German Shepherd Puppy Biting Problem

by Kyley
(Toronto,Ontario,Canada)

I got my German Shepherd puppy just over a week ago and he is now 11 weeks. I have tried saying ouch when he bites me and then leaving him, I have tried holding his snout and telling him no, I have tried yelping, I have tried a combination of these things, I have told him no and then switched my hand, arm, leg, finger, jeans etc for his toy. None of these have worked and he comes back and bites even harder.

When I do say ouch and leave him he goes and bites something or someone else. I am out of ideas as I have a 8 year old Golden Retriever who only ever chewed a pair of slippers and toys left on the floor or nipped at fingers. Please help my stop my puppy from biting, as I have a 3 1/2 year old nephew and this behaviour cannot be tolerated.



Hi Kyley
Some breeds tend to be 'mouthier' and more stubborn about biting than others. German Shepherds, particularly those with working bloodlines, can be this way. I had a female GSD who had this problem, and I can sympathize - my arms and hands were pretty scarred up for a while!

I'd recommend that you read my Puppy Biting page, and as the 'ouch and ignore' technique isn't working, I'd try the water-spray bottle instead. It's very important to be consistent in your corrections, and to make sure everyone else in the family employs the same technique. If you're using the spray-bottle approach, buy several of them, and make sure that there's always one handy to be used. Keep one in each room, and if possible carry one with you - I would hook one to my belt!

German Shepherds are very intelligent, and usually eager to please their owners, be patient and consistent and you will win this battle. Right now your pup is in the middle of teething, and that always makes puppy biting worse. It will taper off once he's got all his adult teeth in (usually be 6 months of age).

He does need lots of sturdy chew toys (see my Indestructable Chew Toys for a selection of the best). GSD's also enjoy the PRESSED rawhide bones and both bully sticks hooves are also enjoyed and long-lasting. You do need to supervise your pup whenever he has a potentially 'edible' toy though.

I would also recommend that you enroll your puppy in a basic obedience class at a local Dog Obedience School. He will likely excel at obedience, and it will help you both build a strong relationship. A qualified instructor will also be able to show you how to deal with this behavior if it's still a problem.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your puppy.

BOXER

by dalmira
(whittie, ca)

IS IT OK FOR A PUPPY THAT IS 6 WEEKS TO GO WITH THEIR NEW OWNER? SHE EATS A LITTLE FROM THE MOM BUT IS EATING PUPPY FOOD AND DRINKING WATER COULD IT BE TO SOON OR IS IT OK FOR THE NEW PUPPY TO GO WITH THE NEW OWNERS.



Hi Dalmira
A puppy shouldn't leave it's momma and litter mates until at least 8 weeks of age. Although most puppies are fully weaned by around 6 weeks old, there's still a lot they need to learn from interacting with their 'doggie' family.

Some behavior problems can surface in pups who leave their momma too early. Things such as excessive biting, fearfulness and so on. Although these can be overcome with the right training etc., it's best not to have to deal with them in the first place.

I'd recommend waiting until your pup is 8 weeks old before bringing it into a new home. You may want to check out this page for more information.... Puppy Development.

Best of luck with your new pup.

4 MONTH ONLY BOXER PUPPY QUESTION ABOUT TREATS

I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD BOXER PUPPY..WHENEVER WE GIVE HER ANY TYPE OF TREATS, OR BONES OR ANYTHING TO CHEW ON...SHE GETS DIARRHEA THE NEXT DAY

DO U HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

SHE CAN'T HAVE ANY BONES OR TREATS BECAUSE OF IT

POOR BAILEY!!!!!

THANK YOU



Hi
Poor puppy :o(

It's not terribly unusual for the edible bones, pig ears, rawhides, and many other treats to cause diarrhea in puppies.

Unless she is particularly sensitive to only one or two items, or ingredients, there's not really a lot you can do except NOT give her store-bought treats etc.

Often a Kong toy, stuffed with Peanut Butter and frozen for a few hours, has lots of play value, and doesn't upset delicate tummies. I'd also recommend very plain dog biscuits (just tiny ones) or freeze-dried liver (expensive but worth it and found in most major pet stores) as they're often well tolerated.

It will be a case of trial and error until you find out what she can tolerate without trouble, and I'd advise only giving her a little bit of a new treat/food item until you know what the result will be!

Check out my Indestructible Dog Toys page for tons of great, non-edible, toys that will keep her amused.

Not all dogs/puppies are food-motivated, and often praise, a game or a favorite toy, are great rewards for good behavior. Best of luck.

Puppy Shots.

by Colleen
(AZ)

How old does a puppy have to be to get its first shots?



Hi Colleen
First shots are normally given somewhere between 7 and 8 weeks of age. The Parvo shot can be given earlier if there is particular reason to suspect a pup has been exposed to Canine Parvovirus for example.

Check out my Puppy Shots page for all the information you need on puppy vaccinations.

Best of luck with your pup.

My puppy's peeing little bits of blood.

My puppy Belle keeps trying to pee but all she's doing is bleeding little droplets. I wanted to know if she has an infection and is so is there anything I can do about it at home.

We have a vet but money is quite short at the moment. By the way her nose is still cool and wet.





Hi
It certainly sounds as though Belle may have a urinary tract infection. Unfortunately only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis.

