Mowgli

[Avalouise]

Mowgli is coming home in exactly three weeks!! I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life. He turns 8 weeks old on the 10th, but I am going to Florida to visit family until the 18th and will be going to pick him up as soon as I land at the airport. I wanted to make this thread to share pictures and also to ask the many questions that I have in one place.

My first question pertains to food. I was wondering if anyone here feeds a mix of kibble and raw? Or is this not really suggested. I would love to be able to feed raw but I worry about accurately providing the correct amount of nutrients as well as definitely not having enough space for large amounts of raw meat in the freezer at a time. I was wondering if it's possible to do say a cup or two of good kibble with smaller amounts of raw meat and/or eggs? I just want what is best for my pup.

Another question about crating. For those of you who have used crates, was there a point where you felt your doberman was mature enough to be left out of the crate while you are gone, or at night?

My last question for now is about exercise. I have read that strenuous running is bad for a growing doberman puppy, but I also read that they should run to expend energy. I am an avid fixed gear biker (which can ride at very slow speeds) and was wondering if I could bike with him or if that's too much for growing joints?

I've attached some baby pics as well. His breeder texts me pictures every day and yesterday sent me a picture of her 7 year old reading to all the puppies. So sweet.

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Mowgli is coming home in exactly three weeks!! I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life. He turns 8 weeks old on the 10th, but I am going to Florida to visit family until the 18th and will be going to pick him up as soon as I land at the airport. I wanted to make this thread to share pictures and also to ask the many questions that I have in one place.

My first question pertains to food. I was wondering if anyone here feeds a mix of kibble and raw? Or is this not really suggested. I would love to be able to feed raw but I worry about accurately providing the correct amount of nutrients as well as definitely not having enough space for large amounts of raw meat in the freezer at a time. I was wondering if it's possible to do say a cup or two of good kibble with smaller amounts of raw meat and/or eggs? I just want what is best for my pup.

Another question about crating. For those of you who have used crates, was there a point where you felt your doberman was mature enough to be left out of the crate while you are gone, or at night?

My last question for now is about exercise. I have read that strenuous running is bad for a growing doberman puppy, but I also read that they should run to expend energy. I am an avid fixed gear biker (which can ride at very slow speeds) and was wondering if I could bike with him or if that's too much for growing joints?

I've attached some baby pics as well. His breeder texts me pictures every day and yesterday sent me a picture of her 7 year old reading to all the puppies. So sweet.

Congratulations!!

 

[Doberman Gang]

Puppies that run around on there own will stop and lay down when they get tired. Running with their owner or along side a bike, even at slow speed, takes away there ability to rest and is considered forced running or exercise not good to do until growth plates are closed around 15-18 months of age.
I feed an all life stages food. My dogs compete and I travel with them quite a bit so raw would mean more coolers, time and expense that I don’t want. My dogs all do awesome on what we feed so I see no need for it.

 

[Viemarangelrock]

I have read that strenuous running is bad for a growing doberman puppy

Here’s an image of a puppy. Forced exercise at an early age can be detrimental to a growing puppy. Be patient, waiting until he is 18 months old will allow you to enjoy many more years of exercising with him by allowing adequate skeletal development.

Another question about crating. For those of you who have used crates, was there a point where you felt your doberman was mature enough to be left out of the crate while you are gone, or at night?

Oh gosh, they all differ. It’s a huge step leaving them loose in the house for the first time. 2 of my boys were around the 18 month to 2 years of age mark when we started to leave them out of their crates. But we started off slow, not complete freedom in the house to begin with. We dog proofed one room with the use of baby gates and increased their freedom when they proved themselves and showed their maturity.

I was wondering if anyone here feeds a mix of kibble and raw?

As for food, I’d pick one or the other, personally. I believe that they digest at different rates.

 

[Avalouise]

Thank you both!

here's my new favorite picture of Mowgli!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Haha standing in the bowl. What a cutie!

Just feed a good quality kibble and see how his body handles it. Too much poop or runny poops are indicators that the food isn't working out for them and then you'll need to explore your options. We ended up going to raw for this very reason.

You'll need to think about the vaccinations as well. Most vets wants to give them all at once, but spacing them out is better so they don't get sick.

Crate train as soon as the pup is home. My boy just turned 2 and we don't really trust a free range Doberman for longer than a couple hours - and then all small items and counter tops must be secure. Since males mature slower, 3 years old might be our time line.

Oh, and do rest up while you can A Dober puppy is capable of turning your household upside down

 

[JanS]

Aww so cute and you must be getting really excited!

I let our pups freely run in the fence since it's a grassy surface and as stated, they can stop on their own when they get tired.