3 month old Maltese suddenly becoming agressive

by Tracy
(Virginia)

I have had my Maltese for over 1 month, and he is now a 3 months and a week old. Aside from his puppy biting, he was a very gentle puppy. He has a timid personality, and with the exception of the first few weeks of his crate training, he rarely barked.

However, since a week ago after he turned 3 month, the barking and the aggression began. He would bark at every strange noise, and also at people when we're out on walks. He'd even bark at me when when I tell him "no" after he misbehaves. He used to be very good when I take him out to the yard to go potty. Now, when he doesn't feel like going potty, he'd run around the yard and play. When I insist that he focuses on doing his business by telling him "potty", he'd bark and growl at me.

Is there a reason why the barking and the aggression is coming through? It seems that we have a different puppy now. Could it be a result of his teething?



Hi Tracy
First of all, don't get too worried about this right now. It sounds like pretty normal 'adolescent' behavior rather than 'aggression'. Your puppy is just at that stage between baby and teenager, and this is the time that he begins to 'test his limits'.

If you think of human teenage behavior, you will see parallels in your pup. He doesn't want to do as he's told anymore - he wants to assert his independence and do it 'his way'. This is perfectly normal, but of course just as human teenagers need limits and boundaries and loving discipline so do puppies. Don't be 'combative' about it though, as that will lead to battles and 'power struggles'. Just be calm, firm, loving and consistent and he will grow out of this stage no worse for wear.

If he won't do as he's told in the yard, put him on a leash (this is always a good idea anyway as you want him to learn to potty while leashed or he will have difficulty when you're out walking etc. later on). Start teaching him basic puppy obedience commands, be upbeat and positive and use lots of treats and praise when he's successful. I'd also recommend enrolling him in a puppy class at one of the local dog obedience schools it will help you both.

The barking at noises and other people is because he's beginning to develop his protective instincts - all dogs have them and just because he's little doesn't mean he won't have the desire to protect you. As he has a timid nature to begin with, he may 'overreact' in this area and it's up to you though to discourage indiscriminate barking and to let him know that strange people and places aren't something to be afraid of. I'd suggest lots of socialization to help him overcome his wariness and grow in confidence.

If you follow the suggestions above, your pup should develop into a happy, confident dog and learn to respect and obey you. It takes time, love and patience to raise a puppy, and this is just one of the stages on his journey towards maturity.

Best of luck with him.

BEHAVIOR HELP ME PLEASE CHIHUAHUA MIXED WITH JACK RUSSEL!!!!!

by JOANNA
(LAWRENCEVILLE)

HI MY NAME IS JOANNA. I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD CHIHUAHUA MIXED WITH JACK RUSSEL HER NAME IS LULU. LULU HAS BE WHINING A LOT HERE LATELY AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

SHE DOESN'T ACT LIKE SHE IS HURT BECAUSE WHEN SHE WHINES I PICK HER UP AND SHE STOPS BUT IF I PUT HER BACK DOWN SHE STARTS WHINING AGAIN AND IT STARTS TO GET ON MY NERVES. I DON'T KNOW IF SHE IS TRYING TO TELL ME SHE IS HURT OR WHAT.

I WORK FROM 6:30AM TILL 5:00PM BUT DON'T GET HOME UNTIL 8:30PM. SHE HAS BEEN USED TO BEING UP MY BUTT ALL THE TIME AND NOW SHE'S NOT. BUT WHEN I GET HOME I LOVE ON HER TAKE HER OUT AND PLAY WITH HER. AND BEFORE I GET HOME MY MOM AND DAD AND THEM TAKE HER OUT AND TRY TO PLAY WITH HER BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE MY ROOM OR PLAY UNLESS I DO IT ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS SLEEP. AND SHE HAS ONLY BEEN DOING THIS FOR 4 DAYS.

IS SHE TRYING TO TELL ME SHES HURT OR FEELS NEGLECTED OR WHAT AND WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE HELP ME. I AM TIRED OF HEARING HER WHINE. SHE PLAYS STILL BUT ONLY WITH ME OR MY BOYFRIEND AND RUNS AROUND BUT SHE STOPS LATER AND COMES AND SITS IN FRONT OF ME AND WHINES LOOKS AT ME UNTIL I SAY COME ON THEN JUMPS IN MY LAP AND THEN STOPS WHINING. SHE DOESN'T LIMP OR ANYTHING. AND MOST OF THE TIME SHE DOESN'T WHINE UNLESS SHE IS IN MY LAP IF SHES PLAYING OR SITTING IN MY LAP AND I PET HER. AND SHE KEEPS ON TAKING MY SHOES AND MY STUFF I NEED AND HIDES THEM AND IT TAKES ME FOREVER TO FIND.

PLEASE HELP ME OUT WITH MY DOG LULU I WANT HER TO GO BACK TO HOW SHE WAS. NOT WHINING, NOT SLEEPING PRETTY MUCH ALL DAY, ALWAYS WANTING TO PLAY WITH HER TOYS AND MY BOYFRIENDS DOG AND BARKING AT PEOPLE WHO COME IN, EATING RIGHT AND STOPS HIDEING MY STUFF. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY BABY LULU BACK.
THANKS, JOANNA AND LULU





Hi Joanna
I know this must be difficult and worrying for you, but from what you've said I doubt there's anything physically wrong with Lulu and I don't think you need to panic. I would however recommend that you have your veterinarian give her a thorough check up to make sure that there's no underlying health issue that is causing her distress.

If she gets a 'clean bill of health', then I tend to think that her behavior is a result of the sudden (and from her point of view, dramatic) change in her daily life and routine. Suddenly you aren't there all day and as she obviously loves you very much and has bonded closely with you, she's feeling scared, lonely and insecure. This is very natural and really you can't expect anything else, she doesn't understand what is going on and she's showing you the only way she knows how that she's scared and that she misses you.

Of course, you obviously need to go to work and you're doing your best to give her lots of attention and love when you are at home, and she has other people there when you're gone. It's normal for her to be upset, but she will get over it as long as you're patient and loving with her.