UTI's are usually easily treated with antibiotics, but if they're left untreated they can cause kidney problems and more.

I do understand that veterinary care can be expensive, but without help your pups problems could get much worse. She is also very likely to be feeling ill and in some discomfort, she is relying on you to help her.

Please have your vet check her out asap as there is nothing you can do to help her, or even be sure what is causing the problems, yourself.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that your puppy is doing much better soon.

is she ill?

my 8 week old puppy has started falling over as if she is drunk and seems to have no balance.

when she wakes she can seem fine and very playful and then a few days later it will happen again




Hi
Well, there's definitely something wrong with your puppy, but as I'm not a veterinarian i'm afraid I can't diagnose the problem.

If she's a tiny or toy breed pup, and also seems weak and lethargic at these times, it could be that she's suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). You can find out more about this on my Chihuahua Puppy Care page.

It could also be a sign of neurological problems or other health issues and only a qualified veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. I strongly recommend that you have her examined by your vet asap.

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

Change in behaviors of 7 week old puppy

My name is Jackie Waits. Almost 2 months ago my husband and I realized our 9 year old farm dog was pregnant for the first time. She proceeded to have 5 puppies total, 4 of which died and then she died the next day. We brought the pup home, warmed him up, bottle fed him and were able to keep him alive.

He's already been to the vet 3-4 times just to make sure he was progressing properly and actually has been doing very well. My husband and I both work quite a distance from the home and have been forced to keep him in a crate during the day, which I realize is not the most ideal situation. However, last week I was able to take vacation and spent the whole week at home with the puppy. It seemed as though we were making great strides towards the house training process and he was having very few accidents in the house. This week has been terrible. When my husband gets home he takes the puppy out, feeds him and spends quality time with him.

This week the pup is not very interested in food but does drink a ton of water and the accidents are on the rise. Even after taking him outside and him urinating 3-4 times, 10 minutes later he will have an accident in the house (numerous accidents). It seems like he pees every 10-15 minutes. My question is : do you think this is behavioral or medical? I'm worried that with his lack of interest in food (he does eat, but not scarfing down like he usually does), excessive need of water and frequent urinating that maybe it is a medical issue and not him just testing our patience.

Please help! I love my puppy but this a new thing for me, I've always been a cat owner and am not skilled in the ways of a new puppy.
Thank you,
Jackie Waits




Hi Jackie
Any sudden or significant change in behavior can be cause for concern, and I think in this case you would be right to have your puppy examined by your veterinarian.

The excessive thirst and urination, combined with the loss of appetite do sound as though they could be the result of a health issue. I would guess perhaps a urinary tract infection (pretty common in puppies), but it could also be due to other things.

Although he could be feeling a bit 'down' due to being on his own again for long periods, and this could result in him 'acting out', it sounds to me as though this is more than that. With puppies it's always better to be safe than sorry, so please have your vet take a look at him as soon as possible.

I'm so sorry about what happened to your dog and the other pups, and it sounds as though you've done a great job of raising this little guy, so I hope he is soon doing much better.

Best of luck with him.

Treating Mastistis in Dachshund Moms

by Pierre de Witt
(Pretoria, South Africa)

Greetings. My Dachshund had puppies four weeks ago and now she is not letting them drink. I think their small teeth are hurting her and she feels it is time to wean them.

She is however suffering from Mastitis. They are very swollen and sore. Is there any remedy for that?





Hi Pierre
Weaning can be a bit tricky for the momma, especially if she has to suddenly stop the pups from nursing.

It's not terribly unusual for the dogs teats to become swollen and look uncomfortable. Allowing the pups to drink some, and weaning them slowly helps with this. However, it's really up to the individual dog as to whether or not she'll allow this.

Mastitis in an infection, and it can develop during weaning, or from a scratch or bite from a pups teeth. Usually if mastitis is present you will notice that the teat is hot, red, swollen and painful to the touch. This needs veterinary attention as antibiotics are usually needed to treat the infection.

I would suggest having your vet take a look at your dog if you think mastitis is present as it doesn't get better without the right treatment.

Best of luck with your dog and pups.

Rabis shot reaction in puppy

by elyse
(canada)

My puppy had her rabies vaccine about a week ago now, and she's suddenly developed a bump on her hip where i believe the shot was given.

Could a reaction happen like this a week later or would it be a cyst?? If so is that a big deal or a common thing?



Hi Elyse
It's certainly possible that this lump is related to the vaccination. Lumps or swelling at the site of the injection are the most common type of reaction to .

As long as she seems happy and healthy otherwise, and the lump isn't hot, red or oozing pus then I don't think you need to worry too much. If it doesn't get better within a couple of weeks, starts to cause pain or look infected, or your pup acts as though she is not feeling well, take her to your vet for an examination. Better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck.

help me please

My puppy is 5 weeks old. She was very active until today she just isn't being herself, when she walks she has her tail tucked and shes really shaky. she doesn't want to do anything not even eat from her mom. when i try to move her she cries!

what could be wrong with her. the other puppies are fine and running around. I just don't know what it is!




Hi
I really wish that I could help you more, but it's impossible for me to tell what is wrong with your puppy. But, from the behavior you describe I would definitely say that she's feeling ill, and is probably in pain.

