Stairs and Lemon Balm?

[Wallace's]

I'm new to this board (today), what a great resource...hopefully someday I can help answer some questions

We are proudly owned by our 10 week old puppy Wallace...we are first time Newf/dog owners and have encountered some interesting traits. Our breeder strongly recommended that we do our best to keep Wallace off the stairs for his first year!! Our Vet dissagreed with that recommendation (Wallace is over 30lbs already having gained about 10lbs since our Dec.29 pick up date) ...any advice? On the lemon balm... Whenever Wallace is taken outside he has shown a keen preference for one poor,dormant, snow covered plant. He has nibbled it down signigicantly, I'm not sure he actually swallows any but should I be trying to keep him away from it?

 

[sarnewfie]

LISTEN TO YOUR BREEDER!!!!
as a breeder myself, i tell people carry them as long as they possibly can, than only to let them do steps with them HOLDING onto the collar, and limit once up and once down a day that is it!
they can damage the growth plates in the front legs if they land wrong, and are wild when going down, this makes for crooked front legs. PLEASE most vets are not as knowlegable about giant breeds as breeders are themselves.
good luck and enjoy.

 

[sarnewfie]

They should gain no more than 10 lbs a month, be very very careful about feeding do NOT let him get overweight, you should feel ribs and spine, growing to fast is NOT healthy!
normally newf pups are 10 pounds over their age in months, so at 3 months - 40 pounds
i cringe whenever i hear people brag about how fast their newfs are growing.
feed a low protein food, the faster they grow the more harmful to them physically.
remember LOW PROTEIN

 

[Kodiak]

I'm glad the questions of stairs has come up. Kodi(almost 9 months) only goes up and down 4 deck steps (not steep). In the house he's yet to go up the carpeted stairs to the second floor. When he was 5 months old he did get to the first landing and back down on his own, but now doesn't have any interest. We started obedience training at a church hall and he's got to climb many steps, of which I had a problem getting him to do so. He would take a couple of steps and just look at me like, "you really want me to climb those steps"? He did manage to get to the top after stopping three times. The steps are shallow, not steep. Going down the stairs he was OK. There's a 7 month old female Newfie in class that doesn't have a problem navigating them. Is it OK that I'm coaxing him up these stairs? Thanks for any help or suggestions

.

Brenda and Kodi

 

[Kodiak]

Wallace's. Welcome

You're going to find alot of wonderful Newfie owners here. Any questions asked are answered and as a first time Newfie owner, I've learned alot about certain characteristics of the breed. You're in for a treat being owned by a Newfie

Brenda and Kodi

 

[bridge2itnf@aol.com]

I agree with your breeder, NO stairs, I dont let Tuggs go up and down the stairs. Then again you should see him getting on the couch.Bridget

 

[Kodiak]

Bridget, we have the same thing here. Kodi is on and off there without any problems

Brenda and Kodi