lots of thanks again...
BobnDot, the Orijen sounds interesting - am all for a good food, with nice poos and that works out fairly inexpensive although the last point is the least important. Any idea how this kibble compares with Applaws kibble which someone said is high quality but expensive. Yes, I do think whichdogfood website will be worth exploring but I don't know the weight of the dog and you cannot leave it out - I guess she will be an average 8 week old but I have no idea what this is.
The one thing about kibble is that you can use it as treats and then its easy to deduct fromdaily allowance. I imagine that you can get thru quite a lot of treats when training in first few months and a bit of a complex equation if feeding wet food.
What are the sardines for - is it extra omega or something - is that what makes coat shine? Can give to a puppy (half tin?). I like the idea of not too many extras
Related is begging when family are eating. Do they not do this if never allowed (and not hungry)We eat on our laps I guess we will have to stop doing that.
Can you teach the puppy to wait till you say eat right from the beginning when feeding it?
I've no experience of Applaws but have heard good reports on here about it. Eden seems to be up there with Orijen and Acana as a high quality food but that's just going by the results on whichdogfood.co.uk, not from personal experience.
There's a weight/age guide for cockers at
http://www.powerscourt-cockers.co.uk/advice_pages/cocker_spaniel_weight.htm but it's important to use this as a guide only and not writ in stone.
With a good quality food the extras aren't really needed but they get sardines (in oil) as a treat and to make sure that they have access to food other than in kibble form, the same as with the carrot slices, helps to keep their teeth clean, gives then a different crunch sensation and introduces a bit of variety. One sardine will be enough for a puppy and the remainder can go into a sandwich for yourself
or into the fridge.
Many cocker owners use a crate for their puppies and we did so with Chaz. Puppies need a LOT of sleep, 17 to 20 hours a day, but usually try to keep going as long as there's activity around them. A crate gives them a safe place of their own away from the bustle of family life and allows them to sleep regularly through the day especially if it's covered to keep out the light. We used to feed Chaz before our evening meal and then place him in his crate for a rest while we had our meal.
Kibble doesn't dry out like fresh food but it's still best to get your puppy used to eating his food when it's put down for him and sometimes a bit of encouragement is needed. Lifting the food after it's been down for fifteen minutes or so and keeping it until the next mealtime won't do a puppy any harm but it will teach him to eat his food when it becomes available. We don't leave food bowls down all day but both ours have access to fresh water in several places around the house as well as outside the kitchen door.
Pets at Home don't stock Orijen but we get ours from
http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dry_dog_food/orijenBob.
