I Don't Get It.... does my dog want a mate?

I went to my aunt's, to take care her 4 children and her female chihuahua. Then after i went home, my male chihuahua kept sniffing and sniffing me, after sniffing me he was crying and crying.

I took My clothes that i had on off, and my chihuahua stayed sniffing it.....Why Is That...Does He want a Mate???






Hi
Dogs have a very acute sense of smell, and it's normal for them to be highly aware of the scent of other dogs.

Your dog was simply reacting to the fact that your clothing (and probably your hands, legs etc.) carried the scent of your aunts' dog. If the female was in season then your dog would also be aware of that and would be likely to make a big fuss when he got a whiff of that scent. Even if she wasn't he isn't used to you smelling like other dogs and would naturally be upset or intrigued by that.

And no, this doesn't mean he wants a mate! If the female was in season, then nature would make him want to mate with her, but that doesn't mean that he should do so. Unless both dogs are show quality animals who are ideal representatives of their breed and you have people who are committed to buying the resulting puppies, then you shouldn't breed your dog/s.

Small and tiny breeds such as chihuahuas can have difficulty giving birth, and there are so many homeless pups and dogs already that adding to the number of puppies born every year isn't a good idea.

WILL MY PUPPY HAVE WORMS?

by carol Elledge
(colorado)

2 year old bitch has 7 puppies . Bitch has worms . If we pull the pups and bottle feed them will they have worms?





Hi Carol
Don't take these puppies away from their momma and try to supplement feed them because she has worms. That could cause way more problems than it solves!

Most pups contract roundworms from their momma, even if she doesn't show active signs of a worm infestation. The only thing to do here is to have your vet prescribe a de-worming medication that she can take safely, and also provide a dewormer for the puppies. Don't be tempted to use an over-the-counter product, as these are rarely effective and can have dangerous side-effects.

Your vet can give you the right medication, so get in touch with him right away. Best of luck

CAN I LEAVE MY 11 WEEK OLD OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME?

HI THERE,

I HAVE AN 11 WEEK OLD GERMAN SHEPHERD I ALSO HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD, I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM LEAVING MY 11 WEEK OLD OUTSIDE TOO EARLY, SHE HAS BEEN OUTSIDE SINCE LAST WEEK, SHE HAS A KENNEL AND ALWAYS SNUGGLES WITH MY 1 YEAR OLD IN THE SAME KENNEL AT NIGHT.

SHE HAS BLANKETS AND I LEAVE A HOT WATER BOTTLE IN HER KENNEL AS WELL, I WANT TO LEAVE THEM BOTH OUTSIDE ALL THE TIME AND THIS WAS THE REASON I BOUGHT HER SO MY 1 YEAR OLD HAS COMPANY.
IT HAS BEEN REALLY COLD AT NIGHT THE LAST WEEK IT HAS BEEN GETTING AS LOW AS 5 DEGREES, SHOULD SHE BE INSIDE STILL?

SHE SEEMS HAPPY AND LOVES MY 1 YEAR OLD I AM JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS SO COLD, AS I SAID SHE HAS SHELTER AND I REALLY DON'T WANT HER INSIDE BUT IF IT IS TOO SOON I WILL BRING HER BACK IN.

THANKS
CLAIRE SIM






Hi Claire
Obviously it's not the best scenario to have a dog kept outside at all times, they don't get the human companionship and bonding that they need that way.

However, in terms of safety I would say that although it's okay for your older dog who is obviously acclimatized to being outdoors, it's a bit early to leave such a young pup out especially in extreme heat or cold. At this age they're not controlling their body temperature as efficiently as an adult dog and I'd personally suggest keeping her indoors at least at night for another month or so.

This would also benefit her social development and interaction with humans, it can give you a chance to instill some housebreaking too which is always useful.

In moderate weather, as she has your older dog for body-heat and companionship it wouldn't be such an issue, but as it's cold I'd play it safe for now. Best of luck.

what happen if puppies eyes open early?

what happens if they open their eyes early???




Hi
I've never seen that happen. Generally a newborn puppies will open their eyes at around 10 days to 2 weeks of age. They may 'crack' open before that, and sometimes one opens before the other, but generally it always follows this time frame.