She's very young, and she could have picked up one of the common, contagious dog illnesses that puppies are susceptible to. Or she could have developed an infection, or hurt herself/eaten something she shouldn't..... there are lots of possibilities. Some more serious than others.

I strongly suggest that you take this little girl to a veterinarian just as soon as you can. She needs to be examined, so that you can find out what is wrong. Then if she needs treatment she can get it promptly. She's very young, and could get sick quite quickly so please get her help.

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

can pitbulls eat deli ham

My 5 month and 2 month old pits both devour a deli ham, is that good for them??


Hi
Ham isn't bad for them, in moderation, and as long as it's part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, too much of anything isn't good, and the salt/fat content of ham isn't desirable in large quantities.

Also, this sort of dietary 'addition' can cause upset tummies and diarrhea. I'd suggest only adding a little ham to the occasional meal or using it as a training treat.

Best of luck with your dogs.

Bathing my cockerspaniel

by Marcus
(Palmdale)

I have a nine week old cockerspaniel and he really smells. My uncle said I should not give him a bath yet.

So I was wondering is there a certain age where they can take baths or is it take baths when needed.



Hi Marcus
It's best not to bathe a puppy before he's 8 weeks old, and even then, keep baths to a minimum.

Puppies shouldn't get too dirty or smelly unless they've been rolling in the dirt, or their momma didn't keep them clean. Giving a pup a bath too often can cause skin irritation, and as they don't regulate their temperature very well when young they can get cold easily.

Giving your pup a bath now shouldn't be a problem though. Check out my Bathing A Puppy page for all the tips and advice you'll need.

Best of luck.

removing dog urine smell in dog crate

by Lisa
(cincinnati)

My puppy is 12 wks. He urinates in his cage CONSTANTLY. Even if we're only gone for 30 minutes, and he was taken outside before we left. My question is, is there a home remedy I can use to clean out his cage? I have arm and hammer deodorizing powder?



Hi Lisa
Although the very best way to remove all traces of urine odor is to use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle (see my Dog Urine Cleaning Products page for the products I can personally recommend), there is a home-made dog urine cleaning option that is worth a try....

First of all mix a 3:1 solution of warm water and WHITE vinegar and thoroughly wash the crate (or floor etc.) with this. Allow it to dry, or if you're using this to clean a carpet blot it with white paper towels. Sprinkle area with baking soda, then mix up a solution of 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid. Pour slowly over baking soda and then use a brush to thoroughly scrub the soiled area. Let this dry and then vacuum up.

NOTE: If you want to use this on your carpet, test a small inconspicuous area first as the hydrogen peroxide may discolor some carpets.

This often works pretty well, but if the area has been repeatedly soiled, a commercial product will be more effective.

On another note, if your pup is constantly urinating in his crate I would think there is a problem somewhere. Make sure the crate isn't too big and that he is getting enough potty breaks (see my Crate Training A Puppy page for more information).

I'd also recommend having your vet check him to make sure there's no urinary tract infection or underlying health issue. Puppies generally don't soil their crates unless they have to.

Hope this helps anyway, best of luck with your pup.

8 week old pit bull pup

my dog won't drink any water..........


Hi
If your puppy won't/can't drink water he is at serious risk of dehydration. This can cause serious health problems quite quickly.

If he has any other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy he be suffering from any number of dog illnesses including Parvo

If he seems happy and healthy and is eating and acting normally, it could just be due to the stress of moving to a new home etc. You can learn more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page. But if he won't drink anything at all for more than a few hours (10 - 12 at most) he needs a vet right away.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your puppy.

boxer pup not eating

We got our 8wk old boxer puppy three days ago the first day she ate, drank a little and was VERY playful, yesterday she ate a litte slower and vomited after 2 feedings and seems to have diarrhea, she also wasn't playful and wanted to sleep. now this morning she again wants no water and now won't eat either.

I got a can of pedigree puppy that I was mixing with puppy chow dry food because the lady I got her from was feeding her can food (after I asked what food she was using and she told me purina puppy chow, a week ago) Any help??




Hi
Puppies can go through an adjustment period for a few days after coming to their new home. They may lose their appetite a little, seem a bit 'lazy' and look sad or depressed. You can read more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

However, it sounds to me as though your puppy is showing more extreme signs that I would expect, and it could be that she is sick. The stress of moving to a new home can depress a puppys immune system and leave them vulnerable to parasitic infection or one of the many contagious dog illnesses.

Puppies can get dehydrated very quickly if they won't/can't drink and this is an emergency situation. If your pup isn't eating or drinking, is still having diarrhea and/or vomiting, and seems lethargic, I would strongly recommend seeking veterinary help right away. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Please also read my page on Canine Parvovirus and if you are at all concerned that this may be what your pup is experiencing, get her to an emergency veterinarian immediately.

I hope this isn't serious, and that your pup is doing much better soon. Good luck.

puppy night sleep

by barbara
(paris)

I have a new puppy 8 weeks old and would like to ask a question about his night sleep.Is it OK to leave him all night along? How about his whining? Shall we leave him along?
Also I would like to know about his feeding regime. How many times per day should we feed him and if we should give the food right before going to walk him? At what time should be given the last feeding before night?

