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10-08-2008, 05:14 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 3
| New puppy, new owner Hi all! I just got my new baby..., but not directly from a breeder (don't-shoot-me). I got her Sunday, and she was really shy at first - she's warmed up a little, but she does sit in corners and runs away from me/the family occasionally. She likes sitting in her comfy crate more than exploring. She hasn't been very active or eaten much and I'm getting worried now. I've tried giving her dry food with wet food, but she just eats the wet food and leaves the dry food behind (if she eats at all!) She's also easily scared and is shaking a lot (I'm not sure if they're related?) I read that puppies that are not properly socialized at 16wks have problems at adults and I'm worried that this might be the case. I'm not sure how long it'll take for a puppy to get adjusted to a new home. I also get really worried and I'm not sure when I'm over-worrying and when I'm justified. If anyone has any helpful tips, calming words or anything, I'd really appreciate it. I hope there isn't anything terribly wrong with my baby. Thanks! |
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10-08-2008, 05:45 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 723
| I'm sure there will be much more knowledgeable people that can give you advise. But I'll do my best to calm your fears and give you some good info. Any dog will have a short period where they need to adjust. Regardless of the situation it seems normal for a few days or a week for the dog to be "off" and shy, while they adjust from their old environment to their new home. My little Zoë was 12 weeks old and well socialized when she came home with us. She ate very little the first week, but exhibited no other signs of distress. She started eating a tiny bit more within a week or two and it was obvious she'd gotten comfortable and transitioned. Have you taken her to a vet since you took her home? The first step in bringing a dog home is making sure that they're healthy (regardless of where they came from). That's at least a good start! You said you worried about dogs that aren't socialized by 16 weeks of age, how old is your dog? Also know that a dog's ability to adjust to a new home may be somewhat dependent on their prior environment. So if things where she was before is very different from life with you than of course she is going to have a bit of a difficult time figuring things out. As far as food, not eating a lot at first is not abnormal, just make sure she's getting some food in her system. If she's very young make sure she gets nutrical if she starts showing any signs of hypogylcemia. Also, as you feeding her what she used to eat or are you feeding her something new? If she's having troubles transitioning keeping her food the same for a little while would help things! Also, as far as her being shy, you said she mostly "hides" or cowers in her crate instead of playing with you or your family. Do you have children? If so, they could be scaring your little one, instead of encouraging her to be with you. Don't force her out of her crate, if that's where she feels comfortable then let her be there. But you could try to encourage her to come out and play with treats. Never be above bribing! When she's out give her treats so she realizes that it's fun to be out with the family she gets yummy treats and lots of praise and petting when that happens! Best of luck! Hopefully others will be able to give you some good/better advise! Last edited by mblab; 10-08-2008 at 05:48 PM. |
10-08-2008, 05:56 PM | #3 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 3
| Thanks mblab, I appreciate it. I should've mentioned earlier - she is 21 weeks old now, and no, I don't have any children. The house is pretty large so there might be a lot of space to get used to and a lot of different noises, but I'm trying to get her acclimated as best I can. She eats her treats but she doesn't eat her food - maybe the brand is just that bad and I need to get a new one? Once again, I appreciate any help. Thanks! |
10-08-2008, 06:12 PM | #4 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 723
| Quote:
At 21 weeks old she should be old enough to not really be worried about hypoglycemia all on its own. At some point she's going to get hungry enough and will eat. When I was having troubles I was given good advise: Yorkies can be stubborn but if you hold your ground and make yourself more stubborn than her then she'll cave before you will! Worked for Zoë, only took a few days. Except she had the opposite problem, she wouldn't eat the canned food and would eat very little of the dry food. If you decide to switch her food make sure to transition her from the old to the new. And by that I mean, you need to take a few days to a few weeks to change her food over, not all in one day or just two or three days. Changing their foods (even from a "bad" food to a "good" food) can really upset their stomachs. It took close to a month or a month and a half to switch Zoë to her new food (to make sure she could handle the new food)! Also, as far as socializing goes, yes it's essential for a properly behaved dog to get socialized before/within a certain time frame. That said it can't hurt to try to socialize a dog at ANY time. Make sure it's controlled and in baby steps but a dog will respond to positive attempts you take! | |
10-08-2008, 06:24 PM | #5 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New York
Posts: 3
| Thanks again. Ill keep that in mind about the food. Hopefully she'll stop being stubborn. I suppose its really the socialization bit that worries me. I don't want her to grow up to be a fearful dog who just sits in her corner |
10-08-2008, 06:28 PM | #6 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 723
| Socialization isn't just to other dogs its to EVERYTHING be it thunderstorms or mail men. Introduce her to whatever you can and make it a good thing! You could start by lurring her out of her crate with treats. Start with encouraging her to leave the crate for a few inches. Each day work on going out a bit further. Eventually do the same with whatever else you want her to be comfortable with. |
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