Hello,
Our lab puppy that we will be picking up on Sunday :D has been completely weaned onto his dry, complete puppy food, which is provided in unlimited amounts all through the day. We want to provide his food at specific mealtimes, but I had originally thought that at least one of these meals would be milk-based (porridge, weetabix etc). I just wondered if I should try to re-introduce a milk feed, if there was a reason they were generally recommended until the puppy is 4-5 months, or if he is perfectly happy eating 3-4 meals of dry a day whether I should leave well alone?

Any thoughts and ideas appreciated

I would stick to whatever he's used to, as long as he's happy and healthy on it. Some pups can't tolerate cows milk or wheat, so for at least 2 weeks after you get him stick to the breeder's regime.

Bet you can't wait, eh :D

Hi Arwenwulf, I personally dont feed a milk feed, but I know a lot of owners do. I definitely wouldnt free feed, I would split the daily allowance into four feeds at 8 - 12 weeks, and then 3 feeds 12 weeks-6 months, and then 2 at 6 months onwards. I still feed my dogs 2 feeds instead of one large one. and even three with cookie who is 9 months now, as he was very underfed when I got him, and it just seems to suit him better. If the breeder has already got the pup onto a completely 'complete' :D feed, I would stay with that. But everyone has different opinions on this:), also if he is not used to cows milk it could well upset his tummy. HTH Julie:)

Hi
I bet you can't wait to pick up your little bundle of fun, I have a choc lab puppy, well he's now 14 weeks ols, but we have had him since he was 7 weeks, he's a little "darling" Have you had a lab before? I have had other dogs but Chester is my first Lab, he has been the easiest puppy to train, he learn't to sit almost from day 1 !! (off to our first training class this Wednesday)
Anyhow getting back to the tread.........when we had him he was only on dry (well semi moist with a bit of boiling water) food and we have kept him on this and he's been fine, he started to mess with it the other week, but a teaspoon of tuna mixed in (advise from this website!)with sorted that problem! You will find you can "train" him to eat when you want him to ie add the tuna and it will go in one!! I never leftt food down if he didn't eat it when I gave it I took it away, they soon learn!!!
What colour are you having? Have you picked a Name? Look i'm being nosey now!!
Have Fun (they grow so fast!!) and Good Luck!!!

Hi Arwenwulf

Like Muddydogs I don't give a milk feed as I consider once a pup has been naturally weaned there is no need for it - stick to what your pup's breeder has recommended for at least two weeks so that there are not two many changes introduced at once. I can't see any problem with feeding four times a day rather than free feeding though providing it is the same food.

Have fun!

Christine

I on the other hand do give my puppies a milk meal, always have and see no reason to break a winning streak as the saying goes.

I would definitely no be happy with "Self Feeding" a Labrador. The one thing you can say for certain about a Labrador which has stopped eating is that it must have died at least 3 weeks ago! I believe that any Lab on a self feed regime will end up overweight, certainly from a working viewpoint. Also I like to be seen by my dog as the provider of her food, I want her to work for me and view me as her protector

Regards, John

I agree about not self-feeding a labrador! Our old girl's main aim in life (if not finding a good stick on walks (not allowed, but she was obsessed) - bear in mind Good Sticks don't grow on trees :D :D) was to eat herself into a ball.

Again, this was not allowed!

Hello,

I like John always feed my pups a daily drink of milk (Welpi-doesn't scour them) up until they are 6 months old. I have got 2 youngsters with good bone & body which is my aim, some littermates didn't and I feel are lacking substance. I know genes play a big part too but giving a growing pup a boost certainly doesn't hurt at all.

Hi everyone, thanks for all the replies, I've only just checked back
We certainly won't be free feeding - I still can't believe our breeder gets any of them to stop! And I don't think it'll take too long for him to learn when his mealtimes are.
Julie, I think we'll be gradually reducing to 2 meals a day too - with my previous dog we only fed once, but we've had advise elsewhere as well that 2 can be a good idea.
Chocky, he's called Raven (black y'see ) My husband grew up with a succession of black labs, I had a golden retriever but we have never had sole responsibility for a puppy so this is a biiiiig first.

John, we had originally thought that one or two of the four feeds would be milk, I had even written down our feeding schedule but I think now that I know he has stopped having the milk I won't be putting him back on, providing that he is doing well on his food - I will be keeping a close eye on him as you can imagine :D I don't think there has been a single food mentioned where everyone who has tried it has been 100% happy with, dogs are too different for that, and a couple of people have said their dogs lost condition on the particular one my breeder uses so I will be being careful.

Thanks all again

How long to go now????? Julie:)

4 days :D :D :D

How excited you must be!!!
When we got Thistle ( our lab ) at 9 weeks she had had continual access to dried puppy food. I carried on with it for about 3 weeks and gradually put her on to 4 meals a day by 3 months. I gave her Weetabix and milk for breakfast because I thought it seemed a good idea. It gave her the runs, I think it was the milk.
Have fun with your puppy.
Jane

Thanks Jane - I love the name Thistle by the way

Hi there
How's Raven doing???

Good luck. Good luck. :D :D :D

Hope you manage to get there in the bad weather, although I don't suppose a huricane could stop you.

Looking forward to seeing some piccies.

9th & TH (who's looking forward to sticky toffee pudding in Newburgh in 6 months!)