Try to make sure that the routine when you're at home is fairly consistent, so that she learns the 'new daily routine' which will help her to feel less anxious and insecure. Also, give her lots of love and attention, but don't allow her to 'rule the roost' or force you into holding her every minute you're home - that won't help in the long run. Be upbeat and cheerful, loving and patient and just give her time to adjust.

She's sleeping a lot as a way of 'shutting out' her anxiety and passing time until you come home, again that's pretty normal, and I think she'll do that less and less as she adjusts to the new way of life. The same with the stealing your things etc., she's just trying to keep something of yours close to her as it helps her feel safer. It's a coping mechanism that she will use less as she feels more confident and less worried.

Try not to get anxious or frustrated or angry with her as that will make the situation worse and slow down her adjustment. I know it's difficult, but just be patient and loving and she will return to her 'old self' in time.

Hope this helps, best of luck to both you and Lulu.

Potty Training Help

I have a 9 month old Boxer and can't seem to potty train him. I have tried all of the proven methods including rewarding, training aids, crate training etc.

If he has to poop, he sits at the back door and whines. If he has to pee, he just goes where ever he is standing at the time. If he's in his crate, he pees in it. If he's lying on my bed, he'll jump up all of a sudden and pee. If he's lying on the living room floor, he'll stand up and start peeing as he walks across the room. He never offers any warning at all.

I've taken him out in the mornings and let him pee. He'll come back in the house and 5 minutes later, he'll pee again. It's never in any one spot, it's every where. He's also been neutered, so I doubt that he's marking. If you yell "no" as he's doing it, he runs towards the back door, so he obviously knows it's not okay. If you take him outside and say "go potty," he runs over to the grass and goes. He just won't quit going in the house.

I've had the vet look at him and he says there are no problems. He suggested an immature bladder, but couldn't think of anything else. What can I do?




Hi
I'm sorry you're having so much difficulty with your pup, this isn't normal and it sounds to me more like a physical problem than a behavioral/cognitive one.

My first reaction is to say take him back to your veterinarian and ask for a more thorough examination or a referral to a vet clinic that specializes or has experience in this sort of problem. An 'immature' bladder, poor nerve control, an infection or something similar would be my best guess.

Your pup obviously understands that he should be 'going' outdoors, but just doesn't seem to get enough warning himself, or have the control to 'hold it' for long enough to get there. This sounds to me as though it's not his fault, and that he is trying to do the right thing but needs help.

Meantime as you're waiting for a further evaluation and help, you could try 'belly bands' on your pup. They're sort of similar to doggie diapers and are a good way of protecting furniture and carpets from scent marking, they would also work in this situation I think.

Obviously they're not an answer to the problem, I really think only your vet can supply that, but they may help alleviate some of the frustration and damage his problem is causing.

I really wish that I could help more but feel that your vet is definitely the one to turn to here. Best of luck with him, I hope that you manage to find the root of the problem and get it fixed so that everyone will be happier.

puppy woke up sick not eating and sleeping alot

by sean
(indiana)

our puppy was fine all weekend playing with my sisters puppy and she was fine last night, but when she woke up today she wouldn't eat and is sleeping constantly.

i just want to make sure she is ok,

thank you sean



Hi Sean
It's difficult to say for sure what's going on with your puppy, but it's possible that she's sick.

Lethargy and loss of appetite and two common symptoms seen in many dog illnesses. If she's not had all her puppy shots yet, then she's at risk of contracting an illness if she's around other unvaccinated dogs, or in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been.

However, if she's been running around all weekend, the activity and stress could have just been a bit much for her (especially if you've not had her long, or she's very young), and she may just need a day or so to get over it all.

It's always best to be safe than sorry when it comes to puppies, and if you're at all worried about your her I'd recommend talking to your vet, even taking her in for an exam if necessary.

Generally a puppy who is sick will also have diarrhea and/or vomiting and won't be able to be tempted with a treat, or be willing to play or seem happy for even short periods. BUT, she could still be sick even if she doesn't display these signs.

I'm sorry that I can't be more specific, but a lot depends on the individual puppy and only a vet exam could really rule out illness. If she's not improved, shows any of the other signs above, or gets worse, I'd recommend taking her to your vet anyway.

Hope this helps at least somewhat. Best of luck with your puppy and hoping she's back to normal soon.

I'm worried about my 4 month old...

by Robert Munoz
(1/2 yr NYC/ 1/2 yr DR)

Hi, I'm Rob. I'm lucky enough to have a wife that knows that my only "want" in life is to be the father of pit bulls. She was in the Dominican Republic at our winter home and found someone who had puppies for sale. Her decision on the puppy she was going to bring home was between 2.

Needless to say that she couldn't make up her mind so I am the proud father of 2 more pitbulls. My children and the rest of my family are there all year round, so there are always many people to care for them. They're 4 months old now, and have been with us now for 2 months. The female eats great, has plenty of energy, and is growing quite well. The male is much less energetic, eats less, doesn't drink enough water, and if he continues like this, he will be a skinny little pit with attitude.

When he does play, he gets too aggressive too fast, and if the neighbors chow chow puppy (of the same age) comes around, my pup doesn't bark, but he gives a stare, then attacks very aggressively. When left alone (while his sister is playing) he'll mope around , then go lay down in his house. Once and a while if I have to move him while he's laying down, he'll yelp as if his bones/muscles hurt or something. If he sees me with his sister on my lap, he gets jealous and attacks her...what's going on...he's only 4 months. What can I do so he eats more, has more energy, and do something about his temper. There aren't ANY good vets where I'm located, but he is up to date with his vaccinations.

Can you please give me some ideas of possible solutions to his problems? His gums and tongue have good 'pink' color and he seems to sleep well. Thanks, Rob.



Hi Rob
This is a difficult situation, and without a complete veterinary examination, it's going to be impossible to say whether or not this little guys' problems are physical, temperamental or a bit of both.

It sounds to me as though physically he's not very strong, and if he seems lethargic a lot of the time, has little appetite and sometimes appears as though he's in pain, then I would suspect that he has some sort of health issue.

Worms are a possible cause for weight loss and lethargy, but as they would likely make him very hungry, it's not the first choice I'd make.

