The Shetland Sheepdog puppy stage is the most fragile and also the most critical period in life. At this time the puppies nutritional needs are high, and if nutrition cannot keep up, growth and development may be affected. For that reason, owners must make sure food is supplied properly and may also need to provide some supportive nutritional products.
It is helpful to take the puppy outside for sunlight whenever possible, because this supports calcium absorption and helps with growth. It is also a good idea to keep a small container of dog specific calcium tablets at home. Since puppies eat slowly and opened supplements can spoil if left too long, small packages are usually better. Calcium tablets can be softened together with dog food using goat milk powder.
If the puppy has just been weaned, goat milk should gradually replace the mothers milk. Mix puppy food with goat milk powder and soften it fully before feeding. Do not give too much at one time. If goat milk powder is not practical, warm water can also be used to soften the food.
Never give bones to a newly purchased Sheltie puppy, especially hard bones such as chicken or duck bones. In mild cases they may cause diarrhea; in severe cases they can badly damage the digestive system. Human food should also be avoided because it is difficult to digest and can easily lead to various health problems.
For many owners, the early months of a Sheltie are the hardest and most demanding period. In addition to vaccination and hygiene, the puppy needs constant training in toileting, name recognition, and other basic behaviors. Feeding also requires special care and can take both money and effort.