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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Need some advice for puppy

18 replies

Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 11:28

Hi All,
Hoping I can get a few tips. We've got a 4 month French bulldog puppy called Douglas who we absolutely adore but in the past week or so, he's started waking up in the middle of the night and it's driving us mad. He doesn't need to go to the toilet and he has water and everything so not sure why he is doing it. Our house is open plan so we can't ignore it so we've ended up having to go down and sleep on sofa with him or bring him upstairs. I've tried covering the crate with a blanket but he was still up at 2.30am this morning! Any tips would be appreciated!

Also, I often have to wipe after he's been to the toilet as there's stuff left. Again, is this normal?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 11:30

Has he seen a vet? Has he got an upset stomach? You shouldn't have to be wiping his bum. What is he fed and how often? If he's in pain that would explain the waking. Young puppies need to be with you. They're like babies.

Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 12:58

Have you spoken to the breeder?

Original poster
Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 14:54

No he hasn't seen the vet. He's only started waking up for the last week or so and before that, he had settled in and slept through without waking, unless on the odd occasion he needed the toilet. He isn't in any pain I don't think, he's very happy and lively and generally full of beans. He was having science plan but about 6 weeks ago, he went off of it and was sick a few times so since then he either has chicken or Lily's kitchen food. His poos can be quite solid but there's still a bit of poo to be wiped away.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 16:24

I would get him checked by the vet. Just to be sure. He shouldn't need his bum wiping. TMI but does it stink? Could be anal glands need doing. Yuck!
Has he had all his jabs yet?

gingerbreadmam · 18/09/2017 16:27

i'd be wondering if he needs more food,is he waking because he is hungry.

Does he sleep in his cage? is he usually around you a lot apart from when in bed?

Nothung downstairs disturbing him?

Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 16:30

Or house is colder and he's waking?
We got blackout curtains to stop wolfiepup waking! Grin

gingerbreadmam · 18/09/2017 17:10

our dog has certainly become aware of the cold this week.

Original poster
Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 20:25

Thanks for advice.
Anal glands need doing?? I've never heard of this! It does smell but I wouldn't say really bad, not like his farts!! He's had all his jabs.
Could possibly be the cold, we can't keep heating on all night though, what do you do? Blankets?!
He was ok in the crate before. He only goes in it when I go out but seemed to settle all ok. He is totally spoilt though and gets a lot of attention and loves it ha ha.

OP posts:
gingerbreadmam · 18/09/2017 20:50

oir dog has a cave bed. he sleeps in his cave in his cage in our bedroom and is covered over. seems to do the trick. he is also very spoilt but he does like his own space so is happy to go into his cage.

Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 21:12

If it is anal glands there will be a strong fishy type smell. If poo is runny these glands won't empty when the dog does a poo. They need expressing. Yuck!
We use vet fleece for bedding. Warm and snuggly. Not too expensive and easy to wash.

CornflakeHomunculus · 18/09/2017 21:15

Anal glands need doing??

Anal gland fluid has a very distinctive smell, almost fishy. Normally the anal glands empty when they have a poo but some dogs have problems with theirs. Sometimes it can be solved with diet (my DDog2 needs a fibre supplement to stop her glands overfilling and then leaking) or they may need to have them expressed regularly.

French Bulldogs can be quite prone to anal gland problems because of their tail set. What's his tail like? If it's extremely short and/or very tightly curled it can cause issues with cleanliness (as a result of "tail pockets") and also the anal glands.

Original poster
Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 21:20

Ah ok, it doesn't have a fishy smell, just shitty! I think it's probably worth checking out anyway though as I didn't think it was normal.

He sleeps on a cushion and has a fleece blanket. I'm thinking maybe I need to walk him more and wear him out a bit, he has tonnes of energy. We were going to puppy class but that's ended now and haven't been out as much where the weathers been crap so I think that would also probably help

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 22:16

At that age they can't walk much. But you can get out and about. See different places and people. Different sights and sounds. they need this. It's a really important stage.
Training is also tiring. We continued training classes after puppy classes finished.

SelmaAndJubjub · 18/09/2017 22:18

They can have very full anal glands without any smell at all, so it's worth checking out.

Original poster
Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 22:20

Yes the classes were exhausting as he just loved being around other dogs so that just distracted him. Hes really social and loves being around other dogs and people but good fun and he loved them. Perhaps he's just not getting the stimulation he needs

OP posts:
Original poster
Chlo22 · 18/09/2017 22:25

And also, he does snooze on the sofa from about 9pm but not sure how to stop that. Can't keep him awake if he doesn't want to be..

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/09/2017 22:29

We walk everyday. Have done since she was vaccinated. We have also visited parks and shops and garden centres and woods and cafes. We do training once a week and a ring craft/socialisation group too.

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