Puppy Care

Feeding Your Puppy: Essential Tips

Feeding Frequency

Puppies (8-12 months): Feed twice a day (morning and evening). Some puppies may also need a lunchtime meal.
Adults: I feed my adult dogs in the evening, which helps reduce the risk of bloat.

Transitioning to New Food

We’ll let you know the premium food your puppy is raised on. If switching brands, do so gradually over several days to avoid stomach upset.

Settling In

It's normal for your puppy to eat less when they first come home. They may be distracted by their new environment. As long as they're eating, drinking, and active, there's no need to worry.

Crate Training & Feeding

If crate training (highly recommended), feed your puppy in the crate to get them used to it. You don’t have to close the door initially.

Feeding Tips

Don’t leave food out all day—it attracts pests and can spoil.
If your puppy doesn’t finish their food within 10 minutes, remove it and offer again later.
Always feed puppies separately to prevent food guarding from other pets.

Training & Mealtimes

Incorporate training into mealtimes by making your puppy sit, drop, or shake hands before eating. This builds focus and good habits.

How Much to Feed

At 8 weeks, one cup per meal is sufficient. Adjust based on your puppy’s body condition (you should see a tucked-in waist).
Don’t overfeed—always feed to condition, not based on food packaging recommendations.

What to Feed Your Puppy

Why Consider Raw Feeding for Your Dog?

Raw feeding aims to mirror the type of diet dogs evolved to eat: fresh, minimally processed foods that are biologically appropriate. Many owners who transition from highly processed kibble report visible improvements in their dog’s condition, energy, and overall wellbeing.

While every dog is an individual, these are some of the commonly observed benefits.

Improved skin and coat

A diet rich in natural fats and unprocessed nutrients can help support healthy skin and a glossy coat. Some owners notice reduced itchiness and less dryness after moving to raw.

Better digestion

Raw diets are typically highly digestible. This can mean smaller, firmer stools and less waste overall. Dogs may also experience reduced gas or stomach upsets.

Dental support

Chewing raw meaty bones (when appropriate and supervised) can assist with mechanical cleaning of teeth and help maintain gum health.

Steadier energy levels

Without heavy processing or fillers, many dogs maintain more consistent energy throughout the day rather than peaks and crashes.

Appetite and enjoyment

Even fussy eaters are often enthusiastic about fresh food. Mealtimes can become more engaging and rewarding.

Muscle tone and body condition

Because raw diets are generally protein-forward, they can help support lean muscle development when properly balanced

A Balanced Approach Matters

Raw feeding should always be thoughtfully planned. Balance across proteins, bone content, and organs is essential to ensure your dog receives complete nutrition. If in doubt, consult a qualified canine nutrition professional or your veterinarian

How We Prepare and Source Our Raw Food

Quality in means quality out. That’s why we focus on using fresh, carefully selected ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers. Wherever possible, we prioritise human-grade meats and whole foods, handled and stored to maintain safety and nutritional integrity.

Meals are portioned with attention to balance, ensuring an appropriate mix of muscle meat, bone, and organ components. Strict hygiene practices are followed during preparation, and products are kept frozen to lock in freshness until they reach you.

We believe transparency matters. Knowing where your dog’s food comes from — and how it’s handled — provides confidence that you’re feeding a diet designed to support long-term health

Kibble Recommendation

I recommend BlackHawk for well-formed stools and minimal odor.

Healthy Additions

Add safe foods like sardines (in water or brine), eggs, chicken (no cooked bones), veggies (carrots, spinach, pumpkin), and fruits (blueberries).
Raw chicken frames and wings are great for puppies too.

What to Avoid

Avoid chicken necks, as they can cause intestinal blockages. No cooked bones.

Diet Variety

Introduce variety but avoid changing their diet every day to prevent fussy eating.

Balanced Diet

Ensure your puppy’s food is balanced with the right vitamins and minerals. As pet food isn’t strictly regulated in Australia, do your research and opt for high-quality, human-grade ingredients when possible.

Join Our Community

For more feeding tips, join the Lykos Dog Owners Facebook group to share insights with fellow dog owners.

Pre-Puppy Shopping List: Essentials to Get Ready

Food and Feeding Supplies

Same Food as Your Puppy’s Current Diet: Keep your puppy on the same food they were raised on to avoid tummy upset.
Collar: Adjustable size to fit loosely, allowing space for 2 fingers between the collar and your puppy’s neck. Regularly check as your puppy grows.
Soft Nylon Puppy Leash: Lightweight and gentle for your puppy’s sensitive skin.
2 x Stainless Steel Bowls: One for food, one for water. Avoid plastic bowls, as they can react with your puppy's nose.

