new pup...help!

[schteve_d]

Well, I certainly don't pretend to be an expert, and people here have covered the basics, but one thing I tell any new puppy owner that I know is to get the puppy (in your case you will have to wait a while as he is so young) to experience AS MANY NEW THINGS AS POSSIBLE. Get him to meet as many people and their pets that you know, take him camping if you will likely want to do that with him someday - just sleep in a tent in the backyard for a couple of nights, take him on a boat, take him on a long drive, etc. etc. you get the point. The more things a puppy experiences early in life, the better they adapt to new situations later in life ( in my humble opinion). One plus for you is that labs generally have a pretty good disposition and are not really that "jumpy" - they take a pretty relaxed look at life.
You definately have come to the right place, I am new to pet talk myself and the information and willingness from others to help are awesome (pat yourselves on the back now people, this is as good a time as any for this newcomer to thank all of you who have answered my questions). There are good folk here, and I generally find that "pet people" in general are almost always good folk.
He sure is a cutie.

[vinjashira]

I don't have any advice, just want to say that bull is super cute

[Kristl]

right now he's eating Hill's Science Diet Puppy and that's only because the vet gives every new animal owner a freebag...doesn't matter if you already have 15 cats or dogs. You get a new one...you get a free bag of food! I haven't thought about what I'll feed him longterm. The Hill's brand is pretty expensive.

[Albea]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
Remember though, he can't go out and play with other dogs until he is ATLEAST 16 weeks of age (4 months). He is still susceptible to disease, ESPECIALLY at this age, him not having had any shots at all. It is better to let him play with dogs that are owned by friends, that you know have had their shots.

Your puppy is adorable.
What Wolfsoul says is very important Those awful people (backyard breeders) who sold you a puppy that young probably didn't take very good care of the litter or the mother, so, don't let him play with other dogs until he's had all the shots. He will have plenty of time to meet other dogs and lots of people when it's safe for him to do it.
Welcome to Pet Talk and good luck with the training.

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by Kristl
right now he's eating Hill's Science Diet Puppy and that's only because the vet gives every new animal owner a freebag...doesn't matter if you already have 15 cats or dogs. You get a new one...you get a free bag of food! I haven't thought about what I'll feed him longterm. The Hill's brand is pretty expensive.

actually, $6 per 5 lb bag is not a lot to spend, when you're considering your dogs health and growth. Right now, Bully needs a very good quality food to aid his growing, especially with large breeds like Labs. Hill Science Diet's first ingredient is also Ground Corn (followed by Poultry by-products) which doesn't sound too quality to me. It *is* overpriced for its ingredients. Please check out the brands I mentioned, they would be a lot better for him and because they're much more high quality foods, you will be able to feed your puppy less of it and therefor save money. It might seem expensive, but it is worth it!! Especially if it prevents high vet bills 8-10 years from now.. which, high quality food can.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by bckrazy
actually, $6 per 5 lb bag is not a lot to spend, when you're considering your dogs health and growth.

Agreed! My cat get's two types of food. His kibble costs me $15 for a 6 lb bag, and his raw costs me $17 for a 3 pound bag. Also agree about Science Diet...Baaaad ingredients. After they were bought by Hill's, everything went downhill.

[ramanth]

My first dog was 3 when I got her so I have no experience raising a puppy. I just wanted to say that he is really cute. Good luck!

[luvofallhorses]

Nutro is a healthy food & never feed him Iams it kills and so do hartz products..so please buy like nutro, chicken soup(I know it's a book but they have cat food& dog food) or Nutro Cal(I think it's called) and eukanaba is a bad food too in my opinion

[wolfsoul]

Eukanuba and Iams are owned by the same company, so really they both do the same testing...Science Diet does as well.

[bckrazy]

lol.. so, basically, any dog kibble that you can buy in your average grocery store tends to be pretty horrible ingredients. Corn has *NO* nutritional value for dogs, just like Corn has no nutritional value for people... and it is the #1 ingredient in almost all kibbles at the grocery store (sometimes #2 )

here is a link about bad dog foods

[Kristl]

well, I'll go to PetsMart tomorrow and see if they carry the nutro or the chicken soup brands, if so that's what he'll eat. i trust much more what experienced dog owners tell me than people trying to make a buck! thanks

[schteve_d]

I can vouch for Nutro as my dogs ate it for years and I was very happy with the results (energy levels, weight, skin/coat). When I moved up here, it is not available anywhere in town (or should I say at the ONE pet store! lol) so I switched them to Eagle Pack and am quite happy with that as well.

[bckrazy]

Originally posted by Kristl
well, I'll go to PetsMart tomorrow and see if they carry the nutro or the chicken soup brands, if so that's what he'll eat. i trust much more what experienced dog owners tell me than people trying to make a buck! thanks

awesome.. Bull will thank you for it!