advice for a new puppy owner!

[lukeylou]

Finally i have a reason to post in this part of the forum!

Brought home my Poodle x Italian Greyhound (strange i know!) on Friday!
He seems a very happy chappy at the moment!

His first night was very trying; he howled until 4am then slept through to 7.30. Last night he cried for about 5 mins then settled quickly so thats a miracle in itself! He is sleeping in a crate by my bed for the first week and then we plan to move him downstairs after he is fully settled.

Here's the problem, we have a playpen for him in the kitchen where everyone is, so he can go in there when we're cooking, cleaning etc so we know where he is and he isn't under our feet. HE HATES IT! He really hates it, the moment we close the gate he goes mad! whining, howling, jumping up and biting the bars.

I know we're supposed to ignore this behaviour and let him settle, but he doesnt and it's difficult because we don't want to let him out whilst he's still at it, but he doesn't quiet down at all! The worst thing is, Mum goes back to work on Tuesday, and he'll be on his own for 3 hours! How will he cope!? Also if we put water in there he soaks everything!
Should we just leave him to it for however long it takes? Or will mum have to call in sick =P?!

The other problem we have, which we know is common, is that he isn't eating. He'll nibble a bit and then walk off. He was fed raw chicken with the bones, natures diet type thing and applawse biscuits. The breeder said the litter were very fussy!
We're tried weetabix and scrambled egg to know success, all he'll eat is cooked chicken which i know is not a good idea! He isn't eating any treats or chews either!
Is there anything else (however weird!) which we can tempt him with?

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[Jess Hoss]

"Puppy food" is specially formulated to ensure that young dogs get all the nutrients they need for proper growth. I would not give a dog raw chicken, & certainly not with the bones in ! They may turn their nose up at it at first, but they will become hungry enough to eat it ! ! !If in any doubt, please seek advice from your vet. Remember that this wee soul has been used to snuggling up with his/her brothers & sisters & now finds him/herself "alone". It's a lot for a baby to cope with. It's a good idea segregating in the kitchen as you mentioned you have done - your puppy is just having a hard time coping with not being allowed near the pack. It'll take a week or 2. Thing's'll settle down. Put yourself in the dog's place & give a bit of empathy. Be patient & understanding. Do not lose the rag with your mutt. Make sure you get all the vaccinations done before you go out for walks & follow veterinary advice. I have a rescued greyhound & she was a nightmare when I got her, but with love, has turned into a really fab wee dog. You can get a plug in atomiser thingy that releases doggy scents that only dogs can smell that helps to calm them. That might be worth considering when the dog is left home alone. Also, I leave the radio on for my dog - it masks any noise outside which might upset her ! Good luck with your new best friend !

 

[CorvusCorax]

All good advice from Jess Hoss but there are plenty of people who feed their dogs raw meat and bones on here with no ill effect, it's cooked bones that do the worst damage. Although I would agree maybe chopping it up or leaving the bones while they are still very young.

As has been mentioned here before, a healthy pup won't starve itself, offer food then take it away again after a short period and re offer later. Also be sure not to over face the pup, they are built to eat little and often at this stage and don't pander to or stress over feeding quirks, dogs can feel pressure in different ways to us and it can give them an aversion to eating and drinking in the presence of humans.

Place the puppy in the pen at different times, not just at times when the pup is getting under your feet, so that it is identified as a fun place to be all the time, a 'den' and not a punishment or separation.

And also agree, it's early doors, think how long it can take human babies to get into a routine!

 

[Booboos]

Might be worth trying one of the DAP difusers or collars (check they are suitable for a puppy though first, I am not 100% sure!!), as he sounds like a bit of a stressy soul. Other than that, I think you are doing all the right things, try to stay calm and not re-inforce his stress, he will settle in time!

 

[CAYLA]

Great advice so far, if he is not fully vaxed try and tire him out if he/she is playful before putting him in the crate, to burn a little energy off, if he was on BARF and eating it well, I would speak to Katielou houston or KarynK on here and I would keep on with it, esp if it means you can leave him a raw bone to gnaw on in the pen if he shows little interest in anything else, and he needs a more balanced diet than chicken, have you tried to put chicken in a kong for him, generally when they are anxious at first they wont eat a great deal ut they do pick up once settled.
As suggested maybe worth trying the DAP diffuser, and persoanly I would be covering the crate upstairs with a blanket, and I would get a crate for down stairs and use a cover for that also so its less distinguishing than being in an open pen, make the crates more den like.
Def burn the energy off him with play, and indeed persivere, its very early days, he will not dehydrate in 3 hours if the water is not in, esp if he is not drinking it now as only tipping it over, or get a clip to attatch the bowls to the side of the crate and heighten it.

Even if not vaxed you need to get him out and about, keep him in yours arms and let him see the world (your garden is also low risk if there are no dogs either side of you, esp if you section off a toilet area) but if you have no dogs either side or direct contact from people sticking hands through it ideal to get him out and play and get some energy off him), jsut dont let him on the ground outside of the home and get him on car journeys (get a cat carrier) and get a routine for the car, as this is a common probelm for puppy owners when a car routine is not established, and I would advise contain him in the car and dont have him on knees
I have a puppy guide if you think it would help PM me your email.
But it is very early days.

 

[lizziebell]

Photos please I have just got to see what an Iggie crossed with a poodle looks like !!

What a character he is going to be !