Expert: Marie Peppers / The Boston Terrier Lady - 10/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: I adopted a full-blooded Boston from the Vet last January and he just turned a year in July. He does not Piddle in the house and he may occasionally poo if he has tried to tell me and I for one reason or another do not pay attention. But He will go piddle and poo in his crate. I have no idea how to make him stop. I bought him a crate that said it was the correct size for Boston's, though I think that it is a bit large and I have considered downsizing to see if that will make a difference. I walk him when we wake up in the morning, when I get home from work and before we go to bed for the night and I will still find him going. I just got a Maltese puppy and I do not want him to learn to go in the crate from the Boston and then I have 2 dogs that go in their crate. PLEASE HELP!

ANSWER: Hi Angela, Let's start from the begining. What are you feeding the boy?  Brand and flavor-
Any supplements ?  How many times per day do you feed him.????
I can help: get back to me.
Marie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He eats NeutroMax puppy food in a gray bag I cannot think of the Flavor right now. I feed him once a day on weekdays and twice a day on weekends. No supplements. The Vet wants him to stay on the Puppy food until he is about a year and a half because he was treated for Parvo. (that is how I adopted him because the original owners couldn't afford to treat him so the vet treated him and I adopted him) so it is hard for him to gain weight and get all the nutrients that he needs.

Answer
Hi- I see the problem - the food needs to be grain-free.  How about mixing the pup food and the grain free food x 1 month - At a 50:50 mix...
Look for Innova EVO, Wellness Core, or Merrick Before grain dog foods.
Please don't keep him on 100% puppy food.  The grain-free brands I  mentioned will be excellent for your boy.

Also, I would love to see him on the NuVET Plus supplement - Just 1 per day is all he needs.
NuVET is a Holistic vitamin that helps to re-build the immune system - especially from Parvo.
Call and ask for some NuVET :  Holistic and very safe:
1-800-474-7044   ( tell them you are working with pet nurse Marie Peppers from allExperts and the Boston Terrier site)
~~order code 81098 and ask about the 15% off Program.
http://www.nuvet.com/81098

I would start feeding this boy twice per day - a larger feeding portion in the am and a much smaller portion at 5 or 6 pm , if possible.
Take the daily amount and break in down to 75% portion in the am and only 25% of the portion in the pm.
Do this 7 days per week.
NO treats unless they are a grain free product:  Like NO Grainers or Evo small bites...
Even Wellness Core makes a grain free dog treat.

You should see a change in the POTTY habits within a week of the food change.
AFTER 1 month of mixing - See if you can go 100% to the GRAIN free dog food.

The NuVET will also help to give him strength and gain some muscle and bulk.

Keep me posted at my private e-mail:

mtnmom@gci.net
Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse
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