However, if you have a pup whose eyes opened extremely early, or if you have a reason for concern about this part of their development, then I'd recommend having your vet take a look at him/her to make sure everything is okay.

Best of luck with your puppies.

stop peeing on our bed

by maria
(buffalo)

what can i treat my down comforter with to get puppy to stop peeing on it?



Hi Maria
The best type of cleaners are the enzymatic ones which actually break down the organic substances that cause the scent which attracts a dog back to the same spot to eliminate. Natures' Miracle is the best one in my opinion and it's available online or at petstores such as Petsmart.

With a down comforter though that's a bit problematic as they can be difficult to clean. You could soak the area that your puppy has peed on with the cleaner and allow it to dry naturally, but I'm not exactly sure how effective it would be.

Your best bet is really to not allow your pup access to the comforter at all, I'd recommend using a crate to help with the housebreaking. Getting her to learn to pee and poop outdoors only is better than having to try to remedy the effects of her 'mistakes'.

Check out my Crate Training A Puppy page and my Potty Train A Puppy page for lots of tips and advice. You may also want to take a look at the information on my Dog Urine Cleaning Products page for more help with odor removers, how to use the effectively and so on.

Best of luck.

It's hot today

by Marsha Benosn
(North Dakota)

I'm the boss

How can you tell if puppy is too hot? And can I give them ice to play with?

I know humans can get very sick from eating ice, is it the same for puppies?

And how do I cool them off . They are 12 weeks old.






Hi Marsha
If it's really hot outside then you need to get your puppies indoors where there is some air-conditioning. At this age their not tiny, but their bodies still don't regulate their internal temperature as effectively as an adult.

If it's impossible to get them indoors, make certain they have shade and plenty of water to drink. A kiddie paddling pool or other large, shallow container with a few inches of water for them to play in is also advisable. You can also use a spray attachment on a garden hose to soak the pups if they're outdoors, it helps keep them cool and most dogs love it. If you can set up a garden sprinkler they can play in that too.

Dogs can play with ice (and most of them love to do so), and as long as it's made from safe, tap or bottled water, there shouldn't be any health risks associated with that.

A puppy or dog who is suffering from heat stroke or overheating will be very lethargic, probably pant and/or drool excessively, seem weak or dizzy or stagger, then can even become unconscious. If you notice these sort of symptoms get them out of the heat right away and cool their bodies with cold water (not icy water though!) or towels soaked in cold water and call your vet right away.

Best of luck with your pups.

my dog wont eat or drink

by xandria
(United States Of America)

i need help - my dog won't eat or sleep. i tried 2 ask an vet online but can't pay so i need help urgent. i don't want him to die please.

i tried his favorite food gravy train water grass nothing worked not even a bite i need free advice please i need help now





Hi Xandria
I'm so sorry about what's happening with your dog and I know how scared you must be, but I'm afraid in this sort of situation only a veterinarian can help.

It's impossible to know what is happening with your dog to cause these symptoms without a proper vet exam. If he's up to date on all his vaccinations, it could be that he's eaten something that's bad for him, or toxic even, or a parasitic infection or something similar. If he's not fully vaccinated he could have contracted one of the many contagious dog illnesses that unvaccinated dogs are at risk of.

If money is a real problem, try calling different vets in your area to see if they will let you work out a payment plan for the visit and any treatment that may be necessary. Or call your local humane society and see if they have a low-cost veterinary program or can give you information on veterinarians that may be willing to work with you on payment plans or reduced fees.

You obviously love your dog very much, and he's in serious trouble, so do whatever it is you have to do to get him the help he needs.

Meantime (but NOT instead of getting him to a vet), try to get him to take a little water or even better, Pedialyte (for kids), as he needs fluids. You can use a small syringe (without the needle) if he won't lap. Dehydration is one of the first problems that occurs with a dog who won't eat or drink, regardless of the reason for their symptoms. Food isn't as important as fluids.

However he needs a vet asap, so I strongly recommend that you start looking for one right now. I wish you the very best of luck and hope that your dog makes a full recovery.

