Adult or Puppy food at 12 months?

[Renzo Red]

Incredibly upsetting, but you’re doing the right thing!
Yes, it’s proviable for cats and dogs. I have it on Amazon delivery. After her last issue which was her spay- the pain meds ruined her gut the vet recommended it. I had her on another probiotic natures farmacy, but I will say proviable seems to really work well. I think @Ravenbird uses it for her girl too.

Pumpkin amount depends on their weight. Quick google search typically 2-3 tablespoons. I do 2 tablespoons a day now and Pepper is about 61-64 pounds.

Thats awesome he’s doing well on the biome. If it works stick with it. If you can’t do that long term there are options. The hills ID line has a lot of options. It’s not cheap, but you know how it goes it’s worth it if it works.

The psyllium husks I also give her I eat it too lol. Lots of fiber and keeps you full and regular lol. The vet also recommended it same as Metamucil , but it’s natural. I give Pepper now about 1.5 tablespoons a day. We had to trial and error that one. If they have too much it gives them very bouncy stools lol it is interesting.

So it was always is it an allergy, genetic issue, or EPI with Pepper. We did bloodwork and food diets with her. Bloodwork was fine. Never did test her for EPI because I didn’t really think that was the issue. Thankfully it wasn’t and the vets she sees say she’s just very sensitive and maturing did help, but still have to be mindful of what she eats.

You’re doing the right thing and it’s great he’s doing well with the biome!

I started the Husk already. I will order the Proviable as well... he is 68lbs so 2 teaspoons 3x a day with meals...I am getting him neutered next Tuesday and they want to give him Gabbapentin and other meds for pain and to keep him calm! I don't want to upset his gut what can you share about your experience. Any advice? I'm a nervous wreck.

 

[Ravenbird]

they want to give him Gabbapentin and other meds for pain and to keep him calm! I don't want to upset his gut what can you share about your experience. Any advice? I'm a nervous wreck.

My Doberman is sensitive to any Sulphur based antibiotics and Carprofen pain meds - any variety under different names. Serious diarhrea on top of a spay is NOT fun, I think @MichiH discusses it in her thread "Pepper". I opted out of take-home pain meds but didn't know the gave an injectable before sending her home. Blow out diarrhea for a couple of days. Never again! Many dogs are not sensitive to these things but for mine they are much worse than nothing.

 

[JanS]

I am getting him neutered next Tuesday

If he's only a year old I would seriously wait on neutering for at least another year. Many vets will push it but it is not good for breeds like this.

 

[Renzo Red]

If he's only a year old I would seriously wait on neutering for at least another year. Many vets will push it but it is not good for breeds like this.

I know but I also have a male pit mix neutered and things are getting a little scary so vet suggested he gets neutered

 

[JanS]

I know but I also have a male pit mix neutered and things are getting a little scary so vet suggested he gets neutered

Neutering won't help SSA with these breeds.

 

[DobieDesire]

I know but I also have a male pit mix neutered and things are getting a little scary so vet suggested he gets neutered

Oh no, I don't know of very many people that can have a male Doberman and a second male dog too, and have the dogs get along. And if things are getting a "little scary", they might not get any better, and possibly get worse..

 

[MichiH]

Oh good! How have his stools been? You may need to play with how much he needs as you will be able to see with his stools. With Peppers spay she was given Rovera for pain and had hideous bloody diarrhea from the meds - for days… We ended up in the ER and that’s when we’re given gabapentin, which I only used for a little and she did well with it. It’s better on their bellies too. I would be cautious with what they give him and do your research, as I didn’t and learned the hard way. When we were at the ER they said they were surprised they gave her Rovera knowing her Gi issues. That is the visit we started proviable and the psyllium husks January 2026. She’ll be 3 in September and with the combo of hills food, the psyllium, pumpkin, and proviable she’s been totally fine no issues. Her first 2.5 years of life it was non stop issues with her gi tract. Lots of stress for us both.

You’re doing all the right things and as long as he’s improving that’s a win!

Good luck with him getting neutered. Like others said it wont stop SSA. Do they get along now?

Matt- he has 2 females and they get along well, so I’m sure it can be done with proper training and all. You know your dogs and you’re their advocate.

Also, if you can wait until he matures for the neuter definitely wait so he can grow to his full potential.

I started the Husk already. I will order the Proviable as well... he is 68lbs so 2 teaspoons 3x a day with meals...I am getting him neutered next Tuesday and they want to give him Gabbapentin and other meds for pain and to keep him calm! I don't want to upset his gut what can you share about your experience. Any advice? I'm a nervous wreck.