Comfort and Sleeping

Puppy Bed: Provide a cozy space for your puppy to sleep and relax.
Crate or Puppy Enclosure: Great for training and creating a safe space. Use a children’s gate for sections of the house, and line areas with absorbent puppy pee pads if necessary.

Outdoor and Cleanup

Pooper Scooper: For easy outdoor cleanup.
Outdoor Kennel: Place it next to the back door for easy access.

Toys and Playtime

Toys: Interactive toys that make playtime fun! Pet store toys are usually safer than those from cheaper shops.
Supervised Play: Ensure you’re there to interact and play with your puppy to encourage bonding and fun learning.

Crate Training Your Puppy: A Safe Space for Growth

Why Crate Training?

Prevents Separation Anxiety: Crate training helps your puppy feel secure and develop independence.
Vet Visits & Recovery: Crates are useful for visits to the vet or for post-surgery recovery.
Kennel Boarding: Crates prepare your puppy for boarding kennels, where they will be in a run or crate.

Choosing the Right Crate

Size: Get an XL crate (about 110x70x70cm) to fit your puppy as they grow. Quality crates last longer and are sturdier.
Recommended Crates: Kmart’s XL crate works for most pups, but ensure it’s a sturdy, well-constructed one.
Placement: Place the crate near family areas, like the back door, to help your puppy feel included.

Setting Up the Crate

Comfort: Use a blanket or towel to cover the crate, making it feel like a cozy "den."
Flooring: Place a towel underneath the crate to reduce noise. Add a washable towel inside for comfort and easy cleaning.
Water: Always keep fresh water in the crate. You can hang a water container on the crate for convenience.
Avoid Overcrowding: Place the food and water bowls at one end of the crate, leaving the rest of the space for the puppy to relax.

Crate Training Tips

Feeding in the Crate: Feed your puppy inside the crate to make it a positive space.
Separation Time: Once your puppy is tired, close the crate door. Don’t let children play with them in the crate.
Tantrums: Puppies may cry or paw at the crate. Avoid opening the door during a tantrum—it rewards bad behavior. Wait for them to settle before letting them out.
Impulse Control: Teach your puppy to wait until you say “ok” before coming out of the crate. Reward with treats when they follow the command.
Start Slow: Begin with short crate sessions (5 minutes) and gradually increase the duration.

Crate Training as Part of Routine

Independence: Your puppy should spend time alone in the crate to avoid developing separation anxiety. Even if you're home often, teach them to be independent.
Safe Yard Setup: Ensure your backyard is puppy-proofed. Puppies tend to dig and chew, so create safe zones.
Balance: Your puppy’s day should be a mix of time in the crate, outside play, and supervised indoor time with you.

Helpful Tip

Give your puppy a treat to chew on while in the crate. This helps keep them occupied and happy during their crate time.

Where Should My Puppy Sleep?

First Night with Your Puppy

Close to You: For the first night, consider having your puppy sleep near you, either in a crate next to your bed or on a leash by your side on the couch. This helps them feel safe and secure.
Tired Puppy, Happy Puppy: Wear your puppy out before bedtime with playtime and a bath (plus blow dry if possible). A tired puppy will sleep better!

Building Independence

Bonding Time: The first few days are about getting to know each other and helping your puppy adjust to their new home. However, it's also important to encourage periods of independence from the start.
With Other Pets: If you have other pets, the introductions will guide where your puppy sleeps. If they get along well, you may be able to let them sleep together. However, if the puppy is being disruptive (e.g., jumping), keep them on a leash to manage behavior.

Crate Training and Settling In

Crate Placement: If crating indoors, remember that your puppy might struggle to settle if other pets are visible or moving around nearby. In this case, remove other pets from the room to help them settle.
Stay Calm and Consistent: Puppies may throw tantrums when crated at night. Never open the crate while your puppy is crying or pawing at it, as this reinforces unwanted behavior. Be calm, assertive, and consistent with your routine to avoid creating bad habits.
Routine and Structure: Establish a daily routine with clear boundaries and structure. This will help your puppy learn good habits and prevent separation anxiety.

General Tip

Every puppy is different, so adapt to their temperament and your home environment. The key is consistency, patience, and helping them feel safe and comfortable.

Toilet Training Your Puppy: A Simple Approach

Key Guidelines for Success

Toilet training your puppy is easy when you follow a few simple steps. Patience and consistency are key!

When to Take Your Puppy Out

After meals
After naps
After playtime or activity
When you see them sniffing around

Restricting Access

Crate or small fenced area: Helps prevent accidents.
On-lead: Keeps the puppy focused on toilet training.
Avoid pee pads: These can delay training as pups get used to going indoors. Only use in crates or puppy areas as a precaution.

