I've split your query into its own thread so hopefully you get appropriate responses.
I think most people feed an 8 week old pup 4 times a day.
I brought Luna home at 12weeks and she had been free-feeding (helping herself to food whenever she wanted) at the breeder's so I got her used to 4 meals a day for a couple of weeks, then slid into 3 meals a day until she was about 6months ish I think and then onto the 2 meals a day she is still on today.
Hope more experienced 8 weeks old pup owners will be able to give a more experienced response!
Lab pups need feeding 4 times a day until they are 12-16 weeks old, then 3 times a day until they are at least 6 months, then twice a day for the rest of their lives.
They can't digest enough food in one go, to be able to absorb enough nutrition from the food, if they get fed larger amounts less often, so Little and Often is the way to grow a healthy puppy.
But in case you aren't - you MUST give your puppy free access to water all day every day no ifs no buts and no maybes. If the puppy thinks paddling in the water is better than drinking it (lots tip up their bowls!) then buy a heavy ceramic bowl and put it on top of a plastic mat to protect your floor - mason cash bowls are cheap available at most supermarkets and work well for this.
An 8 week old puppy NEEDS to be fed 4 times a day, the breeder really should have told you that. Ideally you'd feed the same food as the pup was eating at the breeders to avoid tummy troubles but if this is not the case any good quality food in the right proportion should be fine - wainwrights from pets@home and skinners field and trial puppy seem to be popular choices here on LF. The puppy would probably need about 50g weigh it on kitchen scales to check at each meal and I would personally be moistening it and letting it soften before giving it to the puppy - not lots of water the kibble doesn't want to go swmming just a bit to make it soft.
Ok now that's sorted you need a routine, I'm sorry but there is no way around it a puppy is like a human baby they need a hell of a lot of attention and time when they are young - this will reap huge rewards for you in the long run but it will be tiring and require lots of patience right now - that's why puppies are cute - to make up for the hard work.
So what you need to do is figure out when you are feeding your puppy and take him out to toilet before and after his meal, every time he wakes up and in the middle and at the end of play sessions - aim to take him outside for an opportunity to go to the toilet every 20-30 minutes. When he goes outside praise him like he's the greatest creature ever to live and make sure he knows you're happy - you can use food treats or just praise its up to you. If he has an accident inside don't say a word no feedback for him just ignore and clean it up properly using a cleaning spray or biological washing powder else he will go back to that place and think oh this smells like a toilet and do it there again, there is absolutely no point in punishing him if he has an accident - it is your fault for not noticing the signs and getting him outside not his for not knowing what is right or wrong yet, if you ignore indoors and praise his going outdoors he will want to make you happy and will very quickly associate going outside with treats and happy times so will do that only. It will not be instant though it is likely to take weeks not days. Be prepared for this.
In addition to feeding and toileting your puppy needs to learn about the world and needs love attention and playtimes with you as well as sleeps. Please do not leave your puppy alone for long periods of time such as going out to work all day this is not acceptable for a young pup they will simply become lonely sad and bored which leads to destructive actions like chewing your sofa or self harm that's not on. If you can't provide all of the above, and I hope that you simply didn't know and will now that you do be able to, but if not then please take him back to the breeder or arrange for a new home via rescue, there are people on the forum who can help with this if neccessary - never let a puppy go through a free ad or an ad in a newspaper this is wholly wrong and will not find them a forever loving knowledgeable home in most cases. Just ask and we will help if needed.
Make sure your home is puppy safe crawl about on the floor and remove anything at his height that he might chew or accidently swallow. Make sure all toxic foods and plants are removed from the house and garden - see the stickies or the aspca site or the phone app om-nom for lists of common things that are dangerous like chocolate, raisins and daffodils - this will save you lots of money in vets bills and potentially save your pups life. It's worth doing.
Has your puppy got a nice warm bed to sleep in, his own food and water bowls, a soft collar with a name and contact details tag, a soft lead and some toys - if not please ensure you get those things for him.
He will also need a Vet check if he hasn't had one already and his puppy jabs and worming. Vets4Pets offer the puppy checks for free so if you haven't had one yet give them a call and make an appointment, other local vets may offer this too as well as puppy parties and general advice.
I feed Murphy (14 weeks old) three times a day and he is doing very well, the breeder was only feeding him twice a day and to be honest i did not see any problem with that he was bang on the correct weight.
I really hope this is a wind up but if it isnt can I suggest you buy a puppy book; you'll be able to get one from your nearest Pets At Home, and read it. He's 8 weeks old, pretty young to be away from his mother and you're only feeding him 2 times a day and allowing him to drink the same time. You really don't seem to know how to look after a puppy. Where did you get the puppy from, didnt the breeder give you some proper advice on how to care for him?
____________ Jane - Rosie, Frank, Suki, Lily, Lewis
Surely the breeder would have sent puppy home with guidance for feeding and housetraining (which hopefully doesn't include giving puppy water twice a day )
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