Sad puppy, not eating

dublinjen

Hi guys,

I picked up the most gorgeous little spaniel pup lat last night - 8 weeks. He was running around and full of energy at the home.

Now since we got him home late last night he's been scared and sad (not unexpected - misses his family the poor mite!)

I'm just a little worried because he hasnt eaten / drank since then. The owner gave us the food that he's been on so it can't be a change in food...I'm probably being a total worry-wart because we've only had him about 12 hours, but from past experience it seems odd for a pup to not be eating /drinking. (He's going to the bathroom no problem) and has been wormed.

Note: I have him booked into the vet tomorrow, I'm just wondering if this is strange and I should bring him in today instead

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Are you giving him lots of attention?? Cuddles, a little teddy bear for him to snuggle into. Some people recommend wrapping a ticking clock up and popping it into his bed with him. You're his family now so just get to know each other

dublinjen

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Are you giving him lots of attention?? Cuddles, a little teddy bear for him to snuggle into. Some people recommend wrapping a ticking clock up and popping it into his bed with him. You're his family now so just get to know each other

So much love and attention, sat on my lap on the 2hr drive home last night and snuggled in. But he keeps hiding behind chairs and stuff when we let him run - I've had plenty of dogs so I know that's relatively normal for the first few days.

I like the clock idea though thanks a million

Knine

dublinjen wrote: »

So much love and attention, sat on my lap on the 2hr drive home last night and snuggled in. But he keeps hiding behind chairs and stuff when we let him run - I've had plenty of dogs so I know that's relatively normal for the first few days.

I like the clock idea though thanks a million

That is not normal to hide behind chairs etc. It often means they have not been socialised that well. All my puppies have recently gone to new homes & spent their first hours creating havoc rather then hiding. Where did you get him? Have you tried mixing something tempting in his food to get him to eat?

dublinjen

Knine wrote: »

That is not normal to hide behind chairs etc. It often means they have not been socialised that well. All my puppies have recently gone to new homes & spent their first hours creating havoc rather then hiding. Where did you get him? Have you tried mixing something tempting in his food to get him to eat?

Got him from a breeder - registered. He had been with the mammy so I assumed it was separation anxiety...any suggestions on things to mix in.

Decided to push the vets appointment forward to this evening anyway, rather be safe

Knine

dublinjen wrote: »

Got him from a breeder - registered. He had been with the mammy so I assumed it was separation anxiety...any suggestions on things to mix in.

Decided to push the vets appointment forward to this evening anyway, rather be safe

Try a bit of tinned meat or cooked chicken. If you are worried about him drinking enough - lift some of the skin on his neck & when you release it, it should spring back into place. If it does not he could be a little bit dehydrated & that might put him off eating.

ShaShaBear

dublinjen wrote: »

Got him from a breeder - registered.

Unfortunately this means squat these days. If he's afraid he's either not been socialised with people, or he was never kept in the house to begin with It'll probably take a bit of time and a lot of coaxing.

Adamocovic

Is it a cocker spaniel breed? Then can be timid at times.

We have a cocker spaniel and it was very quiet and shy to begin with. When it was a pup we brought it home and it wasn't eating or drink much at first and didn't like the fact it was alone. I know I would stay in the room and just let it get used to the surroundings rather than coming up to do it and throwing too much attention at it as it seemed to scare it a little when people were all around her.

After a little while she came out of her shell and became a bundle of energy. Loves attention and food (a little too much :P) now.

I wouldn't be worried, I know not all dogs are exactly the same but I'm sure he is fine

Also if it is a cocker (other owners have said the same about theirs) they are a friendly breed but can be startled easily and quite timid. So just incase you have any kids etc over try stop them from their initial reaction of running towards a cute dog and going crazy with it when they first see it. When it gets used to them it won't nearly be as shy but it is very commong for cocker spaniels to be shy.

dublinjen

Knine wrote: »

Try a bit of tinned meat or cooked chicken. If you are worried about him drinking enough - lift some of the skin on his neck & when you release it, it should spring back into place. If it does not he could be a little bit dehydrated & that might put him off eating.

Neck is rebounding grand, he's taken a tiny bit of water now. I hand reared my last dog, we owned his mammy and she died having them...Never remember a pup not eating except the runt who passes - probably where my anxiety is stemming from. Thanks for the advice, so appreciated!

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Unfortunately this means squat these days. If he's afraid he's either not been socialised with people, or he was never kept in the house to begin with It'll probably take a bit of time and a lot of coaxing.

I have a very nasty feeling you're right, going to keep him on my chest for a few hours and see if the warmth/body contact perks him up a little...big thank you to you too

Adamocovic

Just seeing all the posts about it not being usual for it to be shy, if it is a cocker spaniel (i'm just assuming) if you google them there will be a lot of results about how they are quite a shy and timid breed, of course they get out of it a bit with time and upbringing but they are quite known for being shy and timid.

dublinjen

Adamocovic wrote: »

Is it a cocker spaniel breed? Then can be timid at times.

We have a cocker spaniel and it was very quiet and shy to begin with. When it was a pup we brought it home and it wasn't eating or drink much at first and didn't like the fact it was alone. I know I would stay in the room and just let it get used to the surroundings rather than coming up to do it and throwing too much attention at it as it seemed to scare it a little when people were all around her.

