đž Welcome to Von Zirbes HundehĂźtte!
Your Guide to Raising a Happy, Healthy Puppy
Congratulations on your new family member!
At Von Zirbes HundehĂźtte, we put tremendous care into raising confident, well-socialized puppies. But the work doesnât stop when they leave our home!
Here are our most important recommendations to help your puppy thrive.
𼣠Nutrition: What We Feed & Why
Our puppies are raised on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy Food, and we recommend continuing this diet to support healthy growth and development.
We also love incorporating nutritious toppers for added variety and enrichment! Some of our favorites include:
- Probiotics & multivitamins â When appropriate for your dogâs nutritional needs.
- Sardines & salmon oil â Excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt â A tasty addition that some dogs tolerate well.
- Chicken or beef broth â Adds flavor and moisture. Always choose low-sodium options without onion or garlic.
- Blueberries â A delicious source of antioxidants and fiber.
-
Turmeric, mint & dill â Used occasionally in small, dog-safe amounts for variety.
We believe in providing a balanced diet with a little extra variety! Toppers and treats should generally make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Supplements should be used with veterinary guidance, especially for growing puppies.
Why We Donât Recommend Grain-Free Diets
Dogs arenât wolves! Thousands of years of domestication have adapted dogs to digest starches and thrive on properly balanced diets.
We strongly discourage grain-free diets unless medically necessary and recommended by your veterinarian.
Hereâs why:
- Heart health: Certain diets, including some grain-free formulas high in legumes, have been associated with canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Research is ongoing.
- Grains are nutritious: They provide valuable fiber, vitamins, and energy.
- Grain allergies are uncommon: Most canine food allergies involve proteins rather than grains.
- Large-breed puppies need balance: Proper calcium levels and controlled growth are especially important for healthy skeletal development.
Feed the domesticated dog in front of you, not the wolf pictured on the food bag!
If changing foods, transition gradually over 7â10 days.
đž Nail Care: Start Young, Stay Consistent!
We recommend weekly nail maintenance!
Your puppy has only been introduced to electric nail grinders, so we highly recommend purchasing a quality grinder and continuing this routine.
Keeping nails short helps maintain proper foot placement, comfortable movement, and healthy posture during development. Overgrown nails can place unnecessary pressure on the toes and paws.
Just as Important: Weekly Desensitization!
- Handle paws and toes regularly.
- Practice using the grinder, even if nails donât need shortening.
- Reward calm behavior with treats.
- Keep sessions short and positive.
Remember, that little puppy will grow into a large, powerful dog! Nail trimming becomes significantly harder when a full-grown dog hasnât learned to cooperate.
Five minutes a week now can prevent years of struggling later!
đ˝ Potty Training: The Two-Hour Rule
Consistency is everything!
Start by taking your puppy outside at least every two hours during the day, and more often when necessary.
Always take them out:
- Immediately after waking up.
- After meals and drinking.
- After playing.
- Before and after crate time.
- Right before bedtime.
Our Biggest Potty-Training Tips
- Use the same designated potty area.
- Reward immediately after successful outdoor potty breaks.
- Supervise closely and limit unsupervised freedom.
- Clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner.
- Never punish accidents!
Young puppies may need breaks every 30â60 minutes while awake and may still require overnight potty trips.
Accidents are part of learning. Patience and consistency are key!
đ Crate Training: A Must-Have Skill!
We strongly encourage crate training for every puppy.
A properly introduced crate provides a safe, comfortable space and helps with:
- Potty training: Encourages clean sleeping habits.
- Safety: Prevents destructive or dangerous behavior when unsupervised.
- Travel and veterinary care: Makes unfamiliar situations less stressful.
- Independence: Helps puppies learn to relax and settle.
How to Get Started
- Choose a crate large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- Feed meals and offer treats inside the crate.
- Begin with short, positive sessions.
- Gradually increase crate time.
- Never use the crate as punishment.
Some initial whining is normal, but prolonged distress or panic means you need to slow down.
The goal is a dog that feels safe and comfortable in their crate, not one that fears being confined.
Crates should never replace regular exercise, interaction, or enrichment.
đ Training & Socialization: Donât Wait!
Your puppyâs early experiences shape their future behavior.
Continue introducing your puppy to new sounds, surfaces, environments, and people in a positive, controlled way.
Start teaching good manners immediately!
Jumping, biting, pulling, and ignoring boundaries may seem harmless when theyâre little, but these behaviors become much harder to manage in a large adult dog.
We strongly recommend structured puppy training classes and daily practice at home.
Remember, socialization doesnât mean greeting every dog or person. It means learning to remain confident and comfortable in different environments.
Choose safe socialization opportunities appropriate for your puppyâs vaccination status.
đ Our Favorite Puppy Essentials
Wondering what supplies to buy?
Weâve put together an Amazon Storefront featuring products we personally use and recommend, including nail grinders, crates, training supplies, toys, and enrichment essentials.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
â¤ď¸ Weâre Here for You!
Our responsibility as breeders doesnât end when your puppy goes home.
Weâre always happy to help with questions about training, nutrition, grooming, development, and responsible ownership.
We take pride in the dogs we produce and want to see every puppy reach their full potential.
Consistency today creates the dog youâll enjoy for years to come.
Welcome to the Von Zirbes HundehĂźtte family!
Von Zirbes HundehĂźtte
Purposefully Bred. Thoughtfully Raised. Supported for Life.