Nervous new puppy not eating or drinking and scared of lead

[BlueBoy2]

I have just brought home a 16 week old cavachon and hes really nervous. I thought he was 14 weeks but when we worked out date of birth it was 16 weeks.
We tried to ut a lead on him and he freaked out. He won't eat, take a treat or drink.
Im worried he has t been socialised at all even though breeder said he was.
What do I do? How do I introduce him to anything I can't even get him on a lead?

Im so sorry, but you have bought a farmed puppy

However , you have hime now , the so called breeder isnt going to refund your money or take him back

So hes 16 weeks, very old for a new pup to come into a home - and believe me , you may have seen him in a home environment if you went to view, but he was kept in a shed at best and has had no scolialisation - so the poor thing is petrified

But hey, it happens, not every first pup owner is clued up on puppy farms. I got caught 30 years ago, but with time, patience and determination , we reared a beautiful dog

Get him to your vets asap to make sure he has been regularly wormed and inoculated to schedule as that's so very important - especially now hes lost his mums immunity

Back 20 years ago, the puppy book always totally recommended was Gwen Bailey"s Perfect Puppy - god send back in the day, Im not sure if its out of favour now or what, but it saved my sanity through two pups

If you have children, supervise at all times. At 16 weeks he will be mouthing and second teeth will be coming though., and like children - everything near their mouths needs to be chewed on. Nows the time to install into any children, toys laying around are fair game to a pup - as well as glasses, pens, keys - anything in the pups reach - fair game

The best praise for a pup is cuddles, stroking etc You dont need treats. As pups age you will learn if your pup is food motivated or interaction . When Ive toilet trained, I take pups out in the darden on a lead and keep prompting - I use wee wees, poo poo, and once its done - good boy and big fuss and cuddles

Socialising is so very important but your lad is a tad behind, but it still needs to be done. If pup can be carried, do that, take him for a carry down the park to meet other dogs and walker, take him to shops, introduce him to everyone you can, people wearing hats, using sticks , wearing glasses . Get him used to the sounds of the house - vacuum, washing machine etc. Pup before last I though I had covered all bases, then we went to a country park that had big bollards around the car park - he went mental and there I was, a 40 year old woman stoking a bloody bollard and making soothing talk till pup approached and realised it was no threat

Good luck and take it easy , but keep the training up from the get go

Oh and buy the lightest lead and collar that will hold your pup for now, Hes not used to them. in a week. or two you can upgrade but get ahim used to wearing the collar and dont expect walks to be stress free for a while - or further then the front gate

She should and could try a rescue.

I’d probably still try and give to a rescue if I was OP. Dogs clearly badly bred and OP is clearly in way over her head (no offence OP) and with this ‘breeds’ behavioural and health issues even in a well bred one are going to be rife let alone this poor chap.

I predict a very painful and very expensive future. The dog needs a home that knows what it’s doing over the next few crucial weeks to ensure it doesn’t end up with a whole host of behavioural issues.

But if OP does keep the dog, she absolutely needs a full vet check up and also good insurance from today.

I really think you're being over the top and doom and gloom for this poor OP. It's not helpful at all. She has the puppy now and is trying to make it work and she doesn't need your input if it's not useful in the immediate, no offense.

Good morning @BlueBoy2

How did your first night go? I'm WFH today so will check in on you, periodically!

My dog won’t eat or drink from metal bowls so yes, ceramic is a good idea.
I’d be very concerned about how you got the dog - the breeder does not sound good at all. A reputable breeder would not insist the puppy is fine. They should have said to come back. They should have shown you the puppy with Mum. If they are a backyard breeder, it’s highly likely your pup will have long term health problems due to the breeding conditions and care in the early days.
You need to take him to a vet for a check over ASAP. Don’t treat this as a sunk cost just because the breeder has been unhelpful. It could end up costing you a lot more than just the initial cost of the puppy.

If you haven’t already, take him to the vets fior a check up.

Have you spoke to this breeder about his behaviour?
Did you research the breeder?

Some puppies take a little while to get used to things but in all the years I’ve had dogs, I’ve not had one that wasn’t naturally curious. Leads do take time to get used to, but he shouldn’t be scared of everyday things to the point you describe. Sounds like a severe lack of socialisation by the breeder

Actually it is helpful.

OP clearly knows nothing about dogs or puppies or she’s never have got herself this puppy. She needs to know just how badly affected this puppy will be by its awful and neglected start. It’s her, as a novice owner, who will have to deal with likely separation anxiety (something this mix is prone to), fear based aggression (due to poor socialisation) and even the health issues which will likely be numerous including skin issues, eye issues, ear infections patella luxation, hip dysplasia and the ever lovely MVD.

OP needs to know so she is prepaded. Of course if she had done her research she’d have known about these (but likely didn’t or she’d have known not to buy from a puppy farmer). It’s not mean or nasty or even unhelpful to point it out - it’s necessary, so OP can go into owning this dog far better informed than she was 12 hours ago.

And she needs good insurance assp. Hip dysplasia can cost upwards of £7k. Luxating patella? £4K per leg if OP is lucky. So yes, she needs to know how potentially costly this badly bred dog will be.

And don’t say no offence when what you’ve said is offensive when I was being honest and as kind as possible about how challenging this dog might be. I already said upthread no one should stick the knife in, as others have, but OP needs to be made aware of the likely issues she is going to face. Acting like it’s all sunshine’s and daisies when this dog is clearly going to be riddled with issues is just unhelpful.

But you're beating a dead horse i.e. telling her what she should have known and done before bringing the dog home. When someone has a new puppy and they're worried about it being sick, they don't need advice on complaining to the council etc. It's bad timing and bad form.

