We just got a 4 month old shih-poo female and have some questions...

by Amber A.
(Gering, NE U.S.A.)

Hi, We just got a 4 month old female shih-poo a few days ago. She tends to sleep a lot, and only wants to play for a little bit. I know she probably just needs time to get used to us and our schedule - we are gone all day at work and so we are hoping that she will be more playful at night when we get home - do you think so?

She also hates her kennel and tries to get out of it all the time - is this normal also? We just keep her in a laundry room area during the day when we are gone with her toys and an open kennel - she is sad when we leave but hopefully is okay soon after. Do you have any advice on getting her used to us and becoming more playful with my young boys? I know it has only been a few days - do you think it will get better with time?

Thanks for all your help and listening,

Amber Andrews




Hi Amber
Yes, this will get better fairly quickly. Your puppy is showing the classic behavior of a pup who has just left her momma and littermates and found herself in a new, and strange (to her!) home.

Most puppies show some signs of stress at this time, and these can include sleeping more than usual, loss of appetite, seeming to be 'sad or depressed' and so on. Generally this only lasts for a few days to a week or so.

Just give your new puppy lots of love and attention, but don't try to 'force' her to play or interact. This can over-stimulate her and just make her miserable. You'll find that within a fairly short time she will start to feel more at home, and as she adjusts you'll start to see her real personality shine through.

She has probably never been in a crate before, and it's perfectly normal for her to dislike it, or complain bitterly about it. This also gets better over time if you're consistent about her training. For now, what you are doing for her when you are gone is fine, once her bowel/bladder control improves, you will want to leave her in her crate so as to not compromise her housebreaking.

As you're new to puppy parenting, I think you may find my New Puppy Care and Puppy Development pages interesting. My Crate Training page can help make the crate training run smoothly too.

Best of luck with your pup. Enjoy her!