taking a puppy home

What is the best age to take a puppy from his siblings and mom?




Hi
A puppy shouldn't leave his momma and litter mates until he is at least 8 weeks old.

This ensures that he gets the maximum health and social benefits of being with his canine family.

My puppy is throwing up, is there need for alarm?

by Lisa
(Oklahoma)

I have an 9 week old mini schnauzer. I had to take him to the vet once already for round worms. we have been worming him when scheduled.

Now he is not his playful self he has laid around all day and is now throwing up. Is there need for concern?



Hi Lisa
Possibly.... I really can't say for sure whether your pup is just having a reaction to the worming medication (see my Puppy Worms page for more on this), or whether he may be showing signs of illness.

If you've wormed him very recently, it's possible that it has upset his tummy, and this is the result.

However, young puppies are very susceptible to the serious, contagious that are fairly common today. Vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy are classic symptoms.

I would recommend being safe rather than sorry, and suggest that you check with your veterinarian for advice. Prompt treatment is required when a young puppy is sick, so don't take any chances.

Good luck, hope he's doing better soon.

training my labrador puppy

by dawn dalling
(wales)

just bought a 11 week labrador puppy,finding it hard 1 minute to train then easy,as he does his business in the garden,then the next time he goes he does it in the house,with the back door wide open,he evens go up stairs to go to toilet,in the bathroom,,why his he being a very good boy 1 minute then,being naughty??




Hi Dawn
Your puppy isn't being naughty, he just doesn't understand that there's only one place that he can do his business. To him, it's all fair game.

As his new parent, it's up to you to show him what's expected. The best way to potty train a puppy is by < ahref="http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/crate-training-a-puppy.html">crate training him.

Puppies aren't born knowing where to pee and poop, and they only learn through repetition and association. You need to help him build the correct associations, and use plenty of love and patience as he learns.

Best of luck!

Length of Playtime

When I take my 4 month old Cockapoo out of her crate to play, how long should our playtime last?
Thanks,
Karen M



Hi Karen
Puppies need lots of time and attention, but they also need sleep and peace and quiet. they have short attention spans too!

A playtime of 15 mins or so is enough at each time, but she will most likely play be herself and amuse herself with toys for longer than that. Just make sure that you supervise her closely whenever she's not crated to avoid any 'accidents'.

A couple of brisk walks a day, plus two or three short play/training sessions with you is enough. She will supplement that with her own 'activities'.

good luck with her.

a black lab mixed with boxer biting and nipping

by shiuvan
(apple valley,minnesota,usa)

my dog buddie is a mixed breed and he is 8 months old and when we tell him to stop doing stuff he'll freeze up and try to bite or nip u and we have to hit him and he just won't stop.

plz help us or some one might get hurt.



Hi Shiuvan
It sounds as though you may have a dominance issue going on with your pup, but this should have been taken care of much earlier as it would have been easier to handle.

However, with patience and persistence you should still be able to overcome this biting and nipping, but you will need to change your behavior patterns too.

You should never hit a dog for ANY reason, but to hit one as correction for dominant or aggressive behavior is totally counterproductive. Rather than fixing the problem, it raises the level of excitement or aggression and actually encourages the dog to nip and bite more. NEVER shout at, or hit, a dog who is already biting or growling.

I would strongly suggest that you start taking your pup to obedience classes or find an instructor/behavioral specialist to help you learn how to handle your pup correctly. Expert, one on one help is invaluable. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend someone, or check the local yellow pages etc.

It's important that you do not allow your dog to shape your behavior with his. If he growls when you tell him to sit down, don't just give up and say "okay, whatever". If you do you're just showing him that growling works!

In a quiet, but firm voice, insist that he does what you ask of him. If he continues to growl and bite, I would suggest getting a soft nylon muzzle and using that when you are training him. Do use plenty of encouragement and positive reinforcements such as praise, treats, toys and playtime. Dogs learn much better when the training method is positive and encouraging, rather than punitive.

It is important that you are very careful though, if you really think your pup could bite someone and hurt them, you need to seek professional help now.

Best of luck!

Eating Feces

by Jeffrey Hill
(Cleveland, OH)

Why does my Shih Tzu Puppy always try to eat feces she can find in the yard, she will eat her own stool as well as another dogs feces.

I try to discipline her, but if she finds any poop, she will try to eat it?




Hi Jeffrey
I think you'll find all the answers (and tips on how to deal with this problem) on my Why Does My Dog Eat Poop page!

Although definitely 'yukky' to us humans, this is in fact a fairly common canine behavior a puppy picks up from his/her momma.

The page mentioned above will give you all the details. Best of luck.

1st Injection

My puppies have had their first injection about 5 hours ago.

They seem really lethargic which I thought was normal but they keep shivering and their faces keep twitching.

Is this normal?


Hi
Yes, it's fairly normal for puppies to have a reaction of some sort to their shots.

The twitching and shivering could be due to stress, or to a low grade fever which, again, isn't that unusual.

Mild reactions to vaccinations include lethargy, loss of appetite, a low grade fever and/or swelling or lump at the site of the injections. Usually these reactions are short lived and the puppy is back to normal within a couple of days.

More severe reactions include swelling of the face/head/mouth, hives or a rash over the body, difficulty breathing and even seizures. This type of reaction normally occurs very shortly after the vaccinations have been given (within 10 - 20 mins) and need to be treated by a vet.

I would suggest you keep an eye on your puppies and if you notice any swelling or they seem to get worse, call your veterinarian for advice. However, I would guess that they are just having a mild reaction or discomfort from the vaccinations and will be just fine.

Best of luck.

1st shots

by jon
(az)

I won't have the money to give him his first shots until he is fifteen weeks old. How bad is that?


Hi
Until he has completed his three sets of puppy vaccinations your puppy is at risk of several serious and contagious dog illnesses, such as Parvo.

These can kill a young puppy and should be taken very seriously. Until your pup has had his shots, it's important to keep him away from unvaccinated dogs, and any areas (such as sidewalks, parks etc.) where unvaccinated or sick dogs may have been.

Obviously, late is most definitely better than never, and I would strongly recommend that you just start your pups' shots as soon as you possibly can. Until then, keep him in your home and yard, or if he's small enough he can go outside, just be sure to carry him so that he can't come in contact with bacteria.

Best of luck with him.

I just bought a boxer puppie and her head is shaped like a hound???

by brittany
(north carolina)

The other day I bought a full blood boxer puppy. SHE is 8 weeks old, and her name is Carmen. Her tail is docked and she is de-clawed. (no thumbs) She's a fawn with white legs.

My concern is whether or not I got ripped off. She has a Hound shape head. Is this normal, because I have a year old boxer and his head is definitely box shaped.

I would appreciate any replies that may help me understand.


Hi Brittany
First I'd have to ask how and where you bought this puppy. Did you go to the breeders home? Did you see the parents? Has this puppy got AKC papers to show that it's full blooded?

If you answered "Yes" to all these questions, it may just be that this particular puppy doesn't have a good 'headpiece', and it's possible that one (or both) of her parents pass this on.

However, if you didn't actually see the parents of this pup, and she doesn't have papers, there is definitely a chance that she isn't purebred.

Boxers should most definitely have a square shaped head. Of course there are always variations between individual dogs, and some lines may be stronger in that area than others. Also, females of any breed often aren't quite as strong in these features as the males.

I would suggest contacting the breeder and ask to see the parents, and any papers that show they (and this pup) are purebred Boxers. Of course, this is now AFTER the fact of your purchasing the puppy, and if this is an unscrupulous breeder, chances are you may get no joy from him/her.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you love this little girl regardless of her head shape and that you enjoy her.

Barking at screen door

by Kim
(Oregon)

We have a 10 week old Chocolate Lab Pup. She will be outside on the back porch barking and jumping at the screen door.

She does this whether she can or can't see us.

Help! I am afraid our neighbors are getting sick of it.


Hi Kim
Your puppy is just a baby, and she has a very strong, natural desire to be close to her 'pack' - that's you and your family now!

She's probably scared and lonely outside, and that's why she makes so much fuss. Of course, your neighbors don't want to hear it, and it's stressful for you too, but it is understandable from her point of view.

I would suggest that you don't leave her outside for more than 10 - 15 mins at at time, as she's too young to be outside by herself for long. I'd also recommend getting a crate and training her to spend time in it every day. My crate training page has lots of tips and advice on this. She needs to learn that she can survive being apart from you for periods of time so that she doesn't become a velcro-puppy or have separation anxiety issues later on.

You could maybe fence off an area of your yard, or use a puppy exercise pen, and confine her to that when she's outside. Again though, make sure it's for short periods. Give her shelter, shade, water and plenty of toys to keep her busy. Ignore her if she cries and complains, and only take her out during a 'lull' so that she doesn't associate her complaints with freedom!

Puppies are like children, and you need plenty of patience when training them. If you're kind, firm and consistent she will learn what's expected of her and will grow up to be confident and secure.

Best of luck with her.

4 week old puppies whose mom died

We have 2- 4 week old puppies, border collie-blue heeler mix. Mom was trampled and killed by a horse.

One of them is not eating and seems very weak. Not sure what we should be feeding them, or how to take care of them. They are just lapping milk from a bowl, one of them better than the other.

We are really worried about the one who is not eating.

Thanks,
Angie Smith



Hi Angie
At 4 weeks old your puppies should be able to lap milk and to eat puppy food. Dry puppy food should be soaked in hot water for about 15 mins before feeding to the pups. Of course, make sure it's cooled to room temperature before they get to it!

A puppy that's not eating or drinking well and seems weak is definitely a worry, and at risk. It's possible he's sick in some way, or maybe dehydrated.

If he won't lap, you can try buying some puppy formula from the pet store and bottle feeding him. He's big enough that he shouldn't choke on the milk etc. and he may do better that way.