After a little while she came out of her shell and became a bundle of energy. Loves attention and food (a little too much :P) now.

I wouldn't be worried, I know not all dogs are exactly the same but I'm sure he is fine

Also if it is a cocker (other owners have said the same about theirs) they are a friendly breed but can be startled easily and quite timid. So just incase you have any kids etc over try stop them from their initial reaction of running towards a cute dog and going crazy with it when they first see it. When it gets used to them it won't nearly be as shy but it is very commong for cocker spaniels to be shy.

It is a cocker yes! We've always had springers and decided to get something a little quieter now (am probably comparing the two too much!) theres no kids in my house, he's really for my mammy whos retired so I thought the quieter breed would be better.

Thanks youve reduced my fears for the time being until the vet visit this evening!!

ShaShaBear

dublinjen wrote: »

Neck is rebounding grand, he's taken a tiny bit of water now. I hand reared my last dog, we owned his mammy and she died having them...Never remember a pup not eating except the runt who passes - probably where my anxiety is stemming from. Thanks for the advice, so appreciated!



I have a very nasty feeling you're right, going to keep him on my chest for a few hours and see if the warmth/body contact perks him up a little...big thank you to you too

Lots of gentle interaction, slower movements and little treats of ham or chicken every time he approaches or shows signs of boisterous/confident behavior. Should help him learn that acting normally is rewarded. He'll get used to normal house activities eventually
I'm thinking crate training would be of use here!

MrWalsh

Keep him close, and talk to him gently the whole time, nice comforting tone, lots of good boy etc....

Smear something VERY tasty on your fingers and see if you can tempt him to lick your fingers. Something like a bit of wet puppy food, with gravy.

It does sound like he isnt used to being indoors or with people, poor little pet.

Knine

We have had Cockers & bred a litter of them & they were never shy. Quieter & less active then the Borders but our puppies certainly did not hide in their new homes. They were all very outgoing. Do you know if they were reared in the house? If they have never been inside that may be why he is hiding & not eating.

I reckon socialisation is the problem here. Good luck at the vets.

Adamocovic

dublinjen wrote: »

It is a cocker yes! We've always had springers and decided to get something a little quieter now (am probably comparing the two too much!) theres no kids in my house, he's really for my mammy whos retired so I thought the quieter breed would be better.

Thanks youve reduced my fears for the time being until the vet visit this evening!!

I think it will be fine once he becomes used to his surrounding. Agree you should take him for walks and socialise him but I wouldn't worry.

I see others sayin their cockers haven't been too shy but I know a quite a few people who when they first got their cocker pup (and seperated it from its family) it was quite shy to begin with.

Myself and my dad walked ours in a busy park to try socialise her more and two random cocker spaniel owners even came up to us to say how theirs we're very shy at the beginning.

Again all dogs can be different but I wouldn't be too nervous. Just make sure he is happy and settled and then start walking him and socialising him and it should be fine.

dublinjen

MrWalsh wrote: »

Keep him close, and talk to him gently the whole time, nice comforting tone, lots of good boy etc....

Smear something VERY tasty on your fingers and see if you can tempt him to lick your fingers. Something like a bit of wet puppy food, with gravy.

It does sound like he isnt used to being indoors or with people, poor little pet.

Well I just got a text saying "HE ATE AND DRANK" also that he seems to eat as if someones going to take away....I have a feeling he was probably bullied by the other pups/a little one - he was the last of the litter.


Thank you all so much - I will definitely be tryin all these things and I so appreciate the help!

borderlinemeath

Adamocovic wrote: »

I think it will be fine once he becomes used to his surrounding. Agree you should take him for walks and socialise him but I wouldn't worry.

I see others sayin their cockers haven't been too shy but I know a quite a few people who when they first got their cocker pup (and seperated it from its family) it was quite shy to begin with.

Myself and my dad walked ours in a busy park to try socialise her more and two random cocker spaniel owners even came up to us to say how theirs we're very shy at the beginning.

Again all dogs can be different but I wouldn't be too nervous. Just make sure he is happy and settled and then start walking him and socialising him and it should be fine.

All pups, from the tiniest chihuahuas to the biggest of hounds should be outgoing and happy to interact with humans and be completely confident in a home environment once they've been socialised properly. I've met plenty of outgoing and plenty of shy cockers so it's not breed specific. A lot of "breeders" will just let the bitch rear her litter in a shed or a pen, without a thought to socialisation with humans, household noises and the general everyday life that the dog is going to be living in. As the pup is only 8 weeks old and the last of the litter, it sounds as if some of it's littermates may have been rehomed too soon, so even valuable life lessons from them may have been missed. It can be tough on a pup to leave it's mother and littermates, but even tougher still if he hasn't been exposed to all that his new life will entail at all.

Just on socialising - OP has he started his vaccinations yet? (I know you said he had been wormed) He won't be able to go for walks until his course of vaccs are finished. Now you can carry him places or visit friends with dogs who you know are vaccinated, but to bring him to a park or even walking around an estate to socialise you will be exposing him to risks of other unvaccinated dogs and his little immune system may not be able to cope, particularly with illnesses such as parvo and lepto.

heldel00

Hot water bottle wrapped up in a towel with a ticking clock underneath is what we have done with puppies in the past. Reminds them of their mammy.