puppy questions

[WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat]

PLEASE don't flame me. I've read a few threads in this section and seen how 'heated' they can become.

My DH heard from a colleague about a guy who was selling pups. But he has one left who he was heard to say that if he hadn't sold it by the weekend he was going to "wring it's neck" . (It's late Sunday afternoon here)

We haven't had dogs since we left the UK years ago to move to Aus. But my DH just could not see this poor puppy be killed. He is heading there just now to buy her, and then we will report the guy to the rspca and police? The puppies shouldn't even be away from their mum yet, they are 7 bloody weeks old! (oh yeah, the guy is selling them for his mil, which is where the parents are because the mummy dog isn't well etc etc. bullshit!!)

I'm asking for some help. My DH is a seasoned dog owner, me less so, but neither of us has ever had to look after such a tiny thing (thankfully, and rightly so). I just need some advice on what extra things we need to do in addition to just having a regular, ready to go puppy. Obviously we will see a vet tomorrow, but what about food, sleeping arrangements, everything really??

I'm so nervous.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

What a nasty man. I don't blame you and your DH for going to get the pup. Do you think the authorities where you are will do anything? I'm sure people will be telling you that you shouldn't be giving any money to this man, but I know I couldn't walk away in your position.

We were suckered in when we got our pup. Local rescue were acting as a front for a puppy farm and we fell for it hook, line and sinker. Our pup had terrible diarrhoea, took a few vet visits to get him sorted, and we had to delay vaccinations for a bit so he was inside longer.

Other than that he was fine, really. We did struggle to keep weight on him at first, so we supplemented his diet with puppy milk which helped. Lots of pet shops stock it.

We were lucky, no behavioural or health problems, thank goodness. He passed away in January aged just 6, due to cancer, but we've no reason to think that's connected to his breeding.

Best of luck. Do you know the breed? Have you had dogs before?

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Sorry, re sleeping arrangements, it's always best to start as you mean to go on. Ours slept on the floor in our bedroom. He had a big snuggly bed, hot water bottle and ticking clock (supposed to simulate the mother's heartbeat). I usually slept with my hand on him which helped. When he was big enough he got on the bed and that's where he stayed.

Food wise, advice is to keep them on whatever they're on and gradually change over a few weeks if you need to. Our pup was on pedigree chum and it really wasn't agreeing with him so we went against advice and put him directly on to burns which really helped.

[MothershipG]

It's normal for pups to leave their mothers at 8 weeks so, although it's not ideal, 1 week early isn't too bad so you shouldn't need extra stuff. - Providing they are not actually even younger, your vet should be able to help with this.

But it doesn't sound like the pup will have been well taken care off so as you say it will need to be straight to the vets.

Bear in mind the threat to strangle it may just be a ruse to extract more money/make a quick sale.

Good luck.

[WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat]

It's sticking in my throat giving the guy money (and I hadn't even thought about the threat to strangle being bogus), but we are committed now.

She is a wee JRT X fox terrier. I've seen a photo of her and she's tiny.

I really hope the authorities will be able to do something about it, but I've never dealt with them before so I have no idea.

DH has just told me that she has been wormed but nothing else, so it's straight to the vets tomorrow.

As for food, apparently he's been feeding her tinned puppy food from Aldi? I'll need to find out what's best (here), and see about needing to change her over slowly.

Yes, we have had dogs, just never as young as this. And not in Australia.

[cuntinghomicidalcardigan]

My jrt was 7 weeks old when he came home (in less than ideal circumstances outside of our control ). He was fine. He was tiny so we gave him tiny portions of dry food 5 times a day. He sleeps in a crate in a cosy bed downstairs. He went to the vet the day after we got him and they said that although he was tiny he was fine. We feed burns mini puppy dry food.

Hope your puppy is OK.

[tabulahrasa]

In all honesty I'd have reported them and not paid them money...but I can see why you felt you had to, sadly it is one of the things people say to guilt people into buying a puppy.

As for differences between a 7 week and an 8 week puppy, not a huge amount TBH, they could do with that extra week for better bite inhibition and social skills, but just make sure you're consistent with mouthing and socialise him really well and it shouldn't matter.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

When you look for a food have a look at the ingredients to check the quality. You want to avoid "meat and animal derivatives". Go for something with proper, recognisable ingredients. Avoid colourants, sweeteners, anything like that. You could always go down the raw route but I understand it can cause problems if not done correctly and I can't get my head round it! If you want to find a list of a few foods available to you people will be able to advise

[tabulahrasa]

Oh and food ...by 7 weeks they're weaned, it's fine, I'm pretty sure Aldi food is not horrendous as far as supermarket food goes (no worse anyway) so fine to keep him on for the first week till you change over.

If you're thinking dried you may have to add hot water for a while as he's used to soft food.

Just feed him like you would an 8 week old puppy, 4 times a day.

[WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat]

Thank you all for your advice. She's home now and seems quite well. Eating and drinking, weeing and has done a normal poo too. Dh said the guy couldn't have cared less about her though. Asked no questions about our home life, experience with dogs, yard security etc. Was happy to pocket the money and send her on her way. Makes me sick these arseholes!!!

We have gone and gotten her a collar and leash, couple of toys, (ds2 is sleeping with one tonight, as he carried her in the car all the way home, and she likes him, so we are hoping his scent on the toy will help her settle at nights). A jumper (it's cold!!), hot water bottle too. She's on wet food just now (she was bloody starving when we got her here), but we plan to move her slowly onto dry.

[pigsDOfly]

You've done a good thing even though this man doesn't deserve your money.

Just wanted to say that really.

Bloody hate puppy mills. Authorities don't seem to be particularly interested here unfortunately. Hope you have better response from the Australian ones.

[MardAsSnails]

I know some will flame but I couldn't have left that poor pup either. Well done.

I've only got old bastards myself so no advice re pups. But, in my opinion, well done for being that person to help the poor little mite. I know the money is straight back into his likely puppy farm, but one less pup suffering at this time is always a good thing