Sleeping Alot

by Michelle
(Charleston, SC, United States)

I recently just bought a new puppy and she is a Toy poodle and she is such a sweety, but she sleeps a lot she is about 1 month old...

Is that normal or is that worms she may have..





Hi Michelle
There are a few things here that I want to mention. The first is that a pup should never leave its' momma before it's 8 weeks old. If your puppy is only a month old (approx 5 weeks) then she's a tiny, TINY baby, and is barely weaned. At this age a pup naturally sleeps a lot of the time.

Also, whether a pup is 8 weeks old, 12 weeks old, or even a few months old, during the first few days in a new home they often go through a sort of adjustment period. They're anxious, homesick and sometimes just sad - this shows up as a loss of appetite, a lot of sleeping, and often quiet, withdrawn behavior. This is perfectly normal and once they begin to settle down in their new home their real personality shines through. You can learn more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

As for her health and the possibility that she has puppy worms - that's quite likely, most pups do to begin with. However, she needs to be examined by your vet asap to make sure she's up to date on her puppy shots and is overall healthy and strong. She will also be dewormed by your vet each time she gets her shots. Don't use an over-the-counter product for this, your vet has the safest and most effective products.

Hope all this helps some. If you're new to taking care of a pup you may also find my New Puppy Care page useful. Best of luck with your little girl.

how long till he gets better?

by Shannon
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

my puppy has parvo, he went to the vet sunday. on monday night the vet said the puppy was no longer puking and could probably go home tuesday (today), this morning the vet said the puppy was puking and had a little bit of diarrhea again and worse yet he has worms in his puke.

the vet said he can not treat the worms till the puppy stops puking. i'm very worried. the vet said depending on how the puppy is doing within the next 24-48 hours will be crucial.

anybody know how long till worms can start doing serious damaged if not treated right away?
or how likely survival is?






Hi Shannon
Your pup is getting the best possible care and it sounds as though you caught the illness early, so you've given him the best chance of survival that you could.

Canine Parvovirus is an extremely contagious, extremely serious illness and if left untreated most puppies who catch it will die. The most 'acute' phase usually lasts somewhere between 7 and 10 days. If your pup survives this period and begins to show signs of improvement then he has a good chance of making a full recovery.

BUT it will take time. Pups get very weak and lose a lot of weight when they have Parvo, and it can take many weeks, sometimes months for them to build their strength back up and regain the weight. Luckily, they almost always do eventually bounce back, and later on you'd never know they'd been at deaths' door.

Once your pup comes home and is on the mend you'll need to give him a very nutritious diet, and lots of rest. Just like a person who's recuperating from a serious illness.

I hope this helps some and I wish you the very best of luck. My prayers are that your little guy is one of the survivors and makes a full recovery.

How to stop puppy from pooping outside designated potty spot

by Lynn
(Scottsdale, AZ)

Sadie- 8 weeks

My puppy is 8 week old golden retriever and I've had her for 4 days now. I have a potty spot in our grassy backyard and I have a trigger word. She will pee most of the time in the spot but likes to wander to poop.

I use a fabric slip leash to keep puppy in the spot to pee and poop. She will now bite at the leash and play with it and not concentrate on going. She has pooped once in her spot. When she poops outside her spot, I pick up the poop and put it in her spot. I have stayed with her on her leash for about 5 min in her spot to do her business , but she will mostly just play with the leash.

If I let her off the leash she will wander the yard find a spot and poop or pee, but mostly poop outside of the "potty spot". We have had other dogs in our yard, our dog who died in May and a babysit dog all who have done business all over and not in one spot. She may still smell those?

My husband and daughter also take her to the potty spot, but she still wanders out of the area and does her business elsewhere. What can I do to have her consistently go pee AND POOP in the designated spot?





Hi Lynn
Sadie is absolutely adorable, what a cutie!

What you're describing is absolutely normal behavior, and the best thing I can suggest is to find another way to contain her in some way in her designated potty spot!

What I do is set up a small puppy exercise pen in the yard, and always put the pup in that pen when I want them to eliminate. Sadie won't be able to get out of the pen, and won't be distracted by the leash, so she will pee/poop there when she needs to. Eventually she'll be in the habit of going there to eliminate and won't need the X-pen.