Thank you ,
Barbara





Hi Barbara
Most 8 week old puppies need a potty break at least once during the night, sometimes twice.

If he's been asleep for a few hours and wakes up whining and crying, it's best to give him the benefit of the doubt and take him outside. Once he's eliminated, take him back inside, put him back to bed and ignore his complaints. He should eventually settle back to sleep.

For medium to large size dog breeds, generally an 8 week old puppy should be fed three times a day, until he's around 14 weeks old. Then he can be fed twice a day until he's mature, at which point one feeding a day is usually enough.

If a puppy is a tiny or toy breed he will need to be fed more often, such as four times a day at 8 weeks, 3 times a day at 4 months and twice a day when mature.

Crate training is the easiest way to housebreak your puppy, and to contain him when you're out or at night. I think you'll find my Crate Training A Puppy page interesting and helpful in terms of setting up a routine.

I'd recommend feeding your puppy his last meal around 6pm, and no water after 8pm. This will help him to empty his bladder and bowels before bedtime.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your pup.

Popping all the time inside and outside

by Brooke
(oak harbor WA)

My 13 week old Golden Retriever puppy is having a very hard time with not pooping in the house. She only does it when we are gone or if I cannot hear her at night.

We went on vacation shortly after we got her and she became really sick while we were gone with diarrhea. She saw the vet and they said there was nothing in her stool. They gave her medication for flu like symptoms which was almost 3 weeks ago. She is having solid and some softer stools but no more diarrhea. We dewormed her and switched her food to VF.

She is still waking me up almost every hour and half during the night to go outside but tonight she went in her crate. I have had several dogs and know what needs to be done but an clueless about what to do in this situation etc. This only happens at night. Please help I just don't know what to do.





Hi Brooke
I'm sorry to hear that you and your pup are having so much difficulty, it certainly must be very challenging for you both.

It's not normal for a pup to need to eliminate as often as your little girl seems to be doing, but she has had several changes and different things to deal with in her short life, and this problem may just be a culmination of all of that.

She's moved to a new home, been separated from you, been sick, been treated with several medications, been dewormed, and had a change in diet etc. etc. These things obviously couldn't be avoided and certainly aren't anyone's fault, but they seem to have caused her digestive distress.

Also, although the vet didn't find anything in her stool sample, it is possible that she was suffering from Giardia or Coccidiosis, both intestinal parasitic conditions that are sometimes difficult to diagnose and may need more than one round of treatment to be eliminated. I would suggest that you have her vet check her stools again, and discuss with him the continuing diarrhea.

It's also possible that she is sensitive to the ingredient/s in her food, or even suffering from dog food allergies. I wouldn't recommend it as the first course of action, but if you can't find any other problems and this doesn't settle down soon, you may want to try another food that is specifically designed for dogs with sensitivities or allergies.

Her digestive system may be out of balance due to all that she's been through, and there are some excellent natural supplements and remedies that can help redress that balance. You can find out more about these on my Natural Remedies For Dogs page. They are totally safe and can be used in conjunction with mainstream medications and treatments, but I'd recommend letting your vet know what you are giving her, so that he is aware of it. Even adding a tablespoon of probiotic yogurt to her food once a day may help.

I'm afraid there really isn't very much more that I can think of that would help, and if none of the above methods improve things I think your vet is the only person who can give other recommendations.

I wish you the very best of luck and really hope that she is doing better soon.

My puppy throws up water and often gags

by Melissa
(Canada)

I have a 7 month old miniature American eskimo pup, over the last couple of months he has been throwing up small portions of water, and gagging and burping after he eats.

I have taken him to the vet numerous times they ran blood work twice, did 2 sets of x rays one with barium; all the tests come back normal. He is on hypo allergenic food and bottled water given in small controlled amounts. He does not wolf his food down, he eats one piece at a time. Some days he throws up straight bile, some days he is fine (he has only brought up food once). Usually he brings up the water 10 to 15 minutes after drinking, sometimes he just stops and gags. We have also tried medication for acid reflux, nothing is helping him. I do not know what to do, or even if this is a problem that needs to be worried about. He is also a very nervous dog and extremely energetic.

My vet has even spoken to an internal specialist, and they cannot give me an answer either. Any suggestions?? My vet bill is getting bigger and bigger!




Hi Melissa
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian and it sounds as though you've had all the appropriate testing and investigations done, so I don't think I can add much I'm afraid.

My first guess would have been some sort of esophageal problem, but it seems that the tests your vet has already run would have picked that up. Same for any physical 'deformities' in his digestive system. The bloodwork would probably rule out enzyme deficiencies and any other related problems. So, I really can't imagine what is left.

If your little guy is eating and drinking in normal amounts, is gaining weight normally, and is healthy and active (which it sounds as though he is), then unless this is causing him a lot of distress I would personally think that you've done everything necessary at this point.

It could be that this will settle down of it's own accord as the grows and matures. He will also likely become less 'hyper' and excitable as he gets older, and this may help. The only other little suggestion that I can think of is to elevate his feeding/water bowls (if you haven't already done that). Elevated bowls make it easier for the water to go straight down into his tummy, and may help, but it's probably a long-shot as no esophageal problems have shown up.

I'm sorry I can't help more. Hopefully this will resolve itself, or be resolved for you, in time. Best of luck.

