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Please Help ! I have become the owner of a 6 week old whippet pup!

42 replies

user1469810509 · 13/05/2019 13:12

Hi,
Long story short, was planning on getting a Whippet Pup in a couple of weeks , had chatted to the breeder, but not properly checked them out (I know, I know )
Got there and it was just awful pups separate in outside filthy cages , just beyond hideous. Instead of running away, I ende up taking the pup there and then (please please be gentle about this, I am in bits tbh )

That was Saturday, and I am still in a state of shock. after a couple of baths he is looking and smelling much better (he was covered in shit )

He is eating little and often, poo is ok etc. He's adorable tbh, napping in his bed in a crate most of the day.

Will take him to the vets tomorrow, but I just don't know what to expect nextm was expecting an 8 week old and time to prepare !

The first night he slept through from 11 til 6, probably traumatised from the day, and first night in a warm bed ?)
Last night he was crying at 4, came down, let him out to see if he wanted to toilet, but he didn't
Came down at 6 and he had pooed and weed through the bars of the cages and was crying .

Just read that he can't hold his bladder more than two hours , feel terrible !


Work is fairly flexible, often from home an 19 year old daughter at home most days .

Was planning on taking him in the car with me when I do have to go out, but obviously he is so much younger than I was expecting....

Sorry for rant, am so stressed , and cross with myself for not researching breeder properly, and ending up in this situation.

I reported them to the RSPCA, the poor mum and Dad looked dreadful too

Obviouslly worried about his health in the future, but trying to focus on the now and getting each day at a time...

And breathe, sorry for actual rant !
Thanks for any advice

OP posts:
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user1469810509 · 13/05/2019 13:13

PS am working from home / juggling his needs so will probably have to pop back every now and again...

OP posts:
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Nesssie · 13/05/2019 14:30

6 weeks is far below the recommended age that puppies should be taken from their mothers so once he is fully vaccinated I would focus heavily on socialisation with other dogs. Look up and see if there are any 'puppy parties' near you, either run by vets or dog trainers.

His bladder is going to be tiny so he is going to make mess, outside for toilet every 2 hours, plus when he wakes up/has a meal etc

Introduce him to things very slowly and carefully, as he won't have experienced them before (hoovers, cars, saucepans clashing etc)

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Sexnotgender · 13/05/2019 14:34

Oh my gosh 6 weeks is tiny!

The poor thing is probably traumatised. Can you put a warm (not hot) water bottle in his crate for comfort?

Is he eating ok?

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PrayingandHoping · 13/05/2019 14:35

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/8277/law.pdf


It's illegal to sell a puppy under 8 weeks old so make sure you report them for it!!!

Get the puppy to the vet for a thorough health check ASAP and plan to start jabs.

Also worth considering some socialisation as he's been removed from the litter too early. There is also the risk with an unvaccinated pup but it can be done with precautions in place with friends dogs that you know

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MrsTerryPratchett · 13/05/2019 14:40

Poor little mite. You sound like you're trying very hard to do the right thing so I don't have advice except be kind to yourself as well.

My rescue was very poorly socialised and is quite nervous but a really great dog.

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TrixieFranklin · 13/05/2019 14:44

Poor pups Sad definitely needs vets and socialisation when possible. Do you have any family or friends with dogs you know / trust?

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babysharkah · 13/05/2019 14:45

He should be with his mum, you need to report them for that.

What and when are you feeding? You need to put guns out for a wee every hour, and fully expect mess inside for a few weeks.

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pigsDOfly · 13/05/2019 15:03

Pleased to hear you've reported them.

It's not ideal, but you'd have had to have a heart of stone to walk away, from the sound of it. So as pp said, be kind to yourself as well.

You sound as if you're on top of everything you need to be doing.

He does need to learn correct dog behaviour, that he would have learned from his mum, from another dog, so if you know anyone who has a lovely dog who can do this for you that would be very helpful.

But get him sorted out with the vet first. When you go make sure you've got all your questions prepared and don't feel worried about asking whatever you need to know.

Small puppies in these sort of situations, as I'm sure you know, often end up very sickly. I do hope yours isn't one of those.

Let us know how it goes and good luck.

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BorderlineExperimental · 13/05/2019 15:09

I'd highly recommend joining the FB group Dog Training Advice and Support then searching it for "six week old puppy". There are several posts from people in similar positions to you and lots of excellent advice from professional trainers/behaviourists. I've just had a quick look and found two recent posts with advice you might find useful here and here.

Where is the puppy sleeping? He's too young to be on his own, even with a well adjusted eight week old shouldn't be expected to be comfortable left all night on their own. Right now you (or someone else) need to be with the puppy all the time and he needs to be close to you during the night as well. You can work on getting him happy being left (or on him sleeping elsewhere if that's what you want) when he's older, more settled and, most importantly, when he's ready.

I'd also suggest reporting the breeders via any route you possibly can, have a look at this list.

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AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 13/05/2019 15:20

This is a good guide to where to report this vile person to
cariadcampaign.co.uk/report/

Be honest with the vet about the conditions pup has come from. I'm going to be brutal and say don't get too attached just yet - it's far from uncommon for puppies from such situations to become fatally ill within days.

You'll need to pay even closer attention to socialisation than you would do otherwise (and that's very close attention) as puppies do learn a lot from mum and littermates in those two weeks. Bite inhibition springs to mind. The golden rule is that while puppy needs to see lots of different things, they must be good experiences and not overwhelm puppy. Rosie Bescoby on Instagram is a behaviourist who's just got a new puppy and is doing some great posts and stories on socialisation at the moment - well worth a follow. Might also be worth a DM, though I know she's very busy.

