AboutLabman Expertise housebreaking, feeding, training, grooming
PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.
Experience
Past/Present clients I have been around the net a long time answering questions including the general dog area of All Experts. I recently discovered a lack of good experts under many specific breeds. I don't have as extensive experience with the GSD as Labs, but still can give good answers to most questions.
I try to base my answers on carefully proven methods confirmed by my own experience. Much of what I know about dogs, I have learned raising a puppy every year since 1991 for a large dog guide school. I am familiar with several similar programs. Nobody is in a better position to know dogs, need ones with long, active life, and share what they know, than the service dog schools. In addition I have done extensive reading. My answers have much more to back them than the limited experience any one dog owner can have.
Expert: Labman Date: 7/19/2008 Subject: feeding and exercise of a 3 month g/s
Question hi,i have a 3 month old g/s and after contacting butcher food company they told me i could put my pup on adult food if i mashed it up but it seems like he's not putting on much weight since i changed it, could you confirm that it is ok to keep him on it or should i put him back on puppy food. thank you for your time.
Answer Shepherds are notorious for not eating enough to completely hide their ribs when young. I am not familiar with the Butchers brand, but if the first ingredient in it is meat or meat meal or byproducts, I would stick with it. Otherwise switch to something that does. Try feeding it without mashing it up. I always make an early switch to adult chow and never mash it up.
The less running and jumping, the better. Normal play is Ok, but don't force it to run or walk further than it wants until after a year old.