Please help

by Amy
(Australia)

Hi There,
Me and my partner bought a new puppy yesterday. He is seven weeks old Bull Mastiff cross Johnson Bulldog.

Ever since we brought him home he has not stopped crying. Even when playing and wagging his tail.

Why is he doing this?

Very confused puppy owner




Hi Amy
It sounds as though your little guy is very anxious and probably feeling scared, lonely and confused. He's just a baby, and is missing his momma and brothers and sisters.

This isn't terribly unusual, although it's generally not a 24/7 thing, more intermittent. Many puppies go through an adjustment period during the first week or so in their new home. They may lose their appetite, sleep more than usual, cry/whine, or seem depressed/sad. You can find out more about this on my Bringing Home A New Puppy page.

However, I would also suggest that you have your pup examined by your veterinarian just to make sure that there is no underlying health issues that could be causing him pain or distress. I think if he's eating, drinking and playing normally then this is unlikely, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

As new puppy owners, you may also find my New Puppy Care page helfpul.

Best of luck with your new puppy.

Worm Treatment for a Puppy approx 7 weeks old

Hello.

My husband and I brought home a puppy that was dropped off in our friend's yard. She was very playful for the first two days, and then she began to act very tired and wouldn't eat very much until she wouldn't eat at all. After a day and a half of not being able to keep food down, and having some upset stomach, my husband took her to the vet. We're estimating her to be approx 7-8 weeks old, she's had her first shots and a worm treatment(that my friend gave her).

However, the vet found worms and gave her a shot for nausea and a de-wormer shot. I'm just curious as to how long should it take for her to regain her appetite and feel better? I'm just concerned because she's not eating and doesn't want to even get up. I've been having to take her to her water bowl every couple of hours, and she hasn't had a bowel movement since Sunday.





Hi
It sounds as though your puppy has been through a lot in her short life, poor little girl!

Deworming medications and puppy shots can have side effects, and make a puppy feel a bit 'sorry for itself' for a day or two. The stress of changing circumstances, such as going to a new home, can also have a similar effect (see my Bringing Home A New Puppy page for more on this).

However, what you're describing seems more extreme than I would normally expect. Even though she's had her first vaccinations, it's possible that your pup picked up one of the common, contagious dog illnesses that puppies are prone to PRIOR to being vaccinated. Parvo is a big risk.

As long as she's drinking (and keeping down) water and isn't suffering from diarrhea or vomiting she is probably not in urgent trouble, but she definitely needs to be seen by a veterinarian. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Best of luck, I hope your little girl is doing much better soon.

New puppy has developed a large Lump on her belly

by Margaret
(North Apollo PA)

My new baby Bella,whom i bought recently, and is a pom puppy, has developed a soft lump on her belly about the size of a quarter and it sticks out a good bit (possibly the size of a big blister) . It doesn't seem to cause any pain and she acts as if she doesn't even notice it at all ...

i maybe shouldn't have touched it but i been worried sick so i did and realized if i gently push on it there is nothing inside the lump because it retracts back into her stomach to where it isn't noticeable and then when she moves, even the slightest it comes back out..i did call a vet and do have an appointment next Tuesday but i wanted to try to get some kind of idea what this may be.

It isn't discolored either , just the same color as her skin. well thank you for any advice about what this may be and best wishes .. Margaret





Hi Margaret
I think I can put your mind at rest here, as I'm almost certain that what you're describing is a minor hernia... more correctly called an 'incomplete closure' as opposed to a true hernia.

It's a small weakness or 'gap' in the muscle wall of the abdomen, and that lump that you notice is most likely a little bit of fat that is slipping through this gap. As long as the lump is soft, and you can push it back (exactly what you describe doing), it's not a problem.

I'd definitely recommend keeping your veterinary appointment, as your vet may advise having this opening repaired surgically. It's a very minor procedure, and isn't always necessary, depending on the size of the opening, and the individual pup itself. Many vets have different opinions about repairing these versus leaving them alone.

If the problem is there from birth, it may correct itself as the pup grows, when it develops later on this is less likely, but still possible. The main risk is that the little loop of fat, or occasionally intestine, that pokes through the opening will get caught between the muscle walls. If this happens it can cause problems, especially dangerous if it's the intestines as it cuts off the blood supply and requires urgent surgery.

If this were to happen, the lump would feel hard and you wouldn't be able to push it back. Your pup would be distressed and in pain, and you would notice this. In that case, an emergency vet trip would be necessary.

However, the majority of the time these little hernias don't cause any serious problems, and are actually quite common, so I wouldn't panic about this.

Have your pup seen by your vet and take his/her advice. I'm sure all will be well. Best of luck with your little girl.

I believe something may be wrong with my dog, but I am unsure about how serious it is.

So, about a month ago my year old Chihuahua stopped eating and drinking and stopped playing as well. He was vomiting and had diarrhea. We took him to the vet and he got well again.

Yesterday afternoon he started acting similar to the way he was when he was last sick. However, along with not being happy and go-lucky he licks his butt all the time. Sometimes he even yelps if I try to see if he has something going on in that area. He hasn't eaten or drank anything today, that I know of. So I am afraid we are back to where we were a month before. However, he doesn't have diarrhea.

