Preparing for a pup

[phillyfan10]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and thought it'd be best to register to be able to talk to you to gain more knowledge from people who actually own DSs. My name is Ed and I will be getting my pup on May 2. I live an active lifestyle and live on the bay in New Jersey. I know how much work goes into this breed and I do admit I'm a little nervous. For the first month or two I will be solely focusing on house training and basic commands. Is there anything else I should be doing in the early stages? He's a purebred DS from what the breeder has told me. Thank you!

[Fetchdutch]

Just curious where you are getting your pup from I am in the Philly area as well and I am looking for a reputable breeder

[phillyfan10]

I am getting him from a breeder in Colorado. They have one female left if you are interested. There website is www.4bardkennels.com

[Stacy_R]

The breeder should have a handle on your pup's individual personality and disposition and should be able to guide you in initial steps. However, looking at their website and the sheer number of dogs and breeds of dogs they own/breed/sell, that may not be the case.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Fetchdutch you can also look at Bunkerdogs USA in MI, they have pups available now. The breeder knows his dogs - they're fantastic sport dogs. If you want more of a companion dog you'd have to ask Chris, the breeder, if there's a breeding coming up that would fit.

As for the puppy... I second what Stacey said about asking the breeder for ideas. Mouthiness, crate training, and exposure to all types of people, places, sounds, environments (while keeping the puppy's health priority) would be things I would add to "top priorities". Are you going to do any sports with the puppy at all?

[phillyfan10]

The breeder should have a handle on your pup's individual personality and disposition and should be able to guide you in initial steps. However, looking at their website and the sheer number of dogs and breeds of dogs they own/breed/sell, that may not be the case.

I agree with your theory. However, while they do breed many types of dogs, they only have litters of about 3 different breeds at a time. That's how it seems to me anyway. I've done a lot of research on this kennel and feel I made a good decision. I do appreciate your input though.

[phillyfan10]

Fetchdutch you can also look at Bunkerdogs USA in MI, they have pups available now. The breeder knows his dogs - they're fantastic sport dogs. If you want more of a companion dog you'd have to ask Chris, the breeder, if there's a breeding coming up that would fit.

As for the puppy... I second what Stacey said about asking the breeder for ideas. Mouthiness, crate training, and exposure to all types of people, places, sounds, environments (while keeping the puppy's health priority) would be things I would add to "top priorities". Are you going to do any sports with the puppy at all?

I don't plan on doing the sports of the dogworld per say. I plan to just go on long runs, walks, throwing a ball and come back with different commands, swimming, etc.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Cool! Then yeah house training, beginning to form manners (like not mouthing people or jumping on them), and starting obedience would be good. I wouldn't push the obedience too much, as your dog will I'm assuming still be very young and crazy puppy, but setting a good foundation in it is a great start especially if you're planning on doing classes later. Also exposure to as many different people, environments, sounds, and textures is probably the first thing I would make sure is being done every day. It makes a huge difference.

[phillyfan10]

Cool! Then yeah house training, beginning to form manners (like not mouthing people or jumping on them), and starting obedience would be good. I wouldn't push the obedience too much, as your dog will I'm assuming still be very young and crazy puppy, but setting a good foundation in it is a great start especially if you're planning on doing classes later. Also exposure to as many different people, environments, sounds, and textures is probably the first thing I would make sure is being done every day. It makes a huge difference.

Thanks! As far as puppy food goes, what do you recommend? Being that he is a shepherd I'd assume he'd need something a little bit more nutritious than the norm. Also, what do you feed your adult DS? My breeder has recommended Royal Canine for Shepherd or Ranchers Choice. Anyone half any familiarity with either of those?

[Stacy_R]

I would stay away from Ranchers Choice...far away - "The second ingredient in Rancher's Choice is distillers dry grains with solubles, also known in industry as DDGS. DDGS is a by-product of the ethanol (bio-fuel) industry. This low-quality ingredient is typically found in cattle feeds and only rarely used to make pet food. What’s more important is that DDGS contains about 31% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food."
Honestly, I am a little disturbed that a breeder would recommend this product...

Royal Canine isn't really a good quality food either...there isn't really any real meat in there. "The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken by-product meal, a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. It’s made from what’s left of a slaughtered chicken after all the prime cuts have been removed.
In addition to organs (the nourishing part), this stuff can contain almost anything — feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs — anything except quality skeletal muscle (conventional meat)."
I wouldn't consider this product either.


Go with Orijen, Acana, Merrick, or Blue Buffalo Wilderness...just my

[phillyfan10]

I would stay away from Ranchers Choice...far away - "The second ingredient in Rancher's Choice is distillers dry grains with solubles, also known in industry as DDGS. DDGS is a by-product of the ethanol (bio-fuel) industry. This low-quality ingredient is typically found in cattle feeds and only rarely used to make pet food. What’s more important is that DDGS contains about 31% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food."
Honestly, I am a little disturbed that a breeder would recommend this product...

