Feeding Puppies Great Danes| GREATDANELADY.COM

Name of Dog:__________________________________

Date of Birth:________________ Sex:______________

New: Owner: __________________________________

NUTRITION AND FEEDING PROGRAM

Congratulations on your new puppy. Now it is your responsibility to do the best you can for this puppy by using this Feed Program. Purchasing a puppy from me is an agreement by you the new owner to follow this regiment without fail, for the life of the dog or my guarantee is null and void.

This is the short version with just the Basics of the Blackwatch Feed Program. This program has 20 years of success in helping to prevent and correct developmental orthopedic problems in dogs. It is especially important in large/giant breeds, but this program works for all breeds/sizes.

I have left out the description of the supplements and what they do in this condensed version, but I expect all of my puppy buyers to read the complete information at www.greatdanelady.com (see Puppy Feed Program for details).

THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF SIX MAJOR PARTS

1. DOG FOOD - Natural/Holistic Super Premium kibble. The best is Eagle Natural Or Eagle Large/Giant puppy. Both are 23% protein and 12% fat. To order or find a retailer in your area go to www.eaglepack.com

2. 4 IN 1 PROBIOTICS AND DIGESTIVE ENZYMES This is friendly yogurt type bacteria, digestive enzymes, vitamin C and barley grass (veggies) supplement. Order at www.firstchoicenaturals.com

3. NZYMES -Dietary enzymes in chewable pet treat or granular form. The granular form is less expensive and helps prevent vaccine reactions, which can kill your puppy. Order at www.nzymes.com

4. OX-E DROPS These drops are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and keeps the
pH of the gut healthy. Order at www.zymes.com

5. JOINT SUPPORT - a good joint support to use for all stages is Flexicose and available at www.Flexicose com

6. MSM - although their is some MSM in Flexicose, their is not enough for growing puppies that often have nutritional malabsorption problems. Use 1/2 suggested dose based on weight, and use Flexicose as well, at normal dosage. www.firstchoicenaturals.com

Optional for variety:

Use Eagle Holistic canned meats, any flavor, but only use a small amount (couple of tablespoons) and some water for a gravy. For variety you may add fruits and vegetables in small amounts. Another option for variety is: HONEST KITCHEN -This is a human grade dehydrated raw food. I use the Force product which has little grains, mostly meat and vegetables. Just use 1-2 teaspoons on food and by 6 months they can have 1/4-1/3 cups a day on their food. As adults you can feed 1/3 of their diet Honest Kitchen and 3/4 Eagle.Order at www.thehonestkitchen.com

NOTE: You may safely switch to Eagles Large Breed Adult or Eagle Holistic Chicken kibble at 10 to 12 months. It is 24% protein and 14% fat. It is not necessary to switch if your dog's weight is fine- but some of the large males or very active dogs need a few more calories. NO Eagle Fish or Duck on growing Puppies.

SOME DO'S AND DON'TS

1. Start puppies on joint supplementation at 10 to 12 weeks of age.

2. You want your dog's food moist but not sloppy.

3. Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. This will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids of the food.

4. Do not let your puppy get too heavy ever. They should be well covered, but lean until their bones are set at 2 years old.

5. Do not feed free choice.

6. Watch the amount of treats you give your puppy, the calories add up. Better to use carrots, slice of apple or a couple of berries.

7. Do not allow exercise for 1 or 2 hours after a meal.

8. Do not beg your dog to eat.

Allow your puppy a safe, non stressful environment to eat. Give him 10 minutes to eat his food and if he does not remove the food and throw it away. He will not starve and he will not be developing bad habits. If you only let your dog have his food for 10 minutes he will become a good eater and you can use this knowledge to let you know something is wrong.

AMOUNTS OF KIBBLE TO FEED - Giant Breed Puppies

start with the low - mid range amounts not the high amount recommended until they are in the 1/3 of the way to being another month older.