I don't think he has even pooped today. All I've seen him to was pee. He hasn't gotten ahold of anything unhealthy that I can see. I don't know if I am being paranoid or not, but I would like to know what you think. Even if the butt licking has nothing to do with anything, I am positive that my baby isn't feeling so well.



Hi
In this sort of situation it's best to seek veterinary help. You need a professional to take a look at your pup and make a diagnosis.

Chihuahuas are tiny dogs, and not eating or drinking can cause them problems very quickly. Dehydration and hypoglycemia are just two of them, you can find out more about these on my Chihuahua Puppy Care page.

However, there seems to be an underlying problem with your pup, and I'm not sure what your vet diagnosed the first time. It could be that he's constipated (this is also common in small breeds), or he could have an obstruction of some kind, an infection and so on. Only your vet can make a diagnosis I'm afraid, so I'd strongly recommend getting him seen asap.

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

7 month old beagle chews up everything!

My seven month old beagle quickly learned that her kennel is her home which led to no early accidents in the kennel. She learned to sit at the door when she needed to go potty as well as tricks. However, I made the move from college back to home and will soon start a job.

These past few weeks she has been staying outside during the day. Although, everytime I walk outside she has something chewed up....paint brushes, gardening tools, backdoor mat, seat cushions, and today she chewed the insulation around the AC unit wires.

I know beagles want to be close to their owners but that cannot happen when I am working all day.

What do you suggest I do for her during the day? Kennel? Close off an area outside for her? How do I quit the chewing? She has toys but ignores them when I am not outside with her.

Rachel




Hi Rachel
Chewing is a normal canine behavior, and once past the puppy-chewing stage, it's often also seen as a result of boredom or a way to relieve stress.

It sounds as though your move has been quite stressful for your pup as everything that was familiar is now gone (including your company for long stretches). She is trying to work off that stress and nervous energy by chewing on things.

As she is pretty well crate-trained and 7 months old, she should be perfectly okay crated during your working hours as long as she gets plenty of attention and exercise once you're home. You could also invest in an outdoor exercise pen or fence off a part of your back yard for her to spend time in as long as the weather is suitable.

It's unrealistic to expect a dog of this age NOT to chew or destroy things when left alone I'm afraid. The only way to protect your possessions and property in that sort of situation is to prevent the pup from having access to them. Once she's a bit older and has become used to her new surroundings, routine and situation, she will be less likely to chew on stuff and will probably be alright left outside without being fenced in. Of course, being outside all the time without companionship and interaction with her 'humans' is not recommended!

Get her a couple of really tough, interesting chew toys (see my Indestructible Dog Toys page and also my Toys and Tools for Managing Dog Separation Anxiety pages for suitable toys. Leave these in her crate or pen when you go to work, but don't let her play with them at other times. This way she won't get bored with them so quickly.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup and your new job.

Ohhh!!!! Junior

by Terri
(Hillmond, SK. CN)

Well, it's been a while since I've felt it necessary to ask for your advice. All you did for us in the earlier days of getting our pup helped us out greatly. As it turns out we have an almost perfect pet. So, thank you for your previous advice.

Today I wanted to ask you what to do with him running up and barking at people, I don't believe that he would ever hurt anyone but it scares the living @#%&* out of people old and young alike.

I just don't know what to do cause he doesn't seem to get it when I tell him NO over and over again. It seems as though he knows it's not right but he still does it.

And he is a small dog, schnoodle. 10 months old.

Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again Terri



Hi Terri
I'm glad to hear that I was able to help you out earlier and that everything has been going smoothly with your pup. Well done.

As for this barking, some dogs are more likely to behave this way than others, and small breeds and terriers are 'barkers'. I think sometimes they're compensating for their size!

You're probably right in a way, your little guy knows that you're saying "NO" but he feels it's necessary and can't seem to help himself. If you don't already have a choke chain collar for him I would suggest getting one and using it if he does this when you're out.

Choke chains have a bad reputation, but if they're used properly they are very effective and won't harm him. It's using them improperly that is the problem. The trick with a choke chain collar is to correct using a quick, snappy 'tug', not to pull or drag on the pups neck. And obviously to use only enough force for it to be felt by the pup, the aim is not to hurt him but to get his attention.

Whenever he lunges or runs at someone, give the leash a sharp tug and it will give him a 'pop' with the collar. At the same time tell him "NO" very firmly. As soon as you have his attention, distract him from barking and running or lunging with a toy or something else. You want him to 'forget' about the person he's got his eye on!

If he's not already enrolled in a dog obedience school I would recommend getting him in a class soon. This will help him get used to interacting correctly with other dogs and people. Making sure he gets plenty of socialization will also help as it should de-sensitize him to some degree.

Just one other thing that may help is to pay attention to your own emotions and body language when you and he are around other people. If you are tense or anxious, worried that he is going to react by lunging and barking, your pup will sense your emotions. BUT, he won't be able to interpret them correctly and will most likely assume that you are afraid or anxious about the person/s you are approaching or passing. He will then feel it necessary to 'protect' you by barking at them - it's a vicious circle!

Try to relax when you are out with him, and whenever there are people around or someone is approaching, talk to your little guy in a happy confident voice and don't expect trouble. Getting strangers and people you meet to give him a treat (after asking him to sit nicely for it) will help him learn to associate people with good things.

