Thread: Please help!!!
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Old 11-05-2010, 11:33 AM   #45
Rhetts_mama
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Default Sad situation for the dogs.


Let me give you the perspective of someone who get a pup too early (the rescue told us she was 8 weeks, my very trusted vet said she was closer to 6)...The first couple of weeks were H*LL! Scarlett was tiny (1 pound, 2 oz). She had only 1 full tooth plus one more breaking through). She wasn't able to eat (despite the assurances from the rescue that she was eating dry food well). I spent the first two weeks she was with us doing round the clock syringe feedings until she was strong enough to eat on her own. We had hypoglycemic situations that required immediate intervention. She had difficulties eliminating on her own.

I've spent my entire adult working life working with preemie babies. Scarlett scared me more than any other situation I had been in. Her care was litterally 24/7. She was never out of my sight. It was Mardelin and the rest of the fantastic people here who got us through those first couple of weeks.

Despite having another pup just a few months older than Scarlett, being taken too early from her littermates and mother made her socialization harder. She has been much more difficult to work with on biting issues (that is just ONE of the KEY areas her littermates help her with). She's still afraid to be left alone, though she is getting better. I spent a full 3 months sleeping on the floor next to her crate because she would get hysterical if I wasn't in her sight. Potty training has been more difficult,too (that's another thing they learn from the mom and littermates).

What I am trying to say is, yes, it can done taking a pup so early. But it's absolutely NOT in her best interest health or socialization wise to do so.

If you take her now, keep in mind that this is a living, breathing creature who will be totally dependent on you for ALL of her needs. Be prepared to put your life on complete hold for the next few weeks. Her needs MUST come first. No walks around the block, no trips to petsmart, and even taking her to the vets will put her health at risk because her immune system is not fully developed. It's going to take more than stuffed animals and a blanket to get her through this.


Heaven help all the pups in the litter, because they are all going to be in for a very rough time. Poorly socialized dogs are more likely to end up abandoned or euthanized through no fault of their own.
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