Dog allergies are also a possibility. A Dog food allergies can cause weight loss (due to the pups inability to properly digest the food), lethargy, and they can also cause irritability if the reaction is severe enough. Perhaps a change of diet might be worth a try and avoid cheap dog foods or those with lots of additives, chemicals, fillers etc. Grains are also a major trigger of allergies in dogs, so a grain-free food, or at least without grain as a main ingredient would be best. There are quite a few food specifically formulated for dogs with sensitivities or allergies, and you can find more about this on my Dog Food Allergies page.

Of course, there are all sorts of health conditions including parasitic diseases such as Coccidiosis, Lyme Disease, bone and joint problems or even hereditary diseases that could be the root cause of this pups physical health issues.

In spite of any health issues, you may also just be dealing with a pup who has a poor temperament. If your wife observed these pups parents, she may be able to tell whether this is a congenital problem. Excessively fearful, or aggressive, behavior can be a genetic problem, and if one of these pups parents behaved this way, then this is a possibility too. Pitbulls are great dogs, and although they're naturally inclined to be 'dog aggressive' (but NOT people aggressive which I'm certain you have already found out) when mature, but at 4 months of age I would personally think that your pup is showing an above-average degree of aggressive tendencies. He may be an 'alpha' personality in general, but unless he's challenging his sister, your other dogs, or even you or your family for control, then I'm doubtful that is the problem.

Whatever the reason for his irritable behavior, you definitely need to correct it firmly, but lovingly, every time he does it. He shouldn't be allowed to 'call the shots' in any way, and don't leave him alone with other dogs (even his sister), until his attitude has improved enough for you to be sure that neither dog is going to be hurt. Some behavioral therapy may help if you find he doesn't respond to regular training methods.

I know you say that there are no good vets around you, but for the benefit of this puppy, I really think you need to have him examined, and rule out any underlying health issues. He would probably also benefit from professional training, and dog obedience classes would be a good place to start. But do let the school know ahead of time that your pup tends to be 'dominant' and can be aggressive, so that they can determine whether to fit him into an open class, or private lessons. They may want to evaluate him first.

You may also want to visit my Ask A Vet page. It's a very cost effective way of getting a professional, veterinary opinion and you can ask an online veterinarian any questions you have. If you can give one of these vets ALL the information you can about any symptoms your pup has etc., they may be able to give you a better idea about possible physical causes.

I'm not a vet and I'm sorry that I can't really give you more help, but I hope that you can get to the bottom of this little guys' problems so that he gets the best shot at a happy life.

Best of luck with all your dogs.

1yo Chihuhua with strange bowel movements

by Deb
(Columbus, OH)

Is my dog sick if when she poops it is an orange/brown like jelly substance mixed in?


Hi Deb
That depends a lot on how she's behaving and what (if any) other symptoms she's displaying.

Dogs tend to eat all sorts of things they shouldn't, and digestive upsets are pretty common. What you describe could indicate irritation or inflammation in her colon, and this could be caused by infection, stress, a sudden change in diet, recurrent or illness. If her stools are also loose, this could be classified as diarrhea, of which there are different types and different causes.

However, if she's only had these type of stools once or twice, and is eating, drinking and acting normally otherwise (with plenty of energy and a normal appetite), chances are that it's nothing serious. She may just have eaten something she shouldn't.

If, on the other hand, she seems to be feeling unwell, has had repeated episodes of diarrhea and/or vomiting, is lethargic and isn't eating or drinking normally, then she needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

If she's showing any of these symptoms now, or starts to show them at any point, she will need to be evaluated by your vet.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your puppy.

my sick puppy

i have a german shepherd puppy that is 10 weeks old, he has had his first shot that was the 8 in 1 and he started not eating two days ago and is puking and has the runs.

i have been forcing gatorade down him and he has ate very little. he has no energy and is not very active i really don't have the money to take him to vet but i don't know what to do?


Hi
I'm sorry to hear that your pup is sick, but I'm afraid that with the symptoms you describe he really does need to see a vet, and quickly.

Although he's had his first set of puppy shots, this doesn't mean that he is protected from the contagious dog illnesses that puppies are prone to. For full protection he would need to have had all three sets, and obviously at his age that's not possible.

Canine Parvovirus has symptoms similar to those which your pup is showing, as do other common illnesses. The only way to get a diagnosis is to take your pup to your veterinarian.

Even if he does have Parvo, often treatment can be given at home as long as the diagnosis is made and the medication prescribed. Some veterinarians will also allow you to pay a certain amount down, and the rest in installments. Of course, I can't say for sure what your pup has, and it could be something much less serious than Parvo. However he is likely already weak and possibly dehydrated, and without veterinary attention he could die.

I'm sorry to be so blunt, and I don't mean to frighten you, but little puppies can get sick very fast, and veterinary care is essential.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you can get this little guy the help he needs.

puppy trouble - waking at night

by Catherine
(Green Bay, WI, USA)

my puppy is 5 months old; wakes up in the middle of the night around 3am or sooner, I take her to go potty then a couple hours later she'll wake up again and would not let my husband and I sleep. I removed her food around 7pm so she doesn't have to potty when we are sleeping, but it's not working.

should I get a bigger cage so I can put a pad on it as well so we can sleep and not wake up she she does to take her potty? I'll appreciate to get some answers as soon as possible
Thanks


Hi Catherine
if your pup is healthy (ie no urinary tract infection or digestive problems), then at 5 months of age she should be able to 'hold it' for 8 hours at night. A very tiny/toy breed may have difficulty with this, but it's unusual.

I'm inclined to think that your pups' waking at night is more due to habit than to actual need. However, I would recommend feeding her dinner at around 5 - 6pm, and then not giving her any more food until breakfast. Don't 'free feed' (leave her food dish down for long periods to allow her to come and go and eat as and when she pleases) as this can lead to feeding problems. Do give her access to fresh water all day though, and remove that by 7 - 7:30pm

At first she will likely still wake once and you can take her out for a potty break at that point to begin with, but the next time she wakes just ignore her and let her cry. She won't actually NEED to go (unless she has a health issue of some sort) and she needs to learn to go back to sleep herself. Of course, you'll be kept awake by her noise, but after a few nights of this she will learn that you're not getting her out of her crate and will stop complaining. Once that happens, you can start to let her wait a bit when she wakes up the first time, so that she will gradually go longer before waking, eventually until morning.