I think she probably knows, at this point, that the sourcing of this puppy was a mistake. Hopefully, others who read this in the future will avoid this situation.

As far as OP goes, she needs help to keep this puppy well and safe, and speculation about its current health or future health is just not helpful at this stage.

And, if you found what I said offensive, consider that what you're saying is offensive hence my comment.

I agree with you on many points but your timing and lack of tact is just not appropriate.

Not here to argue with you or anything, rather I'm asking you to help the immediate situation, if possible and soapbox later.

@LuvMyPuppers the timing is necessary. So when OP takes this dog to the vets (hopefully within the next two hours) she knows what’s being said. And so if there are any nasty surprises or the dog has a weird walk, she knows why.

And what I found offensive was you saying ‘no offence’ - it’s like saying ‘I’m sorry, but.’ Just own it if you’re going to be rude. Nothing I said was rude, you however were.

Ultimately, though, I’m not going to engage with you anymore. Anyone who thinks a puppy not eating and drinking is ‘normal’ is never going to understand basic puppy welfare in my eyes (now that probably was rude, true though).

I was being blunt and not trying to be rude. I said no offense because I meant it.

How you choose to take it, afterwards, is regrettable but not my intent nor responsibility.

We're on the same side here - just different ideas regarding presentation and timing.

@BlueBoy2 let me know how you're getting on, today. Keeping you in my thoughts x

I got my dog when he was 16 weeks. I’d gone to see a different litter but he was there and I fell in love with him. He wasn’t nervous though.

I find puppies can be quite bitey and chewy for about 6 months before it calms a little. My dog hates metal and rather randomly (no reason to be) is scared of bunches of keys!

Getting a vet check and insurance is one of the first things I do with a new puppy just to set my own mind at ease there is nothing seriously wrong with them. Hopefully your puppy will soon settle in and be fine.

Threads like this are exactly why I would never come onto this forum for advice. They descend into posters sniping at each other and at the OP, forgetting that there’s actually a human behind the post who made a mistake and needs support and kindness, not berating and snide comments.

Animal welfare is a touchy subject for people so it's bound to get emotive, sometimes.

Hopefully the OP will be able to wade through the white noise for the help they need.

This place is great for almost real time advice if one can remove themselves from the emotion.

Right, but there’s a time and a place for it and a thread where someone is reaching out for support isn’t it. It happens all the time on this forum.

For people who claim to care about animal welfare, they often don’t seem to give a shit about the humans they’re hurting.

Yes, it certainly seems that way. I get what you're saying. ❤

Actually this thread has been very restrained.

The fact is OP bought a puppy farmed dog and needs to know the consequences before she talks to a vet. Not telling her that and dancing around the issues does her and more importantly the puppy - who should be everyone’s priority - no favours.

Rightly on the doghouse, dog welfare comes first. Presumably why OP came here - for advice on how to help her dog, from dog owners and breeders? If she wanted hand-holding and sympathy, chat or AIBU would be a better place 😊

As he is vaccinated taking him for a short walk may encourage him to wee - male dogs like to pee where other dogs have peed. He may feel more secure with a harness rather than a lead

This. Bad genetics and lack of early socialisation will add up to a dog with lifelong problems.

You’ve made a mistake here but I think you realise that
anyway the puppy is here and it sounds like he is making progress. Poor little mite must be terrified

you have a bit of a mountain to climb with him but you can get there, I just hope he’s physically healthy. I’m sure he’ll wee today but get to a vet as soon as you can.

Even confident puppies often won’t toilet on walks for a while.

I’m surprised to hear how many puppies are reported to be nervous when going to a new home. Mine have always marched in as if they own the place, keen to explore.

The OP is in no position to decide the future of this little puppy until both a very thorough vet check and some degree of behavioural assessment is done. Insurance is a very thorny problem for the OP though and unlikely to be of any help at this point. All policies I’m aware of have a two week exclusion from start date so anything found at the vet check, which MUST be done right away, won’t be covered. For the entirety of the dogs life

Sending the pup back is almost certainly not an option, rescue may be. Or keeping it of course
But this is quite possibly nothing like the undertaking the OP thought she was taking on and she has every right to explore all options. Sooner is better than later though for all concerned. Especially the puppy

I don't think it's completely uncommon or says much about how they will be as adults. It's up to us as owners to make them feel safe and comfortable.

My first dog just ran straight in, out into the garden, ate everything he could get his teeth on, played with his toys. Second puppy (from the same breeder) was petrified for the first day, wouldn't eat independently, hid in the corner etc. By day two he had come out of his shell. Third dog I got was like the first one. They have all grown up to be confident and sweet dogs with no behaviour issues.

Night was ok he wined in his crate for 10 mins then slept through from 11 till 7. Hasn't ate much or wee or poo. Asleep again now, just sleepy, lethargic and scared
I've spoken to a rescue charity I know the lovely lady there who put me in touch with a lady who fosters dogs. We are going to meet at the vets today and get him checked and she will take him.
He's definitely not right and I thjnk will need specialised training which I can't give. I dont want him to wait another 2 or 3 weeks and then give him up he needs help now if hes got any chance.
Im so sad, feel like such a fool and just feel shit for my kids as well.
I thought I was quite an intelligent person but actually I think im very naive and I'll have to look t that. The breeder messaged and said they would take him back but no refund, I dont want to send him back there.
Thanks for everyone's help and advice, the dog community is amazing xx

You're doing the right thing.

Thanks to @TheHungryHungryLandsharks for suggesting rescue and all who suggested immediate vet care.

I'm glad you've found a solution and, despite the hard lesson, you can now join our dog community (who have mostly all been had, at some point, by unethical breeders), as another passionate voice against the barbaric practice of puppy farming, backyard breeders and designer breeds.

All the best to you @BlueBoy2