 

[Renzo Red]

Oh no, I don't know of very many people that can have a male Doberman and a second male dog too, and have the dogs get along. And if things are getting a "little scary", they might not get any better, and possibly get worse..

My male pit is 17 years old and we thought he was honestly on his last leg when we were confronted with rescuing Renzo but here we are 8 months later and he's still hanging in there. I would never have two male's in a household typically. I'm sure this won't last too much longer so the whole thing is upsetting both ways. They are buddys but have a unique relationship. Renzo loves him and has learned so much from Rocky but Rocky tolerates the baby.

 

[Renzo Red]

Oh good! How have his stools been? You may need to play with how much he needs as you will be able to see with his stools. With Peppers spay she was given Rovera for pain and had hideous bloody diarrhea from the meds - for days… We ended up in the ER and that’s when we’re given gabapentin, which I only used for a little and she did well with it. It’s better on their bellies too. I would be cautious with what they give him and do your research, as I didn’t and learned the hard way. When we were at the ER they said they were surprised they gave her Rovera knowing her Gi issues. That is the visit we started proviable and the psyllium husks January 2026. She’ll be 3 in September and with the combo of hills food, the psyllium, pumpkin, and proviable she’s been totally fine no issues. Her first 2.5 years of life it was non stop issues with her gi tract. Lots of stress for us both.

You’re doing all the right things and as long as he’s improving that’s a win!

Good luck with him getting neutered. Like others said it wont stop SSA. Do they get along now?

Matt- he has 2 females and they get along well, so I’m sure it can be done with proper training and all. You know your dogs and you’re their advocate.

Also, if you can wait until he matures for the neuter definitely wait so he can grow to his full potential.

thank you I will def take charge of the meds... Rocky is 17.5 years old so it won't be too long before he crosses the rainbow bridge but who knows we thought this 2 years ago ... he is incredible, Renzo loves him so much, Rocky tolerates him

 

[Renzo Red]

My Doberman is sensitive to any Sulphur based antibiotics and Carprofen pain meds - any variety under different names. Serious diarhrea on top of a spay is NOT fun, I think @MichiH discusses it in her thread "Pepper". I opted out of take-home pain meds but didn't know the gave an injectable before sending her home. Blow out diarrhea for a couple of days. Never again! Many dogs are not sensitive to these things but for mine they are much worse than nothing.

ugh I hate meds for my babies... or vaccines it destroys their gut... I give my old boy Carprofen but always give him a pepcid ac prior it seems to help... also I never give the entire dose at first until I see the reaction... good to know about injection ... I will get in front of that and let them know his sensitivities. Renzo wakes at 6:30 am every day and if I dont get him on his mile walk by 7 he is howling and marking all over the house, he urinates on my old dog Rocky and he is out of control when he walks in the morning only, nose to the ground like an ant eater on a serious hunt. He's looking for chic's lol driving us nuts literally

 

[JanS]

if I dont get him on his mile walk by 7 he is howling and marking all over the house, he urinates on my old dog Rocky

Oh dear that is a very dominant behavior and I would nip it in the bud ASAP. I don't mean by neutering but by not giving in to his antics and instead making him go out on your terms without allowing the hormonal behavior.

 

[MichiH]

Aww I’m sorry to hear that, but 17! That is incredible!

I was thinking a family friend of mine has 2 male Dobermans. They’re friends so you never know. You’re on top of things and know what you’re doing.

I hope his stools have improved. You’re a good doggie momma!

My male pit is 17 years old and we thought he was honestly on his last leg when we were confronted with rescuing Renzo but here we are 8 months later and he's still hanging in there. I would never have two male's in a household typically. I'm sure this won't last too much longer so the whole thing is upsetting both ways. They are buddys but have a unique relationship. Renzo loves him and has learned so much from Rocky but Rocky tolerates the baby.View attachment 162734

 

[Ravenbird]

Renzo wakes at 6:30 am every day and if I dont get him on his mile walk by 7 he is howling and marking all over the house, he urinates on my old dog Rocky and he is out of control when he walks in the morning only, nose to the ground like an ant eater on a serious hunt. He's looking for chic's lol driving us nuts literally

As @JanS mentioned all of that is 100% teenage non-respect due to lack of boundaries set by you. Being a leader for him at this age is critical to his behavior as an adult. If you don't begin correcting him now you will have a nightmare on your hands in another year. Neutering has nothing to do with good training and respect for the other members of his family.

