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**TeemFilla** · 05-20-2010, 08:49 PM

If possible, leave the pup with the mother until it's 8 weeks old.. it will be better for the pup in the long run.

As far as the kibble, you can go with Wellness Core, but no need to feed "large breed". The APBT is really not a "large breed", think Great Dane or Mastiff, those are large breeds.

Make sure you get your pup to the vet as soon as you get it, don't wait a couple of weeks. Puppies are at a huge risk for Parvo, so if possible, get an appointment for the day you bring him home, or the day after. I like to take mine to the vet within 3-4 days after getting them, but I haven't had a puppy-puppy since Mollie was a pup, so 5+ years since I've had to worry about Parvo. But you will want to start that first round of puppy shots as soon as you can.

Other than that, are you going to crate train your pup? If so, (which I would suggest at least for when you are gone from home), you can go ahead and get your crate and get it set up. Wear a shirt for a couple of days, or sleep in the same shirt for several nights, so you can put it in the crate with your pup so he will get your smell and it will comfort him when you are gone. Also, you can go ahead and stock up on some toys, Nylabones, and my favorite toy for this breed, the Souper Galileo Bone, a must have for these strong chewers, and a great toy that is well worth what it cost! PetSmart and PetCo both sell them, you can get the small one for now, but as your pup ages, you will definitely need the Souper size, as they will be able to destroy the regular size ones when they are full grown. Tug toys, ropes.... all good toys. Avoid rawhides, as they can choke on them, or get chunks of them lodged in their airway and block their breathing, so I avoid them. I only get pig ears every blue moon, and always supervise if you give your dog one. The pup will probably like them for now, and can gnaw on them without it hurting them for now. Your pup will chew a LOT!!! So the Nylabones and stuff will be good "teethers" for him. Bella had a stuffed Hippo that she toted everywhere, until she discovered it had stuffies!! So a stuffed animal for him to cuddle/play with will be good, and you can check Goodwill for cheap stuffed toys. They also may have cheap blankets that you can get to put in your pups crate, and also one to cover it. Covering the crate gives them a "den" like feeling, and can prevent whining at night. I always cover Bella's crate, she never makes a sound if I cover her, but if I leave her uncovered, she bellows like a stuffed hog!!

As always, you'll have a million questions after you get your pup home... and we'll be here to help any way we can!

05-20-2010, 08:49 PM	#30
TeemFilla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 491 Senior Member	If possible, leave the pup with the mother until it's 8 weeks old.. it will be better for the pup in the long run. As far as the kibble, you can go with Wellness Core, but no need to feed "large breed". The APBT is really not a "large breed", think Great Dane or Mastiff, those are large breeds. Make sure you get your pup to the vet as soon as you get it, don't wait a couple of weeks. Puppies are at a huge risk for Parvo, so if possible, get an appointment for the day you bring him home, or the day after. I like to take mine to the vet within 3-4 days after getting them, but I haven't had a puppy-puppy since Mollie was a pup, so 5+ years since I've had to worry about Parvo. But you will want to start that first round of puppy shots as soon as you can. Other than that, are you going to crate train your pup? If so, (which I would suggest at least for when you are gone from home), you can go ahead and get your crate and get it set up. Wear a shirt for a couple of days, or sleep in the same shirt for several nights, so you can put it in the crate with your pup so he will get your smell and it will comfort him when you are gone. Also, you can go ahead and stock up on some toys, Nylabones, and my favorite toy for this breed, the Souper Galileo Bone, a must have for these strong chewers, and a great toy that is well worth what it cost! PetSmart and PetCo both sell them, you can get the small one for now, but as your pup ages, you will definitely need the Souper size, as they will be able to destroy the regular size ones when they are full grown. Tug toys, ropes.... all good toys. Avoid rawhides, as they can choke on them, or get chunks of them lodged in their airway and block their breathing, so I avoid them. I only get pig ears every blue moon, and always supervise if you give your dog one. The pup will probably like them for now, and can gnaw on them without it hurting them for now. Your pup will chew a LOT!!! So the Nylabones and stuff will be good "teethers" for him. Bella had a stuffed Hippo that she toted everywhere, until she discovered it had stuffies!! So a stuffed animal for him to cuddle/play with will be good, and you can check Goodwill for cheap stuffed toys. They also may have cheap blankets that you can get to put in your pups crate, and also one to cover it. Covering the crate gives them a "den" like feeling, and can prevent whining at night. I always cover Bella's crate, she never makes a sound if I cover her, but if I leave her uncovered, she bellows like a stuffed hog!! As always, you'll have a million questions after you get your pup home... and we'll be here to help any way we can!
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