Royal Canine isn't really a good quality food either...there isn't really any real meat in there. "The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken by-product meal, a dry rendered product of slaughterhouse waste. It’s made from what’s left of a slaughtered chicken after all the prime cuts have been removed.
In addition to organs (the nourishing part), this stuff can contain almost anything — feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs — anything except quality skeletal muscle (conventional meat)."
I wouldn't consider this product either.


Go with Orijen, Acana, Merrick, or Blue Buffalo Wilderness...just my

That's interesting. The breeder told me to stay far away from blue buffalo. I did some research on it as well and it does in fact have horrible reviews stating the food results in gall stones, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Either way, thank you for the facts on the two other.

[Stacy_R]

If I didn't feed raw, I would feed Orijen...hands down. I think there are several people on this forum who feed it and there are a few that feed Merrick. I wasn't aware of the bad reviews on Blue Buffalo Wilderness...I honestly haven't done much research on them in quite awhile and I know several people who feed it with no issues whatsoever, so it has remained on my "okay to recommend" list. I guess it's time to research them again.

[centrop67]

Radar and Leela get the Blue Buffalo.

Radar for almost a year, now. No problems so far, but i will keep an eye out now.

Still leary of the breeders recommendation, though.

[Dutchringgirl]

If I didn't feed raw, I would feed Orijen...hands down. I think there are several people on this forum who feed it and there are a few that feed Merrick.

I feed Orajen, and a few times Acana, if they are out. they love it.

[Stacy_R]

Radar and Leela get the Blue Buffalo.

Radar for almost a year, now. No problems so far, but i will keep an eye out now.

I'm glad they don't have issues. The people I know who feed it haven't had any. The diarrhea that has been reported in some reviews could be the dog...i.e. some foods don't agree with some dogs...and then the food gets blamed for being awful. Even feeding raw you run into issues. When I feed pork Tyson has horrible gas, so pork is fed intermittently, only once a day, and when I know we'll be spending lots of time outside. LOL I think Kira even mentioned in one post that she knows some dogs who don't do well on Orijen (loose stools, etc). I am going to look into the gall stones and vomiting thing. Due to the fact that most vets prefer you buy what they stock (Royal Canine, Science Diet, etc) because it helps them, I am hesitant to believe what they say about foods unless I read it in an actual proven study for myself (or it is a reported epidemic like the jerky treats from China). I don't put much stock in just word of mouth from someone's vet, but that is just me (I could go on and on about vets and over-vaccination, unneeded prescribed meds, and bad food recommendations, but I won't get on a here...LOL).

Still leary of the breeders recommendation, though.

Yeah...the Rancher's Choice really makes me scratch my head...that one down there with Ol' Roy.
I can sort of understand the Royal Canine recommendation because of the "if vets sell it it has to be good" mentality, but just because a vet says it doesn't make it so.

[MyronD]

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

Lots of research and opinions out there about dog food. I found this website to be very helpful. Enjoy your new Dutchie! I got mine in Nov. and I could not be happier! He's awesome!

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Whoops missed this. Yup I feed Orijen too. Just keep in mind it's crazy easy to over indulge in with a puppy. My guy's poo problems were both medical and then food related. Switched training treats to kibble (which he ADORES) from his daily portion and boiled chicken and reduced his food a bit if we used more chicken. No more problems and his coat is shiny!

Arcana and Merrick are to good too. A few people I know feed Fromm. Another loves Taste of the Wilderness. I don't really like Royal Canine, though my only experience is on the i/d canned food a while back for my guy's tummy troubles. He was crazy hungry on that. But could just be that certain formula. My guy started out on Orijen Regional Red and went to Large Puppy. I just followed the suggested servings and adjusted if my guy was hungrier during a growth spurt or over eating. Just keep in mind Orijen is richer than what he may be getting so it may take him a bit to adjust. Just make the switch slow and steady with whatever you choose to feed and you'll do fine!

[k-9trainer]

Hello, and welcome to the forum just like myself, I'm a newbie. My buddy had a wonderful litter on the ground right now. His name is Marcus Hampton of Hamptonk9. He is one helluva Decoy at all the major working dog events. If interested in a puppy, might want to contact him. We are in Buffal, NY. Can't go wrong. Again, welcome to the group.getting my first Dutch also. Best to both of us.

[asheleylane]

Purebred Dutch Shepherd "according to what the breeder told you" - that is a very subjective assessment. A responsible breeder of Purebred Dutch shepherds provides registration of some type, and official/objective health and joint screenings done on the breeding dogs....without these I would not recommend someone as a reputable breeder. Just my .02, as a 15 year breed enthusiast, trainer, and veterinarian.

[Mobil]

Reading that breeder's website, I'm feeling icky about the fact that their health guarantee has "Feeding the “Wild Blue” dog/puppy food OR the “Raw” diet of any kind does void this warranty!" as a caveat. Especially combined with such shitty food recommendations.

Also, why does this breeder remove their dewclaws? My pups have theirs, they are obviously attached and usable, not floppy and useless. I thought DSDs were supposed to have front dewclaws.