Please Help! I picked up my golden retriever puppy 7 hrs ago and he hasn't peed once yet.

[Romanarama]

Or eaten or drunk anything. He's 7 wks old. This can't be normal right? I've been taking him outside regularly, and at this point would be thrilled if he peed on the sofa!

I agree, this doesn't seem right at all. What was he being fed at the breeders? What have you tried to tempt him with? How does he seem otherwise?

Its possible that the breeder limited his food intake in order to save him an uncomfortable journey to his new home. That and puppy nervousness about his new environment might have made him unwilling to eat just yet, which COULD explain why he hasn't "been" yet.

I believe Bella is/was a vet nurse, so if she doesn't spot this you may like to re-post putting her name in the header.

Lucky you, Retrievers are gorgeous. I hope you have a wonderful, long, happy time with him.

I remember collecting my labrador puppies and spending the rest of the weekend with a mop permenamtly attached to one hand though.

If I were you, I'd try and call the breeder and your vet soon and have a chat about what the problem might be and what they think you should do, rather than get to midnight and panic, when it is too late to call anyone for a casual chat about weeing puppies

I'm offering him the same pro-plan he's been eating. I called the breeder and she was surprised he hadn't peed, but said she thought he might be stressed. He's played a bit, has slept a lot (trembling a bit in his sleep), and has retched once or twice but not vomited. When awake he's mostly followed me around, lying down on my feet when I'm stationary.

He really seemed fine when we picked him up earlier, and has been fine on and off since.

I hope he is just stressed and unsure. Any consolation I had a bitch that would only pee in one particular place. We would walk for miles she would come back and wee in the same spot in the garden. We went away for a night and she did not wee the whole time but was busting when she came home!

Has your puppy slept since you have brought him home?

But I would definately call the breeder for reasurance and the vet if still worried.

Was he sick on the journey home?

Is he still playful?

he wasn't sick, but was a little shaky/trembly. He's been playful on and off in the afternoon and is now sleeping. Next time he stirs I'll try to feed him,and take him out for a pee.

I know nothing of puppies but 7 weeks seems very young to be away from mum.

It is a bit younger that recommended to be away from the parents, but also not a disaster.
You need to try and get some water into him - if you have a syringe you could gently try and syringe a bit into his mouth, if no syringe then soak a ball of cotton wool in water and gently squeeze the water out in the corner of his mouth.
Most of what you describe sounds like he is just very nervous at the moment and unsure of himself. As he has not had any real fluid intake since you collected him he is not going to have an overly full bladder either.
The other thing to try is to gently wipe his tummy and privates with some damp cotton wool - the mother would lick the pups when younger to stimulate them to go to the toilet. It may or not help him to go at this age now, though he should be more than capable of choosing to wee by himself at this age too.

If you have any doubts about his health - ie he seems at all unwell, then please call the vet, if nothing else just to talk things through and get some reassurance. If the vet is concerned they will see him, and then better that you have called up.

Hurrah! Finally did massive pee on the floor, then decided to eat, and is now destroying a slipper! He is a normal puppy

Oh good! Was going to suggest that puppies usually have a wee after play....

Next thread will be how to house train

Golden retrievers just want to please. They are such good natured dogs (we have 2!)

Oh great glad the long awaited pee finally arrived. I guess you had a disturbed night last night but he is such a little baby things will settle down soon.

How's he doing? Remember to take him out for a wee every hour, plus as soon as he wakes, has eaten or is getting excited during play.

Hope he had a good day

Thank you so much for all your replies and help. He is doing brilliantly and so cute! He has peed in the garden, though not so often as in the house unfortunately. I'm taking him out frequently, but have clearly missed a few key moments. He managed 7 hours in the crate without crying or peeing last night, which I thought was quite impressive.

He has decided I'm his mum, follows me around, and naps with his head on my feet. He doesn't seem to manage the recommended amount of food and has no interest at all in the puppy treats I got, nor the kong etc, but maybe he just needs to settle down a bit.

He did well to go so long overnight!

Praise him like mad when he pees outside and say a command like 'be busy' just as he starts to pee. In time he'll associate that command with peeing and will pee when you ask him to - very useful on cold, wet nights!

I'd put the treats aside for the moment, tbh - could give him runny poos and also it's better he eats his food. They often aren't very interested in their food at first - there is so much else going on.

He sounds fab

What a good lad to do so well over night - he will be easy to train. I did think of you today standing in the garden with your umbrella ever hour or so!!

Meant to say Bella you where needed last night I hope you aren't getting any silly ideas like having a social life or anything!

lol @ social life - you are funny, minimu

It's 6.30am in the garden in the rain that's really marvellous . He did a whole night again last night and has 'been' lots of times in the garden. I decided just to say 'pee pee' really excitedly, as I'm concerned that I say things like 'quickly' 'let's go' 'busy' etc rather often and very loud when I'm in the hall trying to get the kids out of the house