On Friday my brother in law rescued 2 dog de bordeuxs, i say rescued because the man said if he didnt take them that day then he'd shoot them saturday, they are a boy and girl (litter mates) and they are 7 months old.

He couldnt keep both so yesterday we said we'd take the male, on condition he gets on ok with my boy (touch wood so far so good) i cant believe someone could be so cruel i really cant, they are skin and bones, they have never been inside a house untill this weekend so i need some help????

1) he is turning his nose up at wet food at the minute any suggestions on what i should feed him????

2)would you put him on puppy food/milk he is 7 months.

3)toilet training, he had one acident yesterday evening,he literally fell a sleep and weed where he was laying, from what i can make out they used to sleep where ever and just slept in there wee. so whats the best way to go about it, at least with a puppy you can put them out side to wee but he was asleep

This is not a breed im at all familiar with but he has the most lovely nature and at this minute he is snoring his head off next to me LOL

Well i hope i havent asked too many questions i just really want to get him in good condition and try and make up for the absolutely terrible start he had.

Off to see what he's like with a hoover obviously he'sneer seen or heard one before.

Aww thats an awful thing to happen.  Hopefully now their lives will take a turn for the better!

I'd have thought they should be on ideally LB/Giant puppy/junior food depending which brand you go for (unless you are going BARF) and lambs breast mince is very good for putting on weight cos its very fatty. Probably small amounts and often if they haven't been fed much good quality food. Probably good to worm them too.

Poor things must be exhaused.  The person who sold him two puppies wants shooting IMO!

Thanyou,

What you said is so true if i knew the names of the man who was going to shoot them and the breeder i would quite happily name and shame.

incidentally the man who was going to shoot them has moved on to miniture teacup pigs ??? i think that says it all.

Have you had them checked over by the vet re worming, health etc? Maybe he will suggest a supplement to help make up for any lack of good food during their few months on this earth. Well done for taking them on.

he has the vet tonight as i want him to have a full MOT,

we gave him a bath last night and he was an angel, he smells a bit better now and already looks better.

This is going to sound like a silly question to any one but Logan my other dog seems quite quiet since he came, almost as if he is sulking do you think this wil pass, he has been an only child LOL for quite a while now and we are doing our best to make sure he isnt left out.

lots of ddb people including myself ,as i own one,use arden grange dry food.i use it more as a mixer with tripe or lamb mince.this should get some meat on their frames.hope this helps,from what ive seen ddb's seem to be one of the most "used" breeds by people who want to make a living out of selling puppies,my dogs brother was on his 3rd home by 18 months,they seem to be shifted from place to place and people treat them like cattle,rather than dogs,assuming just because their bitch has a womb it has to be bred from.we made the decision not to breed as we couldnt guarantee none would end up in lives like so many have.glad you have saved two and hope they continue to make strides.i must add i'm not saying all ddb peolpe just the bad ones.regards,roy.

Hiya,

I hope he settles in quickly, they are usually very lovely natures big softies, though they can have a tendancy to be good guards when they get a bit older so lots of socilisation is very imprtant with them particularaly given that they haveclearly missed out on lots.  I wander if the'y just been used to being chucked a bit of dry food in which case they might find wet a bit strange.

My most recent rescue girl had onyl been given dry food and would atually pick the dry out and leave wet food.  She had come from av ery difficultand abusive situation and she wouldn't eat to start with as she was very stressed.  It might be a case of he's just feeling usettled and confused and therefore if he's not used to eating much just moght not feel comfortable enought o munch at the moment.  He might also find it hard to eat in front of you or you ther dog - have you tried him seperately and just leaving him on his own for a bit wiwth food?

