persephone

No treats used here in training - dogs do it, they get patted and praised Simple. They have never expected anything else , so it works. because they do not get chatted to/played with all day, any praise etc is of value to them... so they enjoy earning it I also agree with not calling a dog and then doing something unpleasant - calling a dog to you should always be associated with something happy :D I see compliance in the face of distraction/unwillingness is kinda like being in the army.... soldiers are continually drilled in a behaviour , so it become AUTOMATIC ... they hear/see a cue, and the behaviour just happens , regardless of what is going on around them. practice to the 'nth' degree :D

Kibble has sharp bits - which can stick into an inflamed gum perhaps dampen it? meat/bone is better, as there are no pointy bits!

Glad there was no more vomiting, and that he enjoyed brekkie!

yep - you will benefit from a professional at your side . Some folks here have previously recommendedTHIS person Good for you coming on and asking , and I hope that you and your family get the help you need

may I suggest you start teaching him tricks - not just fetch/sit .. do a search on here there are lots There are also "CRATE GAMES" IMO his crate SHOULD be his refuge, his chill out area, his den- not a place to be dragged into as punishment . I would also suggest you try TRIANGLE of TEMPTATION - a fairly simple way of reinforcing/teaching your dog just who is in charge of life's good things :D One other thing. Running, walking distance can often just make a dog fitter- not tire out his brain :D WORK makes him tired - having to concentrate, learn, and think. It is similar to us humans We get so tired after a frazzling day at work , or after a visit from hard-to- handle kids/rellies . Then, what a lot of us do is go for a jog/to the gym to revitalise ! You have a dog bred to think/plan/concentrate, use his nose.... his training needs to help him use all that he has

Sorry 'bout the bunny - but your dog had a good, well balanced meal

so- how many hours does this pup spend in the laundry each day (out of 24 ? ) is there no way you could build/buy a run so he can at least be outside ?

Phew!!

So the barium went thru ok ? That's good news! Hope all is well!! what does he have in the way of chew toys/entertainment out in the yard? Obviously the leaves etc are some way very entertaining! does he have longish grass he can chew/eat? Perhaps he would enjoy screwed up newspaper in cardboard boxes? he could rip it up ! Kongs, bones? His is a potentially dangerous occupation

I will not attempt to induce vomiting ever again in a dog if I can avoid it- when I lost my Kieran - he had eaten Mbites. I phoned the vet who advised to make him vomit.. I tried , and I still think that's what made him torsion ..probably not, but that's how it seems:( I will also never again feed that type of dry if it can be avoided Glad your pigpug was cleaned out under vet supervision You will ALL feel much better now

Good news and one reason I like feeding Uncle Albers - it doesn't swell when wet - just turns to slosh ....very quickly.

Good that way it's gone !

Please call the vet first. When Hamlet does that - I let him drink frequently, but only small amounts .... they must have water ... just not a bellyful at a time.

Not to be picky, but your first link says that puppies begin teething between 14-18 weeks old, which suggests earlier than 5 months. But I do agree that loveisashihtzu's puppy isn't teething yet (in fact should have all 28 baby teeth by now.) I did say 'around' 5 mths. They don't use a calendar .Same as some puppies' eyes open 'around the 12 day old period ' a lot open at 10 days- some open a couple days later....

Those things with feathers are ok- but a few paper grocery bags , some old socks with some screwed up paper in the toe, and then ties in a knot, and a couple of ping pong balls to bat around will let him 'hunt' safely ..and remove the idea of "human hand moving= play/attack"

I would have put more- but there are only 3 questions allowed

Knagaroo is definitely RED MEAT . what about rabbit for your dog?

I haven't covered everything by any means - and no need to comment- it can be totally anonymous - just a snapshot of what folks have to deal with day-to day....just how much collective experience have we??

nooooo.. ;) Pups do not teethe until around 5 months old. puppies do not have fingers to explore their world- they use mouths!! I have found you some links- just background info for you, to help understand a bit about why he is doing what you're seeing They are all different points of view - but should help you undestand about that puppy trap! LINK LINK LINK LINK LINK

Makes sense to me. Puppies these days are usually born on flat surfaces- they often do not even have to struggle to help free themselves for that first breath- someone does it for them they are in a constant temperature -on a soft flat bedding.... no challenges at all . I believe these sort of 'challenges' are a good idea! Farm pups born 'rough' have these sort of stimulating challenges every day - changing surfaces- coping with cold /movement, etc... They are often very active , strong and good at solving problems early on- IMO :D I wonder if there has been any comparisons done?

Toxicity doesn't enter into the equation if a stick is stuck, or has cut/grazed the gut lining.... remember too, that sticks & leaves in the gut will probably NOT show on a normal Xray - Barium balls or meal is the way to go if needed :D *fingers crossed all is ok this afternoon*

he may well have a good dash of feral in him - which , when added to an early kittenhood street experience, and little handling from humans early on, may mean you need some good training methods. I have a 1/2 feral cat - and he was hard to handle as well... thankfully with my muddling along , and not too many demands made of him, he , at 3 has settled muchly :D `

I've seen pups do it ...

What is he currently fed? Remember if you need to change food- do it GRADUALLY to avoid tummy upsets/picky eating....

Ermmm.. he should not have vomited up apple bits from this morning - things don't usually stay in the actual stomach that long . As the vomiting doesn't appear to be caused by illness,by all means offer him some food - perhaps half of normal ....and see if it stays down. I am hoping that your boy has got rid of all the junk in his system....but i remember when my Hamlet had a blockage of twigs/leaves in his intestine, vomiting was the first symptom .. the following morning. he then had foul ,sparse diarrhoea ...then he was at the vets! Is there no way you can keep him away from teh twigs, etc ? A run or something? Eating twigs can cause injuries to mouth, oesophagus/gut, as well as blockages ..... Hoping that he is fine now, and is bouncing around tomorrow