I just bought my dogs royal canin not even 2 weeks ago... and although they LOVE it, its $13 for a 3# bag around here. That does not even last 2 weeks with my 2 boys. So Im not going to keep them on it. Im thinking of switching to that blue buffalo food. I can get that around here for cheaper. I'd rather go with Canidae but I can't find it around here! I read an article about how food and temperment are related. How diet affects a dogs training, personality and temperment. Canidae was on the list of top 10 foods to feed your dog for good traits.
One of my boys yelps in his sleep... I think he must be dreaming or something! It was really scarey at first but I got used to it. I just pet him for a min and he settles down and goes back to sleep.
As for playing/walking/exercising... let him go for it... it can't hurt him. Just don't let him jump off things like the bed, couch, etc... he could break a leg or as Ive heard develop luxatting patella over time. (that is something wrong with his knee joints I believe) get him some stairs or a ramp that he can get on & off the couch/bed easily on his own.
Good job with the harnesses!! I had no idea on that one. I did find out quickly with my first pup ... amazingly the STORE I bought him from (its a local pet store who gets pups from local breeders, not a chain pet store who gets pups from puppymills) gave me a collar and leash to buy for him. I had no idea and I bought them. I think I found out the next day after reading the book on yorkies to put them in a harness not a collar. So I went out the next day and bought him a harness.
Also, as your pup hits about 6 months, he'll start teething. I HIGHLY recommend you getting and indoor playpen for dogs, or an x-pen. Put him in that when you can't watch him or when you need to leave him alone. don't just gate him into a room, he'll eat the walls!!! I made this mistake and ended up with 2 huge holes in my walls that i had to have fixed. HAHA They will EAT ANYTHING you leave out... so put ALL your stuff away! My boys chewed through about 10 - 15 pairs of shoes, the walls, the baseboards, bottom of the cabinets, 2 beds, 10 harnesses & leashes, pants, bras, socks, laptop cord, $100 sunglasses and much much more stuff!
Remember its your fault for leaving it out.. not his for chewing it. Thats how I got through that stage! Man it was tough!!! I was mad at myself A LOT for about 3 months!!! HAHA
I had my Dex fixed when he was 6 months old. He had uummm .. 'issues' so to speak, and I was sick of seeing the lipstick everyday.... the vet said fixing him should make that problem go away, but I had to wait until he hit 3lbs and 6 months bc he had a heart murmur and the vet wouldn't put him under if he weighed less than 3lbs for his own safety. His murmur closed when he was a year old (the lipstick problem never went away!!!). My fletcher is not fixed yet. I'd love LOVE LOVE to stud him out. I think hes BEAUTIFUL!!! I wish I knew a breeder (reputable of course) who would want to use him.
Anyways.... good luck with him!