I'd definitely not advise getting a bigger crate and/or putting pee pee pads in there, that will completely cancel out the whole point of crate training and be a big step backwards.

I do know how exhausting it is to be woken up night after night, but if you are patient and consistent with your pup and follow the advice above I think you'll find that she'll be sleeping through the night within a couple of weeks.

Best of luck.

health - my puppys' tummy?

what should my puppy's tummy feel like?


Hi
I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but a pups tummy is generally rounded and kind of soft, it shouldn't be bloated/tight/distended.

Puppy worms are quite common, and they can make the pups' belly hard and distended, and out of proportion with the rest of the body. These need to be treated by your veterinarian.

If there is a small soft lump near where the umbilical cord was attached, then the pup may have a small 'hernia' - fairly common and usually nothing to worry about.

If you have questions about your puppys' health, or are worried about him, it's always best to have your vet examine him. A professional evaluation is the best way to make sure all is well. Best of luck with your pup.

why does my puppy get freaked out at odd times?

by kaitlan boyles
(rich hill, mo. usa)

When i gave bullet a bath today, he wouldn't keep still. i told him to stay but he didn't. i patted him on the bottom to get him to listen to me. but then he freaked out and started running all over the bathroom trying to hide from me he was yelping and crying and he even pooped and peed all over me. i dropped him and then he took off. i found him under the sink. i picked him up and he was still yelping and trying to get himself out of my arms i kept him there until he was calm. which took a long time.

he finally settled down way later and was fine the rest of the night.i didn't even pat him that hard. i've even hit him before, and he didn't react this way.



Hi Kaitlin
First of all, I have to say - please never hit your pup/dog. He may not 'freak out' when you do it, but it will definitely scare him and won't help build a bond of trust between you. You should never have to resort to physical punishment (even what you might consider to be 'hard'), your voice and facial expressions should be enough.

Having said that, your pup was clearly very scared of the bath - it could be that he's never had one before, or maybe he's never even been really wet or come in contact with a large body of water (a bath would seem like that to him!).

His reaction was one of extreme fear and stress, and you did the right thing to hold him until he calmed down. You may want to check out my Bathing A Puppy page for tips and advice on making this process a bit easier.

Next time, I'd recommend having someone else to help you, so that if he starts to struggle or bolt it may be easier to stop him. Also, start with just a couple of inches of water and be as quick as you can. Gradually he will get less scared and you'll be able to use more water and take longer. Try to make this as positive an experience as possible for him, use a gentle voice, slow movements, and a treat when it's all over.

You don't need to bathe your pup very often, unless he's outside getting really dirty. Once every couple of months is enough. Over-bathing can lead to dry itchy skin and hair loss.

Best of luck!



but thats not the only time he has goten freaked out like this,sometimes,he's just sitting down on the couch and suddenly starts speeding all over the house trying to find a hiding place.



'' why does he do these kind of things?''

My doberman can't stand or walk but is eating,but not much,why?

Ok,I have a doberman pup that is going on 7 weeks old and he can walk sometimes and other times can`t stand or walk ..

He is eating some.


Hi
I'm sorry to hear about what is happening with your puppy, but he needs to be seen by your veterinarian.

There are several possible causes for the problems with his legs, but only a veterinary evaluation can make an accurate diagnosis I'm afraid.

If this puppy isn't eating properly that is another concern, it could be connected to his mobility issues, or be unrelated. Again, a vet needs to make that diagnosis.

Please get your pup seen as soon as possible. I wish you the best of luck and hope he is doing much better soon.

dog attack

by Virgie Thorp
(Oxnard, CA. Ventura co.)

we have 2 puppies 5 months old, our female tried to take a doggie snack from our male puppy, they started fighting, the male had a good grip on her, before i could pull him away, the momma dog and the father dog came in and started attacking too, I finally got the male puppy off of the female puppy, the adult dogs ran under my bed after the female puppy after we separated all of them, I put the female puppy in the back yard to access the damage to the female puppy.


she seemed fine just shook-up and shaken. She had small bites on one of her legs, and light scratch bites on the back of her neck, and she limped every now and then,I cleaned it with peroxide and she seemed fine, that was until 4 hrs. ago, now she is laying on the bed not wanting to move crying when we touch her near her leg and breathing very heavy. She is in pain but, do you think her leg is broken? And should we take her to the animal hospital?



Hi Virgie
I would definitely take your pup to the animal hospital or an emergency vet just as soon as you can. It definitely sounds as though she's in pain, possibly in shock, and needs to be seen by a professional.

The biggest problem you had here in terms of the attack, is that you have several dogs and they reacted with a 'pack mentality'.

I've seen this myself, and even dogs who generally don't seem to have any aggressive tendencies, can quite easily join in an attack on another dog under these circumstances. Two dogs squabbling is manageable, but three or more is a recipe for disaster. They'll all pick on the weakest one, sometimes with tragic results.

Once you've had this little girl taken care of, I'd recommend making sure to never have more than two of the dogs together when there are 'resources' (food, treats, toys etc.) to fight over - or when you and another person aren't there to supervise. This could easily happen again otherwise.

When they're fighting, dogs are oblivious to what's going on around them, and you run the risk of being bitten when you intervene. Always have at least 2 people to try to separate fighting dogs. A water hose, or water spray bottle sometimes helps, and making sure they always wear collars that you can get a grip on is important.

In severe fights, where one dog is at risk of being badly injured or killed, a pepper-spray is a last-resort measure that usually works well. I would recommend having one handy in your home.

I hope this little girl recovers fully from this, and wish you all the best of luck.

2 month old blue heeler terrier mix

by Charla
(Fort Worth, TX)

My 8 week old puppy, from the humane society, came home with tapeworms and flea infestation and a hacking cough once a day. After the well visit at the vet he was prescribed Clavamox 62.5mg bid for kennel cough, Capstar 2-25 lbs-1 tab, Droncit 34mg 1 1/2 tabs, and a dose of Revolution. After 1st dose of clavamox the hacking a vomiting increased to all day with emesis of Tbs or so of clear to beige fluid, and almost convulsion like activity in his abdomen.

