At 8 weeks I still feed at least 3 times a day. I put the dry kibble in a food processor, add a teaspoon of canned and warm water so I know they are eating. I feed whatever they will eat in 15 minutes and then discard the rest and adjust the amount as needed. Feeding frequent meals is the best way to prevent hypoglycemia. I also leave out dry kibble and water at all times. Leaving an 8 week old puppy without food or water "while you are at work" as one poster suggested is not advisable - that is way too long for him to go without food and water.
All of my puppies start using the pads right away. Be careful though because you will be allowing him more freedom than the breeder did and he will regress on his training if not kept in a smaller area until older. I suggest a sleeping kennel with door open placed inside a fenced playard area with room to eat and play while you are not watching him.
If you just clip the nail tips barely (puppies usually have a little hook part that curls under so you can just catch that with the clippers - sorry, hard to explain) with regular human nail clippers that should stop them from catching immediately and it will also get him use to having his nails clipped. |