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Healthy Puppy

Keeping Your Puppy Healthy

It's important to keep your puppy healthy. The biggest factor in your puppies ongoing health is you. Finding a good veterinarian and getting regular preventative care is important, but providing a healthy diet, daily exercise, and regular grooming are all just as important. 

Food

Feed your dog high quality, well balanced dog food and treats to help maintain your dogs weight at a healthy level. Also be sure to provide your dog with a fresh water supply.

 

We feed or dogs Pro Plan 30/20 through all stages of their life. Abrupt changes in their diet can lead to an upset stomach.

If you do intend to change the food they eat, do so gradually over the course of a week. This allows them to adapt to the change easier.

While at BarMor's, puppies are fed several times daily to assure all have eaten. You will not have this issue once your puppy is in your care. We suggest that until your puppy is completely housebroke, feed it on a regular schedule, and only allow 15 minutes at a time for them to eat. Once the time has passed, remove the food until the next scheduled feeding. If they did not eat the first time, they will the next. They tend to learn quickly that the must eat when food is offered. Puppies tend to grow very quickly, and the amount you feed them  is based on the individual dog. If they leave food in the dish, it may have been too much. If they are licking the bowl once finished, it may have not been enough, and they will need more. "Grazing" is not suggested as it causes weight gains, however after they are housebroke, and if they tend to be picky eaters, this may be a more feasible option.

According to the FDA, most dogs receive a complete and balanced diet, including necessary vitamins and minerals, from commercially processed dog food. The possibility exists that if an animal eats a balanced diet and receives access portions of some vitamins and minerals, it could be harmful to them, according to the FDA and Veterinarians. Always consult your vet before adding any vitamins to your pets diet.

According to the FDA, most dogs receive a complete and balanced diet, including necessary vitamins and minerals, from commercially processed dog food. The possibility exists that if an animal eats a balanced diet and receives access portions of some vitamins and minerals, it could be harmful to them, according to the FDA and Veterinarians. Always consult your vet before adding any vitamins to your pets diet.

Grooming Your Puppy

No matter what type of coat your puppy has, it must be groomed on a regular basis. Cockapoos and schnoodles require extra grooming to keep their coats clean and untangled. While they are puppies, the primary function of grooming daily is get them accustomed to being handled all over. As you get more familiar with them, they learn to stand or lie still as you brush, comb, or cut their nails. You will be thankful for teaching them this while they are young.

Clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. If they get too long, it can hurt their feet and they can potentially have problems walking. Check and clean your dogs ears on a regular basis. Monitor your dogs dental health and provide appropriate dental care.

BarMor Puppies
A Happy Puppy

Socialize your puppy once it has had all it's important vaccinations!

Socializing your puppy before they are 12-16 weeks old will help to ensure they become comfortable, well-behaved adults. Be sure to let your puppy have may different experiences such as being around children (with a watchful eye), groups of people, other dogs, and going for walks in your neighborhood. Puppy classes are great too!

Adequate exercise and play time are important!

Dogs enjoy chewing, chasing, and pulling. Make sure they play or exercise with a toy you choose and not a household item. Chewy bones exercise the jaw, while a ball or frisbee is fun to chase and retrieve. They also love to drag toys around with them, while some like to cuddle with them. Daily exercise, on or off a leash (to run), is encouraged for 15-20 minutes a day.

Traveling

For car and air journeys, dogs should always be put in a crate. They will be happier, safer, and will usually sleep most of the way. To prepare your puppy for longer car trips, take them on shorter, more frequent trips prior to a lengthy one. Avoid feeding them prior to the journey, and always have water available for them. While they may sleep a majority of the distance, it's still important to stop every 2-3 hours for a bathroom and exercise break along the way. Remember NEVER leave a dog in a car by themselves.

cockapoo puppy
Things You May Not Know

A dog's height is determined by their shoulders, not their head. Stand your dog on a flat, Solid surface and run your hand over the back of his neck, to his back. The highest point over the shoulder is the point of the withers. Use a tape measure to find the distance from this point in a straight line to the floor. 

F1 - First generation puppy = 50% / 50% purebred mix. For example: A Cocker Spaniel to Poodle cross produces an F1 puppy. In this particular cross, hair type can be smooth like a Cocker, or wavy/shaggy. Shedding is a possibility and pups in the same litter can vary. This is not the best cross  for people with severe allergies.

F1b - Backcross = 25% / 75% purebred mix. For example: a F1 Cockapoo and a Poodle cross produces an F1b puppy. In this case, the wavy/shaggy look is very consistent in coat types. F1b is the most likely of any Cockapoo to be non shedding and allergy friendly, as well as the easiest coat to take care of.

Breeders who breed purebred to purebred creating a first generation hybrid believe in the heterosis effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor refers to "physical or mental strength, energy, or force". Unlike purebred dogs, when you adopt a hybrid, you do not know an exact size or look of the dog ahead of time. The public is under the impression that mixed breeds exhibit vigor and will not express genetic disorders. This is simply not true.

Barmor Puppies
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