Take Your Puppy Outside

Start by taking your puppy out every 30 minutes.
Bring them on-lead to the grassy area where you want them to go.
Praise: Once your puppy does their business, reward them with a "good dog!" and a pat.

Preventing Mistakes

If you catch your puppy in the act of going indoors, say "uh!" and immediately take them outside. Do not reprimand after the fact—this teaches them to toilet when you're not watching.
Be consistent, and your puppy will learn to go outside, not indoors.

Observing Pre-Toilet Signs

Watch for behaviors like sniffing, circling, or awkward tail positioning. If you see these, rush your puppy to the door to their designated spot.

Cleaning Up Accidents

Clean accidents thoroughly to remove the scent. Use it to your advantage by placing a couple of droppings in the outdoor toilet area to show them the right spot.

Stay Calm and Positive

Toilet training is natural. Most puppies will show improvement by 12 weeks old, though occasional accidents may still occur.
If mistakes happen, take the blame—it’s usually a sign you missed the cues. Never scold your puppy for accidents—they don’t understand punishment for bodily functions.

Stress-Free Learning

Puppies will sense your stress. Stay calm and confident to help them trust you as a consistent, reliable leader.

Need Help?

If you need advice or support, feel free to reach out at any time!

Introducing Your Puppy to Other Pets

Introducing Your Puppy to an Older Dog

Neutral Territory: If you're worried your existing dog may feel threatened, start the introduction on neutral ground to avoid territorial behavior.
Slow and Steady: Introduce the new puppy to one pet at a time. Don't overwhelm your older pets by introducing them to everyone all at once.
Initial Sniffing: Let the pets gently sniff each other and get familiar. It's normal for some growling or barking to occur, as it may be a sign of insecurity rather than aggression.
Watch for Aggression: Look for signs like staring, stiff-legged walking, raised tails, bared teeth, or growling. If any of these occur, calmly separate the dogs and try again later, such as during a walk.
Don't Force Interaction: Avoid using physical force to discipline the older pet; this may cause them to become wary of the new puppy.
Quality Time for Both Pets: Make sure to spend time alone with your older pet to reassure them they’re still important. This will help reduce any feelings of rivalry.
Supervision is Key: Never leave your new puppy alone with older pets until you’re sure they get along. Separate them during mealtime or when treats are involved.

Introducing Your Puppy to a Cat

Let the Cat Lead: Allow your cat to dictate the pace of the introduction. Give them “safe zones” where the puppy can’t enter, ensuring the cat feels secure.
Supervision is Important: Don’t leave your puppy and cat unsupervised until you're sure they can coexist peacefully.
Prevent Chasing: If your puppy starts chasing the cat, stop them immediately by distracting them with a treat or toy. This is likely a reaction to their natural prey drive.
Don’t Punish the Cat: If the cat responds aggressively, don’t punish them. The puppy must learn their boundaries with the cat.
Be Patient: Understand that it may take time for your puppy and cat to become comfortable with each other. Don't force the relationship or expect instant friendship.

Car Travel Tips for Your Puppy

Car Harnesses

Why Use a Car Harness?: Just like humans, pets need protection during car travel. A car harness keeps your puppy safe and secure by preventing them from flying through the windshield during sudden stops or accidents.
Where to Buy: Car harnesses come in various sizes and colors and can be found at vet clinics, pet stores, or online.

Dealing with Car Sickness

Common Cause: Car sickness is often stress-related, especially in younger dogs, and may improve as your puppy’s balance system matures by around 1 year old.
Association with Negative Experiences: Puppies may associate car rides with stressful events, like leaving their first home or going to the vet.
Re-Program Travel Associations: Start by taking short, enjoyable trips to a nearby park. Keep your puppy engaged with treats, sniffing, and play to create positive associations with the car ride.
Empty Stomach: Avoid feeding your puppy 6-8 hours before a road trip to reduce the chances of car sickness. However, small amounts of water are fine and can help keep them comfortable.
Some Puppies Need a Little Food: While some dogs travel best on an empty stomach, others may feel better after a small meal before the trip. Pay attention to what works best for your pup.
Frequent Breaks: On long drives, stop every hour or two to give your puppy a chance to stretch, hydrate, and get some fresh air.

Car Travel Safety

Fresh Air: Crack the window just enough so your puppy can enjoy fresh air and watch the passing scenery. Be sure not to open it too much—avoid the risk of your dog sticking their head out too far.
Safety Locks: Always use childlocks and window locks to prevent your puppy from accidentally getting hurt by electric windows or escaping.
Water Breaks: Offer your puppy small sips of water during breaks. Dogs are less likely to get carsick when they can see the outside world.