A few days ago someone dumped a puppy in our yard - vet and online groups all say he is a Berner - can't see anything else in him. Vet says he is 7-8 weeks old but he only weighs 7 1/2 pounds. He has hookworms and roundworms but vet said he had not gotten anemic yet so it was caught early. He acts healthy, playful and such but eats very little. I've been giving him canned regluar food - Blue Buffalo or Candae. He had a shot and the first worm dose on Tuesday and has eaten even less ever since. This morning he wasn't interested in breakfast. But like I say - he doesn't act sick and seems happy. I've never had a Berner before - we have four other dogs - three of which were dumped - all sizes - just 6 weeks ago a Chihuahua was dumped and he is being treated for heartworms.

I'm at a loss as to what is best for this dog with regard to food. I don't like food with additives or by-products and all our dogs get holistic brands which I tend to vary - and they stay very healthy. I hear conflicting advice about how much fat and protein they are supposed to have but mainly now I'm at a loss as to why he doesn't eat more - my others all dive into their food like it has to be inhaled in ten seconds and they would gladly take more!

Maybe he is stressed being dumped having worms and going to the vet is bound to unsettle him.

Also vaccs can put them off their food for for a few days so I would just keep doing what you are doing and hopefully he will pick up soon.

May I say what a wonderful thing you are doing for him.

My goodness, where do you live? I am dying to know where dogs get dumped in yards?

As a child living overseas in Asia, we used to have this happen a lot, but we lived in a country without any kind of animal shelter, animal services or vet community.

We live in Lake City, FL. They do have a shelter - even has a nighttime drop box but people do this all the time, especially when you live in the country. Every time I go outside with one of them and a car goes by I wonder "are you the one that did it". The Pointer came to a neighbor pregnant and he killed the puppies and let her hang out but didn't do anything for her so then she got pregnant again and he killed all the puppies but one. One day they just came to my yard and he came through the fence mesh (was about 4 months old) and sat there barking for us to come out - she was on the other side. When we found out where they had been their little boy wanted them back and I thought they went with them but next thing they were back and so we had them spayed and neutered and they stayed and the boy would just visit them by the fence! The Chi showed up at our gate at 9 pm. The Berner in back yard at 1 am! Who can figure out people? I guess it's better than dropping them off where there are no homes so they die a horrible death.

The puppy at his whole breakfast this morning - his name is Samson by the way!

That's great of you to offer those poor dogs a happy/healthy life. Can we see a few pictures of the new Bern? People who abuse animals are some of the lowest...it's crazy how often this happens

I just put up an album with a couple of pictures of him. As you can see he doesn't have "breed standard" markings but everyone thinks he's beautiful!

Thank you for taking Samson. That's a wonderful thing to do. He is lucky. Just some food for thought. He is very young and little and if it is possible for you he should really eating 3 or 4 times a day. Just small amounts. You may be doing that already. Also, since he is a large breed dog you might want to check and see if the Blue Buffalo or the Candae have a large breed puppy food. It is important that he not grow to fast or he can develop bone and hip issues. I feed a raw diet and I can't remember who has large breed puppy food. I do feel the canned is better than the kibble. I just can't believe some people would drop off such alittle puppy. That makes me so angry.Anyway, Berners have very sensitive tummys so don't overfeed and make any changes slowly. Also, If he get diarreah, and he probably will especially since he was just wormed you can give him a teaspoon of canned pumpkin(not the mix) a couple times a day. They love it and it really helps with digestion. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. Good luck, Katie

I've been reading up on them and was planning on doing as you mentioned - want to do the best for him that I can - he is SO sweet! He had very soft stools and/or runny when he came - it's not too bad now but still not as firm as the others and since he's not house trained yet firm would be easier! He has become very active now. At first he was traumatized and tried to hide and if you picked him up and then set him down he just stayed there where you put him. Now we have to watch him because he wants to wrestle with the pointer and her half shepherd son! They don't hurt him but could accidently and he seems to think he's as big as they are already! He has gained half a pound in the week we have had him - is that a good gain? He is up to 8 pounds which is still small at probably 8 weeks now but still don't want to cause him any problems. He is fed 3-4 times a day- eats it all but not gulping it like my others do!

He is just precious.Sounds like you are doing all the right stuff. I went back in my records and when I got my berner at 8 weeks he was 11 lbs so your boy is not to small. I rather he be small then gain to much weight to fast. Way better to be lean than a fat roly poly. Bad on the joints. Half a pound doesn't sound to bad. Also, be happy he is not gulping lol. Mine are piggys and I'm always telling them to slow down . Try the pumpkin if you can. It really does help with soft stools. I give it to mine everyday. You are right about being careful with his play. Eventhough they are big puppies they can still get hurt easily. I had to be really careful when I got my second Berner. My first one who was a year old at the time just loved him and wanted to play all the time. He tried to be careful but would still step on him once in a while and I was so afraid my little one was going to get hurt. Sound like he is getting along with the other ones. That's great. Berners can be shy so the more interaction you can give him with people and dogs the better. As I said before, thank you for taking the time to learn about him. Berners are a special and wonderful breed. Katie

My other dogs are piggies! LOL So far he doesn't seem shy - he loves all the other dogs and people after getting over the trauma. Hopefully he will stay that way. Watching him grow will be interesting. I wish my Chonzer (mini-schnauzer/bichon cross) would like him and play with him - they could have great fun and I wouldn't have to worry about him getting hurt. She forgets that she acting just like him when she was his age!