New Puppy, Help with nutrition. - Page 2

Very cute girl; I would just use the yogurt to give a bit of probiotics, don't think it will add too much calcium to her diet given she is on a so, so kibble formula. JMHO though. Nan

Well this was a nice topic! People were helpful. :)
I have been so afraid to ask or say anything, people get ripped to shreds for saying things that might be different. Or advice, etc. I have been reading lots of these forums for years and wow! Everyone seems to be an expert and ridicule you if you "don't know"
Well I really enjoyed this thread. :)
Thanks for being kind to each other!

Ditto Loves GSD007: I just want to encourage people to find something that works for their dog; what works for your dog might not work for other dogs; very important to understand that, however, I think knowledge and experience trying new things is also good if your dog can take a change. Some cannot make a change in foods easily that is why I think for the Poster if the food they are currently using is giving them all that they think their dog needs along with great energy, shiny coat, good stool consistency and good health overall then why change. Sometimes it is easier to keep current food and just add something as simple as an egg once a week or maybe even cottage cheese or yogurt for a puppy or even some type meat either raw or canned (cooked). Nan

Thank you all for the responses! As a new dog owner I'm pretty serious about raising my pup. All I want is what's best for her. Like LovesGSD007 said, I got a really good experience from my first post on PDB and learn a lot from it. Thank you again everyone.

Also, I'm wondering what kind of treats (rewards) do you guys use when teaching obedience skills?

Since some puppies are not good with any type of food changes or additions to diet I just use the puppies kibble that they are currently on that is assuming that the food is agreeing with them. Later you can move to adding a bit of chicken/beef or some type human food, I do not recommend commercial treats as is you read to ingredients they are usually garbage and stuff you do not want to give to your puppy. But there are plenty out there; I try to use something healthy for them as you probably know they will usually eat anything and everything.

Nan is correct most store bought treats are not to good.I use dry cat food.  They have more flavor than dog food and the pups think they are for sure getting a treat, a bag of cat food can be inexpensive compared to dog treats.

I also for the older dogs get cheap meat, brisket or chicken breasts on sale and bake it then cut into small pieces.

 

To answer your question about what treats to use...Once again...You have to take into consideration what you have readily available wherever you are...I personally use "Chicken Hot Dogs"...That's all I use...For Obedience and Tracking both...

But if you're going to use treats for doing Obedience then you have to treat them as a "food source" and you have to figure it into how much food you give your puppy...Just don't go out and do Obedience and feed you puppy or dog a pound of Hot Dogs then go in and expect your puppy to eat a full meal and then wonder why they won't eat or begin to put on weight...So just be aware what you're giving them and watch your puppy to see how things affect them...Also giving a number of treats for any reason can upset their stomach...so be careful and start off slowly...

ALWAYS leave your puppy/dog wanting more...

As far as this post goes...I think it's a very good...helpful post...But I've always been under the idea that we...as Owners...Breeders...Trainers are representatives of the breed and we should be willing to stand up for the breed and to help new people who want to become "representatives of the breed"...I've never understood why so many people look down on "Newbies"...We've all been there and we've all be in the position of knowing nothing and wanting help in learning...So I believe in helping others that are in the same place we all were once..

~Bob~

Qman I wish more had the same attitude

Those like Q man are a rare commodity in the dog world....
Think how much better off the breed as a whole could be, if people worked together , for the betterment o the breed. To help educate those that take the time to seek sound advice from people that actually know a Few things.
It utterly amazes me when I get calls from puppy people asking if this, that or the other nonsense they were told by some of these Facebook German Shepherd "experts" is true.
People new to the breed can be given so much nonsensical information, and take it as fact. I am far from an expert, but I do consider myself to be very knowledgeable about the breed. I also am always in search of more.
Even more amazing to me is that some breeders have numerous dogs, but really don t even know their dogs.
I believe you must truly love this breed, if you want to own one, and love the breed enough to pay it forward to those who want to learn, if you want to breed them.
I find it quite disheartening how many German Shepherd breeders are out there, that care more about the money, than the dogs.
Many that know things to share, but don t because they either don t like the person who asked, don t agree with what someone plans to do, or just don t give a hoot about helping others....DO THE DOGS THE FAVOR.... share the wealth of info you have gathered over the years with those who seek to be where you are. If I can save even one dog from any type of problem, I would be more than happy.
And just because someone does not get an A on the homework prior to buying a dog, don t mean the should be left, unassisted , not knowing where to turn for advice when everything went wrong