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CMOTDibbler · 13/05/2019 16:25

He's going to need feeding (wet food and softened kibble) every 3 hours, and may still need puppy formula as well. I'd be giving Kalsis and a vitamin supplement in addition as its likely he hasn't been fed properly and neither was his mum.
From that situation, he is going to be riddled with worms (they get them in utero if mum hasn't been wormed properly) so be prepared when they come out - its shocking when you see a wriggling poo.
I'd also be worried about parvo, giardia and other infections that puppies are susceptible to. You'll need to have a really low threshold on taking him to the vet as tiny pups can get very sick very fast.

When I was fostering very tiny puppies, I took them out in a sling so they could see lots of things but be safe and snuggled.

I'd expect to be up 3 times in the night with that age group, and probably just sleeping on a blowup bed next to the crate so as soon as they stir I can whisk them into the garden with me.

Poor little dot :-(

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MotherofTerriers · 13/05/2019 16:29

RSPCA may not be very proactive, please contact whippet rescue and report to them too.

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LizB62A · 13/05/2019 17:33

Have you reported the "breeder" yet?
Otherwise the money you paid for this poor pup is just going to finance another little of ill little puppies.

Yes, you asked us to be gentle.
This is me being gentle.....

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werideatdawn · 13/05/2019 20:17

Maybe while you're being "gently" condescending you could read the OP. She has reported them.

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adaline · 13/05/2019 21:19

Search Facebook for Dog Training Advice and Support, or any other positive training group.

You'll find lots of people in your position who can help you.

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LizB62A · 14/05/2019 00:17

@werideatdawn as a PP has said, the RSPCA will do very little - the Cariad link shows all the organisations that need to be notified.

As long as people continue to buy sick puppies because they think they're "saving" them, these heartless breeders will continue to breed them.

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Absolutepowercorrupts · 14/05/2019 00:29

@LizB62A
You must feel very righteous up there on your high horse. Does it make you feel good to attack a poster who realises that she's made a massive mistake and wants to do her best by the tiny puppy. As you're obviously a dog lover perhaps you might think about giving some advice. And not being so judgemental. This is not AIBU.

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pigsDOfly · 14/05/2019 12:56

LizB62A I very much doubt the OP set out to buy a a sick puppy. She got into a situation and she felt she couldn't walk away from it and leave the 'sick' puppy in such a horrible place.

Yes, the sensible thing to do would have been to walk away but she couldn't, and now she's come on here to ask for help with a situation that she probably already knows is possibly not going to end happily.

Not really a lot of help coming on here stating the obvious after the OP has already got the dog in her home and is trying to do her best.

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Judashascomeintosomemoney · 14/05/2019 13:01

Please report this, along with evidence of any communications, pictures etc (esp of the puppy obvious size and weight/condition as he is now) to your local authority. They are more likely to do something to shut this down than the RSPCA.

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user1469810509 · 14/05/2019 15:02

Hi all,
Sorry for delay, it's all been very busy as you can imagine.
Took pup to the vets yesterday, wormed now etc and nothing obvious wrong in his health (yet I know !)

He is eating and sleeping well, the vet was happy with the food as it is not disagreeing with him.

He seems happy and playful when awake .

Can't socialise him yet with other dogs as he is not vaccinated, but will prioritise.

Thanks a mill for the advice links will go and look now, likewise will report anywhere and everywhere.... utter scum.

I know I should have left him... but ? to what ? another week separated from his mum , outside in the cold ?

To clarify, I thought I was going to see a 7 week old puppy with a view to bringing him home in another week or so, it was only because I asked the birth date as we were leaving , then realised how young he was...

I was in a complete panic yesterday, but having seen the vet, and observed him for a few days I am quietly hopeful !

Thanks again for the gentle understanding and useful links.

Will try and update and add some photos as time goes on

Fingers crossed we and he will be lucky. The vet said they had a similar case of a lab puppy taken home at 5 weeks who is now a healthy 2 year old , so miracles can happen I guess...

OP posts:
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adaline · 14/05/2019 15:06

Six weeks is young but it's not so young that it'll be seriously problematic. You will need to work on things like bite inhibition etc. though as pups are normally taught this by their mum/siblings.

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Fortheloveofscience · 14/05/2019 15:07

I’d be very nervous about waiting to socialise. Do you know anyone with a calm, well-adjusted and vaccinated dog that could come round to give your dog some interaction?

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mumsiedarlingrevolta · 14/05/2019 15:13

You can absolutely socialise now-at your home with another pup/dog who is up to date with shots etc.
Your pup just can't be down on the ground out in public but can be socialised in a controlled way which I would say of paramount importance.
We did this with my pup (at 8 weeks) and she still plays with those dogs nearly a year later.
Well done for bringing the pup home and reporting!!

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user1469810509 · 14/05/2019 16:36

Oh that's useful information re socialising, ye, we have lots od dog friends..

Bite inhibition ? Any tips other than socialising ?


ANY OTHER TIPS ?!!

After such a bad start , I really want to get this right !

OP posts:
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adaline · 14/05/2019 17:12

Bite inhibition - basically, dogs explore the world with their mouths as they don't have hands, and normally mum/siblings will teach the pup when they're being too rough, but in your case this clearly won't happen. So it's your job to teach them to be gentle.

All pups go through bitey phases while they teeth but this is about teaching dogs to be gentle - so, making sure when you give them treats etc. that they take them gently. Get them used to you handling their mouths and having your fingers/hands nearby. Hand-feeding is a great way to do this, or playing with them and allowing them to mouth you - any time they put any kind of pressure on you, yelp/say no and remove your hand. Let them try again and reward when they're gentle/lick you.

Some breeds are mouthier than others in general (beagles, labs) but I don't think whippets are known for being too mouthy so it shouldn't be too difficult :)

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