She probably does smell the other dogs who have done their business all over the yard, and she's no idea why you want her to stay in one place - her natural inclination is to wander around until she finds THE spot :o)

Fence off her area, or use an exercise pen or something similar for a few months and this should solve the problem.

Best of luck with that gorgeous girl.

slick wood floors with a golden puppy

by Lynn
(Scottsdale, AZ)

Sadie- 8 weeks

Hello again, I'm worried about our slick wood laminate floors impacting my 8 week old golden retriever puppy's joint development. Golden's are prone to hip displaysia, I got her from a reputable breeder who had all the medical clearances, so I'm sure the puppy is from good stock.

My concern is we have wood laminate flooring throughout the house and when she is running around she will sometimes slip and fall over or she will slip and spread herself out like a flat frog. I'm worried that this will continue to put stress on her joints and cause her harm and increase the possibility of her getting hip displaysia in the future. Should I be concerned?

I do have some area rugs and runners, but there are places where I do not, they are in the main walking area. Should I get more runners so there is less flooring exposed?







Hi Lynn
Slippery floor surfaces can definitely have an impact on the growing joints and ligaments of large breed pups, and in breeds particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia it's best to avoid this situation as much as possible.

You've taken the first and biggest step towards making sure your pup has healthy hips by purchasing from a breeder whose dogs have had their hips evaluated. This greatly reduces the chances of Sadie having a problem, but doesn't remove them, and environmental and dietary factors are also involved.

I'd recommend adding runners or some kind of non-slip surface to your floors while she's growing and developing. Large breed pups are notoriously clumsy when young, and as adolescents, and if you can help to prevent her from slipping and sliding all over the place it's to her benefit.

As she gets older and her joints/ligaments are fully developed and formed the risks of slick flooring will decrease. Plus she won't be rushing around in a headlong dash the way she does now. However, I'd still recommend keeping a pathway through your house with runners/carpeting so that even as an adult she can walk surefootedly when she needs to.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with Sadie, she's so cute :o)

Refuses to walk

by Jack Wardlaw
(Baton Rouge, La.)

We have an 8-month-old dachshund puppy. The problem is that she refuses to walk on her leash.

I take her outside and moments later she goes into a panic and wants to do nothing but rush back into the house.

As a result, we have been unable to housebreak her. What should we do? Jack Wardlaw, Baton Rouge, La.







Hi Jack
Many puppies are afraid of the leash at first, it's very common, and it's really is a matter of de-sensitizing them but slow, gradual but consistent use of it. For some basic help with leash-training problems, check out this webpage Leash Training A Puppy.

As for housebreaking, do you not have any type of fenced in area where you could take her for a potty break, rather than putting her on a leash? That of course would be ideal. If you don't though and are forced to walk her in a public area it is definitely going to be tricky until she accepts her leash.

Sometimes a pup who hates their leash, feels more secure and less frightened if you use a harness. It would certainly be worth a try at this point. If none of these suggestions help, then I can only recommend that you get some professional help from a qualified dog trainer who will be able to give hands-on advice and instruction - very valuable.

I wish I could help more, but I wish you lots of luck and hope that you overcome this problem.

My yorkie doesnt eat everyday is this ok?

My yorkie doesn't always eat everyday should I be worried.

Also he is very scared of new people he hides and doesn't come out until they leave.




Hi
Generally a dog will eat as much as he/she needs as long as they're offered their food daily. For small breeds such as Yorkies, food should be offered at least twice a day due to their fast metabolisms.

First of all I'd recommend having your vet give your dog a check up to make sure that he's healthy as loss of appetite can be a symptom of some health conditions. If he gets the 'all clear' but just doesn't eat very much then it's even more important to make sure that he eats a premium food specifically designed for small breeds. That way he will get the maximum nutrition from the small amount he eats. Check out my 10 Best Dog Food Choices page for more on this.

As for him being afraid of strangers, it sounds as though he's not been socialized enough. Take a look at my Socialize Your Puppy page to learn more about this very important aspect of puppy care. It's never too late to begin socializing your dog, but the older a dog is the more slowly you will need to take it. Patience and consistency is key.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your dog.

puppies with swelling on their necks

by brittany box
(springfield IL )

How do you get rid of swelling in a puppies neck?