He became very lethargic and appetite decreased dramatically. Back to the vet today for iv fluids (he lost 1lb in 2 days), ampicillan, baytril, cerenia, and nebulizer treatments for 2-3 days with isolation status and critical care monitoring. I am concerned about the cerenia since he is so young and how that may lead to more issue w/age (bone marrow hypoplasia-doc called it "cartilage issues") and since I saw greenish discharge from nostrils this morning-could it be distemper?

I don't want him to suffer if it is a viral infection...Is that a risk I should be considering?


Hi Charla
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult time you and your new pup are going through. Poor little guy, it certainly sounds as though he's quite poorly.

Your vet has examined him and is the best position to make an accurate diagnosis, but it also sounds as though he has several different things going on. The cough was likely kennel cough, and the nasal discharge could be related to that. Kennel cough is a viral infection that can result in secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia, and I'm wondering if that is what has happened?

Distemper is of course a possibility, but it is a tricky dog illness to diagnose - especially early on. A skin biopsy is needed for a diagnosis, but the results take a little while so starting treatment if distemper is suspected is usually advised.

Cerenia is a fairly new drug, used to control vomiting, and there does seem to be a risk of bone marrow problems when it's given to pups under 11 weeks of age. I'd suggest talking to your vet and make sure that your pup doesn't take this medicine for any longer than absolutely necessary - or see if there is an alternative.

I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian, and really can't help more than this, but it sounds as though your own vet has taken all the steps necessary and is on top of the situation. Hopefully your pup will soon start to improve and Distemper won't be an issue.

I wish you both the best of luck and hope your little guy is doing much better soon.

Shedding of coat

by Cindy
(Laurel, MS, USA)

I have a white maltipoo. Her fur is very much like cotton and very unruly. I am having problems with her shedding very much and I didn't think this breed was suppose to shed. Is their anything I can do to keep her from shedding?

Thank you



Hi Cindy
I'm afraid pretty much all dogs shed to some degree, it's just that there are certain breeds that shed less than others - sometimes a LOT less.

Poodles are one of these breeds, and with the hybrid or so-called 'designer dogs' the coat can be even more unpredictable.

There are certain dietary supplement products that you can buy that claim to help control shedding, and the 'Nutro' line of dog food is supposed to be good in this respect.

I would have to say that I haven't personally tried any of these products, but I think they're probably worth trying if the shedding is really annoying.

Before you go that route though, make sure that there's no underlying health issues causing her to shed so much. A veterinary check up should be able to rule those out.

Also, puppies tend to shed heavily when they lose their puppy coat, and all dogs shed more at certain times of the year, usually at the major season changes. Also females do this after weaning their puppies. This is called 'blowing coat' and can be pretty dramatic!

Regular grooming will help, and keeping her coat cut short will also be a plus. The 'Furminator' grooming tool (learn more about it on my Dog Grooming Aids page is also very good at removing undercoat and keeping a dog shed-free for longer.

Perhaps other visitors reading this post will know of other remedies or tips that may help Cindy, so please feel free to share them by using the comments function. Best of luck!

Hives

by Jeanna Rivera
(Long beach Ca)

He is the chicken

My puppy is a pit, 4 months old, and he weighs 48 pounds.

He was recently attacked by another pit and we took him to the vet. They gave us Cephalexin.

My puppy took it for 4 days and was fine but on the 4th night he broke through the actual capsule eating the medicine inside only. The next morning when we woke up we noticed he had a few hives but by the time I got off of work he was covered in hives all over his body. I gave him benadryl and the next day they were completely gone. the day after that they were back again.

My question is could it be he is having a allergic reaction to the medicine and if so why did the hives go away and then come back?



Hi Jeanna
What a wonderful photo - sweethearts the whole bunch!

It does sound as though your pup has had a reaction to the medication, especially as these hives coincide with his ingesting an open capsule.

In this situation too much of the drug is absorbed into his bloodstream at once, rather than over a period of hours. The chances of him having a reaction to it are therefore much higher.

The drug will stay in his bloodstream at a higher level for some time, so it's possible the hives are still due to these elevated levels.

However, hives and swelling are a pretty severe allergic response, and it the swelling was to affect his throat, tongue etc. it could lead to a very serious, possibly fatal, consequence. I would recommend discussing the problem with your veterinarian and asking his advice.

Benadryl may be able to 'damp down' the symptoms for short periods, but it won't cure the root problem and so isn't a long term solution.

You may also want to visit my Ask A Vet page. You can ask an online veterinarian a question and get a quick, professional response. It's a very low cost service and although I wouldn't recommend it for emergencies or injuries, for this sort of situation it can be very helpful and cost effective.

I wish you the very best of luck with your pup, and hope he's doing much better soon.

eating and lapping water

by John
(Palm Bay, FL)

Our four month old mini schnauzer has trouble eating food and lapping water. It looks to us as if she can't breath through her nose while doing so and therefore has to stop frequently while trying to eat or lap water.

She then makes snorting sounds and you can see her breast area moving in and out. She is perfectly normal in every other way. She eventually finishes her food and drinks water. She has no trouble urinating or moving her bowels and plays, is very active and sleeps the whole night through.

We are concerned that she may have something wrong with her wind pipe or throat. Do you think she will outgrow this problem or should we be taking her to the vet again.

Thanks so much....J and I Lennon



Hi John
I'm not a veterinarian myself, and so can only give you an opinion and advice based on personal experience, but I would advise you to have your puppy checked out by your veterinarian and explain what you are seeing when she eats/drinks.

Obviously she seems happy and healthy in every other way and I assume that she's growing and gaining weight normally, that indicates that at least so far, she is dealing with whatever problem she has.

However, it could be that she has a problem with either her palate or her esophagus, and it's best to get an accurate diagnosis so that you know what, if anything, you are dealing with. There are many possibilities for the symptoms you describe but only your vet can make the correct diagnosis.

Sometimes no treatment is needed, but something simple like elevated feeding bowels may help in mild cases or problems. Other times, medications or even surgery may be required if the issue is severe.

Either way, your vet will be able to tell you what is going on and if anything needs to be done.

Best of luck, hope she's doing just fine soon.

