New Puppy- Vaccines & Feeding
 

My cousin pasted away and my aunt couldn't take the puppy to her senior housing community, so I have her at the moment. We have no idea how old she is, or if she has been vaccinated. The only thing we know for sure is that she feeds her Purina Puppy Chow (which i'm sure isn't good for her) because we saw the bag when we were packing up her belongings.

I haven't had a dog in YEARS so i'm totally unsure about what my next steps should be. I have read several forums that debate grain vs no grain dog foods and now i'm totally confused. My cousin loved her dog and I want to make sure that I am providing the best life for her that I can.

1) Will the Vet be able to tell what shots she has/hasn't had?
2) What food would you suggest?
3) How do I get her to feel comfortable at my place? (she is hiding on the side of the sink and when I went to pick her up she snapped)
4) Why hasn't she used the bathroom since she has been here?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Question 1): What you can do is ask for titering to be done on the puppy. And you should bring her into the vet ASAP. For a general health check and an age estimate. The titering will show if and what some/not all vaccines that have been given. How-ever if you can find the previous vet, they should know exactly. There is an article in here on titering; you can find it in the library
If your cousin is on facebook you might be able to find out if she posted about buying/getting a new puppy.
Also the person who is responsible for your cousin's estate, might find documentation, ownership papers, cancelled checks that might shed some light on where your puppy was taken for vet care. Surely you aunt must have some rough idea when your cousin first got the dog.

2) The food you choose what-ever brand you decide upon, should be introduced gradually.

3) That poor gal, is lost, confused and scared. Her owner is gone, she is with a stranger in a strange house.

Is there anyway you can get her doggy bed, toys, crate from your cousins' house? That will help a bit.

Don't try to pick her up yet, unless it is really really necessary...like taking her to the vets!

Place a warm blanket on the floor of the room you are most frequently in. Let her settle there. Someplace she is safe from traffic flow, yet she can see you, and hear you.

If she is outdoor trained, take her out every 3hrs or so, and try to set a schedule a routine that she can count on.

Do you know if she is outdoor or peepad trained? Not going to the washroom can be a sign of the fear she is in, and or, she is used to going on peepads, and you have none available, or conversely going outside and you expect her to use peepads.

She needs a harness right away with a lead...hopefully you were able to find one at your cousin's house. Normally they are kept, logically by the door one usually exits the home.

Take some time, several times each day, to get down on the floor, some distance away from her bed/where she is resting. Have yummy treats, and or a toy. Gently with soft and happy voice, play with the toy or show her the treat, and call her to you.

It will take some time for her to adjust to her new owner and environment.

Does she have a crate? This is safest form of transport in the car/bus; you really do need to take her to the vet.

It would really help if you could find out the name of her vet.

Once again welcome; and I am sure there will be others along shortly to give you some suggestions.

No vet records yet. Just a receipt from her breeder. She was born 01/01/2012. I have an appt to take her to my family vet tomorrow morning. So I will be sure to inquire about titering.

Today, when I returned I noticed that she finally #2. But she is still curled in a little knot, hiding in the bathroom. I tried to hand feed her but she refused to come to me. Yesterday, she was friendly before we came inside.

You got some great advice from Gemy. Thank you for taking this poor soul in. She is completely lost and her life has been dramatically changed. Just be patient with her, and she will slowly begin to trust you. Give her lots of positive reinforcement (treats and praise) and you will begin to see a completely different dog.

I am sorry for the loss of your cousin...

It is going to be a long process it seems. She has been hiding in the bathroom since she got here. Will not allow me to take her outside she GROWLS. Will not eat out of my hand. Doesnt want to be touched. Hopefully she comes around soon.

Hi and Welcome to YT!

So sorry for the loss of your cousin...

Put a treat, or a piece of kibble or chicken as close to her as you can get without upsetting her. Then walk away, and come back in a few minutes to see if she took the treat. Do that often throughout the day, eventually hide and watch her to see her come out. Stay longer after placing the treat and move away slower. Eventually she'll come out while you're there and take a treat from your hand.

Talk to her in a high pitched voice, or like babytalk. Some relax quicker with high pitched voices. Tell her it's okay, she's a good girl, and pat the floor in front of you.

Move slowly around her in the beginning.