need advice with new puppy - Page 1

 We brought home our 10 week old puppy about 5 days ago.  The breeder was feeding her 3 times a day, a total of about 3 cups of dry kibble.  She hardly has an appetite since she came home with us.  I know that this is a big adjustment time for the pup, but should I be concerned?  Also, how do you stop that playful "pinch biting"?

If the pup has formed and firm stool and is otherwise acting normally, has energy, clear eyes and nose, she is probably simply not hungry. Dogs do not starve themselves unless they do not feel well, don't like their food, or are not hungry. Even if they don't like the food, when hungry, they will eat. I suggest cutting back just a little, especially if you are feeding treats too. Be certain she is wormed several times at appropriate intervals.

Also, how much real exercise does she get? If she just hangs out with you all day that may not be sufficient exercise. As for the biting, what do you plan to do with the dog? Is it to be a pet? If so, then yes, you probably want to stop the biting now, but if you want to do Schutzhund, for example, you want to substitute things for your arm, hand etc., so she is not discouraged from biting and playing, but just redirects the biting away from you.

Good luck. 

Are you feeding the same food the breeder was feeding or have you switched?  I had 2 pups that when they went home to their new owners they started not eating very well.  They'd take a few bites and then seem disinterested.  Both owners stated they did not switch the dog food I was feeding and indicated the pups would scarf down meat or hot dogs when they tried to give it to them so I told them to try a different puppy food.  They fed Bil Jack and both pups quickly began accepting the new food.  Some dogs are picky eaters.  I know the Dam of these 2 fussy pups is VERY picky.  I'd try a different dog food that your pup may find tastier.  As for the stopping the playful pinch biting....that's probably not gonna happen.  All pups do this especially the higher drive ones. 

I would skip the mid day meal  at 10 weeks she/he can be fed twice a day with no problems .  I am not a fan of canned food however sometimes it just get's those picky eaters eating :)) Brand of choice believe it or not pedigree Country stew  LOL  mixed in and well strirred with warm water  the warm water will enhance the scent of the food even more ;) works everytime.

Pia

I am not an expert by any means, but I just went through this with a new puppy.  She did not eat much for the first week after I brought her home.  Of course, I worried, but eventually she got her appetite back and was eating dry puppy food with no problems. 

You might consider changing dogfood brand's, do so gradually.    You may consider feeding it moist.    Or you might try adding something to it, meat, egg, cheese, there are many thing's you could add that would be good for the pup.  You might cut back on the feeding's as has been suggested.   Or all of the above, mostly don't be to worried just yet, it may also just take time for the puppy to adjust.  Hot weather will also put an animal's appetite off.

Discourage the biting with a yip or a hard no !!   Offer toy's as a replacement to this activity, I sometime's will shove my finger down a young pup's throat, puppy wont like it and will look at you like what the hell was that?   Someone's gonna get me crap over that one..LOL, but it works for me.   Puppy's explore the world with their teeth as much as smell sight and sound, it's natural.  Puppy teeth are like needle's and will draw blood.  Handle the puppy in a way that it cannot bite, this does not help small children tho.  Again give it some time to learn.

Good luck with your new puppy.

 Lots of puppies become 'picky' with their food when they first go to a new home. A reason that hasn't been mentioned yet is the lack of competition for the food. The puppy goes from feeding as part of a pack (i.e. the rest of the litter), to being on their own.

Good point newbee,

I see this in my older dog's as well.  They eat best if they are keeping it away from the other dog's...lol

Be patient with your puppy's eating, you may find that the breeder has been feeding them on mass and that your puppy has always been eating less than the others and it just hasnt been noticed.  Be careful with changing its food around as you may find that your pretty puppy is very quick to grasp the idea that if it doesnt eat you will "treat" it by changing the food to whatever it fancies that day - my vet was very firm about this many years ago even with a puppy that was v. poorly and the advice has stood us in good stead to this day.

As for the biting treat that like the mum or litter mates would.  Mum would either put her mouth over the puppies or use a firm nip to the back of the neck - both of which are easy to duplicate and to be honest a quick scruffing is the easier to do.  Otherwise squeal like a stuck pig - very high pitched - thats what siblings do when playing and one dog goes too far.  I would never advocate sticking a finger down its throat.

Margarita,

Many here including myself have a habit of jumping into a topic without enough information to properly address an issue.

You were asked a couple of question's that you have not returned to answer.   It would be to your benifit to participate.

What are you feeding now?

What activity's make up the puppy's day?

How do you plan on raising your puppy??    As in Pet, Schutzhund prospect, home protection, and do you have small children?   

Is the puppy indoor's or outside?

All of these question's are important if you want the best advice.   

Brent.