How to I get my two shih tzu puppies to walk on a leash without playing & biting each other?

by Christy
(Salinas, CA)

I have two shih tzu puppies (4 months old) female and male from same litter.

I have them trained on the leash, but now when walking them on my side they seem more interested in nipping and playing with each other than walking. I have tried to stop and reprimand them, but a few steps into it, they are once again playing and nipping at each other. It makes taking walks nearly impossible.

I tried holding one and walking, but that gets hard. I want to know how we can take walks together without all the "playing around".

Thank you
Christy



Hi Christy
What adorable little bundles of fur you have there. Mischievous too it seems :o)

I can see how walking these two together would be a problem, that's to be expected with two puppies. However, it will get better as they mature.

I don't have any personal experience of walking two little dogs like this, but I would think that the more practice they have walking to 'heel' properly and individually, the better they will behave when together. This is where a good puppy class at a dog obedience school plays an important role. I would encourage you to enroll them both in a class (and take someone else with you to work with one pup while you work with the other).

For now when you walk them, I think the best thing you can do is to stop walking when they misbehave, and not move forward until they've settled down. This is what is recommended when walking just one pup who pulls, stops and sniffs all the time, and so on. It takes patience and perseverance, and yes, walks will be very stop-and-start and difficult at first. But the puppy/ies soon get the idea and decide that walking is more fun than standing still.

Verbal corrections may still be necessary, or even a quick squirt with a water spray bottle may help if they really refuse to co-operate, but I doubt you'd need to do this more than once or twice. Of course, it does depend on how stubborn they are :o)

Perhaps other 'multiple-dog owners' reading this may have ideas or suggestions that can help you out. So, please if anyone can give Christy some more help to ahead and post your comments.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I'm sure that this will work itself out if you just stick with it and be patient and consistent in your choice of correction. Best of luck.

Help Please :) x - Border Collie 'spinning'?

by Chantelle Wozny
(Nottinghamshire)

Ben x

Hello i have a year old border collie,could you tell me what to do with my dog please any kind of noises that goes off such as: music,phone,washing pots,hoover ect...he starts spinning round and starts chasing after his tail, wondered if you could give me any advice of what to do? thanks :) x



Hi Chantelle
It sounds as though your dog is showing a behavior that's actually known as 'spinning' which is actually a kind of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) behavior. Tail chasing is another form of the same thing.

It's most often seen in super active, highly-strung dogs such as Border Collies. These dogs need a lot of exercise, and a 'job' to do, otherwise they get bored, stressed and over-anxious.

I'd recommend making sure that Ben gets tons of exercise and if he isn't already enrolled in a dog obedience school class, or an agility class I'd strongly recommend getting him enrolled soon. These will help him to find a better outlet for all that nervous energy.

You may also want to look at my Natural Remedies For Dogs and Dog Separation Anxiety Medications pages. They have information on natural products that can help lower anxiety levels in dogs which may help with this behavior.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with Ben

Grand Mal Seizure-12 week old Cockapoo

Rosie, our new cockapoo had a grand mal seizure the other day. The previous night she was very whiny (unlike her) and trying to "hide" her head by burying it any where she could. This continued into the next day. She was not really eating but she would eat the lamb/rice treats so I gave her a bunch of those so her sugar wouldn't drop. Yet, she was also constipated.

I wasn't sure if she was hurt so I took her to the vet who tried to palpate the specific area, but she would cry every time he touched her so it was hard to determine where. He gave her a shot of cortisone because he sensed that her neck might be hurt because she would tense when he would try to tip her head back. She was not swollen anywhere and there were no outward signs of any trauma. I took her home and fed her baby food which she ate. About 9:00 that night she had a huge seizure (foaming at the mouth, front legs running, stiff as a board) I rushed her to the emergency room. They hooked her up to Fluid and antibiotic IV's, oxygen, took Xrays and stated that she also had pulmonary odema which could be caused by the seizure. She had another seizure while at the hospital. They told me her condition was dire.

She made it through the night and in the morning was able to lay on her belly (previously was only able to be on her side). She was there for 2 days and is now home and you would never know that she had such a horrible seizure. She has completely recovered. She was tested for liver shunts that came back negative. My question is could something she ingested have caused this reaction and with such a long delay between ingesting and the actual seizure?



Hi
It sounds as though you had a very traumatic time with Rosie, and I'm so happy to hear that she is now fully recovered, and no worse for her experience.

Unfortunately I'm not a veterinarian, and what you experienced with her was very serious and pretty unusual, something of which I have no personal experience thankfully.

There are all sorts of things that could cause seizures, but it's impossible to say for sure what was behind Rosies' problem. Hypoglycemia itself can cause seizures in extreme cases, as can a severe allergic reaction, certain viral illnesses such as Distemper or Rabies, birth defects, blood vessel defects and much more.

Cockapoos also seem to be a breed that is prone to having seizures, and there is a genetic predisposition to this in both the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel breeds.

A seizure such as this could also be caused by a dog ingesting a toxin, maybe antifreeze or insecticide or any number of other things. You'd likely also see vomiting/diarrhea and lethargy in this case. I very much doubt a food could cause such as severe reaction though.

At this point it may be impossible to say what caused your little girl to get so sick, but hopefully it was a one-off experience, and whatever it was will not happen again. If it does though, I would think you'll be looking at a congenital or progressive condition as the cause.

I'm afraid that I really can't be any more help on this as I don't have the necessary training or knowledge, your vets are the ones with that. You may also want to try my Ask A Vet page as you can get a professional opinion from a qualified vet online for a fraction of the cost of a vet visit. Obviously it's not suitable for urgent or acute problems, but in this sort of situation it's an ideal way to get another expert opinion.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that Rosie is 100% healthy from now on.

My puppy has a lump on her foot

My almost 7 month old puppy has a lump on her foot....we just noticed it a few days ago...she is acting fine...when I press on it...she doesn't care...Do u think is a cyst or tumor or something..I hope not...

What do u think?



Hi
The chances of this being a cancerous tumor are slim, especially in such a young dog, but of course there are no guarantees and anything is possible.

I'm afraid I'm not a vet, but my personal thoughts would be that it's a benign cyst of some sort, or perhaps the result of an injury/cut/foreign body that had become infected and encapsulated.

