Feeding Your Puppy
Important Notes about Feeding:
- Three (3) feedings per day
- ½ to ¾ cup per feeding
- Increase amount as puppy grows
- One (1) NuVet tablet daily
- Sprinkle a Probiotic over the food
- Overfeeding causes diarrhea
Feeding & Supplement Schedule
Our puppies eat PawTree Chicken and Oatmeal food. At 9 weeks old, they are eating 3/4 cup (6 oz.), three (3) times each day. Their meals are between 7:00 and 9:00 am, 12:00 and 1:00 pm, and 5:00 and 6:00 pm. We sprinkle Gastro Pro Plus (a great Probiotic) over the food. They also get one NuVet Plus tablet daily. We break it into 3-4 pieces and feed it as treats. Once puppies are 16 weeks old, we start adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Wild Alaskan Salmon and Pollock Oil.
As Your Puppy Grows
Keep feeding three times per day until the puppy is a year old, then switch to two feedings per day. Consult the feeding chart on the bag as your puppy grows.
Serving the Food
It used to be thought that elevating a dog’s bowl would prevent bloat, but recent research has shown it can cause bloat. Regardless of size, always feed your dog from a bowl on the floor, never from a raised bowl. Please call us if you have food/feeding questions!
Eating Less & Picky Eating
As puppies grow into dogs, they start to self-regulate their intake. They will eat more or less depending on how much their body needs at that time. Older puppies and grown dogs typically require fewer meals than adults, so if your puppy starts skipping meals, it is probably time to eliminate one of their meals. Eating less or skipping meals is NOT a problem.
If your puppy or dog doesn’t eat a lot, but maintains a healthy weight, do NOT change food! Changing brands often causes more problems than it fixes. Many brands end up causing gas, loose stool, and other problems because their ingredients and manufacturing standards aren’t where we like them to be. These things are not listed on the label. We have done a lot of work finding excellent food for our dogs and puppies.
Some dogs need time between meals to get hungry and build an appetite.If you think you have a picky eater, try reduced amounts and fewer meals. If that doesn't work, here are some things you can do to help encourage eating healthy food: ● Add a little warm water to the food. ● Rotate flavors of PawTree food (once puppy is 16-20 weeks old) ● Try the PawPairings toppers. Some dogs like the toppers sprinkled dry, others with a little warm water to make a “broth.” ● Reduce the number of meals you feed. ● Add a little low-sodium chicken or beef broth to the kibble ● Add a bit of cooked meat or hard-boiled egg to the kibble ● Mix some Salmon & Pollock Oil on top of the kibble
Puppy Teething
Teething may arguably be the most difficult part of owning a puppy. The overwhelming desire to chew, chomp and mouth can sometimes almost consume a puppy’s mind. But there are solutions!
Biting vs. Mouthing
Biting and mouthing are not the same. When a dog bites, it is usually done with
fear or aggression. Snarling, growling and stiff posture accompany a bite. Puppies who jump playfully, snapping at hands, feet, hair, etc. or chomping down with their sharp little teeth are “mouthing.” Even though this is NOT aggressive “biting,” and is really quite normal, your puppy needs to learn that it is NEVER acceptable to have a part of a human’s body in their mouth.
Managing a Puppy's Mouthing
Make sure that your puppy has lots of things that ARE okay to chew on, chomp into, shake, pull, etc. Replace your hand, hair or clothing with a fun toy whenever possible. Distract your puppy by doing some training or another activity. Teach children to redirect the puppy’s mouth to a soft toy. If children run away, scream, laugh, or wave their hands around, a puppy will think it’s a fun game and will want to keep it going. When your puppy needs some down time or is ready for a nap, provide a nice bully stick, bone or stuffed Kong toy in a confined area or crate.
Teaching Bite Inhibition (Mouthing Manners)
When your puppy mouths with high pressure, give a high-pitched squeal or yelp (or say ouch”). The puppy should stop in surprise. Now praise the puppy and continue to play. If the mouthing doesn’t stop, discontinue the play and ignore or confine the puppy briefly until calm. Next, eliminate the pressure of your puppy’s mouthing by gradually decreasing the amount of pressure you will allow. Set a limit for how hard your puppy may mouth during a session. Anything harder gets a yelp. Gradually set your limit for softer and softer pressure. Move your limits slowly enough for your puppy to be successful most of the time.
Other Resources
For more information, check out the following articles:
Reinforce Your Dog's Bite Inhibition by Pat Miller
Bite Inhibition Training by Karen Pryor
OR - scroll down to the Information Sheets section
to download a pdf (same text as above, but more colorful)
Early Puppy Socialization
The Sensitive Period: 3-14 Weeks
The “sensitive period” of socialization is between 3 and 14 weeks according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“Statistically speaking, your puppy has a much greater risk of developing permanent behavior issues if not properly socialized, than of contracting a disease while properly socializing.”
Proper Socialization
Proper socializing is exposing your puppy to as many people, sounds, smells and healthy dogs/animals as possible, in a positive way. Make sure your puppy is having a positive experience; help make a connection between these experiences and good, safe feelings. Proper socialization at a young age is critical to raising a well balanced dog.
