We're getting a puppy!!! Please help with tips and recommendations (esp food)

[SmileAndNod]

In about four weeks, we will be dog owners again. We're getting a be.gle puppy.

I think we are pretty much sorted for 'stuff'. What did you find essential for your puppy days? We have crate, blankets, bowls, lead etc but sure there's something I've missed. Insurance is on our list to do as soon as we have the microchip number. Again any recommendations there?

Im really struggling with deciding on food. It's currently on beta puppy, we will be sent home with a bag to swap over gradually. What is a good puppy food? I think we've narrowed it down to millies (but which kind?), orijen puppy, barking heads puppy, arden grange puppy? Any experiences of these? Would one of the 80/20 70/30 mixes be too rich for a puppy? I really don't know. What would you recommend? We want to give it the best we can afford whilst it's growing so fast.

I know there will be some tough days ahead. Expect lots of posts in the next few weeks, and the 'what on earth have we done' posts in November

I would keep him/her on whatever food the current owner/breeder is giving him/her if he/she is doing well with it.
When we got our Rhodesian ridgeback, we tried to gradually change her food because the breeder had her on a ridiculously expensive gourmet dog food, and it was costing us a small fortune. Really bad idea. We gradually introduced the new food, and when we got to the point of giving her 100% new food, I woke to a liquid shit covered kitchen not even worth the risk of cleaning that up

I changed (slowly) from what the breeder gave me (not quite Bakers, but not great) to Greenacres Puppy turkey and rice because I was advised that the Canagan I wanted to get him on to was too rich for a puppy. After three weeks of frankly room clearing wind, I couldn't stand it and started to introduce Canagan Scottish Salmon, which is 60%, 40%. Within two days he was selecting the Canagan and leaving the Greenacres. Wind was gone and coat started to improve, and (excuse the TMI) beautiful firm almost odourless poos. We stuck with that until this month, and I have started feeding Millie's, just because I like the varieties available. He LOVES it had has had no ill effects from any of their combinations.

Whatever you decide, take it slowly, and be prepared to change if anything doesn't suit, and I wouldn't buy any bulk sacks until you know what you will stick with.

All About Dog Food is a wonderful resource for looking at dog foods and comparing their prices and nutritional value.

I've been looking at that website all day, and I'm still no further on as there's just so much on there! I really don't think I could do raw feeding though, have decided on that. A good tip about not buying too big a bag in the beginning though.

I love www.tails.com - they tailor the food to your dog, including age, breed and exercise - can't recommend them enough :)

We feed a wet and dry mix ,for the dry we use Barking heads ,at the moment he's on the Fat Boy variety as he's prone to weight gain but he has also had the lamb ( good hair) and the TLC ,he has been fine on all of them .

No advice on food brand but a tip I like to share to help ward off separation anxiety:

About four years ago two rescue Chihuahuas unexpectedly came into my life as 10-week-old, sickly puppies. I was not seeking to have pets, far from it, and knew nothing about dogs, so I read a lot as they were being nursed back to health.

One book noted that dogs are foragers and that it's unnatural to have all of their food lumped into a bowl, and that one way to keep them busy was to scatter the food on the kitchen floor. I live alone and have an easily-cleaned tile floor in the kitchen so that is what I tried and they love it, racing around wearing themselves out to pick up each niblet.

Another book said to make your leaving-time a happy time by giving them treats on the way out. I combined the two methods and started reserving part of their breakfast and just as I go out the door to work, scattering it on the kitchen floor with the command to "Forage!" They get all excited and are too busy gobbling to notice I have left for the day. In fact, it's now to the point where they get excited if they see me drying my hair and otherwise getting ready to leave.

Sounds weird but I have absolutely no separation anxiety problems at all; I've had neighbors observe and they tell me there is no whining or barking after I've left. On the rare occasion I have to re-enter the house to pick up a forgotten item, they are lounging in their respective spots in total calm. Granted I'm so lucky they are such sweet-natured, laid-back little boys especially considering the breed.

Of course the foraging-upon-leavetaking wouldn't work with a dog who goes into a crate in the owner's absence but you could still give them a treat to distract them when you depart.

Mine also love little carrots as their main treat, or green beans.

Good luck!