As it doesn't seem to hurt when you press on it, it wouldn't appear to be infected at this point, but again this is just guesswork.

I'd strongly recommend that you take your pup to your veterinarian so that he can take a look and make sure that there's no treatment needed and it's nothing to worry about. It's always better to be safe than sorry and to get a professional opinion.

Best of luck with your pup.

Dog foamy mouth and chasing his tail

by Rob
(Dominican Republic)

I have a 1 1/2 year old chow chow that all of a sudden has started foaming at the mouth and chasing his tail. He's done it 3 times about 4 hours apart. I took him to a vet and the vet says it may be the start of epilepsy, but wouldn't he lose energy if that was the case?

We live in the Dominican Republic and good vets are hard to come by. Can it be something he ingested or possibly rabies? I know you're not a vet but can you please give me your opinion. thanks, Rob.



Hi Rob
This is only my opinion, and you'll need to rely on your vets as they are the experts, but it could be the beginning signs of epilepsy. If a dog is going to develop this condition it usually shows up for the first time between 6 months and 3 years of age.

What you describe isn't really a 'seizure' though, as there doesn't sound like there's muscle spasms or twitching which you would expect.

It could also be a neurological problem, either a congenital condition that is just now showing up, or in response to a toxin of some sort.

Of course, if your pup hasn't been fully vaccinated against Rabies, it's possible that this behavior is being caused by that virus. There are usually other signs such as a marked change in behavior - the dog may become unusually aggressive or erratic or extremely affection or fearful. Lethargy or extreme tiredness will often follow this. An aversion to water is common too.

I wish I could be more helpful, but I'm afraid only hands-on evaluation and tests by your vet can really help you know what is going on.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that whatever is causing your dogs' problems is resolved soon.

sneezing white mucus

by john miner
(hawaii)

my 6 week bulldog pup is sneezing white mucus! what should i do?


Hi John
It sounds as though your pup may have an upper respiratory tract infection (sort of like the common cold in humans), Kennel Cough, or he could have allergies of some sort allergy.

I'd recommend taking your pup to your veterinarian for a check up, as it's always better to be safe than sorry in this type of situation.

If your pup isn't showing any other signs of dog illnesses, chances are it will be easy to clear up with the right treatment.

Best of luck with your little guy.

Dogs and Cats

by Stephanie Ross
(Seattle, WA)

We recently (4 days ago) adopted a Chihuahua Mix puppy/dog. He is about a year old and has spent half of his life in shelters. He is a very sweet dog and we love him lots.

We have had some problems with him and our cats (mostly the oldest who is 8 but we also have one that is 4). At first he totally ignored them, then he started growling and doing light barking. We firmly said "no" and he has almost totally stopped that. He does want to chase them though and this is more of a problem because we have hardwood floors throughout our house (meaning he can't really run, he more like slides)! He seems to be curious and playing not wanting to eat them but the cats don't seem to understand that.

The first mistake I made was holding my cat while I introduced them, he nipped at the cat and I now have the scabs to prove it was a bad idea. Now the cats are spending all of their time in the bedroom or outside (for long hours and it is really cold out). He was doing better so today we decided to let it be and see how they did (maybe the cat would keep him in-line himself). At first that worked well he would run and get excited the cat would hiss and he would back off. Well this evening he just kept coming back for more and so the cat swatted and hit him. He now has a bloody scratch on his paw. We found your website searching for how to care for it.

I feel so bad, because it is my fault that the cat got nipped at and now that the dog is hurt too. I did check your website and found a few ideas on puppy/cat relationships but there were geared towards first meetings and younger pets. Is there anyway I can repair the bad relationship that I have clearly started?!




Hi Stephanie
First of all, don't get too upset over this, and don't blame yourself. You were trying to help, and really I don't think you've done any great harm. These sorts of confrontations and the scratches and nipping were likely to happen anyway - even without your 'assistance' :o)

A dog who has the sort of sad history as your little guy is very, very lucky to have found a loving 'forever home' and although he's not had any previous experience of living with cats (apparently), he will be familiar with the need to 'adjust' to things and I think he'll do just fine given time.

The same goes for the cats. Yes, they're going to avoid him for some time and they're a bit upset about having him in their home, but they'll get used to it given time. Cats are pretty smart, and they like to be comfortable, so if they get too cold they'll come inside!

If your new dog was a big, strong guy I'd be a little more concerned about keeping them apart, but small dogs and cats aren't generally any major danger to each other and if your dog gets scratched once or twice he will start to treat his feline 'roomies' with a bit more respect. The cats will be unlikely to be hurt by him when they're free to move around. I have big dogs, and my cats are definitely 'in charge' in that those relationships although it was sometimes a bit rocky to begin with.

I'd try to give the cats a 'dog-free' room/s by using a baby gate to contain the dog, and the cats will be able to jump over it easily and retreat to peace and safety whenever they want to. Continue to correct his barking as he seems to understand that, and then just give them time to get used to each other. They may never become the best of friends (or they may, and surprise you!), but they will learn to tolerate each other and live together without bloodshed.

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck with your new 'extended' family.

My 7 month old puppy is pooping in the house again.......

by Heather
(Glendale, AZ USA)

My 7 month old puppy is pooping in the house again. He's a german shepherd/chow mix. He's outside most of the day with my female dog who is 3 yrs old is a lab/beagle mix. My female is a wonderful dog, but my male isn't too wonderful. We let them both in so they can rest and chill out for a bit. When they want back outside we let them back outside. Before we go to bed we left them both outside once again.

When we get up in the morning we find that he has pooped in the house. We leave him outside for the night,and it's like he still doesn't get it. What do we do? I'm not the type who believes in crates. I have read my books for Veterinary Assistant, and what I'm doing from those isn't working either. Please help me.


Hi Heather
It sounds as though your pup simply doesn't understand that it's not okay to eliminate indoors. Although he will pee and poop outside when he's there, it's more because that's where he is at the time than because he knows that's what he's supposed to do. If he poops indoors one night and you leave him outside the next - in his mind there's no connection between the two things. Dogs simply don't have the capacity to think that way.

