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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Help, pup cries all night and day!

16 replies

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 12:17

Hi, My brother picked up his puppy yesterday, A German Shepherd. She is 8 weeks old.
She has a blanket which was rubbed on her parents, which doesnt seem to do anything to calm her.
She was even crying whilst she ate her lunch.
We know she is still settling in etc and im sure she is not unwell, she is playful and happy some times.
Just wondering if anyone can offer any advice towards making her less upset, I dont think she was intergrated into the family home much or ever left her mum. :(
TIA

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 12:42

Tell us more about her background please - what kind of a breeder did she come from (ie a hobby breeder with just one bitch and bred in the family home, a breeder with more than one bitch, an accidental mating, a licensed breeder, was the pup reared in the home or in an outside building etc etc).

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 12:47

One bitch and dog were at family home. Hobby breeder. We met the parents. Think she had been keeping them in the attached garage and letting the pups play in the garden. It was a very well kept house, one which didnt look like it had housed GS pups.
She even cries when she is being cuddled :(

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 13:43

The answer is to tell your brother not to buy from a backyard breeder in future. Sorry, this is harsh, but true. This explains more. These are the type of dogs which often end up in rescue as they have socialisation/temperament/health problems... IF they're lucky. All too often they end up killed instead.

I'm not saying that your brother is the type to give up on such a dog but by buying a dog from a "hobby" (aka backyard) breeder he's encouraging further breeding with potentially tragic results.

For the moment I would suggest a lot of very quiet 1 to 1 time with the pup and your DB, building up slowly over time to bringing more people and noise into the equasion. Yes, she needs introduction to lots of people/noise/stimuli from a young age but not all at once considering that it seems likely that she has had none so far and not at 8 weeks old. ATM she has a huge list of scary things and humans are probably on it, poor mite.

If I were your DB I'd be concentrating on keeping her with me, hand feeding her, keeping children very much away from her at present and building up a 1-to-1 bond with her. Tell him to wear a warm snuggly jumper all day and then give that to her too. Come nightime a clock ticking nearby or a radio on often helps (though if she were mine she's be popped onto my bed into a secure den of a blanket-covered and blanket-containing crate next to my bed). Remember too that she's a tiny baby and will tire easily - pups sleep a lot and need to be left quietly to do that.

walkersmum · 27/03/2011 14:13

Has she had her vet check up yet? The breeder should have encouraged, even insised that the puppy be checked by your brothers vet within a couple of days.

Has your brother spoken to the breeder? a good breeder will want to be involved and may have some suggestions.

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 15:09

Her vet check up is for tomorrow.Tbh I dont think the breeder knew what she was doing,in hindsight we should of left her there but db wanted her.
Valhalla, thanks for your advice, she sleeps on db's bed.
Im confused as to how you know if it is a backyard breeder or a decent breeder, we dont want to make this mistake again obviously so any tips on who is good etc would be grateful.
I always get rescue dogs so am not an expert.
Db will not give up on her, he has waited years for this dog and is planning on doing the right things regarding training.

OP posts:

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 15:13

Just read your link Val, he had no questions asked about where he lived, other pets, children. My mum told her what the pups name is going to be and my mum felt stupid for saying it as the woman couldnt care less.

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 15:23

"I dont think the breeder knew what she was doing"

That sort of sums a backyard breeder up for me. Besides, in your few sentences it was pretty clear what sort of a breeder it was. A pup will cry if left at night but one who cries when she's eating suggests to me a pup with a problem - either health related or, more likely, a scared little mite who is just not properly socialised, both of which shouldn't happen if the breeder were not a backyard one.

The info in the link I gave you explains much of it - the person is breeding a family dog without regard for bloodlines and breed improvement. Midori1999 is a very experienced breeder who does it the right way - if she hasn't come along by this evening it is worth pming her because she's the expert on the matter. Like you, I always go for rescue dogs and am involved in rescue so I see the downsides and the tragedies which go with backyard breeding. Have a read through This thread which Midori contributed to in order to see what I mean.

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 15:25

X posted... in that case I'd happily shoot the effing breeder!

It breaks my heart, as a dog owner, a dog lover and a rescuer and not least too because GSD's are "my" breed. I have 2, as well as a Lab cross.

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 15:30

I hope she will be fine, db loves her already and i really think he will put the time into her, if not i will help.
Ive always been apprehensive of GSD's but she is cute and winning me round
I have a staff X jack russell, he will be 8 this year

OP posts:

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 15:40

Just read link, I see what Midori is saying, I never realised so much was necessary to ask tbh, though seeing the parents was the main thing

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 15:44

You can't be apprehensive of GSDs! They're lovely!

(See my profile).

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 15:50

Aww they are beautiful! Love the name Fish
I want a Golden Retriever when I have moved and settled in, but want to rescue one as they are more fun. I will ask for your help when Im ready Vall :)

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 18:50

I can't take the blame credit for the name Fish - that's down to the rescue and his original owner. :)

Goldies are lovely, Midori breeds them by coincidence.

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 19:37

Well ill prob speak to her then, spent the afternoon looking at rescue sight and they all say 10 years and over for children, I have a 5 month old and nearly 3 year old.
My dog is called Tyson rescue centres fault. I keep meaning to put a photo on my profile of him but he doesnt pose very well.

OP posts:

Vallhala · 27/03/2011 20:06

Tyson, not all rescues have an age policy with respecy to children - many of the smaller, independent rescues prefer to assess the situation according to the nature of the dog and of the family, so do enquire elsewhere.

My black and tan GSD was called Tyson when I first got him. He was a baby so it wasn't a problem to change his name... as a result he got called Chester after a Tesco soft toy cat! which he was snuggled with at the time!

Original poster

TysonNobdie86 · 27/03/2011 20:29

Tyson was 3 months old, I still dont know why i never changed his name but i love it now, i call him Ty or Tysie. I will enquire elsewhere aswell then. There was a litter of pups 12 weeks old which the rescue (RSPCA) wanted to go to families with dc over 10 years old How will they ever learn to tolerate young dc? I understand if the dogs have shown aggression or need a quiet life due to a bad past but these were just normal pups ready to leave there mum.
I cant look seriously yet, am just dreaming, it will kill me if i find a suitable dog before i have my house sorted

OP posts:

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