However, if he seems to be getting worse, I would definitely take him to your veterinarian for a check up. Young puppies can get very sick very quickly and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

You might find my Puppy Development page helpful.

Best of luck, I hope both little guys make it

Green mucus when my puppy pees

by katie
(CA)

I just recently got a puppy from the pound who we found out has scabies but is now peeing out green mucus...Is that normal?

what should I do?





Hi Katie
Scabies, otherwise known as mange, is a skin condition caused by tiny mites. It's not terribly unusual and is normally easily treated.

If your pup has been diagnosed and treated this shouldn't cause any long-term problems.

The mucus in her urine may be an indication of irritation in her urethra or bladder, possibly a bladder infection?

I would suggest that you have your vet check her out so that he can treat her for any infection if necessary. Antibiotics may be required if she does have an infection.

If she's been treated with any oral medication this may have caused some irritation, but that is only a guess on my part. Only your vet is trained to make a diagnosis, so the best thing to do is to take your little girl along to a veterinary clinic as soon as you can.

Congratulations on adopting your puppy, I wish you both the best of luck!

PUPPY WHINING

by Jeff
(St Catharines Canada)

My Dachshund puppy is 8 weeks old, we just got him.

It seems he whines alot. He whines when he has to go pee, he whines when he is tired and he whines when hes in his crate at night beside our bed.

What can I do?




Hi Jeff
Your puppy is still a tiny baby, he is most likely missing his momma and litter mates, and is scared and lonely.

I'm sure that you give him lots of love and attention, but to him everything is very new and he's expressing his fear and uncertainty the only way he knows how.

This crying and whining can be very frustrating I know, but it's important to understand that he's not doing this to annoy you, or to be difficult. It's just his way of trying to let you know how he feels.

Although it's important not to misunderstand his whining, or to get angry at him, it's also important not to 'give in' to him when he whines about something that you feel is important for him to learn.

For example - he whines when put in his crate. Well, that's understandable, dogs are essentially pack animals and he's being separated from his 'pack' (that's you and your family now), so he cries about it. However, you've decided that in order to housebreak him and keep him safe, he needs to get used to being in his crate. SO ignore the whining.

Of course, there are times when he's whining because he needs a potty break, if that's the case, take him outside. But put him back once he's done his business. Only take him out for playtimes, or end his crate session, when he's quiet. Otherwise he'll think crying gets him what he wants! Just like a child.

I recommend that you take a look at my Crate Training page as it has lots of tips and advice that will help you. My New Puppy Care page is also a good place for new puppy owners to learn what's involved in caring for their new 'baby'.

Best of luck with your little guy.

size of dog

by Molly
(Rowley, MA)

How large does an adult boxer-bullmastiff get?




Hi Molly
When you're looking at a mixed breed pup, there's always a much bigger potential for variation in adult size.

Boxers generally mature at around 65 - 70lbs and Bullmastiffs at anywhere between 110 and 130lbs, so your pup could be anywhere within that range!

Females will be on the smaller side of the average, and males a bit bigger.

Whichever end of the scale he comes in at, you can be sure that he's going to be a large dog.

good luck with him

6 days old!!

by dawn
(toronto)

My boston terrier gave birth to 4 babies on saturday they were healthy and seems good they were eating and pooping and peeing. Then they took a turn and were non stop crying. We took them to the emerg vet and they said they were healthy and we took them home and one died and put them mom into shock for a while we took them back to the vet and they told us they can't tell cause they are to small to tell if anything is wrong!!

Then told me they were dehydrated but only put fluids into one then that night it died!!! i dont understand what is wrong last night a third one died and i dont know what to do the vet said that i am supposed to just let nature take it's course but that is **%$**! (sorry for the swear) but i cant just sit and watch this one die too please help all i can tell you is is crys a lot it has kinda runny yellow poop it won't latch on to the nipple and it kinda takes the baby food stuff i am suppose to give him and he is still pooping but it is yellow like mustard i dont kno wwhat to do!!!!

please tell me if you know anything that would help or what the poop means!



Hi Dawn
I'm so sorry for the heartache and worry you're going through. I know from personal experience how difficult and upsetting it is to have puppies die this way.

if the mom is well and does everything the way she's supposed to, raising a litter is very straightforward. However, when the mom is sick, or unable (or unwillling) to take care of her pups it can be very difficult to raise them.

It sounds as though you're doing everything you can for these pups, but your vet is right in saying that at this age it's very difficult to do much in terms of diagnosis or treatment.

If this pup is still living and experiencing the same problems I would suggest that you take him back to the vet so that he can see if it's dehydrated or possibly have an infection.

young puppies get dehydrated very quickly, and this can lead to serious health issues. If a pup gets chilled and stops drinking, it can die quite quickly.

The yellow poop is most likely due to the formula, it causes a change in stool. The most common difficulty when hand-raising a pup is that the milk is often inhaled rather than swallowed, and this can result in pneumonia and death.

A puppy who is healthy and getting enough nutrition won't cry that much, and will sleep a lot between feeds. If your pup is crying and seems unsettled, he definitely needs help.

All you can do is to talk to your vet, continue to try to get him to drink, and keep him warm..... and then hope and pray that he will make it. Some do, many don't I'm afraid.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope that this story has a happy ending for you.

littermates

by Shannon Bell
(San Diego, CA)

We want to get two ridgebacks. We were told by the breeder that littermates would not be recommended. Due to them having a bond with one another first, and their family second.

So we thought we'd get one from another breeder. What age difference would you recommend? Would we still have an issue if we got puppies that were 1 to 2 months apart? We wanted two so it could have a companion during the day while we were at work (other then our 2 kitties).

I am just trying to find more information on getting 2 at once, the pro's and cons. Please advise.




Hi Shannon
It's good to do the research and think about what you want before you add a puppy (or two!) to your family. You're starting out the right way :o)

However, the breeder you mention is correct. It isn't generally recommended to get two puppies at the same time, as they will tend to bond more closely with each other than they will with their 'human family'. This can make for some difficulty with training etc.

It's not just that two pups from the same litter will experience this, it is two puppies - period! Even if they're different in age from one another, and not litter mates, when they're brought into the family at the same time, and raised together, this issue will occur.

Of course, with some pups it may be more of a problem than others, but there's really no way of telling that in advance. If you and your family are out of the house a lot of the time, it's understandable that you don't want your new puppy to be lonely, however if there are two of them they will inevitably become inter-dependent and very close in this situation.

Personally, I would recommend getting one puppy at a time. If you spend lots of quality time with that pup when you're at home, and he gets lots of love and attention, he will be perfectly fine without a 'best friend' for now. You may be surprised at how friendly a puppy and two kitties can be too!

Once that puppy has bonded strongly with you and your family, and has been housebroken and has some basic obedience under his belt, then you could look at adding another - whether it be a puppy, or an older dog.

This is obviously just my personal opinion, and some people do quite well with two puppies at once. But also remember, apart from the bonding issue, two puppies is like having twin babies - definitely more than twice the work of one!

I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make. Enjoy your puppy/ies.

i have a one old pug puppies but they all having white spots on chest and pawns, please tell me it is normal or some thing else???

by sanchit
(india)

I have a one week old pug puppies but they all having white spots on chest and paws, please tell me it is normal or some thing else???


Hi Sanchit
Yes, this is pretty normal. Many pug puppies have white spots/stripes especially on their chests or paws. I've heard that this trait goes back to the old Chinese bloodlines.

A lot of the time these spots will get smaller or even disappear by the time the puppies are around 7 - 9 weeks old. But other times they will remain.

A few white hairs aren't generally a problem, but white spots are undesirable for show purposes, but in pet dogs are no problem!

puppy diarrhea

by sherry
(ontario)

My puppy has brown and green diarrhea and is not eating very much.

He is on panacur for worms. I can't see my vet for two days and I don't know what to.

I'm worried he will get dehydrated and I don't know how long he can go this way.


Hi Sherry
It's possible that the medication your puppy is taking for worms is causing the diarrhea.

If he's not vomiting and is able to keep water down, then his chances of staying hydrated are much better than a pup who can't take in any fluids.

You can add some unflavored Pedialyte (available in the baby section of most grocery stores) or even some Gatorade if he will drink it, to his water. This will help to replace the minerals and salts lost due to the diarrhea.

If however, he's not able to keep down any water or fluids he could very easily become dangerously dehydrated. This requires veterinary help, and if your own vet is not open, I would recommend taking him to an emergency animal hospital for evaluation and treatment.

It's always better to be safe than sorry!

how many times do I feed a 7 month old peekapoo

how many times do i feed a 7 month old peekapoo?



Hi
At 7 months old your pup should do fine on two meals per day, with perhaps a couple of dog biscuits at bedtime.

Large breed dogs can usually do well on one meal a day when adult, but small or tiny breed dogs can have trouble regulating their blood sugar levels so keeping them on 2 meals a day even when adult is better.

Good luck.

Crying puppy

by jerry
(mississippi)

4 weeks old, crying, wandering, seizures, foaming mouth. Sudden onset, was fine this afternoon. One of 14 litter, only one showing problem so far.

Could this be puppy herpes?


Hi Jerry
The symptoms you describe don't really fit with canine herpes, as they would normally show within a week or so of birth, and consequently cause the death of the puppy within around 48 hours from onset.

Could it be that your pup has had access to anything toxic? There are many common foods and household items that are poisonous to dogs, you can find a list of the most common ones on my Poisonous Foods page.

Other than that I'm afraid, as I'm not a veterinarian, that I really can't take any kind of accurate guess as to what the problem may be.

I would strongly suggest that you take this puppy to your veterinarian asap. Hopefully this is an isolated incident which can be treated, however with 13 other puppies to worry about it's vital that you find out what is going on. If it turns out to be a contagious dog illness you need to be forewarned.

Best of luck, hope this little pup is doing better soon.