The only way to successfully housebreak a pup is to prevent him having the opportunity to have 'accidents' indoors as much as possible - and that's where crate training comes in. I'm not sure what you mean by "I'm not the type who believes in crates" as I'm not sure that TYPE has anything to do with it. Dogs are naturally den animals, and crating them as an aid to housebreaking or to protect them (and your belongings) while you're gone, is both practical and effective. It's not cruel or unkind in any way. In fact in my opinion it's more unkind to punish a dog for doing something that they have no idea is wrong because you haven't taught them what IS expected of them in a way they can understand.

Dogs learn by repetition and are creatures of habit. Once they build a habit, good or bad, they will repeat that behavior over and over again. By crating a pup and only allowing him to build up an association between elimination and the outdoors, you are creating the correct habit and he will eventually do that instinctively. But it does take time and patience.

At 7 months of age, your pup is old enough to have excellent bladder and bowel control, and if you want to teach him that eliminating indoors is not allowed I would really suggest that you do give crate training a try. If you really don't want to use a crate you will need to supervise your pup at all times when he's indoors and make sure that you get him outside as soon as he gives any sign that he needs to 'go'. If you leave him indoors at night, confining him to a very small area (such as a mud room or 1/2 bath, may prevent him from eliminating there as dogs don't like to mess where they sleep and this is the basic reason why crate training is so effective.

If you read both my Potty Train A Puppy and Crate Training A Puppy pages they should give you a solid base to work from.

Your pup WANTS to please you and 'do the right thing', he just doesn't fully understand what that is when it comes to housebreaking yet. Be patient and consistent with him and he will get there in time.

I wish you the best of luck and hope he 'gets the hang of it all' soon.

why does my 6 week old Pom get sick ?

by David Watson
(El Paso, Texas. U.S.A.)

My 6 week old Pom started vomiting tonight. Sometimes it looks like he is regurgitating his food, other times it looks like he is foaming at the mouth.

The vomiting isn't frequent, just a little scary because he is so small(1lb., 4ozs) and only 6 weeks old(born 9/11/09).

We read that we were supposed to feed him often, up to 4 times a day. How do we know how much to give him, i.e. 1/2 cup, 1 cup? How much per feeding, how many times a day?

Please help, "Bandit" was a gift to my wife and she's nervous.


Hi David
Your puppy is very young, and very small, and if you've only just brought him home it could be that the change in diet, or stress of the changes he's experienced, could be causing the vomiting. You can read more about the adjustment period that many puppies go through when they first come into their 'forever' home on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

However, Vomiting in puppies should always be treated with caution as this is often one of the early signs of many contagious dog illnesses that puppies are vulnerable to.

If he continues to vomit, starts to have episodes of puppy diarrhea, and seems to be sick at all, take him to your veterinarian right away for a check up. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry with puppies, because they can get very sick, very quickly.

If such a tiny pup is unable to keep food/fluids down for more than a few hours he could be at risk of hypoglycemia and dehydration, so watch him very carefully.

As for feeding him, yes - tiny puppies and dogs do need to be fed frequently to help regulate their blood sugar levels. I would advise starting with the recommendations on the bag of food that you are using, these usually are calculated according to the puppys' weight/age and are a good starting point. Make sure you're using a high quality puppy food, especially designed for small breeds. That way you know that he is getting maximum nutrition from what he eats.

Check out my Puppy Kibble page for more info. on feeding puppies in general. Also, my Pomeranian Care page has lots more advice and tips to help you.

Although Poms are tiny dogs, they're generally fairly hardy. It's understandable that you and your wife are concerned and a bit nervous about caring for such a little pup, but try not to worry too much. As long as you get him his puppy shots and other routine veterinary care, feed him a high quality diet, and give him lots of love and attention he should be just fine.

Of course, accidents and illness can happen to the best-cared-for puppies, and although you can't prevent that, ou can reduce the possibility of these things happening by following the above recommendations. If you're ever in any doubt about his health, talk to your veterinarian right away - he/she will be able to help.

I wish you the best of luck with this little guy, and hope that he's doing just fine soon.

puppy weight question...

Just got a 3 month bull mastiff and he weighs under 20 lbs is that normal or is he under weight?


Hi
A lot depends on the size/weight/bloodlines of his parents, because even though there is an 'average' or 'desired' weight for an adult dog of any particular breed, where he/she falls in relation to that can vary quite a bit.

Adult Bullmastiffs should weigh somewhere between 100 and 130 lbs. I would think for a pup to be 20lbs at around 12 weeks or so would be within the 'normal' range.

These extra-large and giant breed dogs are slow to mature, and they gain their full height before they gain all their weight. As a result, there is a fairly long 'adolescent' period where they can look a bit 'gangly' and scrawny, but it all balances out in the end.

Never try to 'fatten up' your pup, just make sure that he gets a good quality nutritious food that's been especially formulated for large breed pups. Gaining too much weigh can lead to bone/joint problems, even heart disease so needs to be avoided.

I'd recommend that you check out these other pages on my site as they'll give you more information on this subject...

Extra Large Breed Dogs

Puppy Weight Estimates

Puppy Weight Chart

Best of luck with your pup.

how much food does a male lab boxer puppy need

by Ricco
(Detroit , Michigan, United States)

Hi i just got a chocolate lab boxer mix..and he eats everything...he's 6-9 weeks old.
What Do I Do..?



Hi Ricco
First of all, your pup is going to be a big dog so he's going to be growing pretty quickly and needs lots of food to fuel his body.

However, large breed pups also have some very special dietary needs and it's important that you feed him a premium quality food for large breed puppies. Check out my 10 Best Dog Food Choices page to find some recommended dog foods. Also, this page >Feeding Puppies - Large Breeds has tons of great information that will help you out.

As for how MUCH to feed him - start with the recommendations on the bag, if he gobbles all that up in two minutes offer him more next time. You want to aim to give him enough that he'll walk away with a little still left in his dish. Then pick up the dish, never 'free feed' (ie leave his food bowl down all the time) as that leads to bad eating habits later on.

I'd also recommend that you have your pup examined by your vet and tested for puppy worms. Most puppies have them, and a worm infestation can make a puppy starving hungry all the time. BUT the worms get most of the nutrition from what the pup eats which isn't good.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your puppy.