I would maybe try a good quality dry food and maybe add in some yummies as suggested, like tripe etc to tempt him.  Arden grange is a good food for getting weight on, it can be rich for some dogs so you may just need to be a bit careful of his tummy.  It's also woirth giving him very small prtions and maybe doing it more often as sometimes a big bowl of food can over face them and then they'll just leave it.  Maybe just try with a little handful and if he eats that then add some more.  It will also be beetter to build him up with several little meals aday that way his tummy will cope better :-)

It also sounds like there is a chance of infection or a bit of a problem if he is weeing in his sleep - that's not really about toilet training or being used to lying in their mess.  I would definitely speak to the vet about that and if you can get a sample for later to take to the vets with you that may be of help, ladels work a treat :-D.  With regards to tilet trainig generally it is likegoing back to basics with a little puppy.  Out very regularly, after any movement and play (if he starts to do that) or excitement, after meals, aftre waking up from a sleep.  It will probably take a bit longer than a little pup as he's not used to anything and has had to toilet where he has lived but just be consistent and go out with him and reward him when he has been to the toilet and just ignore and indoor accidents.

Hope all goes well at the vets.

Probably used to dry crap or table scraps. Poor babies, I'm kind of in favour that giant breeds don't need puppy food past 6 months if at all
as they grow quickly enough as it is. Which causes damage so as long as you have him on large/giant breed variety he should do well. JWB or AG, maybe try tripe? Fatten up slowly, toilet training from scratch. I'm a fan of victoria stilwells method of toilet training every hour on the hour to start off with, but as he should have full bladder control now lengethen the times, and the usual after sleep,play, food as the urge to poop is greatest after eating. They normally start to push boundaries at this age so training routine will serve you well. Depends on his personality as you get to know him whether he will be a dominant or passive boy. What area are you in? You could get some advice from ddb welfare, won't say anything more as I have nothing to do with it so don't know how they work.

Mini pigs the next fad, you need a special liscense tho bet ppl buyers them won't know that.

Well just got back from the vets and weve had a clean bill of health, he's got sore skin where he's had fleas, and he's got filthy ears, but weve come away with the relevant stuff, he's also had his first jab and then another in 2 weeks, no microchip was found, the vets said quite often a chip is found and when they ring it the dogs are stolen so thankfully that was not the case here.

The vet said he is quite skinny he weighed 35kg not really sure what the norm is for this breed, you can see all his ribs but his head is huge.

Anyway while we were at the vets my not neglected bernese stole my dinner off the kitchen side, (i think someones jealous LOL) so the DDb's behaviour is putting him to shame LOL.

> Mini pigs the next fad, you need a special liscense tho bet ppl buyers them won't know that.

I saw a programme on TV about them recently - they're only mini when they're young. Unless you consider a pig the size of a Labrador mini. And licences to move them, take them for a walk, take them to the vet..... can you imagine it? I'd stick to Labradors or DDBs.

They do look quite cute tho you have to admit! Bit too much hassle probably.

Think he should be closer to the 45kg mark I would think, get him a good coverage over his ribs and he will be fine whilst he still has PLENTY of growing to do. Keep em lean. They can be prone to seasonal allergies and ear infections in adolescense so keeping them wax free is a must before infection sets in, quick wipe with a baby wipe or similar does it. Ocassional use of surolan or canaural if they get red. If you use the vetzyme stuff you can get from petshops dilute 5 drops in half a mug of hot water. It's very irritating dosed straight onto the ears. 

Wish you luck with him and some before and after pics would be lovely

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Well here he is, this is the new addition Oscar

Aww he looks lovely. Lacks muscle but probably not been exercised at all I imagine. You will be smitten soon if he doesn't drive you mad. Brush up on your breed knowledge too for when people ask you about your 'hooch' dog. Hope he settles in well and tucks into his food. Keep us updated and any breed advice you need, 'm sure plenty including myself will want to offer some xx

Thank you he is quite sweet isnt he (a little uglier than im used to LOL)

as the days go by he seems to be coming firm friends with my bernese, although my bernese is definately letting him know whos boss.

Will keep you updated.

He does look lovely, if a bit too lean, well done you for taking him in.

I do love DDBs, there's something about that face, the slightly downturned mouth and 'sticky outy' chin that makes my heart melt! :-)

Claire

:) He looks adorable, funnily enough I was offered a ddb pup when on my walk by a gentleman I knew, he knew I wanted to add to our family - I was actually going to start looking for a rottweiler breeder, told him I was more into rotties and he sent me in the direction of our local pound as he had seen a rottie boy advertised.

I am so glad I rescued him rather than go through the young puppy stage :D

Good on you for giving him a home :)