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The doghouse

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Shit, I have somehow acquired a puppy...

377 replies

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 25/03/2016 23:59

Help!! She is a teeny tiny baby shitzu crossed with something equally obscure. She is slightly larger than my foot. I have zero experience with puppies. What do j need to do? I've made her up a bed with towels and puppy food in a dish near her. I got her a baby bottle to try and get her to drink milk (kitten milk!) from that. She is ignoring all my efforts and is snoring on my foot...

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BikeRunSki · 26/03/2016 07:04

I rather got the impression from the OP that she didn't intend to get a puppy. I think there's a backstory we don't know.

Silvercatowner · 26/03/2016 07:06

Oh good grief, OP, give it back, immediately, now. Because you may as well have a case of unstable TNT in your house.

Questionsagaintoday · 26/03/2016 13:34

So op won't return will he/she?

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 14:21

Christ alive, I was only asking for some advice! I have ended up with this puppy, and trust me, it's better she is here than the other alternatives. I have spent all day consulting a friend who has one of the same breed and has had it since it was the same age as this one. I have read up on all the bumpf with regard to toilet training (taking her out hourly, etc), establishing feeding times etc. My friend would take her but she is 8 months pregnant so can't take on another one. Thanks to those who were helpful.

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Stratter5 · 26/03/2016 14:22

How old is the puppy, lovely?

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 14:31

She is 8 weeks. Got a vet appointment for her on tues to get her checked, jabs etc, as there was no chance of getting one today and obviously it's the bank holiday... She has been weaned.

OP posts:
sidsgranny · 26/03/2016 14:36

Will you keep her permanently? Does she have a name?

embroideredbee · 26/03/2016 14:39

Do you even want her?!

loveMyWeeDog · 26/03/2016 14:40

Hmm sounds like you should maybe have got some advice before "acquiring" a puppy.

Sparklingbrook · 26/03/2016 14:42

What is the backstory?

Stratter5 · 26/03/2016 14:42

Good luck with her, and thank you for taking her in, particularly if you didn't want to, but felt you were the best option. You might find The Doghouse more helpful

ChipsandGuac · 26/03/2016 14:51

8 weeks old doesn't need milk. I would run out and get a crate and some puppy kibble. And some chew toys so he/she doesn't nibble on your furniture. Take puppy outside regularly for loo breaks. When puppy goes, make big fuss. I used to say, "pee pee" in a sing song voice but I'm a bit of a prat Grin Enjoy!

ChipsandGuac · 26/03/2016 14:52

And keep her away from other dogs until she's had all her shots.

kormachameleon · 26/03/2016 15:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 15:04

She has been bought huge amounts of chews, puppy food and blankets. Just need to nip out and get her a collar as the one we have is unsurprisingly too big. She is, as I said, booked in for her jabs and general check up early next week. I've tried the whole ridiculous pee pee thingy, she just wants to sit on my foot and try to eat random things... We'll get there. And yes I would rather like to keep her, but I am going into this with my eyes wide open, hence asking for and acting on advice. From here, from friends, from the kennel club and other websites, and from the vet when I take her in.

OP posts:
Brokenegg41 · 26/03/2016 15:07

Why are you giving a weaned puppy milk from a bottle? ? If you've read up you know that's not necessary? ?

Pufflehuff · 26/03/2016 15:09

Milk from a bottle?

Do you know ANYTHING about dogs? Like... that they're dogs? Not newborn kittens?

The only advice is: learn how to care for a puppy. Only, fast.

TheoriginalLEM · 26/03/2016 15:10

Bless you - i think people thought she was a tiny wee puppy too young to be away from her mum. Snoring at your feet is what puppies do Grin So you must be doing something right.

So - no more milk - she doesn't need it and it will probably give her the shits.

What are you feeding her? she will need four small meals a day at the moment.

She will need fresh water

If you think she might not have been wormed (your posts suggest she has come from somewhere questionable) then maybe pop along to pets now to ask for some granufen (i don't THINK that it is a prescription only prep). Avoid anything that has bob martin written on it like the plague. Otherwise can wait until you get to the vets on Tuesday.

You are probably looking at about £100 initial spend at the vets to cover her first injections, worm and flea treatment and microchipping. Incidentally, it becomes law on the 6th April that all dogs must be microchipped, many vets have a special on atthe moment where microchipping is £10 (less than half price) but most places only until the end of march.

Where will she sleep - this is very much up to you. Some people have crates which is a good idea if you have small children as it gives the puppy somewhere that is theirs and a safe haven from the madness of family life. They really do sleep an awfl lot when they are young. You don't NEED a crate though, our dogs sleep on our bed so if you don't mind this, then its fine, others just opt for a basket. We have one basket between two dogs but they alternate between this and the sofa/our laps.

As posters have said, no going out on the ground until she is fully jabbed - after her second vaccination. Many vets offer puppy socialisation groups which is really useful to get them used to other dogs as can start before their second jab.

Do consider insurance and go for "lifetime" cover if you can as if your dog has a chronic condition you wil faint at the cost of medication. Many vets offer four weeks free insurance with the bigger companies and i strongly advise you take this out as this means that any conditions that arise in the first few weeks will be covered, if you havne';t got your insurance in place you will miss out.

Shi Tzus are prone to issues with their eyes so do keep an eye on this and again, insure insure insure - my friend has just had to pay out over £1000 for work on her puppy's eye and it will need expensive medication for life. Had she been insured it would have cost her nothing bar the XS.

Oh and we need pictures Grin

am Envy

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 15:10

Listen, I stand corrected. I was only doing what j thought was best late at night. I now know better so rest assured.

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TheoriginalLEM · 26/03/2016 15:12

Avoid raw hide chews like the plague too, be very VERY choosy about the chews you give her - retreiving bits of rubber from a dogs stomach is costly and dangerous and happens surprisingly often.

TheoriginalLEM · 26/03/2016 15:13

People get their knickers in a twist if people don't do years of research and soul searching before getting a puppy and generally this is correct, but it is perfectly possible to "somehow acquire" a puppy and give it a perfectly good home. The OP is asking all the right questions so give her a break guys.

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 15:16

Thank you LEM she slept in my bed last night, which I am sure I shall be flamed for. But she currently has her own living quarters next to the kitchen, so enough for her to be sociable but so that she can be quiet on her own if she wants. I have ordered a crate for her that should arrive early next week, in the mean time she is in a litter tray lined with lots of blankets might cave and get her a bed as well as I am out! . She has a massive bowl of water, some chew toys, and so far she seems very content. Although she tends to cry when I leave and she can't see me... I am going to search for insurance stuff as soon as I get home. She will be microchipped as well, as part of the puppy care they do at my vets... Is there anything else I can do for her?

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Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 15:17

She is currently curled up snuffling to herself... Will post a pic when I get back.

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sidsgranny · 26/03/2016 15:19

What's her name?!?!??! And can we see a photo?? Grin

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch · 26/03/2016 15:23

I have named her Chiara (as in the italian name). Not sure why, she just looks like one. Will def put a pic up when I get back...

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