i just got a lab-pit puppy...?

Question

im not a dog expert..really i dont like them much..but my uncle gave us one..
basically i dont know wat to do...
wat do i feed him? how often..
i dont want him to be mean..wat do i do there?
since he is still little he misses his mommy so i put him to sleep like a real baby..is that ok?

please fill me in!

Answer 1

Take him to the vet first and formost...but start to feed him about 3 times a day with puppy food in the morning, afternoon and evening....always leave water out, toys, etc. make sure you take him outside to go to the bathroom. But please take him to the vet to get checked and shots and all that good stuff, Dogs are awesome and alot of fun, i have a pit bull lab mix to and she is just wonderful, Good luck

Answer 2

Hmm, sounds like you're not real thrilled to have a dog. How old is this puppy? Is he old enough to be away from his mother? Call your vet for advice on feeding him-he can tell you what to feed (he needs a quality food) and how much.
Just because the dog has pit in him, don't be afraid of him. Most dogs are mean because they have not been socialized properly as puppies or they have been trained that way. I have seen many of these mixes and they can be wonderful pets. This is going to be a sizeable dog-obedience train him. Around here puppies can start at 12 weeks of age. Obedience training is not mean-(it teaches him what is expected of him) it is a kindness!!! He will also need to be potty trained-start NOW. I suggest crate training. Take him outside as soon as he wakes from a nap, he eats, he plays and as much in between as you can. Take him to the same area outside every time and use a cue word like "potty" so he knows what he's supposed to do. When you cannot be with him, he needs to be in a crate or confined to a small area. Do not give him the run of the house until he is housebroken! He will also be teething-make sure you have toys that are acceptable for him to chew on and don't let him chew on anything else! My dogs loved a knotted towel that I wet and put in the freezer-they could chew and chew and the cold felt good. The puppy will also need immunizations and a check-up from your vet. Your vet is a wealth of information and you should use him as a valuable resource. If you feel rushed by him/her or feel uncomfortable asking questions, find a new vet! Find one you feel comfortable partnering with. Don't forget the puppy will also need to be neutered when he is old enough (usually 6 mos, sometimes younger/older) not only for behavioral reasons and so he can't reproduce but because it prevents some types of reproductive cancers and enlarged prostates. The internet can also provide you with answers if you have questions as you go. Try a search engine or Yahoo for answers. Raising a dog is hard work but the love returned is well worth it. If, in the end, you feel you cannot raise this puppy, please contact your local humane society. They should have no problem finding him a new home. Good luck! Oh, have to add-please microchip him! Lots of times your local shelter will do it much cheaper that a vet if that's a concern. It's done just like an injection and it can save a lot of heartache!!! Strays are not kept long at most shelters (we're talking a few days) before being put up for adoption if they have no ID.

Answer 3

There's a lot to fill in here! Find some books and websites and read up on puppy raising as much as you can. It's unfortunate that the puppy was given to you against your will, it's really best to know about dogs and be ready for the responsibility before getting one.

First off, take him to the vet. The vet can recommend a good-quality puppy food. Young puppies need to be fed 2 or 3 times a day, and less as they get older. He'll need deworming and vaccinations. Your vet can put him on a schedule on when he needs to come in, since he'll need several sets of shots in puppyhood, and you'll be let know when these are do. Also get him neutered as soon as he hits 4-6 months of age, because this will prevent a lot of problems in both his health and behavior!

Puppies are just babies, and they're very impressionable. What they learn when they're young has a huge effect on them when they're older. Introduce him to lots of people and animals. Take him places.

Check out the link in my source list and do all of the Puppy University tutorials. They're a great introduction into some of the basic things you need to know.

If you really aren't up for a 13-year commitment, as that is how long many dogs live, then find a good home for him or take him to your local animal shelter. It's not being mean to your uncle. Just kindly explain to him that even though you appreciate his nice gesture, you are not in a position to be having a dog. Trust me, you and the dog will be better off this way unless you really want to work hard to raise him right.