LARGE BREEDS - Dogs that mature between 45 - 99 lbs. - Labs, Boxers, Collies, Goldens, Shepherds, Dobes, Rotties etc., should be fed the low end amounts on chart up to 5 months, then at 5 months and up they tend to hold around 5-7 cups of food, unlike the giant breeds - so hold in this range of 5-7 cups -increase or decrease according to activity levels. You want them well covered, but with the last rib showing slightly.

LARGE & GIANT PUPPIES

2 months 2-4 cups per day - (divided into 3 meals daily)
3 months 3-5 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
4 months 4-6 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
5 months 5-7 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily
6 months 6-8 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
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GIANT PUPPIES

7 months..... 6-9 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
8 months..... 6-9 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
9 months..... 7-10 cups per day- (divided into 2 meals daily)
10 - 12 months....7-10 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily) *

* after 10 months of age you can switch up to an adult formula with more protein, fat and calories. I prefer the Eagle Large/Giant Breed Adult 25%/15% or Eagle Holistic Chicken which is 24%/14% - that way you can decrease the amount of food they are eating so it is not so difficult on the digestion.

12 -18 months (males).... 8-11 cups a day (divided into 2 meals daily) *
12 -18 month (females)... 6-9 cups a day (divided into w meals daily

These amounts for puppies are based on a moderate caloric food (350-385 Kcal per cup).

This is a general guideline so they do not consume too many calories before 6 months of age, disrupting their growth patterns causing accelerated growth and potential bone problems. Keep the puppy lean, but not skinny. On a dog with a smooth coat, I want to just barely see the last rib if the dog is standing. That is the perfect weight for growth. If he is too lean, feed 1/2- 1 cup more per day. You have plenty of time to get muscle on them as the mature - show people are the worst at wanting them heavy to get them in the show ring. Just relax, you can't force an acorn to become and Oak tree over night. This is total amount to be divided into 2 meals. If you are feeding honest kitchen you need to use the lower amounts of kibble and maybe a little less. These are guidelines keep your puppy lean, but not skinny.

HOW I MIX MY FOOD IN THE MORNING:

I put ½ to 3/4 cup tepid temperature water ( ¼ to 1/3 cup for little puppies) in their bowls.
add a couple of spoons of Eagle Canned meat
add Ox-E-Drops, according to dosage on bottle.
add my 4 in 1 Probitoic and Nzymes
Stir into a gravy, then add my Eagle kibble and stir - serve

HOW I MIX MY FOOD IN THE EVENING:

I put ½ to 3/4 cup tepid temperature water ( ¼ to 1/3 cup for puppies) in their bowls.
add a couple of spoons of Eagle Canned meat
add Flexicose and MSM - stir into a gravy.
add Eagle kibble - stir and serve.

If I use fruits and veggies, I add them on top...fozen berries make great treats..but no grapes, due to potential kidney problems in dogs.

Optional: When or if I use Honest Kitchen, I use it a little divided AM and PM but make sure you mix it wet first and do not add it dry to the dog food as it is dehydrated and they can choak!!!

PLEASE NOTE THAT I WILL NOT STAND BEHIND ANY PUPPY THAT IS NOT KEPT ON THIS REGIMENT. NUTRITION IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO HAVING A HEALTHY HAPPY PUPPY, AS IS GENETICS AND PROPER ENVIRONMENT.

I DO MY PART AS A BREEDER TO PRODUCE QUALITY PUPPIES - SO, I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO DO ANYTHING THAT I AM NOT WILLING TO DO FOR MY OWN. IF YOU THINK THE COST OF THE DOG AND CARING AND FEEDING FOR IT IS HIGH, YOU ARE RIGHT! THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE BREED TO OWN AND NOT EVERYONE CAN CARE FOR THIS BREED PROPERLY. IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY, IF YOU CAN'T DO IT RIGHT YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS DOING IT AT ALL.

SO REMEMBER THIS IS A WHOLE WELLNESS PROGRAM. NO GUARANTEE OF PROBLEMS, BUT IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR PREVENTION, WELLNESS AND LONGEVITY.

Breeder: ___________________________________________Date:___________

Owner: ____________________________________________ Date:___________

For more information on how to raise your puppy go to Puppy Guidelines and the Puppy Care Index at this website.