Help my dog loves my shoes

My 6 month old puppy will not leave my shoes alone. She has chewed up 5 shoes so far. We started putting our shoes up on a small counter so she couldn't get them. That didn't help either. She reached up there and took 2 shoes off of there also. I have scolded her and told her No No Shoes. Now I am leaving a chewed up pair on the floor to work on it.

Today when we left I forgot something and went back into the house for it. That was within 1 minute of leaving and she had already taken the shoe to her bed to begin chewing. She rarely ever touches them when we are home.

One additional thing. It is always my shoes that she takes. My husbands shoes and boots always sit on the floor and she never touches them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Linda



Hi Linda
This is a VERY common problem! My ex-husband lost several pairs of shoes because he always forgot to put them away! Puppies love shoes, especially leather ones.

All puppies chew things, and it's especially bad during the teething phase. This usually reaches a peak between about 4 and 6 months of age and tapers off as the pup matures. Most adult dogs chew on things only rarely.

You can find lots of tips, advice and information on dealing with this annoying puppy habit on my Puppy Chewing page.

The best thing to do is to put the shoes in a closet, or bedroom, or somewhere the puppy doesn't have access to them. That way they're protected no matter what. Using the chewed up pair as a 'practice run' is a good idea. Teaching your puppy the 'leave it' command (used for anything) would also help.

Any kind of training like this takes time and patience. Puppies are creatures of habit and learn through association, they need time to learn the correct 'cause and effect' lessons. It's also vital to be consistent.

The fact that she doesn't touch the shoes when you're home, shows that she is learning the rules. However, to leave the shoes out in plain view and expect her not to chew on them when you're not home is unrealistic I'm afraid. She's still just a baby and that would be too much for her.

She may be chewing on your shoes when you're gone because they have you scent on them. If she misses you and is lonely or bored, she will prefer to have something of yours close to hand (or mouth as the case may be!). I would pick up the shoes when you leave, as otherwise you're going to have to expect damage for now. She will get over this as she matures.

Best of luck, enjoy your puppy!

2 day old whinning pup!

by Vicky Boyle
(Chelmsford, Essex)

My bicth had had her pups on tuesday, unfortunately we lost two. one of her pups is constantly whining at her, he is feeding in fact hes always first on the teat!! but even when he is feeding he is whining.

Is this normal will he be ok?? thanks



Hi Vicky
It sounds as though this puppy is a bit anxious, and possibly greedy as well!

Some pups are this way, it's just their personality and he sounds as if he may be a bit dominant/pushy.

If this puppy is feeding well, growing and thriving, and sleeps when full, chances are good he's quite healthy.

However, if he doesn't seem to gain weight, cries constantly or seems sick in any way, I would suggest that you have your veterinarian take a look at him to make sure there's no health problems going on.

Best of luck with your puppies, I hope th

puppy shots

by dizzle
(sunvaley N.V)

Is it ok to give six week old puppies seven in one shots?



Hi Dizzle
It's recommended that you start the shots at around 7 - 8 weeks old.

Before that, the chances of the shots being effective are not so good. That's because the natural immunity puppies get from their mom interferes with the vaccine and is more likely to be still in their bloodstream prior to this age.

Combination vaccines are very common, and generally safe, however they are more likely to cause allergic reactions than giving the shots individually. Check out my Puppy Shots page for lots of information on puppy vaccination.

Cockapoo and sleep

by Liz
(Florham Park, NJ)

How much sleep does a 8 month old puppy require?


Hi Liz
Puppies sleep a lot, it's when they do most of their growing and developing. However, as they get older it does decrease somewhat.

A young puppy will spend it's day napping in between other activities, and even as they get older many dogs spend a lot of time sleeping if they're not playing, working, exercising or causing mischief!

It's difficult to give any exact figures because every puppy is different, and some breeds are much more active and high-energy than others.

It's not something I would worry about unless your dog shows any signs of illness. Allthough lethargy is a sign of some diseases etc., in most cases it would be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and so on.

If your pup seems happy and healthy otherwise, just let him sleep as much as he wants to. If he's a large or giant breed pup, he will mature slowly and won't be considered adult until at least 18 months old.

However, if you are worried, or your puppy seems sick in any way, don't hesitate to contact your veterinarian. It's always better to be cautious.

Best of luck!

runny poop

I am trying to switch my 8 week old puppy's food from Iams to Natures Balence and his poop is like water - will this go away?

Should I take him to the vet this weekend or wait until Monday?

Hi
A sudden change in diet is pretty much guaranteed to cause diarrhea. Whenever you switch foods, it's much better to do it gradually over a week or so, adding the new food to the old very slowly.

However, if the diarrhea is caused by the change in diet, it should improve over the next few days. Just make sure he gets plenty of water so that he doesn't get dehydrated.

If he shows any other signs of illness, such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite etc., I would strongly recommend that you take him to your veterinarian immediately. There are some very serious dog illnesses that puppies are prone to. Parvo is one of the most common, and most deadly. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

Good luck!

puppy eating poop

I just got a 9 week old puppy and every time it goes to the bathroom it tries to eat it.

why and how do I stop that?



Hi
Many puppies eat poop - their own and other dogs (or cats, or....)!

It's a disgusting habit to us humans, but to a puppy it's pretty natural and the behavior is learned from his/her momma who cleans the 'nest' by eating her tiny puppies pee and poop.

You can find tips and advice on dealing with this behavior and ways to discourage it on my Why Does My Dog Eat Poop page.

plant eater

by Dave
(Streator, Il)

My puppy just loves plants, so far i have not been able to stop him. He eats grass on occasions like any other normal dog, but he love to tear into my plants.

If I put a couple of moth balls in each plant for a week will this solve the problem with my little plant destroyer?


Hi Dave
Puppies just love to eat anything and everything, and they've no regard for their own safety.... or your possessions!

Some plants are toxic, and others are just plain unpleasant, so it's definitely a habit you want to discourage.

However, I wouldn't recommend mothballs. They're highly toxic themselves and you don't want your puppy around them, let alone trying to eat something surrounded by them.

There are special sprays/granules etc. that you can buy that deter a dog from getting into the plants. These don't always work for every dog, but it's certainly worth a try.

I would recommend moving all house plants up out of his reach until he's past the chewing-everything stage. When he's outdoors, either confine him to a plant-free area or fence off your flower beds if possible.

This stage will pass, but you'll need to be creative, consistent and patient!

Best of luck!

what age to get him neutered

how old does your puppy have to be before you can get him neutered?



Hi
It's best to neuter a pup somewhere between 4 and 6 months of age, but early neutering/spaying is becoming more common.

If you neuter your pup before he becomes mature, it has the maximum health benefits.

I would suggest that you talk to your veterinarian and ask what they recommend. Each vet has their own ideas and practices, and these can differ quite a bit.

The bottom line is this - neuter as early as your vet says is appropriate.

How often should a 4 week old puppy have a bowel movement?

by Becky
(New Iberia, LA)

I have (2) 4 week old yorkshire terrier puppies.

I started giving them softened puppy chow and have not noticed any poo in their crate. Mom is not nursing them as often as in the beginning, but do you think she is still cleaning them?

If they should become constipated, what is a good home remedy that I can try?

Thank you.......Becky



Hi Becky
If your giving them moistened puppy food and they're drinking water as well as a little bit of mommas milk, the chances that they're constipated is slim.

More likely the mom is cleaning up after them, the puppies may even be helping! See my Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? page for more info. on this.

If however, they are constipated, increasing their fluids (more water) and exercise/activity level should help. You can also give them a little milk to drink, this normally causes loose stools, and can help loosen up a constipated puppy. Just a little bit of milk though, you don't want to be dealing with diarrhea instead!

Also, adding a little bit of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling variety) can also help.

If after all that you still find they're having difficulty, consult your vet. He should be able to give you some more advice and help.

best of luck!

Puppy has frequent urination

I have a 10 week old German short hair female puppy. We have had her for a week but today she started peeing every few minutes and when she goes there is only a few drops of urine.

She has had 5-6 accidents in the house this morning alone and that is not typical. Is she sick?

Should I be worried? She just got her shots on Monday.

Thanks,
Shawn Branson



hi Shawn
It sounds to me as though your puppy has a urinary tract infection.

This is quite common, and nothing to worry about if treated promptly. It happens more often in female pups than males, as a squatting puppy can quite easily pick up bacteria etc. from the ground, foliage etc.

I'd recommend taking her to your vet right away for a diagnosis, he will most likely prescribe some antibiotics for the infection and all will be well.

good luck!

15 weeks and still goes in the house

by kathy
(san antonio texas)

My puppy Katlin is great she eats normal plays and etc but after walking her outside for 15 minutes she poops ,pees, comes back in and later on poos again she does this in every room ,
we have had the house steamed cleaned and we do clean all spots real well .

why does she still do this and yes i do the crate training as well.

2nd question .... i was told beagles can't be house broke all the way and can't be trained is this true .


3rd her biting , she still does it a lot even after all the tips you gave in the puppy pages.

please help

we try and love on her and she just bites and nips it hurts and i am torn up

she is signed up july 12th for puppy manners

please help with any advice

kathy


Hi Kathy
Raising a puppy is very much like raising a child. It takes time, patience and then more time and patience :o)

Puppies are tiny babies, and they learn through repetition and have to build up the correct associations and habits.

The peeing and pooping in the house isn't unusual, but it's because she doesn't yet understand that it's not okay to eliminate indoors. And the more opportunities she has to make mistakes, the more of a habit (albeit a bad one) it becomes.

Crate training works very well, but it definitely isn't an overnight success, it takes months of repetition. It's VITAL to supervise her closely whenever she's not in her crate, simply don't allow her the chance to pee or poop indoors. Take her out for a potty break every 30 mins or so and only allow her out in your house when you're watching her. The second you see her getting ready to 'go', or after 30 mins (whichever comes first) take her outside.Just to give you a guideline here - if you're totally consistent with your training, and Kaitlin learns at the normal rate, by about 6 months old you can expect her to be fairly reliable in her potty training. That is a normal time-frame. Having a trained puppy within weeks is not a realistic goal, but many new puppy owners don't realize this.

In answer to your question about Beagles - NO, it's absolutely not true that you can't housebreak them, or that they're untrainable. Beagles do tend to have a stubborn/independent streak, but so do many other breeds. Any dog is trainable given enough time, patience and encouragement. The puppy manners class you're taking her to is an excellent idea and I'm sure it will help you a lot.

Biting is a very common, but very annoying and frustrating, habit. Again, it takes lots of time and patience to teach a pup that this isn't acceptable. If ignoring her and withdrawing attention doesn't work, giving her a shot of water from a spray bottle or a quick spritz of breath spray on her tongue every time she bites will get the message across. But, it's important to be consistent and make sure you correct her every single time she nips or bites. She will eventually ease up on this and begin to understand, but it takes time.

Please don't think Katlin is unusually naughty, difficult or slow. She sounds like a perfectly normal little puppy girl to me, but I do understand how frustrating and worrying it can be raising puppies!

Human children don't learn to walk, talk and behave like adults within weeks, and puppies don't learn housebreaking, proper behavior etc. as quickly as we would like either. Just hang in there with her, continue to give her plenty of love and be consistent with the guidelines and corrections. She will outgrow this puppy stage before you know it.

I think you might find my Puppy Development and New Puppy Care articles useful.

Best of luck!

10 wk puppy vomiting after 7-in-1 shot.

by Hannah
(Georgia )

My puppy Tank started throwing up Friday morning - it is now Monday. He was still eating but just smaller amounts than usual. On Friday night he threw up what looked like a roundworm.

Later that night he ate a small amount of food and Saturday morning he ate a full bowl of his food. We gave him a de-wormer Nemax-2 and a 7-in-1 puppy shot.

Since then he has not ate more than a little handful of food, and every time he drinks water he throws it up about 10-20 minutes later.

What is wrong with him, and what can I do!??




Hi Hannah
I think your puppy really needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Although it's not unusual for a puppy to have a reaction to being dewormed - maybe some diarrhea, or a little vomiting. However, this shouldn't last long and your pup shouldn't appear very unwell.

As your puppy was vomiting and seemed to be feeling sick BEFORE he was dewormed, and is getting worse rather than better, i strongly recommend getting him examined by a vet.

Puppies can become dehydrated very quickly if they experience repeated vomiting or diarrhea. This alone can cause some serious health problems.

I think you may find my Dog Illnesses and my Puppy Wormspages helpful, there's a lot of info., tips and advice there.

Best of luck!

Introducing my puppy to my cat

by Lise
(Canada)

Hi! I came across this website and finding it very helpful. I'm planning on getting a Havanese puppy in two weeks. It should be around 12 wks by then.

We also have a 10 year old Himalayan cat. How should I properly introduce them? Is there anything I can do ahead of time for both of them to make sure they have a tolerable relationship?

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.




Hi Lise
Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your new puppy! I'm happy that you've found my website helpful and hope that it helps make your puppy parenting experience a very positive one.

As for introducing your puppy to the cat - I don't forsee any major problems as Havanese are fairly small dogs who are generally gentle and friendly with people and other animals. They don't have a high prey-drive or anything that will make your pup likely to harass or hurt the cat.... other than the fact that puppies just LOVE to chase cats :o)

I have cats and dogs, and have always found that the cats can evade the dogs pretty easily. In fact, most cats have the upper hand when it comes to dealing with dogs.

I would be sure to correct the puppy if it chases the cat, but don't expect him to comply right away. He mustn't be allowed to hurt or harass his feline 'sibling', make sure there is always an 'escape route' for the cat or a high place to perch!

Dogs that are introduced to cats when they're still puppies generally develop a reasonable relationship with them and the cats often tolerate the dogs too.

It may be a good idea to introduce them from behind the safety of a doggie/kiddie gate or something similar at first, so that they can smell each other without being in too close proximity.

Best of luck!

how much do i feed my puppy

by rose
(canada)

hi how much dog food do i give to my 3 month old female lab puppy?

thank you.



Hi Rose
All puppies are different and some are 'chow hounds', while others are picky eaters.

However, there are some general rules and normally I suggest starting with the guidelines on the bag of food that you are using. These usually go by weight/age and are a good place to start.

A good rule of thumb is to feed your pup the amount of food that he eats readily within about 10 - 15 mins. For example, if he gobbles down his portion within a couple of minutes, give him more next time. If he leaves some in his dish and wanders off after 10 mins or so, give him a bit less next meal.

Bear in mind that puppies are like kids and go through 'stages'. One week he may act like he's not been fed for a month, and the next week turn his nose up at every meal. It's normal so don't worry unless he seems sick.

It's also worth remembering that a high quality dog food contains much more nutritional value and digestible ingredients per cup, than a low quality food. This means your dog needs to eat less of it to meet his needs and there's also less 'poop' coming out the other end.

You can find out how to 'rate' any dog food according to the quality of it's ingredients on my Dog Food Comparisons page.

Best of luck with your pup.

help my poor baby :(

by alexis ryckman
(taylor )

my boxer puppy is only like 8 months old but he has huge welts all over him and he won't even move or eat or drink!!!!!!!!
we don't know whats wrong with him please help us as soon as possible !!!



Hi Alexis
I'm so sorry that your pup isn't well. I'm afraid it's impossible for me to make any kind of accurate diagnosis in this way, but it sounds as though he may have had an allergic reaction to something.

The welts you mention could be 'hives' caused by his extreme reaction to something - possibly food, or an insect bite or sting, or something he's eaten or come in contact with.

Of course, this is just one option, I'm sure there are many others.

However, the important thing is to get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If he won't eat or drink and is very lethargic, those are signs that he's really feeling very ill. He could become dehydrated very quickly and he really needs to see a vet right away.

If your regular vet isn't on call after normal hours, find a 24 hour pet hospital or similar.

I wish you the best of luck and hope your pup is feeling better soon.

Why is my dog carring her puppies away for her bed?

by Astrid
(Jacksonville)

My dog had puppies for 2 days now and we built a place for her and her puppies to rest and do whatever they need to do, and she takes the puppies one at a time in her mouth and carries them around the house, why is she doing that?




Hi Astrid
I expect you took time and trouble to make her a nice 'nesting place', but is sounds as though your dog isn't too keen on it.

If this place isn't one she would regularly sleep in or is familiar with, she likely doesn't feel safe and secure there. She is carrying her puppies around because she is looking for another nesting spot.

It's important that she feels comfortable wherever she nurses her puppies, so perhaps keep an eye on her and if she seems to favor a particular spot, do your best to let her nest there.

Also make sure that wherever she chooses is out of the way of the majority of the household 'traffic'. She needs plenty of peace and quiet to take care of her puppies.

If she gets too anxious or upset she may harm the puppies, or reject them.

Best of luck, hope this settles down.

Breeding an English Bulldog

by Bob
(USA)

I have a 7 month old English Bulldog who is very healthy and has all of his shots and papers.

I plan on studding him out in the near future. At what age can I began to do this?





Hi Bob
Your pup needs to be fully mature before you can breed him. This would be by around 18 months of age.

Do make sure he's an excellent representation of the breed standard for English Bulldogs and doesn't exhibit (or carry) any of the genetic weaknesses this breed is prone to (eg. eye or palate problems, allergies or hip dysplasia) first.

If you do use him as a stud dog, ensure that any prospective partners have a Brucella test (for Brucellosis, a canine sexually transmitted disease), prior to the first mating and every 6 - 12 months after that, and that they are up to date on all vaccinations etc.

Best of luck!

4 wks

by paul
(albq nm us)

i have 4 wks hounds ignored by their mom.

can i give them to homes with people ready to take care of them?


Hi Paul
At 4 weeks old, your puppies are much too young to leave their mom and littermates.

Some dogs just don't make the best moms in the world, but it's important for the puppies to stay in their 'doggie' family for at least 8 weeks as this is how they learn the correct canine social behavior patterns. Without this time a puppy may never learn how to interact properly with other dogs, and fear or aggression may cause problems later on. Other behavior problems, such as excessive biting or nipping, may also be worse in puppies taken from their moms too early.

By 4 weeks old, your dog will have already started (if not almost finished) weaning the puppies and will not want them to nurse for long. They should be started on a good quality dry puppy food mixed with warm water. They can also lap water from a bowl.

If you give your pups another 4 weeks with their canine family they will greatly benefit from it, so will their new families!

Best of luck,

peeing

by Kay
(Ohio)

i have a male puppy and an adult girl dog and the puppy is 4 months old and it won't quit peeing on the floor.

We take it out and it still uses it on the floor what should i do??????????



Hi Kay
If it's potty training you're having difficulty with , I'd strongly suggest buying a crate and crate training your puppy.

It's the simplest and quickest way to potty train any pup or dog. You can find tons of free information, tips and advice on crate training on my Crate Training page.

If your puppy is peeing when excited, or scared, or meeting new people etc., then he's suffering from submissive urination which is actually quite common. This is a dogs natural way of showing respect to superiors, and is often outgrown as a puppy matures and becomes more confident.

Good luck!

Maltese mix and lepto vaccine

Is it good practice for small breed puppies like maltipoos to not get lepto vaccine?

I noticed on her puppy record that the Vet did not give her the the lepto vaccine but we were charged for the DHLPPC (L-leptospirosis). I called them and they said small breeds get a reaction to the lepto vaccine so they don't recommend it.

We live in Ca... does anyone know if lepto is prevalent in the Sacramento area? Is it really ok to not have Nugget vaccinated against it?




Hi
Nugget is so cute, he looks very smart!

The Leptospirosis vaccine is one that is more likely to cause serious reactions than some others.

For this reason it's not unusual for veterinarians to only recommend vaccinating puppies who live in areas where the risk is significant.

Leptospirosis is caught from bacteria in stagnant water, originating from livestock or wild animals. A reaction is more likely and more inclined to be serious in young puppies, so most vets recommend a pup is at least 12 weeks old before being vaccinated.

I can't say how prevalent lepto is in California, or what the level of risk is to your pup - your vet would be the best person to tell you that. You then need to weigh the risks of vaccinating or not. It's a personal decision really.

As far as I know, the risk of severe reaction is usually much smaller than the risks associated with the vaccine, but there are no guarantees.

Talk to your vet and take it from there. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide.

How long a newborn shitzue pup is supposed to stay with it's mom

by Josclyn Hall
(Bayshore ,NY,USA)

how long does a newborn shitzue puppy need to stay with it's mother?



Hi Josclyn
It's best to keep a puppy with it's momma and siblings until it is at least 8 weeks old.

The mom will start to wean them naturally around 4 weeks old, and you can begin to give them some puppy food around that time also. Soak dry puppy food in warm water for about 15 mins before feeding it to your pups as it's easier for them to eat that way.

Best of luck with your pups!

How often should our 4-month old GSD go outside?

by Jay
(Hannibal, MO)

We have a 4-month old German Shepherd Dog, she gets fed twice a day, around 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., 2 cups of food each time.

She is almost completely house trained, see scratches at the door when she needs to go outside, the only problem that we are encountering now is that she scratches every hour and sometime more than that. Is this normal?

She does pee every time she goes out, but sometimes not very much.

Thanks in advance for the advice.



Hi Jay
Your pup is doing extremely well to be almost fully housetrained at four months old. Many dogs are only just beginning to be reliable at 6 months or more!

The fact that she asks to go outside is also very good, she is really 'ahead of the game' and you're obviously doing a great job with her.

At 4 months old she's still a baby, and I would accommodate her when she asks to go outside. If you don't, her limited bladder control may cause her to have an accident indoors and after your excellent start with housebreaking this would be a big step backwards.

As she grows and matures she will be able to 'hold it' for longer and her bladder won't be signalling her every hour or so, this will cause a natural slow down in her need to go outside.

If you have a crate for her you may want to consider using it now and then so that she's not always got free run of the house. This will help her improve her bladder control as she will try extra hard to hold it while crated.

Best of luck with her, keep up the good work!

Is She Ok

by Dani
(Birmingham)

Sorry To Keep Asking But This Is My First Puppy And I Want The Best For Her
Her Nose Is Hardly Ever Wet Does That Mean Somethings Wrong?
And She Breaths Really Heavy When She Is Sleeping But That Could Br Dreaming.
Sorry To Keep Asking
Danielle



Hi Danielle
No problem. Don't worry about asking, that's what this page is for!

The fact that her nose isn't wet isn't a big deal. Often a dogs nose is dry due to it being hot, or the air conditioning, or the central heating, or whatever!

As long as she seems healthy and happy (as described in one of my previous answers) then I'm sure all is well.

Breathing heavy, or fast, is also not unusual. Staffy's are a brachycephalic breed, which basically means that their muzzle is short. This can lead to snorting, snoring, heavy breathing etc. It also means that they often don't do well in the heat, or when they over-exert themselves, so watch out for that.

Hope this helps. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and I'm happy to help with any questions you have. Have fun with her!

skin and coat care for shitzu

my shitzu is constantly scratching and biting at himself on his back side.

no fleas, groomed and clean.

what to do?



Hi
It sounds to me as though your pup may be suffering from dog allergies.

These are more common than most people realize. As your pup doesn't have fleas, he may be suffering from a dog food allergies, or seasonal/inhalant or contact allergies.

No matter what the trigger, most allergies result in skin complaints and irritations. Excessive scratching, licking or biting, particularly at paws, legs, tummy, or tail area are classic signs.

Your vet can diagnose allergies by taking blood samples, or try some 'detective work' yourself. there are also many over the counter products that can help relieve the itching and discomfort.

you will find recommended products like these on my Canine Skin Allergies page.

Best of luck, hope your pup is doing better soon.

my 10 week old english springer spaniel keeps licking

by melissa
(california)

i dont know why but my 10 week old english springer spaniel keeps licking her privates not just her behind?


Hi Melissa
This could suggest allergies or it's possible she has a urinary tract infection, or it could be a 'nervous habit'.

Only a vet could make an accurate diagnosis really. If you find that she seems to need to pee a lot (more than every 30mins or so) and that she often just passes a few drops when she does urinate, you may suspect a UTI.

If she seems to have itchy skin, scratches a lot, shakes her head often or has an upset tummy, it could be allergies.

I would suggest that you let your vet take a look at her to rule out any health issues and give you some advice/suggestions.

Best of luck!

Puppy Poop

My puppy, 4 months old, started having a very loose poop every time I let her out about a week ago.

I was working from home so she was going out about once every hour. It was soft and frequent. It seemed to coincide with the business trip of my husbands. He left on Monday and she started on Tuesday. She was still happy and full of life just soft poops. He come home early Thursday morning she still has issues and has messed in her cage twice, which is new for her.

I found a site that suggested having her fast for 12 hours (no food or water) and Pepto Bismol every 3 - 4 hours then the next day rice and chicken. We did check for dehydration and she is fine.

I was going to take a stool sample to the vet tomorrow. Any thoughts?



Hi
As this problem isn't 'normal' for your puppy, and as it has been going on for a week now, I think you're right to be wondering what to do.

My first question would be whether or not she seems happy and healthy otherwise. If she's still active, has a normal appetite, is drinking normally and seems happy, I don't think it's an urgent concern, but is still one that you need to take care of.

However, if she seems sick in any way - is vomiting, seems lethargic and isn't eating or drinking properly - or if the stools are becoming looser, or have mucus or blood in them, then it's definitely something you need to see the vet about right away.

Sometimes a 24 hour fast, followed by a bland diet, can stop an ongoing problem like this from becoming chronic. I would check with your vet about the Pept-Bismol. It is okay to give a puppy this normally, but it's important to get the dosage right depending upon the size/age of your puppy. I never recommend giving a pup anything that hasn't been prescribed or recommended by your vet.

You could try withholding food for 24 hours, but allow plenty of water. After that, feed plain white boiled rice, with a little chicken or chicken broth added to it. After 24 hours of that, you can gradually reintroduce her regular food.

If you're still having issues after that time, I would definitely take her to the veterinarian for a check up. She could have a bacterial infection, parasites, inflammation etc. A stool sample could diagnose most of these.

It's also possible that she's allergic, or sensitive, to certain ingredients in her food. YOu may want to check out my Dog Food Allergies page for information and advice on dealing with dogs with sensitive tummies.

Best of luck, I hope she's doing better soon.

Puppy Stressed Out With Mouth Open

by Debra
(Murrieta, CA)

I have a 4 day old male corgi pup that just in the last 2 hours is whining a lot and keeps scooting around the whelping box most of the time with his mouth open.

When I put him to the mother's nipple - he just turns away - but I have seen him eat a bit.

Should I worry?



Hi Debra
It does sound as though this pup is stresseed in some way.

If he's crying and restless he's not getting enough to eat, and that can lead to all kinds of problems.

If you can't get him to 'latch on' and he continues this behavior for more than a couple of hours, I would definitely recommend that you have a vet take a look at him.

Good luck.

beagle pups

by Carrie Doran
(Huyton, Liverpool)

I have just recently got a 9 week old male american beagle from a farm.

When he is going for a poo there is blood coming out could it be his dog food or something else that is causing the problem?



Hi Carrie
Blood in the stool can be caused by various things - infection/ disease, irritation, a change in diet, parasites etc.

The first question would be whether or not your puppy seems ill? If he's suffering chronic, watery diarrhea, is vomiting, can't keep food or water down and seems lethargic, chances are he's sick (possibly with Parvo which is very serious). If this is the case, get him to a veterinarian right away!

However, if he seems otherwise healthy and happy, is eating and drinking normally etc., then it could be a reaction to a change in diet, stress, or a case of having worms. If he hasn't been treated for worms by your vet, take him in for a fecal test. That way the vet can determine if he has worms, what kind, and treat them correctly.

If the fecal test is negative, it may be that your pup's digestive system just needs a few days to settle down after the stress of moving to his new home.

Best of luck with your new little guy.

hiccups

by annette
(corona ca.)

my puppy is a lab mix almost 4 months old and he gets hiccups all the time about once or twice a day.

is this normal?



Hi Annette
Hiccups in puppies is pretty common and usually nothing to worry about. Some puppies seem to get them more than others, but almost always grow out of it by around 6 months of age. Adult dogs don't get hiccups!

If your puppy is fully vaccinated, has been dewormed and seems healthy and happy otherwise, I'm pretty sure everything is just fine.

But, if he seems sick in any way, regurgitates his food/water, hasn't been vaccinated or dewormed (more common in rescue/stray pups), then I would suggest having him checked out by your vet.

That's because sometimes, persistent hiccups can be caused by a defect in the esophagus or diaphragm, or a severe parasite infestation.

Best of luck with your puppy!

my dog cant stop

by olivia caicedo
(usa, los angles ca)

this morning i put my dog in my bed room and closed the door then i went to go eat breakfast and i started to her him cry.

every day when i go some where and dont bring him he starts to cry or bark what do i do to stop his helpppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Olivia
It sounds as though your puppy is suffering from separation anxiety, which is actually quite common.

Dogs are pack animals, and they naturally feel the need to stay close to their 'pack' and 'leader' - this is YOU!

Of course, it's not possible to take your dog with you everywhere you go, and it's important to help him feel less anxious when you're out of sight.

I have several pages on my site devoted to canine separation anxiety, I think you'll find the help and info. you need on one of these -

Dog Separation-Anxiety

Separation Anxiety In Your Dog

Dog Separation Anxiety Medication

Dog Training For Separation Anxiety

Best of luck!

balding puggle

My 6 month old puggle just recently started getting bald pathces on the top of her head and on her left fron leg.

Nothing has changed as far as her daily routine, any thoughts?



Hi
There are a few possiblities, the main ones being allergies or possibly mange.

Allergies in dogs are not that uncommon and generally result in skin problems. There are many products on the market that can be used to treat these and you can find a good selection on my Canine Skin Allergies page.

Mange is a skin problem caused by tiny mites, and small spots/bumps and hair loss (particularly on the face) are classic symptoms. It can be diagnosed by your vet taking a skin scraping (this doesn't hurt!), and then treated with specially prescribed shampoos or dips.

I would suggest you take your pup to the vet and have him take a look. He should be able to make a diagnosis and get you on the right track.

Good luck!

Jumping Up-Biting

by Lorraine Peck
(Egmondville,ON,Canada)

My 16 week old Golden Retriever puppy acts like a crazy, wild animal at times and scares me. I have had many dogs in my life (mainly Shelties (favourite) but nothing like this pup.

At puppy class they say "he is just a puppy" - however, he sometimes acts just crazy and does not(or cannot) listen. At class the puppies play together untethered and get pretty worked up (any connection?)I admit I have not spent enough alone time with him because of this problem and suppose this can have an effect.

Also I am in my mid-seventies (actually in great shape), however, this fear of being severely injured is very real and probably picked up by the pup. Is there any food or treat that can cause over stimulation - also he had a flea treatment at the Vet's 3weeks ago and has been scratching even more ever since. Any connection?

Thanks for your reply.




Hi Lorraine
I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulties with your new puppy, and I will try to give you may 'two cents worth' in the hope that it may help a little!

This pup is going to mature into a somewhat larger dog than your previous Shelties (I got my first dog at 13, and she was a Sheltie, so I can understand why you love them!), so it's important that you start building a strong and positive relationship with your new pup while he is young and relatively small.

From your submission I get the impression that there are several different factors which may be contributing to the issues you're facing.

• Your expectations may not be in line with reality right now. This pup is from a different breed than the ones you've owned previously, and of course all pups are individuals so you can't expect him to behave in the same way as another pup would (or has in the past). I know that you understand this on a practical level, but dogs are extremely sensitive to body language and emotion, and can sense anxiety, disappointment, frustration, even fear, so if there's even an inkling of these sorts of feelings in you, they could quite easily be coloring your puppys' behavior.



• He's a puppy - again, you know this, but a lot of what you're describing sounds distinctly 'puppy-ish'. Larger breeds mature more slowly than smaller ones, and he will most likely be a puppy (or adolescent) for at least 12 months or more. Also, some Goldens can be a bit 'highly strung' or excitable, this often runs in 'families' and is more prevalent in certain bloodlines.



• Possible allergies/sensitivities - some dogs are sensitive to one, or more, of the ingredients in popular dog foods - even good quality ones. There are some foods that have been specifically formulated for dogs with sensitivities or intolerances, and you can find these on my Dog Food Allergies page. Many treats also contain a lot of additives, chemicals etc. which can definitely cause problems. Hyper-activity and/or aggression can result, in addition to or instead of, the tummy problems you would expect. Excessive licking, biting or scratching are classic signs of an allergic reaction to something and you mention this, so I believe it could be a factor. My ,a href="http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/dog-allergies.html">Dog Allergies page has a lot more information and advice on this subject.



• Socialization/Training - puppies do tend to get a bit 'hyper' when allowed to play together, but it's an important part of their socialization experience. I doubt that a play session during puppy class would cause more widespread 'wild' behavior. It's great that you have him enrolled in an obedience class as it will help you and he to 'bond' and the instructor should be able to help you with any issues you have. I wonder if he's getting enough exercise on a daily basis? He's a big pup and needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation, otherwise his boredom and pent up energy could show up in his 'acting out' or generally unruly behavior. If you feel that he needs more physical exercise than you can give him, perhaps you may want to think about hiring a dog-walker (or a relative or friend who would be willing to take him on walks or to the park to play Frisbee etc.). One day a week spent at a Doggy Daycare facility or similar may also be an option. Of course, you're his primary caretaker and his beloved owner, so he needs to spend the majority of his time with you. If he feels isolated or doesn't get adequate interaction it could well cause behavioral and emotional issues, such as acting crazy when he does finally get to spend time with you.

lost tooth

My five month old puppy lost a tooth is this normal?




Hi
Absolutely!

Your puppy is teething, and will continue to do so for a few more months. Generally all the adult teeth are in by about 6 months of age.

You can help him cut these teeth by providing safe, sturdy chew toys.

Best of luck with him!

3 week old yorkie pups

by gina dewitt
(valdosta,ga)

can we bathe the pups?



Hi Gina
It's best not to bathe puppies before they're around 7 weeks old, as they really don't regulate their temperature very well when tiny and can get chilled very quickly.

But, if you do need to bathe them for some reason, it's best to try sponging them down with warm water with just a tiny bit of puppy shampoo added. If you feel that's not enough, bathe them very quickly in warm water. Either way, make sure they stay really nice and warm until totally dry, and only use a very gently shampoo, nothing with flea medication etc. in it.

You can find tons of tips, information and advice on giving a puppy a bath on my Bathing A Puppy page.

Good luck!

puppy not eating very much

by veronica
(mastic ny)

I got a 8 week old puppy two days ago. He ate very well the first day and had good bowl movements today is the second day and he is only eating small bits and drinking water.

what should i do? He was checked by the vet on monday and was in good health and was given his first set of shots.


Hi Veronica
I wouldn't worry too much about this just yet :o)

The behavior you're describing is pretty normal for a puppy who has just been through the stress of leaving his canine family, and going to a new home and human family.

The anxiety can cause loss of appetite and lethargy, plus a change in diet can cause diarrhea.

The shots can also cause a mild reaction in many dogs, the symptoms of which are tiredness, loss of appetite, diarrhea and maybe a low grade fever.

Either of the above can make your pup feel a bit under the weather for a few days.

It's good that he's been checked over by the vet, and vaccinated. However, there's always the possibility that he could have picked up some illness or disease before you got him, or vaccinated him.

If he suffers from repeated, watery diarrhea, vomits more than once, seems absolutely exhausted and disinterested in everything around him, or shows other signs of being unwell, I would strongly recommend taking him to your vet for an examination.

It's always better to be safe than sorry with young puppies, but I expect your little guy will be just fine.

best of luck!

new puppy has itchy bottom

by Heather Kahl
(Rockford, IL, USA)

My 14 week old puppy got treated for worms and fleas at the vet about 10 days ago, then about 3 days ago he started whining every time his bottom itched. now its red and inflamed.

i can't see any fleas on him(they could still b there i just don't see them), so i don't know if the worms are dying and they itch or are painful coming out?



Hi Heather
Your poor little pup! It's possible that the itching was due to the worms being eliminated from his system, it's unlikely to be related to the fleas though.

If his bottom is red and sore, you need to let the veterinarian take a look. He may have set up an infection by rubbing/scratching at it, this could need anti-biotics.

It's also possible that the symptoms are related to his anal glands rather than his rectum. These can get 'full' and sometimes become infected, they then need to be 'emptied' (your vet can do this and show you how to do it in the future). If there's any infection, again antibiotics are often needed.

I'd recommend taking your little guy back to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. He'll feel much better then!

best of luck.

Puppy Teething

by Stacy
(New York)

I recently got a tiny toy poodle puppy. She is 6 months old and I noticed that she has recently lost 2 of her teeth.

I wanted to know if this was normal... because i've been reading a lot of the threads here and you say they're supposed to start teething at about 6-8 weeks and have their adult teeth at around 6 months.

Not only has she lost the 2 teeth but she's been chewing on things like crazy. I have plenty of toys for her to chew on but she's been chewing on furniture as well. I'm just not sure what to do.


Hi Stacy
Although this certainly seems late for a puppy to be teething, I'm not sure it's something to worry too much about.

Normally puppies get their last 'big' teeth (the upper canines) at around 6 months old. In fact, many shelters 'age' puppies by seeing whether or not they have these teeth yet.

However, all pups are different and it's possible for your puppy to still be teething. I would ask though if you're certain about her age. If she is registered and you have her papers then you can be fairly accurate, the same applies if you got her at 6 weeks old or whatever. But if you recently purchased her and don't have paperwork etc., it could be that she's younger than you were led to believe.

Your vet could probably be fairly accurate in determining her age if you're still concerned. I wouldn't worry too much though, it really doesn't matter if she teeths later than most. That's okay.

You might be interested in reading my Puppy Development page.

Good luck with her.

My 3 month old Beagle puppy.

by andi
(philippines)

My Beagle puppy Beau(Bo) Whenever it poops it has blood in it. why is that??



Hi Andi
Blood in the stool usually indicates irritation or inflammation of the colon. This could be due to something as simple as a change in diet, or could be due to infection.

If your puppy seems well otherwise, it may be that he's sensitive or intolerant of one/several of the ingredients in his food. You could try changing him over to a food that is specifically designed for dogs with sensitive digestive systems.

If he seems to be sick (ie is suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, or seems excessively tired, has no appetite etc.) then I suggest that you take him to a vet right away.

In a sick puppy, blood in the stool can indicate one of many serious dog illnesses or diseases such as Parvo which can be deadly.

Best of luck, hope your pup is doing better soon.

Drooling after puppy vaccinations?

by Amber
(Illinois)

My puppy received his 2nd round of booster vaccinations today and a few hours after I noticed his injection site was very tender, he was somewhat lethargic and he just started drooling excessively (he has never drooled before).

Is this serious?


Hi Amber
I would definitely call your veterinarian about this. Many puppies have minor reactions to their puppy vaccinations, and tenderness or a lump at the site of the shot, lethargy, loss of appetite and so on are fairly common.

The drooling is not something that I would say is common place, at least in my experience. It could indicate a more serious allergic reaction, possibly some swelling in his throat/mouth which could cause real problems.

Call your vet right away, or take him back so that they can check on him. If he's having a more serious reaction than normal, they will be able to treat him at the clinic.

Be sure to remind your vet about his reaction when he's due for his next set of shots as they will need to monitor him carefully afterwards, and may even want to give him the vaccines separately rather than as a combination shot.

Best of luck, hope your little guy is doing better soon.

puppy is covered in flea bites

my puppy is covered with welts all over her body and is very uncomfortable.

she is rolling on her back and growling, what can i give her to relieve the itch?


Hi
It definitely sounds like your puppy is having an allergic reaction to something. dog allergies are actually fairly common, and if your pup has fleas, she could well be allergic to their saliva as many dogs are.

It could also be a contact or seasonal allergy, or a dog food allergy.

Regardless of the trigger, allergies cause skin problems such as the one you describe. Their are many products available that will help relieve the itching and irritation. Ones with hydrocortisone are very effective.

You can find out about the products I recommend on my canine skin allergies page.

If your puppy does have fleas, check with your veterinarian about flea and tick treatment. The best course of action is to use a good spot-on or topical treatment such as Frontline Plus (available Fleas and Ticks page). However, puppies under 12 weeks shouldn't be treated with these products, and your veterinarian may be able to suggest an alternative.

Best of luck!

shitzu

by evelyn parker
(florida)

I have a 4 year old shih tzu and the last 4 weeks she doesn't pee as much as she used to.

She drinks her normal amount but sometimes she will go 12-14 hours and not pee is this unusual?



Hi Evelyn
Increased or excessive urination is a more common problem, and can indicate a UTI, kidney problems etc.

If your dog seems perfectly happy and healthy apart from this decrease in urination, then I don't think you need to rush to the vet. As it's pretty hot where you are right now, it could be that she is using up more of her fluids than usual.

However, any change from what is normal for your dog (physically or behaviorally) may indicate a problem of some kind. I would suggest that you take your dog to the vet for a check up just to be sure that there's no underlying health issue to blame for her reduction in urination.

Good luck with her.

Appearance Difference in 4 mo. old lab puppy & 4 mo. old pitbull puppy

Sorry, I didn't have picture before. Thanks for your response.



Hi
Thanks for the photo., that's an adorable puppy face!

I can't say for sure obviously, but my guess is that there's a bit of both Lab and Pitbull in there. Not purebred Pitbull, but unlikely to be purebred Lab, although that is a possibility - her ears sure are Labrador Retriever!

Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer either way, but in a puppy it's never easy, especially when there's more than one breed involved.

Either way, your puppy looks like a cutie - who could resist that expression! Just give her lots of love and enjoy her :o)

best puppy food

by john
(bedworth)

my 12 week setter is on hills science puppy food is this the best to give him.

this is the only food he has been on.

thank you


Hi John
Science Diet isn't one of the worst foods, but it's not the best either.

There are so many foods on the market that it can be very difficult to know what food to choose, or HOW to choose.

If you take a look at my Dog Food Comparisons page, you'll find a great system for rating any food according to the quality of it's ingredients. On my Dog Food Ratings page you can find the rating for some of the better known foods too.

Once you've chosen a food you're happy with, make the change over very gradual. Add some of the new food to the old, and slowly increase the new and decrease the old over the period of about a week. This helps to avoid the diarrhea and tummy upset that usually accompanies a sudden change in diet.

Best of luck with your puppy.

Knot on her back

by Lisa
(Shreveport, LA)

I have an almost six month old shih tzu puppy who has a knot on her back. It is not affixed to anything and not tender. It has been there for at least a month (that is when I noticed it).

I called the vet's office and asked if I should bring her (Tessa)in. They said they thought it was from her shots and to wait another couple of weeks for it to go away. It is still there. It is not getting bigger but has me a little concerned that it might be a tumor or something.

Any thoughts on what it might be? I am going to bring her to the vet to have it checked out just in case, but I wanted to know what you thought.
Thanks,
Lisa




Hi Lisa
If this 'knot' or lump is at the site of her vaccinations, chances are good that it is just a reaction to the shots.

It's also possible that this lump is a cyst of some kind, most likely nothing to worry about.

However, I would suggest that you do follow up with your veterinarian and have them take a look at her just to be on the safe side. It's always best to be cautious.

good luck.

getting wet

by AMY
(UKIPA,CALIFORNIA,UNIDED STATES)

why does my puppy have to be 6 months to get wet



Hi Amy
I'm not sure exactly what you mean, as I've never heard that before!

It's not advisable to bathe a puppy before he's around 7 or 8 weeks old, and bathe him only as necessary after that age.

As for swimming etc., as long as your pup is fully vaccinated, and is physically healthy, I personally know of no reason why he shouldn't get wet! My dogs (and many others) have been swimming etc. since they were young puppies, without incident!

i have a 18 day old chihuahua pup mini pearl

by helena harbuck
(bremen,georgia)

i have a 18 day old chihuahua pup she not eating and she acts like she is having problems breathing
can you tell me what i can do to help her?



Hi Helena
If a puppy as young as this isn't eating, she can become dehydrated very quickly.

If she's been feeding from her mom and suddenly seems to be having problems, she may have contracted an upper respiratory tract infections (something similar to the common cold in humans). She may need antibiotics.

If she's been bottle-fed it's possible that she's inhaled some of the milk into her lungs. This usually results in pneumonia and is life-threatening.

Either way, any signs of illness in such a young puppy require veterinary attention as soon as possible. Little puppies can go downhill very fast.

I wish you the best of luck and hope she recovers.

1month old German Shepherd puppy is peeing a lot.

by Venkat
(Bellary, Karnataka, India)

hi,

i have one month old German Shepherd Puppy. He goes to pee every 5 mins.

May i know the reason please?



Hi Venkat
If by one month old, you mean your pup is around 5 weeks old, he's still a very tiny baby. Puppies shouldn't leave their mom before they're at least 8 weeks of age.

Before 8 weeks, puppies basically have no bladder/bowel control, and go whenever they need to..... and that's A LOT!

By 8 weeks old, they are beginning to be able to 'hold it' for short periods, but still need a potty break every 30 mins to an hour. Obviously this improves as the puppy grows.

It wouldn't hurt to have your pup checked by a veterinarian just to be sure that he doesn't have a urinary tract infection, as that can cause an almost constant desire to pee, but the puppy will only 'dribble' or pass a drop of urine each time. This kind of problem usually needs an antibiotic treatment.

If everything checks out okay, rest assured your pup is behaving normally and this stage will pass.
You may find my New Puppy Care page helpful.


Good luck!

Sex of newborn

by Nina Olson
(Gilbert, AZ, usa)

How do i determine the sex of the newborn yorkie?



Hi Nina
Yorkie puppies are very tiny, so this may look more difficult than it is!

Of course, if you're totally unfamiliar with newborn pups, you will need to compare two pups of different sexes to really understand what I'm saying.

The female pups just have a tiny bit of vaginal tissue, right between their back legs. Males will have a very small penis, between where their umbilical cord was attached and the back legs. It almost seems to be on their tummy!

Hope this helps, best of luck!

How long before my puppy understands he needs to tell me when to go outside to peepee?

My standard poodle puppy is 4 months old. When I take him outside to the same area and tell him to do peepee or poopoo he knows what to do and he does it.

I take him out before and after meals, after naps and playtime. I try to anticipate and then it works.

How long before he begins to tell me when he needs to go outside? He seems to be clueless at this point.


Hi
You're puppy is doing very, very well for such a youngster! Congratulations.

Most puppies, if you are consistent and clear in your potty training, are reasonable reliable about peeing and pooping in the desired spot by 6 months old.

Some puppies will learn to tell you when they need to 'go', by whining, scratching at the door, giving you the 'stare' etc. But I have to say, some never learn to do this! They do learn to hold it until you take them outside, but may not ask to go, even if they need to.

I would give your pup several more months and see whether or not he starts to show any particular body language or signs that he needs a potty break.

You can try tying a bell or similar to the handle of the door he uses to go outside. Every time you go out to 'potty', ring the bell as you go through the door and tell him "potty outside" as you ring the bell.

He may latch onto this and ring the bell himself after some time, but he may not.

I would just carry on with what you're doing right now, it's obviously working well. Continue to anticipate him and watch for the signs that he needs to go out - excessive sniffing, circling, whining etc.

Best of luck!

Housetraining at the same spot

by Lise
(Canada)

Hi there,

Thank you for answering my previous question - so informative. I have a couple more questions in regards to housebreaking my 12 wks havanese to eliminate at the same spot outside.

1. How big does the spot have to be? The breeder says that she will probably be 10 pounds full grown.

2. The spot we have picked is at the back of the house on rocks. (We have two boys that play outside frequently and would like to keep the backyard free of poop) Will a puppy eliminate on rocks?

3. Do I have to spray down the rocks occasionally?

4. Does a puppy have to feel like it can see everything that is happening in order to eliminate? The reason I ask this question is that the spot on the rocks is not a high traffic area. I will stay with her until she is ready to go alone but trying to figure out if this an appropriate place before we welcome her home.

Thank you.


Hi Lise
Some puppies will eliminate on rocks, but grass (or at least partly) grass is preferable. It doesn't need to be a big space, and somewhere out of the way of too much activity is best anyway. puppies are like little children - very short attention spans and easily distracted, if there's too much happening around her she will 'forget' what she's there for!

You will need to hose down the rocks every day, or every other day most likely. You can use a 5:1 solution of water:bleach to deoderize and clean the area. Or there are many products specifically designed for removing odor etc., you can find a selection of the best ones on my Dog Urine Cleaning Products page.

I'm glad you found my previous answers helpful, I think you're on the right track with everything. Best of luck!

How do I change my puppy's bitting ?

by Clydia Gilliam
(Eatonton, Ga. USA)

My puppy is 4 1/2 monts old, I know she is teething!


When I let her out to play or walk her after about 5
to 10 min. she get ruff and stars to bite! I have used Bitter Apple in the beggining & it seem to work.


I am worried about her and would like her to be a good dog!

I am 63 and we have losted two pets in 40 days and
losing Little Katie would break our hearts!


Please help!


Hi Clydia
Firstly, don't panic! This is perfectly normal behavior for a puppy, and is totally manageable.... it just takes time and patience.

Some pups, and some breeds, are more stubborn about biting than others, but with consistent correction it can be taken care of. Plus, it is a behavior that most pups grow out of eventually.

Biting is an attention seeking behavior, and the quickest way to get her to understand that you don't appreciate this behavior is to withdraw your attention from her every time she bites or nips.

You can find detailed info. about this, plus some other methods of discouraging this annoying puppy habit on my Puppy Biting page.

Good luck with her, I'm sure that she will be a good dog, and with lots of love and patience you will have no trouble teaching her to behave appropriately.

how many times does a puppy eat?

by alex almonte
(chicago)

how much does a puppy need to eat that is 4 months old?


Hi Alex
Usually it's best to feed a puppy three times a day until it is around 4 months old, then twice a day until adult.

Large and giant breed dogs can do well on one meal per day when mature, but small or tiny breeds often do better eating twice a day their whole lives.

As for how MUCH they eat? It really depends on the breed/size of the dog. Start with the guidelines on the bag of dog food you're using.

A good 'rule of thumb', is to feed your puppy as much food as he/she wants to eat within 10 mins or so. If he eats it all in two minutes, offer him more next time. If he leaves some in his bowl after 15 minutes, offer him less at the next meal.

Remember though, puppies are like children and they go through 'stages' of growth and development. His appetite will also go through changes and will increase and decrease depending on his growth etc.

You can find out more about feeding your puppy on my

boxer pups

by chase
(midwest city, oklahoma)

What the best age to have a boxer puppies tail docked?


Hi Chase
Tail docking is best done while the puppy is very young, usually around Day 3 or so.

This is because the tails are still tiny, and the puppies appear to be less distressed by the procedure while still tiny.

Biting and Growling puppy 2

I am the one who wrote about the little beagle who bites and growls a lot...her mom and other siblings died at birth so we took her in and have raised her ever since.

i know that in most circumstances she would have learned a lot from her mom and siblings but since they're not around i am kind of lost as to how things work.

i can't seem to find anything on the internet about her situation so if you could please help me with any information you might have i would appreciate it...sorry not clear her situation the last time.


Hi there
Given the circumstances that your pup has experienced, her behavior makes more sense. She really has no idea how to be a dog really, or what is acceptable behavior.

You will need to continue to give her lots of love and attention, but the corrections that I mentioned before for her biting and growling are very important.

In her canine family, her mom and siblings would not have let her bite and growl and nip in this way. The momma would have growled at her and probably even shaken her or pinned her by the scruff of the neck. Her siblings would have wrestled and postured and made sure she knew her place.

Obviously you can't be physical with her, no shouting or shaking etc., and biting and wrestling are out of the question :o) However, follow the directions on my Puppy Biting page so that she learns this isn't acceptable.

As soon as she's old enough and has had all of her shots, start socializing her so that she has lots of chances to interact with other dogs, and also to meet other people and experience new places. This is very important and will help her develop into a confident, friendly and sociable dog. You will find lots of tips and advice on socialization on my Socialize Your Puppy page.

As I said before, she is just a tiny baby and needs you to give her lots of love, affection and attention. But, like human children, she also needs boundaries and discipline, enforced with love and patience.

She is adorable, and it seems that you have done a great job in raising her so far. Don't worry too much, patience and consistency will pay off. I wish you all the best of luck.

Worried Mommy

by Melissa
(Atlantic Beach, F USA)

Hello! I just adopted my little furbaby a couple of days ago. The lady I adopted him from didn't really tell me much about the medicine he's on, so I decided to do some research. I've been reading your site about diarrhea since he has it. It's not a soupy diarrhea but it isn't solid either.

He is currently on Albon and his paper says he has flea dermatitis on his abdomen. Is that the reason he is on the medication? And should I be worried about his diarrhea or is it normal since he's just came to us in a new home?

I'm a little worried about him, and I don't have an appointment with a vet for his booster for a few more days. I was wondering if I should be worried or not. Thank you!



Hi Melissa
Congratulations on your new puppy!

Albon is often used to treat a Coccidia infection (parasitic intestinal). One of the symptoms of this is diarrhea, so it's possible that's what's going on. Albon is usually successful in treating this, so I would expect your pup's stools will return to normal once he's finished the meds.

There could also be an element of stress and/or dietary change that is contributing to the problem, but both of those are temporary and self-limiting issues.

As long as your pup seems happy, healthy and active I don't think you need to worry too much. However, I would definitely make sure he sees the vet within the next few days for a check up to be on the safe side.

You may also want to check out my Dog Illnessespage for information and tips on recognizing common canine diseases.

Best of luck with your puppy!

sores on puppy

My puppy has ugly colored sores on its fur and I don't know what it is.



Hi
These could be caused by allergies, fleas or other insects/parasites, or be an infection of some kind.

I'm afraid there's no way I can diagnose this for you online, you really need to take your pup to the vet and have him check him out.

That way you will be able to get treatment for your puppy, and hopefully your veterinarian will be able to determine what's causing the problem so you can prevent it recurring.

Best of luck, hope your little puppy is feeling better soon.

10 1/2 puppy pees every 10min

by Jim
(Chadds Ford, PA)

Our GS puppy pees every 10 min or so. We let him out to pee and he goes, but as soon as we let him back inside he goes again. As we let him out he goes again. It seems every time we let him out he goes. But sure enough he comes in and pees again.

We can't seem to figure out what his deal is? We have had him for a week and it seems to get worse every day. He will scratch at the door when he needs to go out. We did take him to the vet and they put him on cestex and albon. One for worms and one for skin irritations.

Could one of these meds be the problem? Please help.



Hi Jim
Both the medications you mention can be used to treat worms, so I'm not sure what the skin irritation factor is. But as far as I know, or can determine, neither of these medications have frequent urination as a side effect.

Urinating every 15 minutes or so isn't that unusual in a puppy, especially if he's drinking a fair bit. Does he seem to urinate a reasonable amount each time? If not and he's just peeing a few drops in spite of an urgent need to 'go', he may have a urinary tract infection. Often these need anti-biotic treatment.

There are other possibilities when you see unusually frequent urination (such as diabetes), but in such a young puppy, who I'm assuming seems healthy otherwise, these seem unlikely.

I would recommend taking him to your vet for another check up, and he can run a test on your pups urine if he thinks it necessary.

Crate training is the simplest and quickest way to housebreak a puppy, and as it requires that a puppy 'hold it' for gradually lengthening periods it does help with bladder/bowel control overall. Of course, a puppy with a UTI can't 'hold it', so make sure he's healthy first.

Best of luck!

Worming and Coughing

by Chunk
(Midlands uk)

Laze is not an option

Can we Start worming tablets ,while recovering from kennel cough.or do we leave it a while?

We {Family} recently bought a puppy 10 months old from the dog rescue home, they assured us that puppy was fully inoculated the documents were intact and so on. so we had no reason to think anything other than puppy would be well.

On the second night of being in his new home he began to cough , raspy cough that kept us awake all night long. told me after net research that he has ~ bordatella virus kennel cough. which to our knowledge he was protected against.

Thank you to all who contributed, vets n friends n net contacts alike. we began to administrate a mixture of HONEY VINEGAR & HOT WATER to melt. Also Benylin for children. a handkerchief doused in peppermint vapour oil was tied to his collar to try to help breathing and within the week we saw signs of improvement.

Now he is mending, are there any dangers with giving the worming doses or can this virus render the wormer meds useless or dangerous.

I'm sure the method can help alongside the vets preferences as it did for our pooch. But this worming thing i'm unsure of. i've hunted everywhere. yahoo answers the lot.

please help if someone has ever had any experience in this area.



Hi Chunk
I'm sorry to hear your pup got sick, but glad that he's now on the mend.

Dogs in any multi-dog facility (boarding kennels, daycare, classes, rescue centers etc.) are always at risk of contracting kennel cough as it's extremely contagious. \

A puppy can catch it before the vaccination has been given, or even during the first few days after vaccination, as the vaccine doesn't work immediately and takes a little time to become effective. There are many different infectious organisms that can cause kennel cough, and even vaccination isn't 100% fool-proof.

However, the treatment plan you devised seems to have been effective and you've done a great job of helping your pup recover. As far as I know there are no contra-indications to using worm medicine in a dog who has had kennel cough. Especially as your pup is now on the mend I can't see that the medication should affect him adversely, or that the virus should reduce the effectiveness of the dewormer.

I would double-check with your vet just to be sure, but it should be fine.

If anyone has personal experience of this, or can add any useful info. please feel free to submit your comments/advice.

Best of luck with your pup, he's a sweetheart!

new puppy

by Missy
(Calgary alberta)

im getting a new puppy 8 weeks old male black lab. what are some supplies i will need before i get the puppy home?




Hi Missy
Congratulations on your new puppy. You're about to have a lot of fun!

of course, raising a puppy is a lot of hard work too, and you're being wise to prepare yourself ahead of time.

Little puppies are just like babies, and their needs are pretty basic. Quality food, lots of sleep, good healthcare and lots of love (with a bit of discipline added for good measure!)

I think you'll find these pages on my site very helpful as you prepare for your new pup's arrival -


New Puppy Care

Puppy Needs