I hope this helps. Best of luck, keep up the good work :o)

New puppy ; too young

by Kayla
(fort myers fl)

I just got my first puppy off a guy i don't know.
He told me the puppy was the right age to leave the mother. I brought it home to find out he is about 1 week to young. He won't eat crunchy food and won't eat it when I make it soggy. What do I do?

I don't know where to find this man and I don't want my puppy to get sick or something. Can you help me? Also he lost a ear when he was first born. Will this affect his health in any way?




Hi Kayla
First of all I'd recommend taking your puppy to the vet so that you can find out for sure how old he is, and make sure that he's in overall good health. He will probably need some puppy shots and dewormed right away. Otherwise he is at risk of getting sick very easily.

As for the food, if he's never been given proper food before he will be a bit wary of it, but he should soon adjust. As long as he has his teeth he is old enough to begin eating it. I'd recommend soaking it for about 10 mins or so in warm water (or puppy milk replacer) before you give it to him. This will make it easier. If he refuses to touch it, try putting some on your finger and letting him lick it off, or rub it around his mouth a little. Most puppies figure it out pretty quickly once they get a taste! He should also be able to lap water okay once he's given it a try.

Right now, he's a tiny baby and probably very scared and lonely. Many puppies go through an adjustment period at first where they seem to 'withdraw' a bit. Maybe not eating, or sleeping a lot and so on. This is pretty normal and only lasts a few days. It's just a reaction to the stress they're experiencing. However this does have the effect of lowering their immune function, and makes them more vulnerable to illness and disease, so make sure that you get his vaccinations done and keep him away from unvaccinated dogs and the areas where they may have been.

If you're patient, gentle and loving with this little guy he will come around pretty soon. Best of luck with him.

Puppy is trained down stairs and uses puppy pads or goes out on balcony but has probs when upstairs?

by lucy
(bristol)

i have a 11 week old puppy, who we have potty trained, she has no accidents down stairs and always uses her puppy pads or will go onto the balcony to wee/poo.

But when we are a bed (she sleeps with us) we always wake to find accidents, she doesn't seem to use the training and use the pads when upstairs instead uses the carpet.

Why is this?




Hi Lucy
Dogs have a strong urge not to eliminate in their 'den'. In the wild this would be a small area, but when they live with people their 'den' is much, much larger.

It's a gradual process to teach a pup where is okay for peeing/pooping and where is not. Puppies are also creatures of habit and learn through association. That's why crate training works so well. A puppy will try very hard not to mess in his 'den' (in this instance his crate) and if you train him properly he will get into the habit of eliminating in the spot you've chosen. Once that happens you're well on the road to success.

For 11 weeks old, your puppy is doing amazingly well. She must be a smart little girl, and you must have done a good job of showing her what you want her to do. However, she doesn't recognize the upstairs area as her 'den', that's why she feels it's okay to pee/poop freely when she's there.

I'd recommend using a crate for her to sleep in for now. Make sure to take her straight from her crate to her potty pads or balcony downstairs when you get her up. That way she'll learn that she needs to go downstairs to the right spot before she can 'go'. Use this routine for several weeks until you're sure she's 'got it'.

Best of luck.

My 10 day old puppies are nursing on each other and have a crusty rash happening

by Lacey
(Lake City FL)

They are 10 days old today. They were taken from the bitch when she tried to start eating them. She had 13 puppies so we knew it was just too many for her to handle. They were taken at 3-4 days old so I know they got the colostrum they needed.

But now they are suckling on each other and one of them has gotten little scabs that are the color of their poop. Almost looking like the poop got on and dried. But I feed them and clean them constantly to make sure they feel as if they are still with the bitch and to keep them clean. I have tried to separate them but they are crying constantly when I do.

They are being fed enough and pottying like they should. But I feel as maybe I am not doing enough. I just want to know if I can do something to stop the suckling or help his little sore he has.



Hi Lacey
You're doing a great job with these puppies, it can be difficult to hand-raise a litter, especially a large one, and it sounds as though these little guys are thriving.

This suckling on each other is very common in orphan pups. They have a strong desire to suck and without their momma to nurse them, they turn to each other. It can cause soreness, rashes and so on, and you may need to have a vet take a look at the little guy with the sore. You may need antibiotics for him.

There really isn't anything that you can do about this as separating them is going to cause them distress (as adequately indicated by all that crying!). Just keep an eye on them to make sure that no-one else gets an infection or sores, if they do, have the vet check them out. Within the next couple of weeks this behavior should naturally come to an end as the pups develop and begin to move around and interact in other ways. My New Born Puppies and Puppy Development pages may be interesting/helpful to you.

Congratulations on a job well done so far. Best of luck with your pups.

Yorkie Poo sudden change in her personality and energy levels?

Hi,
I have a 13 week old puppy, I have had her for 5 weeks. In all this time, up until a week ago, she was full of life, playful and very energetic.

Recently I started taking her on 3 walks a day for 20 mins, and starting to train her not to bite (telling her no when she does). This past week, her energy levels have gone down, and she no longer seems too happy to see me, not much wagging her tail for me, but she does follow me around still :)

I play with her, I love her dearly and she is well looked after. I was hoping someone could enlighten me of the change in her?
Please. Many thanks



Hi
Puppies are just like babies, they thrive on routine and are very sensitive to changes - on both a physical and emotional level.