What To Do
Take your puppy somewhere everyday if possible. Meet and get affection from many types of people. Take rides in cars, on busses, boats, trains, etc. Meet healthy, fully-vaccinated dogs, cats, farm animals, etc. Go to sporting events, restaurants, car shows, stores, banks, city streets, beaches, pools, farms, parking lots, etc. Try to do everything & go everywhere you want your puppy to enjoy as an adult dog.
What To Avoid
Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, stay out of “dog walk” and “pet elimination” areas, dog parks, highly populated - overwhelming places, dogs you don’t personally know, loud noises such as firework shows. If your puppy gets scared of something, stop until s/he feels safe. Later, try again, slowly, with lots of play, treats, and praise. KEEP IT FUN for you and your puppy!
Other Resources
For more information, check out the following:
FREE Avidog E-Book: 97 Ways to Create Great Puppies,
The AVSAB's Position on Puppy Socialization
The AVMA's Literature Review on the Welfare Implications of Socialization of Puppies & Kittens
OR - scroll down to the Information Sheets section
to download a pdf (same text as above, but more colorful)
Crate & House Train
The Crate as Sanctuary
A crate is your puppy’s sanctuary. It’s a place to spend private time with toys
or bones, rest, or seek refuge from stressful situations, animals or people.
Crate Size: Adjust the crate so that there is enough room for your puppy to stand up, stretch, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but no more. Your puppy should NOT feel like there is room to sleep AND have a toilet area.
Crate Time
Puppies from Acadia Goldendoodles have been sleeping in crates with the door open and have spend enjoyable time alone in crates (with special treats) with the door closed. Keep this training going by feeding meals in the crate and/or giving very special treats in the crate with the door closed (for short periods). At other times, leave the door open for the puppy to access at will. If your puppy fusses when you close the door, do not open it until s/he is quiet. We don’t recommend getting into a dialogue with your puppy at this time -- just ignore the puppy’s noises without making your own noises. We might tap on the crate if puppy is getting agitated, but will ignore small whimpers/whining.
Night Time
Put the crate in your bedroom at night. When you and your puppy are ready for bed, place your puppy in the crate (calmly, no talking) with a few treats, a bully stick and a maybe a snuggle puppy or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, then close the door. Place an item or two of clothing near the crate so that the puppy can smell (but not reach) them. If the puppy whines or fusses a little, ignore it. Should it go on for longer than 15 minutes, or start to escalate, give the crate a gentle tap, but don’t say anything. Don’t get into a “conversation” with the puppy.
House Training Schedule
Set up a schedule for your puppy’s meals, playtime, crate time, trips outside, and follow it closely. The pup should be taken out to eliminate: right after waking, about 20 minutes after eating, after play sessions and about every 3 hours in between. Make sure to plan for some EXERCISE as well. If you leave the house for work, leave the puppy and the OPEN crate in an easy-to-clean, puppy-proofed area (kitchen/bathroom/laundry room). Puppies from Acadia Goldendoodles are trained to use a dog door, and a litterbox (with wood pellets). If you have a dog door, confine the puppy to a small area around that, and fence in a small area outside the door. If you don’t have a dog door, add a small litter box to the puppy area/pen.
Grooming Your Goldendoodle
The Basics
Regular grooming should include brushing & dematting, washing & drying, trimming or shaving the coat, clipping nails, and cleaning both the ears and teeth.
The easiest way to make sure your Goldendoodle is groomed properly is to find a good groomer and set up a regular appointment, every 6 - 8 weeks.
Find someone who will clean/pluck ears and express anal glands if needed.
Brushing & De-Matting
Brush your Goldendoodle daily if possible. Use a slicker brush for the top layers and a metal comb to get down close to the skin, stopping tangles/mats before they really get started. If you do find mats or tangles, try a mat rake or cut the tangles out with scissors.
Washing & Drying
Wash your Goldendoodle in the bathtub or shower, with warm water. Use Life’s Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo. Make sure your dog is having a good experience - massage into a lather, then rinse thoroughly. Next, dry your dog with bath towels, microfiber cloths and/or a hair dryer. Check the ears too - make sure they are clean and dry. Life’s Abundance also has an excellent ear cleaner.
Clipping - The Goldendoodle Style
wikiHow has a great article on the steps to grooming a Goldendoodle. https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Goldendoodle You can follow it yourself, or share it with your Groomer. Basically, trim the head and ears to 1”, manicure the eyebrows and beard to your desired look, and trim the body and legs evenly to the length you prefer.
Training your Goldendoodle
Biscuit Training, We have partnered with Biscuit Training to help you get customized advice and lessons as you start out with your puppy.
Biscuit’s puppy training and raising curriculum is not about teaching your puppy how to sit, it’s about building life skills that foster healthy, happy, and positive behaviors to give you and your puppy the companionship you deserve!
Biscuit takes a trainer led and hands-on approach - giving you and your puppy personalized, expert guidance that is simple and highly effective. Weekly private virtual training sessions, mid-week progress check-ins & regular trainer feedback. They also offer a "Littermates" class to each group going home from Acadia Goldendoodles!
Welcome to Puppy Parenthood!
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