Stephanie Taunton - Feeding a Golden Retriever Puppy

Golden Retriever is one of the most even-tempered intelligent dogs. It is important to know that their needs and feeding vary on the age and size and the puppies reach adulthood at age 12-18 months. Here is Stephanie Taunton, a professional dog trainer with decades of experience to walk you through how to feed your golden four-legged friend. 

Stephanie Taunton – Golden Retriever Feeding Tips to Stay Healthy

Fondly called “golden”, golden retriever is one of the most even-tempered intelligent dogs. They make a delightful playmate for energetic kids, considerate companions of other pets and the overall sweetness and brightness is something to love. If you picture your eyes being lit up when your large golden retriever enters, then you need to understand how to feed them for optimum health. Here is Stephanie Taunton, a professional dog trainer with decades of experience to walk you through how to feed your golden four-legged friend. 

“To start with, It is important to know that their needs and feeding vary on the age and size and the puppies reach adulthood at age 12-18 months,” says Stephanie Taunton. "They are a very active breed with fiery appetite, hence they require high-quality nutrition to thrive," Stephanie added. 

Puppy Feeding Guidelines

Feeding a Golden Retriever Newborn's Tips

The first six to eight weeks of food should mainly be based on the mother’s milk. The mother’s milk is an all in one nutrient-packed meal perfect for the newborn health. It also provides antibodies that help fight off any diseases or infections. In case of mastitis or any other hindrances to the maternal milk, there are high-quality milk replacers the puppies can be fed with.

How to Ween the Newborn Pups to Solid Food

This isn’t something to change at a go and it should be introduced when puppies are generally 6-8 weeks. The weening process should be gradual as they change fro milk to solid food. Ensure, however, that the food is balanced with nutrients essential for growth.

How Often do the Pup need to be Fed

How often to feed dog retriever puppies depends on the age as well. Generally, puppies between age:

• 8 to 12 weeks old should be fed 4 times per day.
• Puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 times per day.
• Puppies 6 months to a year old should be fed 2 times per day.

Adult Feeding Requirements

Nutrition and feeding needs differ according to breeds, therefore, it is important to consult with the vet doctor on the best diet for a golden retriever. Here are tips to guide you in taking care of the adult golden retriever. 

How Often should the Adult be Fed

Unlike the puppies, the adults can go with once or twice feeding per day. 1000-1500 calories are recommended daily for active golden retriever adults.

Choose a High-Quality Food

Just like humans, feeding your golden with high-quality food is very important for their health. “If you need well balanced nutritious meal rich in protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and fat to thrive, so does your golden retriever.” Says Stephanie Taunton. However, while at it, ensure you read the prescribed quantity indicated on the manufacturer’s package. Here are the important things to look out for when buying food or feeding your dog:

• Dogs are carnivores, ensure they are well fed with meats. Lookout for food that lists meats as the key ingredients.

• Consult the vet first to know if you can feed your golden retriever with bone. Sometimes the bone can disrupt the digestive system. Consider rawhide bones when you want to give them bone treats.

• Avoid food that contains fillers, grain, soy, corn, meat by-products, preservatives, dairy, flavors as these can be injurious to the health and also inflame allergies.

• If you would prefer to feed them with homemade diets, research or ask your vet first and ensure the food meets the proper nutrients requirements. 

• Avoid giving the golden retriever human food that is dangerous to golden’s health such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, yeast, among others.

Stephanie Taunton - Best Dog Breeds for Family

A family is important and they are probably the reason you are getting the dog in the first place. Take adequate precautions while adding to the family. Let Stephanie Taunton, a renowned dog coach help you discover the best dog that is ideal for your family.

Stephanie Taunton - Best Dog Breeds for Family

Adopting a four-legged creature is an important addition to the family. Hence, there are factors to consider before taking this important step. First thing first, dogs differ in relation to their personalities, energy levels, temperaments, and size. While some dogs are best playmates for older kids, some are quite gentle, calm and will form a great companion for your little one. Moreover, some prefer to roam around in the house while there are some that prefer cuddles on the couch with their owners. 

Hence, before you take the plunge, ask yourself. What lifestyle and activities can this dog fit into? How welcoming is the dog? Is this dog suitable for my toddler or teens? How does this dog fit into the living arrangements, schedule, and budget? Well, that favorite dog of yours might not be the best for your family. After all, a family is important and they are probably the reason you are getting the dog in the first place. Take adequate precautions while adding to the family. Let Stephanie Taunton, a renowned dog coach help you discover the best dog that is ideal for your family. 

Bulldog

Thick sturdy gait, low sturdy body, wrinkled face, with compressed jaws, that is a bulldog and can never be mistaken for any other breed. They have a friendly disposition and playful personalities. The gaits are quite dignified, a reason why they are not so energetic. They are good to go in any living environment and need only moderate exercise. This loyal creature also makes a great companion for kids and their friendly nature welcomes any visitor. However, those cute wrinkled face should be cleaned regularly to prevent infection. Plus, if you stay in more humid environments, their short snorts can make them overheat, thus, extra care should be taken. 

Havanese

Looking for the best companion to cuddle with at any time of the day? You can never go wrong with Havanese. These adorable cuties can literally follow you wherever you are going and can get a little anxious when left alone. They are trainable and they are affectionate to either your kids or anyone. Be ready, however, for regular grooming as their hypoallergenic coat requires brushing every time. “Their gleam big brown expressive eyes will sure win you over, “says Stephanie Taunton. “This breed is highly sociable, in fact, it is essential if you do not want them to be timid.”

Collie

Have a house packed with energetic kids? Here is a dog to match up with all the energy levels. A dog that is majestic yet affectionate with kids. They are known for undying loyalty and an intelligent dog who understands the owners’ needs. This is one of the best family dogs, gentle, easy to train and rarely misbehave. Don’t be put off by the long rough fur, they actually need less grooming than you’d think. These athletic dogs require regular exercise, a good companion for all your daily exercise. 

Bichon Fries

A stranger has never cross bichon’s part, it has to be a friend. This makes them one of the friendliest and sociable dog. The fluffy white coat with the black eyes are not the only thing adorable, this personality itself is. They are cheerful with a lot of love to give to anyone they encounter. This is an intelligent dog for your kids to play mischief with. Plus, for your outdoor outing, they have got all the energy to make it an enjoyable one. 

Labrador Retriever

Labrador is one of the most popular breeds in America. Loveable, friendly, high-spirited, easy to train, protective, reliable, lover of everyone and anyone. What’s not to love about this dog? Being known as one of the most popular breeds in America, no better companion for a family who loves medium to large dogs. “Be ready for a lot of exercises, the Labrador is full of life. From outdoor games to swimming, your energetic kid just got the best buddy ever. If you aren’t satisfying them with any of these, they can divert their energy to barking, or chewing” Says Stephanie Taunton.

These the best breed of dogs given by Stephanie Taunton is a great choice for a family. However, you can never go wrong with Mutts, a mixed breed when searching for the best dog breed for the family. Either you go to a local center to adopt one or you decide to buy any of the ones mention above, monitor the way the dog responds to your family. Is it sociable? Does it welcome the family with a wagging tail at first contact? These and many more are the signs to look out for. Have a joyful experience with your four-legged buddy.