The drop in energy level is probably directly related to the amount of exercise that she is now getting. I don't own tiny dogs, but I would think that 3 20 minute walks is probably a little too much for such a small, young pup. I would cut that back to 2 15 minute walks for a while.

Her lower level of 'happiness' could be due partly to her being tired, and partly to the training she's receiving. Learning new things is emotionally tiring for pups and often a training session has the same effect as an exercise session. Of course she definitely needs to learn not to bite, puppy biting is very common, but it needs to be discouraged early on.

You need to continue with this, and help her learn other basic commands. But always make the training sessions fun and give her lots of praise and rewards when she does well, ending on a positive note when she's been successful. Some dogs are more sensitive to being disciplined than others and need a 'lighter touch', your little girl may be one of them.

As long as your discipline is calm, firm and loving and she gets lots of playtime and attention and love she will be just fine. She's adorable and looks as though she's very well taken care of and loved. I'm sure she'll grow up happy and healthy. Best of luck.

Chewing and Vicious Behaviour

by Heather
(UK)

We have a 10 week old Beagle puppy who is starting to become a bit of a handful!

Ever since we brought him home a week ago he has had a thing about chewing wires! We have moved as many wires as we can but the television and stereo cannot be moved and no matter how many times we move the units he still manages to get behind them and to the wires. We move him away and say no to him and he eventually stops after about 30 attempts but less than 15 minutes later he is trying again!

Also, our puppy gets tired at around midnight which is perfect as that is what time we go to bed. As he is getting sleepy we take him up to our room and put him on his bed but he doesn't stay. He starts getting playful and running backwards and forwards in the room, trying to get under the bed which is quite low and he is always banging his head on it, and then he cries at the door like he does when he needs to go for a wee.
We take him downstairs and out into the garden where he does his business and gets praised.

But then he gets quite nasty and vicious! He won't stop biting and its not playful biting!
He chases my partner's feet and really pounces on them and bites viciously! We have tried the "ouch" technique and walking away but he just chases our feet and wont stop! Then he has a mad half an hour to an hour of running around biting everything and everyone in sight and again trying over and over again to get to the wires behind the tv!

We eventually get him back up the stairs but its usually another hour of mad behaviour! We have tried giving him a kong toy in his bed to try and tire him out just that little bit more but he sits and barks at it which is not good in the early hours of the morning!
Its usually around 1:30-2 am before he finally decides to give up and go to sleep!

We are starting to lose patience and a week of having hardly any sleep at all is starting to take its toll on both of us! Especially my partner who starts work at 6 am!

Please could you tell us if there is anything else we can try?!?

Thanks




Hi HeatherI'm sorry you're having such difficulties, you must be exhausted and pretty frustrated.

The problem is that you're letting your little guy 'set the rules' about bedtime and he's only a baby so he just keeps going (sort of like the Energizer Bunny :o) until he's totally over-tired. That's when he starts to get out of control.

You've already lost a lot of sleep, but if you want to get a handle on this I'm afraid you're going to need to 'steel yourselves' for a few more nights. This is what I suggest...


Buy a crate and start using it for naps or 'quiet time' (your pup won't be quiet at first but he will learn!) during the day and at bedtime. You can put the crate in your room at night if you want to, or leave it downstairs in the kitchen/living room or wherever you have it during the day.

Crates are wonderful for housebreaking, but they're also very useful for setting a routine and controlling a pups behavior. Your pup is like a human baby, and he needs to learn that what you say goes. I'd recommend setting up a sort of ritual for bedtime. When you're ready to go upstairs, take him outside for a last pee/poop, give him a few minutes to sniff around etc. but no games, or excitement. Then bring him inside, tell him "night-night it's bedtime" or something similar and put him into his crate with a couple of his favorite toys. Then leave him there and go to bed.

Now, he's not going to take this lying down and will probably make a horrible fuss for the first few nights, this is where you'll lose your sleep. But it's very important that you ignore his complaints. It's a battle of wills, and you MUST win it, or he will be calling the shots and disrupting bedtime for a long time to come!

Don't go to him, talk to him or try to reason/comfort whatever, just ignore him. If you're consistent and follow the same routine every night, he will soon get the picture. Believe it or not he will be happier too eventually. He gets so riled up right now because he's overtired and overstimulated and can't help himself.

I'd recommend introducing the crate to him during the day for the first time and let him see it and sniff it and spend 10 mins or so in it at a time before bedtime. My Crate Training A Puppy page has lots of advice and tips on this method. It's not cruel or anything like that, it's in everyones' best interests for him to learn this now.

As for the wire-chewing, that's pretty common. You can try rubbing the wires with hot sauce, or the Bitter Apple spray you can buy in Petstores. If that doesn't work, try buying some PVC piping (the kind you use for small plumbing jobs) and run the wires through that. He may still need to be discouraged from chewing on the pipes but at least he won't electrocute himself or destroy your electronics!

I'd recommend that you check out my Puppy Chewing and Puppy Biting pages for lots more tips and advice on dealing with these very common, but annoying, puppy habits.

Best of luck with your little guy. He will settle down given time, don't despair :o)