Hi Brittany
You need to get your puppies to your veterinarian just as soon as possible.

I'm not a vet and I can't say for sure what the problem is, but I can definitely say that it needs a professional evaluation asap.

These type of swelling could be caused by an infection of some sort which has caused the lymph nodes to become considerably enlarged, or it could be something called 'puppy strangles' which is an immune system condition that can occur in pups under 6 months of age.

Both of these situations would require antibiotic treatment, and in the case of puppy strangles your pups may also need corticosteroids to reduce the swelling. If you leave something like this untreated it will only get worse, and could have fatal consequences. The sooner you get your puppies the right treatment, the more quickly they will recover and the less care they will need.

Best of luck, hope your pups are doing much, much better soon.

My Terrier Mix Potty Breaks

by Emma
(Seattle, WA, USA)

I have three dogs. one of them is a Terrier mixed with we don't know what. his name is Jasper and he is 11 months old, and stubborn about "marking" everything in the house.

i have tried paper training ever since he was younger. is it to late to paper train him? and if not how can i get him to go outside?





Hi Emma
'Marking' isn't a housebreaking issue really, it's a dominant/territorial one and even fully housebroken un-neutered male dogs will do this.

I'd strongly advise having him neutered as this should help to lessen his desire to mark everything, but as he's already 11 months old it probably won't stop it altogether. If you neuter a pup before adolescence (which is when this behavior begins) it usually won't start, or can be discouraged fairly easily. However, after a dog has started to do it regularly, it's much more difficult to stop.

If you're having difficulty with housebreaking in general I'd recommend checking out my Potty Train A Puppy page. A crate would help with this, and you can also use it to contain Jasper when you can't supervise him and correct him when he goes to 'mark' something. Take a look at my Crate Training A Puppy page for all the info. you need on this.

You can buy 'belly bands' which are sort of like doggie diapers to put on a dog who is marking stuff. These will catch the urine and prevent it from ruining carpets and furniture etc, but obviously won't train your dog not to do it. However, using belly bands along with supervision and corrections when he 'lifts his leg' can be pretty effective as the belly bands protect your stuff while the pup is learning what's expected of him.

I hope this helps some. Jasper is adorable and he's just doing what comes naturally, so it's up to you to show him what is acceptable and what isn't. Best of luck.

puppy with rounded belly

by pepper de la cruz
(san juan city)

i have 3 months old puppy (shih tzu) i am the owner and i look after her since birth. she already have completed her shots (3x 5in1 and 1 shot 6in1) she was dewormed 4x according to her schedule.

just 2 days ago i noticed her belly becomes rounded and a bit hard. what do u think is the problem or is it normal? my puppy is very active, she eats regularly (i gave her vitality for puppy 2x a day just a normal feeding amount) and i don't notice she complains of anything. if i touch her tummy she don't complain.

is there anything wrong with my puppy or its just normal for a puppy to have a big belly?





Hi Pepper
Sometimes when puppies eat too quickly, or too much, their tummies can get round or distended, from them swallowing down a lot of air. If you think this could be a problem with your pup, try feeding her from a wide, shallow dish rather than a traditional or deeper one. That way she will need to eat more slowly and consequently swallow less air.

If this doesn't help, or you don't think this is the problem, it could be that she has developed puppy worms again. If it's been a while since she was last dewormed that is a possibility. Your own vet can take a fecal sample and test for worms, then give her more medication if necessary.

If a test comes back negative for worms, then I would discuss your concerns with your vet and ask his/her advice. I doubt it's anything that you need to worry too much about, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup.

Why doesn't my puppy eat?

Why doesn't my puppy eat?




Hi
I'm afraid that without more information I really can't give you an answer to that question, but there are two main possibilities...

1. He's sick

2. He's homesick

Generally during the first few days in a new home a puppy is sad, lonely, anxious and homesick. He may lose his appetite, sleep more than usual and seem sad. You can read more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

However if your pup seems unwell in any way (eg. he has puppy diarrhea or vomiting, seems very weak or lethargic, is coughing, sneezing or has discharge from his nose or eyes) or shows any other signs of illness, then he could be suffering from one of the common, contagious dog illnesses that puppies are vulnerable to.

