FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS and PROPER WEIGHT:
A puppy should be fed 3 times a day for the first 3 months if possible; after that, you can switch to 2 meals per day. Dogs should have 2 meals a day the rest of their lives, do not ever switch to 1 meal per day ... it's too much volume all at one time, risks bloat, and (like us), they get hungry! An 8-week old puppy normally eats between 2 1/2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided into 3 daily meals. As he gets into the rapid growth stage of 3-8 months, you will need to progressively increase the amount of food. An 8-10 month youngster normally requires substantially more food than a mature adult dog. If you feel that your puppy is growing at a faster rate than normal or is too heavy, switch immediately to the "adult" formula if you have been feeding a puppy formula and adjust the amount.
The stress of going to a new home, and a change in water, frequently causes some diarrhea for a new puppy. Overeating, changing food or increasing the amount of food too fast, are also common causes of diarrhea. Or eating something not intended to be "food", as Bouvier puppies are inclined to do! If diarrhea continues more than a day or two, you should consult your veterinarian; or, if the puppy acts sickly, get to the vet immediately. A puppy with diarrhea can dehydrate very quickly, potentially becoming a life-threatening condition.
If you need to immediately treat diarrhea yourself, it's best to skip 1 or 2 meals to allow the digestive system to settle down. You can give some Kao-Pectate but need to determine the right dosage. Then, start feeding a bland food; you can boil hamburger and rice, draining off all the fat & liquid. It also is a good idea to give some type of probiotics for digestive problems (or if the dog has been on antibiotics); plain yogurt will provide probiotics, or you can buy probiotics in powder or gel form from most vets. Once the stool has improved, gradually add some regular puppy food, weaning him back over a couple days. If the diarrhea continues, or has any blood in it, make sure your vet does a fecal test to check for worms, or the protozoan parasites Coccidia and Giardia. They would have to be treated with specific medications.
It is wise to get your puppy used to eating at designated mealtimes rather than leaving food available all the time. Give him about 15 minutes to eat in the same, quiet spot, then pick up the bowl. Avoid times when he is too sleepy or too distracted to eat.
Lastly, ALWAYS have fresh water available for your dog. Not in his crate, but all the rest of the time.
