the Vet also insists it's a good food. I have done lots of research and don't agree. I think my vet is great...just can't understand why they don't endorse quality foods. Anyway, I have it narrowed down to a few...just can't make the decision what to switch him to. I am VERY open to suggestions and/or advice. Has anyone ever heard of Flint River Ranch? A person who trains dogs mentioned it, but I had not seen it in my research.

Looking forward to joining your doodle family and getting to know everyone!

Laura and Chewie

[Tamara & Giada]

Join the food group......they have LOTS of answers!! Congratulations by the way!!

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

Welcome to Doodlekisses, Laura! You are lucky to have found this site while Chewie is so young. Join some groups, Puppy Madness would be a great one for you. Since you have food questions, the food group is very good, too. Have fun, enjoy the site and I am sure you will get TONS of advice. =)

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Laura,
Never heard of Flint River Ranch, but have with Wellness, Fromm, and Chicken Soup and are great choices to feed. Also know others who use Pro Plan and their dogs are just as healthy, and live long lives...is a personal choice and what your puppy likes. What did you breeder recommend and have the puppies on..did she send home a care package with the pup. Hope this helps...Congrats on the new addition

[Jennifer Tramell]

Our golden retriever/collie mix, Cody, was VERY itchy as a puppy. The vet told us that he was allergic to fleas and just one bite could cause a lot of itching. There were no fleas to be seen but it only took a couple bites for him to start itching like crazy.

We were also told that some goldens have sensitve, dry skin and we made sure to feed Cody dog food with the highest percentage of vitamin E and other oils. The vet told us not to give our puppy a bath more then once every 2 weeks because the bath could dry out his skin and his dry skin added to the itches. When we bathed Cody, it was with an oatmeal shampoo and conditioner - specific for dry, itchy skin.

This was 15 yrs ago so I hope I'm remembering correctly. Cody outgrew his itches although he is still more sensitive to flea bites then our other dogs. He is now 15 yrs old, relatively healthy, somewhat grouchy, suffering from slight doggy dementia, 90% deaf, partially blind, and one of the best dogs around. Our goldendoodle Webster has some big paws to follow :-)

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Welcome, Laura and Chewie! What a gorgeous pup - he looks like a honey. You're going to love this site - lots of great folks who love their doodles to death.

You might join the Food Group, which is all about foods, diet, etc. - a terrific help.

Our Penny didn't suffer from skin allergies but has very dry skin. Make sure Chewie is getting food with fish oils, if possible. If you are feeding dry food, you might also ask your vet about pouring 1/2 tsp. of canola oil over the food - helps with skin problems. But check with your vet first.

Good luck - can't wait to hear more stories and see more pictures!

[cheryl & oliver]

Welcome Laura & Chewie...I too have a goldendoodle, f1, and he is also scratching...My guy is on Purina puppy pro plan too, My vet says the same thing, but I don't think it is a good food either...My other dog is on Canidae, and he has ben on it since he was 4 mos old and he is now 11 yrs. old...Canidae is one of the only truly made in America dogfoods. When they had that scare a year or so back, with the dog food prod. that had stuff from China in them, Canidae was one of the only ones that was safe. So I am gradually changing him over to it. It doesn't use fillers, or other poor quality things in it. It has been rated very highly by breeders and in studies. I have used my vet for over 25 years, and trust him explicitly, but he too does not push the best foods. There is a Golden Doodle group on here too!!!....And of course the food group is wonderful too. This is really a great site....And oh by the way, your new baby is just adorable. Wait till u see how fast they grow, lol...Welcome and enjoy this wonderful site....Cheryl

[Lynda Kamrath]

Welcome to DoodleKisses, Laura and Chewie. You have found the greatest website for doodles.
About Frontline, I think he is a little young for that. My vet recommends Advantage for regular use and then Frontline during tick season as it is the stronger medication for ticks and fleas. I would suggest a lice comb and a little time every day combing gently (maybe a good job for the girls). THen, if and when you find fleas, they consider Advantage.
About foods, any puppy chow with high fat content should be fine for him right now. Switching foods sometimes causes problems (usually diarrehea) so do any changes slowly and gradually (mixing foods). Have fun - these puppies are an experience.

[Kim]

awe :) Chewie is so cute!!!! A word of advice from my Vet (not sure if it is bible, but it's what I did). If you do switch the food, do it gradually so there are no stomach issues. I was told to feed whatever the breeder was feeding them for 1/2 a bag of food, after 1/2 a bag, combine it with 1/2 a bag of what you will feed.

[Beth and Gang]

Congrats on the new puppy!! You got a real cutie there!!
It sounds like he's got lots of fun company to keep him busy!!

[Kai Doodle (Kathy & Keith)]

Congratulations on your new addition!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Really, really cute! Reminds me of my puppy, but darker.

[Laura & Chewie]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I have briefly checked out the groups, but will definitely join the appropriate ones for us. I guess we will have to see what happens with the itching...he has another appointment next week for his 2nd shots, so I will definitely bring it up.

Lynda - did not know that about Frontline...unfortunately too late know. That is one of the few areas I didn't research.

It's amazing how fast these cuties make themselves at home and part of the family!