In that case you need to get him to a veterinarian right away so that you can get an accurate diagnosis and the treatment he needs.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup.

What's wrong with my newborn puppy

by Paige Mattix
(Jonesboro Ar- USA)

My boxer had her puppies Sunday and today I checked on them and one puppy cries all the time and won't crawl over to his momma, he seems weak and kinda cool at the touch.

I have him wrapped up in a hand towel that is warm to try an get his temp up, but he's crying still. What should I do?





Hi Paige
This puppy is in trouble and he may well already be dehydrated if he's not been able to nurse enough. Puppies who don't eat enough rapidly become weak and their body temperature drops.

I'd strongly recommend that you have your vet check him out to make sure that he's healthy, he may even need IV fluids to give him a bit of a 'jump start'. You may need to supplement feed him with puppy formula and keep him warm, your vet can advise you on this.

There is more info. on raising newborn pups on my New Born Puppies page, but I think this is a situation for professional, veterinary help right now.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that this little guy makes it.

New puppy owner. Need answers now!

by Ally Doughty
(Morrison, CO, USA)

I just got a new puppy( an Australian Shepherd Mix) from an adoption center which would be my first puppy being owned. This dog does some things I don't know if they're normal or not.

She often has many exhaled deep breaths for a few minutes and kinda looks like she's choking or coughing. Then she'll stop and then go on with whatever she was doing. Next she started eating when we got her and then stopped for a little bit, like a few days, then would resume. Sometimes she'll make gagging noises and sometimes will throw up.

So my question is: Is this normal for a puppy or could there be something wrong that we need to fix??






Hi Ally
It's difficult to say for sure what's going on here with your pup, and I'm not a veterinarian so any advice or input I can give is purely a personal opinion.

Having said that, I'd recommend that you read my Bringing Home A New Puppy page as it will give you a better idea of what to expect during the first week or so, and what signs to look out for.

The heavy breathing/gagging and so on that you mention, could be a sign of kennel cough, and although there is a vaccination for this (which your pup may well have been given), puppies and dogs who come from environments where there are many other dogs (such as large kennels, pounds, rescue centers etc.) are often exposed to this virus. Vaccinations given after exposure generally don't help.

Kennel cough is normally a self-limiting condition and the pup/dog often gets better without treatment. As it's a virus, antibiotics aren't effective against the original disease, however some dogs develop secondary bacterial infections which do need antibiotic treatment.

If your pup doesn't improve soon, or you see any signs of her symptoms worsening, I'd recommend having your veterinarian check her out fully.

The loss of appetite could be related to illness, but could also simply be a result of stress or a change in diet. As long as she's not vomiting or experiencing persistent puppy diarrhea, chances are it's nothing serious. BUT, again, if she doesn't improve, or she seems sick or to get worse in any way, take her to your vet immediately.

Hope this helps some. I wish you the best of luck with your new pup.

Basset hounds and children

by Jeannine
(Centurion, Soutn Africa)

Hi There. I am looking to get my 2 girls each a puppy. We are looking at medium sized dogs. I have searched the internet for breeds and have come across a Basset Hound. How are these dogs normally with children?

I am also looking at King Charles Spaniels or Cocker Spaniels. Could you also advise me on how these dogs normally are with children? I have the opinion that if you raise your dogs with the kids and train them well, then there should not be aggression problems at a later stage.

Please advise.




Hi Jeannine
In my personal experience, both Basset Hounds and King Charles or Cocker Spaniels are normally fine with children.

Basset Hounds are bigger dogs, and sturdier, so may handle a younger childs' less gentle handling better. They aren't terribly energetic dogs, especially as adults, but can be stubborn and self-willed at times.

Spaniels are more active and energetic and need more exercise than Bassets, plus they're smaller and more delicate particularly as puppies.

I'd recommend that you take a look at my Best Dog Breeds For Children and Best Dog Breeds For Families pages as they have tons of tips and advice to help you.