Answer 4

Congrats, I know he will grow on you because Pit's are such hogs for attention and love. Just be loving with your pup and go to a large pet store and look for a booklet on Labs and Pits and see which personality fits most for your pup as he grows.
Start him on a good food like:
Natural Balance
Nature's Recipe
Royal Canin
Authority
These are some of the more common brands of quality foods that are readily available and are high quality and easy to digest.
My pit doesn't do well with chicken or lamb in dog food so I feed her Nature's Recipe Venison and Rice.
What was your pup eating before you got him? If you will be changing his food, he may have some stomach upset for a bit unless you know what he was eating and can gradually change it.
If your pup is very young you can moisten the food with some warm water to start.
If you pup is under 8 wks old, you can set the mixture down four times a day and keep some kibble out in case he gets hungry in between.
Get him to a Vet to get started on shots and worming and when he has finished his first sets he can start on classes which large pet stores provide for a reasonable cost.
Keep him in your home and close to your yard and not where other dogs are until he has finished his first sets of shots because puppies get exposed to Parvo via feces which you might not even see. The puppy can step on it and then lick his paws.
I got my pup as a rescue when she was 3 weeks old, far too young to be away from the mama. I fixed a little box with a stuffed animal, a towel wrapped heating pad set on low. She was so little she fit in the palm of my hand. Now she weighs 60 lbs.
I think it is great that you can give your pup so much attention. You might consider getting a kennel cab to help you with training. If you go to a large pet store like PetSmart there are people working there that can show you supplies and tell you how to use them.
GL with your pup. It's a bit tough at first while potty training but there are lots of good online articles about potty training and using a crate to help. GL with your pup!

Answer 5

I feed all of my dogs Bil-Jac. It is the best food out there. It has all the nutrition a puppy needs plus they have a dry food now and It has helped my dogs skin, muscle tone, and condenses the poop. That is right It makes less mess. The bag tells you the amount to feed the size/weight for your dog if you feel the he needs more then give him some treats.
As for being mean. Our Pit is a sweetie she loves everyone and everyone loves her. The key is to take the puppy every where you go so it gets use to people and just being out with you. treating him like a baby is the best thing to do. as long as he feels love he will always give love back. Good luck. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. have a great night.

Answer 6

First, congratulations on your new puppy! They're so much fun, but can get into so many different things! LOL As to what is causing the diarrhea, there are a vast number of possibilities. Keep an eye on him, and make sure he isn't getting into anything he shouldn't be. The best way to do this is judicious use of a crate. To help alleviate the diarrhea, feed him one quarter to one half cup of canned pumpkin (plain, NOT pumpkin pie filling). This is one of those 'miracle' cures that will work both for dogs with diarrhea AND dogs that are constipated. I don't know how/why it works, but it does, and quickly. For future reference, this works on adult dogs as well as puppies. As he grows, just slightly increase the amount of pumpkin given when it's needed.

Answer 7

I would recommend finding a good veterinarian and a good trainer in your area to help you with this puppy. Depending on the build of the pup and his physical state, he needs different care. Also, if you are not that into dogs, and not sure what to do, you will need help taking care of a dog with pit bull in him. They can be wonderful pets, but they need to be socialized from a young age, they need discipline (not abuse or punishment, but rules, guidelines and distinct consequences), and they will need that their whole lives. They are stubborn dogs and as such require a certain type of owner. Since you aren't sure what to feed, I feel confident in saying that you probably don't know how to socialize and train him properly. If you are interested in keeping him, a good support system should be able to put you well on your way to not only a healthy, but a happy and successful life as a dog owner. Best of luck!

Answer 8

If you don't like the dog, I would recommend giving it to a local shelter. They will get him vet checked and neutered, and most puppies are adopted within a week or two.

How old is he? He must be at least 7ish weeks old to even survive properly without his mother. Young puppies will often cry at night, mine did and we had to keep her in another room until she got used to sleeping w/o her littermates, then she was fine. It took almost a week.

About feeding, most puppy foods come with instructions on the back. However you MUST take the pup to a vet for shots and deworming, etc. You can ask the vet about feeding and grooming and such. They will be happy to help you.
Again, if you really don't like dogs, give him up so he can find a family that truly wants and adores him. No offense, I'm just trying to think of what's best for the dog.

If you don't want your uncle to be mad, tell him the puppy chewed up furniature, or that you're allergic to dogs and didn't know it.
Good luck.

Answer 9

Yes it's ok to put him to sleep like a human baby. I suggest that you find an owner that will love and cherish him as a part of the family : It should'nt be hard to find a dog lover that will welcome it with open arms. Thank you for caring enough to ask for help. Good luck.

Answer 10

Dogs eat most anything but for health reasons don't give him chocolate or broccoli. If you don't want him to be mean just don't kick him, mixed breeds are really best, and yes, it's ok to treat him like a person, dogs have feelings too.