Many threads in the Training and Behavior section - start reading through those, and feel free to wake up any old threads or ask questions when it seems like "omg, that's exactly what my dog is doing!". We are happy to help and many of us here have been there/done that!

 

[Renzo Red]

Oh dear that is a very dominant behavior and I would nip it in the bud ASAP. I don't mean by neutering but by not giving in to his antics and instead making him go out on your terms without allowing the hormonal behavior.

See, I keep thinking, hurry get him out and let him sniff away to calm down... if not he nips at me and it hurts... what do you suggest? Put him on the patio and let him wait it out? until i'm ready to walk? he will bark like crazy... Suggestions please? prong collar on the walk?

 

[Renzo Red]

As @JanS mentioned all of that is 100% teenage non-respect due to lack of boundaries set by you. Being a leader for him at this age is critical to his behavior as an adult. If you don't begin correcting him now you will have a nightmare on your hands in another year. Neutering has nothing to do with good training and respect for the other members of his family.

Many threads in the Training and Behavior section - start reading through those, and feel free to wake up any old threads or ask questions when it seems like "omg, that's exactly what my dog is doing!". We are happy to help and many of us here have been there/done that!

I train him ... he's obedient, but when he is hungry or wants his walk, he demands it, so I feed him on a strict schedule ...that helps .. if I miss by ten minutes, he's a maniac. The vet said because he was starved for the first 4 months, so he goes into survival mode....and when he wants his walk in the morning, other than that he is very obedient ... as long as he has his exercise, training, walks, mental stimulation and food lol.

 

[Renzo Red]

I train him ... he's obedient, but when he is hungry or wants his walk, he demands it, so I feed him on a strict schedule ...that helps .. if I miss by ten minutes, he's a maniac. The vet said because he was starved for the first 4 months, so he goes into survival mode....and when he wants his walk in the morning, other than that he is very obedient ... as long as he has his exercise, training, walks, mental stimulation and food lol.

I will def check training section

 

[Ravenbird]

he's obedient, but when he is hungry or wants his walk, he demands it,

So again, Doberteens are arriving in spades. Just like a sassy teenager talking back to his mom. She says wait and he says I want it NOW. So if he has a bit of obedience and he has a bed on the floor, he should know "place" or "down-stay". First thing in the morning he goes out to pee? Treat him like the brat he's acting like and taking out on a leash, even if you have a fenced yard, let him relieve himself, tell him good bot and bring him inside to his place/bed on the floor and that's where he stays until YOU are ready to take him on his mile walk. Begin being very clear that you go on the walk when he is on his bed, behaving, and you announce "lets walk", not when he is running around the house marking on stuff.

The vet said because he was starved for the first 4 months, so he goes into survival mode

I'll disagree, he probably just has great food drive. My puppy was never starved and she is the same way in the morning, even now at almost 7 years, she runs down the hall and barks and spins in the kitchen. I did have to use a prong collar to get her from the bedroom to the kitchen in the mornings so she wouldn't slide on the tile. A regular collar she would drag me and choke herself. She has over the top food drive, which makes a dog really easy to train! You can teach them anything when they love to eat. Everyone told me I needed high value treats to train. I used kibble and she'd still go nuts. It's truly a joy to see a dog who loves to eat and it is a trait many people wish they had, so use it to your advantage!

I have a fenced yard, she goes out to potty, I feed breakfast and she lays down on her bed for at least an hour while I drink coffee and read the news/scroll the 'net. Dogs get very hooked on time and patterns, so you will have to work it out how long you need him to stay quiet before you go on your walk, but make it clear nobody gets the walk until he jumps on his place and gets still. It can be one minute and work up to 10, you figure out what is convenient to YOU, but whatever it is, your wild youngster has to earn the walk.

 

[BGpa]

So again, Doberteens are arriving in spades. Just like a sassy teenager talking back to his mom. She says wait and he says I want it NOW. So if he has a bit of obedience and he has a bed on the floor, he should know "place" or "down-stay". First thing in the morning he goes out to pee? Treat him like the brat he's acting like and taking out on a leash, even if you have a fenced yard, let him relieve himself, tell him good bot and bring him inside to his place/bed on the floor and that's where he stays until YOU are ready to take him on his mile walk. Begin being very clear that you go on the walk when he is on his bed, behaving, and you announce "lets walk", not when he is running around the house marking on stuff.


I'll disagree, he probably just has great food drive. My puppy was never starved and she is the same way in the morning, even now at almost 7 years, she runs down the hall and barks and spins in the kitchen. I did have to use a prong collar to get her from the bedroom to the kitchen in the mornings so she wouldn't slide on the tile. A regular collar she would drag me and choke herself. She has over the top food drive, which makes a dog really easy to train! You can teach them anything when they love to eat. Everyone told me I needed high value treats to train. I used kibble and she'd still go nuts. It's truly a joy to see a dog who loves to eat and it is a trait many people wish they had, so use it to your advantage!

I have a fenced yard, she goes out to potty, I feed breakfast and she lays down on her bed for at least an hour while I drink coffee and read the news/scroll the 'net. Dogs get very hooked on time and patterns, so you will have to work it out how long you need him to stay quiet before you go on your walk, but make it clear nobody gets the walk until he jumps on his place and gets still. It can be one minute and work up to 10, you figure out what is convenient to YOU, but whatever it is, your wild youngster has to earn the walk.

This is what I did too. Same time in the AM on awaken: Out to pee/poop on command, (w/big praise! ....) on the leash (or let loose in yard),

Then inside to eat, followed by an hour to relax (this is good practice to avoid bloat, btw) then the morning walk/training.

Off switch trained/reinforced mid day during the heat by a nap in crate. This gives YOU time for chores, work etc. even if he normally sleeps on dogbed, couch, etc he needs to be comfortable napping in crate and goes willingly on command. This will come in handy later.

Walk/run/train outside in the afternoon when its cool enough for long walk/run. Then feed, an hour of rest and some evening play, then bed in crate.

A tired dobe is a happy dobe. Share/ration the walks and training with SO you Renzo learns the same consistent message applies from both.

Nipping you to get his way is NOT appropriate.
Stop allowing that now.
Search posts here for Nothing In Life is Free approach. Going out the door, eating, getting toys- he waits/works for it.
You are the Leader.

 

[JanS]

I keep thinking, hurry get him out and let him sniff away to calm down... if not he nips at me and it hurts... what do you suggest? Put him on the patio and let him wait it out? until i'm ready to walk?

I would just put him in a heel and start your walk but don't let him sniff everything along the way so he knows you are in charge. If it looks like the has to go, give him a little more leash and let him find his spot, but he doesn't have to have his nose to the ground on the whole walk.
It's great you are asking questions and trying to get it right!

 

[Renzo Red]

So again, Doberteens are arriving in spades. Just like a sassy teenager talking back to his mom. She says wait and he says I want it NOW. So if he has a bit of obedience and he has a bed on the floor, he should know "place" or "down-stay". First thing in the morning he goes out to pee? Treat him like the brat he's acting like and taking out on a leash, even if you have a fenced yard, let him relieve himself, tell him good bot and bring him inside to his place/bed on the floor and that's where he stays until YOU are ready to take him on his mile walk. Begin being very clear that you go on the walk when he is on his bed, behaving, and you announce "lets walk", not when he is running around the house marking on stuff.


I'll disagree, he probably just has great food drive. My puppy was never starved and she is the same way in the morning, even now at almost 7 years, she runs down the hall and barks and spins in the kitchen. I did have to use a prong collar to get her from the bedroom to the kitchen in the mornings so she wouldn't slide on the tile. A regular collar she would drag me and choke herself. She has over the top food drive, which makes a dog really easy to train! You can teach them anything when they love to eat. Everyone told me I needed high value treats to train. I used kibble and she'd still go nuts. It's truly a joy to see a dog who loves to eat and it is a trait many people wish they had, so use it to your advantage!

I have a fenced yard, she goes out to potty, I feed breakfast and she lays down on her bed for at least an hour while I drink coffee and read the news/scroll the 'net. Dogs get very hooked on time and patterns, so you will have to work it out how long you need him to stay quiet before you go on your walk, but make it clear nobody gets the walk until he jumps on his place and gets still. It can be one minute and work up to 10, you figure out what is convenient to YOU, but whatever it is, your wild youngster has to earn the walk.

oh yes he is food motivated!! He knows place, and crate but I never thought to make him go to place before the walk... I like that! He is my alarm clock 6:30 he wakes and whines but I will not take him out of the crate until 7am now he is starting to whine at 6:50 amazing how they figure it out. I let him in the yard to do his business, I make my coffee and put the news on let him in and make him wait until my coffee is done before I do his walk thats when the marking began but now I put him on the patio and he can wait there until I'm ready but I like the place idea!! He usually has to go to place for his meals but I guess it could be for whatever I need. Thank you so much!