As for aggressiveness and so on, a well bred pup of any breed (even the guardian breeds) should never be indiscriminately aggressive, and proper handling and raising of a puppy is also vital. However, temperament problems are often genetic, and you will need to look closely at the parents of any pup you are considering to make sure that they're well-bred and temperamentally sound. Snappy, high-strung, aggressive or fearful behavior can happen in any breed - size isn't a factor in general either. So take your time when choosing.

Also, one point I would mention is that raising two puppies together is much more work than raising one, and you will need to make sure that they don't bond more closely with each other than with the human family members. If it were me I would get one puppy for the girls and have them share the responsibilities of raising him/her. Depending on their ages they may only be able to take part in certain chores, or lose interest etc., the bulk of the work of raising these pups would then fall to .... mom!

Anyway, just my personal viewpoint, and of course it's perfectly possible to raise two pups together if you put in the time and effort needed. If you do decide to get two puppies, choose one of each sex to avoid fights later on.

I wish you the best of luck!

thinning hair

by Sandy
(Louisa KY)

I have a 5-month-old Bichon Yorkie. He has started with thinning hair.

I was told to use vitamin E in his food. The vet says flea allergy and acted like it was a death sentence. I have not seen any fleas (2). What do I do?

I was wondering I stewed some chicken to put with his food, could this be a problem?






Hi Louisa
Thinning hair and skin problems such as itching, hot spots and so on can be a result of dog allergies and that could be to fleas, an ingredient in his food (although I doubt stewed chicken would be it, but possible), seasonal allergies, contact allergies.... there are a LOT of possibilities.

Dogs who are sensitive or allergic to fleas are actually reacting to flea saliva and the reaction can be severe. A couple of fleas is enough to cause a lot of discomfort. It's of course not a 'death sentence' and if you use a reliable flea preventative such as Advantix or Frontline Plus you should be able to remove the problem.

If you think other allergies could be to blame, try hard to find the trigger and remove it. Think about where your dog has been, what he's been in contact with, eaten etc. etc. and try to eliminate them one at a time.

Another possibility is
There are several pages on my site that deal with feeding puppies and I'd recommend you check out at least these three...


Puppy Kibble

Pomeranian Care

Types of Small Dogs

They should give you all the help you need. Best of luck with your new pup.

Potty Training My Dachshund

by Sydney
(Indiana)

My 16 week old weiner dog, Burt, is still not potty trained! It's driving me insane. We put him out every 2-3 hours in our backyard and half of the time he refuses to go. Then a few minutes later, he will pee or poop on the floor.

When he does go outside, he get's praised and gets a treat. I've tried punishing him verbally and putting him in his cage. I really don't know what else I can do. I love him to death, but I'm not sure what I am gonna do if he doesn't learn to be potty trained.

Can anyone give me advice on what else I can do?





Hi Sydney
I'm afraid part of the problem here is that you have unrealistic expectations of what Burt is capable of, and aren't taking him outside often enough or preventing him from having the opportunity to make mistakes indoors.

Puppies aren't born knowing where humans expect them eliminate, and it's up to the owners to show the pup very clearly what is okay. Giving Burt treats when he 'goes' in the right place is a good start, but if you don't take him out more often and use his crate much more effectively it's going to take him a long time to understand.

Also, at 16 weeks old he's still very much a baby, and even if you'd been perfect in your housebreaking approach, it would be unrealistic to expect him to be reliable about his elimination habits by now. In general, a pup who has been consistently and appropriately housebroken will be fairly reliable by 6 months of age!

I'd strongly suggest that you read both my Crate Training A Puppy and Potty Train A Puppy page. They have all the tips, advice and information you need, and if you follow them you should be able to help Burt to get the hang of this housebreaking thing. An important point is that he needs to be going out every hour to an hour-and-a-half to eliminate and you should stay outside with him and encourage him to 'go'. If he doesn't go after 10 mins or so, bring him back inside, put him in his crate and take him back outside in 20 - 30 minutes (or earlier if he's crying and you think he needs to pee). Repeat this until he's done his business, only then does he get to run around the house - SUPERVISED!!

I know how frustrating it can be to housebreak a pup, but it's not Burts' fault, he needs clearer guidelines. Be patient and consistent and he will get the picture. Best of luck.

puppies having puppies??

How old does a female baby rottie have to be before she has puppies??

She is about 2 months and I have another puppy about 6 mo (male) and they are both not fixed and I do not want to take a chance of her getting pregnant at an early age.





Hi
A pup can't get pregnant until she has her first 'season' or 'heat cycle' . That normally happens somewhere around 8 months of age, but depending on the size/breed of your pup it could be earlier or later.

I'd strongly recommend that you have both your puppies spayed and neutered as it not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, but has significant health benefits - reducing the chances of reproductive order diseases (including cancers) dramatically when done early enough.

See my Dog Neutering and Dog Spaying for all the info. you need.

Best of luck with your pups.

my pug pup won't eat!

I was just giving a 8 month old female pug from a family who couldn't take care of her anymore.

my question is,i have had her for 3 days and she really hasn't eaten or drank anything what should i do?

is she just missing her other family?




Hi
Yes, most likely she is scared, anxious and homesick and that's why she's not eating. As she starts to feel more at home with you she will likely start to eat/drink more normally.

This is a normal part of the adjustment period that pups go through when they move to a new home, and you can read about it on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

As your pug is 8 months old, she will have bonded with her previous family pretty well and that is all she will know, moving at this age is a bit more traumatic for a pup and it will probably take her a bit longer to adjust than it would an 8 week old pup.

Just be loving, patient and consistent with her and she'll soon start to feel less scared and more at home. I would also suggest that you have your vet check her out too, just to make sure that she's healthy and up to date with all vaccinations and deworming.

Best of luck with her, hope she's feeling happier soon.

NEW PUPPY - NO SLEEP!!!!!!

by TASHA
(OAKLAND, CA)

I JUST GOT THIS CUTE POODLE/CHUA MIX AND HE'S THE CUTEST LIL THING BUT THAT SAME NIGHT THE LIL STINKER GOT UP AT 5 AM CRACK O DAWN AND STARTED TO CRY.

WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP HIM FROM WHINING SO MUCH???????






Hi Tasha
Your puppy is a baby, and this is absolutely normal behavior for a baby. He is probably lonely and scared, and most likely needed a potty break during the night.

Human babies aren't expected to sleep all night without a peep (or filling their diaper) and you can't expect much different from a baby dog! Puppies aren't toys, they're living and breathing animals who have needs, wants, fears etc. of their own. They're not born knowing how to 'fit' into a human timetable.

I'd recommend that you read my New Puppy Care page, as well as my Bringing Home A New Puppy and Potty Train A Puppy pages. They have tons of tips and advice to help you understand and take care of your new pup.

Of course, although it's understandable that your puppy is crying, he can't be allowed to control your behavior. He will need at least one potty break during the night (maybe even two), but don't take him out of his crate or give him attention other than to take him out for a pee/poop. During his bathroom break don't make eye contact, pet or talk to him either. It's all business at night! If you know he's just been out and doesn't need to 'go', but he starts crying as soon as you put him back, then just ignore him.

Yes, you will lose some sleep for a few nights, maybe longer, but that's normal and he will understand what you expect of him given some time. Raising puppies is like raising children and it takes time, patience, effort and tons of love. Remember he's just a baby :o)

Hope this helps, best of luck.

Black Lab Bleeding!

My 6 month old, black lab has been biting and itching himself for the past week or so.

His skin started to show before, but today a little blood started coming out.

What can we do to help him at home? Are there any remedies? Or medicine? How do I fix this? PLEASE HELP!





Hi
It's very important to find out why your pup is itching and scratching himself like this. It is pretty severe if he's losing hair and drawing blood, and once the skin is broken there's always the chance of infection.

The most likely culprit is an allergy of some sort, either to fleas, a food, or seasonal/inhalant/contact allergies. Allergies cause skin irritation in dogs, and you can check out my Dog Allergies page to learn more about this.

The most important thing to do is to find what's triggering the symptoms, but there are also things you can do to relieve his discomfort for now. You'll find lots of tips and advice on my Canine Skin Allergies page.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup.