MsBex

Yes, he had his last vaccination a week ago, which is when I also took him in about the cough and runny nose, and started the antibiotics at the same time. Will finish them off, but still take him to another vet tomorrow. The stickers for his first two vaccs say C3, but didn't get the sticker for the last shot as I forgot to take the booklet in. He's still got energy but does get tired, which I put down to being a puppy. I think will keep him nice and quiet for the next week and get another lot of antibiotics. My vet said the same thing as yours, that it was vacc-related, but I've had my doubts.

I'm not sure what her housing situation was with her puppies. Whenever I visited she always had the puppies inside with her, and the adult dogs outside in a side enclosure. Pretty disappointed in both the vet and the breeder atm, but my fault also for not asking more questions and following my gut instinct. Appreciate your quick responses.

Is there anything about KC I should know? I'll google it now as well, but just from your experience if you have anything to add? It's not deadly is it?

KC?? What's that ... Oh! Kennel Cough?? I was hoping that wasn't the case Will take him down tomorrow to Animal Welfare League Vet, I've heard they're pretty good.

*RE-POSTING IN THIS FORUM AS NOT HAVING MUCH LUCK IN THE HEALTH SECTION * Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone has experienced this and whether i'm over-reacting? I have a 13wk old Cocker Spaniel, who has basically had what I (as an amateur) would call dog-flu! He's had a snotty nose, which is all crusty from dried snot, and this has been accompanied by a cough (usually only in the evenings). When I went to visit him about 2 weeks before taking him home, one of the adult dogs in the kennel had a cough, and the breeder mentioned in passing whether he might have kennel cough. I mentioned this to the vet and he said he doubted that's what Cory had. Also he didn't have any cough symptoms for about a week after he got home. I took him to the vet about 8 days ago, and he's been on antibiotics and also cough medicine. Sometimes I think he's getting over it, and then today I had to wipe the snot away from his nose when I woke up as it had crusted over one nostril and he was having difficulty breathing through it. Particularly in the evenings it seems to get worse, and I often wipe his nose with a tissue as he wipes it all over the carpet otherwise. He has 2 days worth of antibiotics to go. I'm also wondering if its because of his vaccinations as it seemed really quick to me. He's basically had them at 8wks, 10wks and 12wks (Protech C3). The vet said it was a new one and could be done every 2 weeks, and although from my readings I knew it was fast, I thought "Who am I to argue with the professional?". Is this all normal for a puppy or should I be taking him to a different vet? Thanks for your responses.

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone has experienced this and whether i'm over-reacting? I have a 13wk old Cocker Spaniel, who has basically had what I (as an amateur) would call dog-flu! He's had a snotty nose, which is all crusty from dried snot, and this has been accompanied by a cough (usually only in the evenings). When I went to visit him about 2 weeks before taking him home, one of the adult dogs in the kennel had a cough, and the breeder mentioned in passing whether he might have kennel cough. I mentioned this to the vet and he said he doubted that's what Cory had. Also he didn't have any cough symptoms for about a week after he got home. I took him to the vet about 8 days ago, and he's been on antibiotics and also cough medicine. Sometimes I think he's getting over it, and then today I had to wipe the snot away from his nose when I woke up as it had crusted over one nostril and he was having difficulty breathing through it. Particularly in the evenings it seems to get worse, and I often wipe his nose with a tissue as he wipes it all over the carpet otherwise. He has 2 days worth of antibiotics to go. I'm also wondering if its because of his vaccinations as it seemed really quick to me. He's basically had them at 8wks, 10wks and 12wks (Protech C3). The vet said it was a new one and could be done every 2 weeks, and although from my readings I knew it was fast, I thought "Who am I to argue with the professional?". Is this all normal for a puppy or should I be taking him to a different vet? Thanks for your responses.

Awww ... she's so cute! Haven't really got advice as I'm a newb to puppies too, but thought i'd just share my experienc as I've had my puppy for a whole week now ;) Our first day puppy ate SO much, and not being aware how much of a portion to feed puppy, he was so gorged I felt terrible ... however now he doesn't seem to be eating enough ... pretty much missing out his meal of dry food as he doesn't seem to like it much. Haven't wanted to create a picky eater, so have just left it out for him and he'll nibble occasionally, then wait for his dinner of chicken mince! Tried mixing it up but he would just eat around the dry. We got a crate for a mature version of our pup, and he hasn't soiled it yet, although the carpets have had a bit of a workout, even with my eagle eye supervision ... but he's so short I couldn't tell initially as he just stood there, neither squatting or lifting a leg. But have worked out his toilet signs now Good luck, i'm sure you'll have as much fun as we are! Ooh, had to add ... today we discovered water aversion and its AWESOME!! Every time he trys to bite my computer cords or my son or me, I squirt him with water from a spray bottle, he hasn't worked out where it comes from, so it totally distracts him and I can reassure him he's alright ... lol.

The info I was given was pretty generic ... ie. dry food for lunch (choice of 4 brands), raw meat for dinner, and cereal for breakfast. If I was given a specific brand or specific diet I wouldn't have needed a bag of food, but sure is a nice touch

Ooh I was so excited when I read the title thread!! Have an 11wk old Cocker Spaniel doing the exact same thing! Today however was the first time I took him to school to pick up my boy (had his 2nd vaccination last week) and he was SO distracted he didn't even try to bite it! What I was doing at home (totally novice puppy owner mind you!) is keeping it as short as possible and whenever he rolled over to grab it, let it lie flat on the floor so it became boring! Stopped him biting it, but we didn't get far around the yard

Hi, Good thread and good suggestions here. I just bought my puppy home a week ago, and like others have said I'd have appreciated a bag of what he was eating, as he ended up with diarrhea for a few days. Also, the option to speak to the breeder whether on email or phone for any follow up questions. Pics and genuine information about parents/temperament, puppy pack etc. Oooh, and especially a blanket with the mum/littermates scent on it!! Sounds like alot of people on here have some really good breeders that provide all that, but from my experience, having bought this new puppy, and previously a mature dog (both advertised on Dogzonline), I'm feeling a little jaded

Thanks for that. It's a security screen door, and have been checking them out on ebay as well ... will give it a go

Hey, a bit OT but it goes with the thread title With those of you that have doggy doors, did you install them yourself? I've seen them in the pet store, but the instructions on the back seemed pretty complicated from first read.

Dont listen to them! I have a staffy x with a fairly similar story to yours. After a couple of altercations at the dog park I stopped going and exercised her at another park where there were fewer dogs. She reacted well with a staffy I met there and the owner told me I was overreacting and "that's how staffys play". Because I, like you, felt sad that my dog couldnt run free anymore I made the mistake of listening and went back to the first park. The second return visit she started a fight. That was a year ago and I have not let her off lead since and she gets walked onlead on the streets instead. I still feel bad, but I think thats more my issue than the dog's. My dog has gone up and down in her DA but I would always hesitate to let her offlead around even a dog she knew and liked, I could not live with myself if she "turned" on it suddenly. Sounds so familiar I've often wished they had 'staffy' parks! He does seem to play well with other staffys. They all seem to run hard and fast and barrel around, then flop down in exhaustion not long after ... lol

Thanks dogdude, definately hear what your saying and I do agree. Have decided not to take him back to those parks, but will get one of those extender leashes so he can have a bit of freedom, but still under my control ... and i'll jog faster .. haha.

I'd be happy with neutral. I just want to be able to let him off the lead and run around like other dogs I see. I'm not talking populated public areas here, i'm talking walk tracks where 4 out of 5 dogs are off lead, walking around with their owners. Whether it was intentional or not, your post comes across as an accusation so I'll respond to your comments. I doubt twice a week for 2 months of his life has "made him dependent". Once the incident occurred I stopped going, and consider that the responsible thing to do. Similarly I'd have to be pretty rotten not to be the centre of his world, it was something that he enjoyed, hence the wimpers. Just my 2c. Thanks for the advice nonetheless.

Thanks Nekhbet. That was my gut reaction too which is why I haven't taken him back. I did book in with a trainer and went to one session, but my reason for taking him was so he could be well-socialised, and we spent the day sitting, walking, commands etc. Don't get me wrong, he was an awesome trainer, but those weren't the reasons I went, so I didn't go back. Maybe there's different trainers for different things? The reason i've been second-guessing myself is because people i've spoken to about it have *suggested* that i'm paranoid, so I thought i'd put it to the dog community! I grew up with a German Shepherd/Husky and we just didn't leash them back in those days! I feel so sorry for my dog that he can't explore when we go for walks, and run around like a fruit loop and release some of that energy! Instead we do a brisk walk, and I break into a jog every now and then :D But it just doesn't feel the same.

I've had my first staffy for about 4 months now, and am nervous about taking him to off-leash dog parks. At the same time i'm worried about his socialisation (although he does play with my sisters staffy). He's such an awesome dog at home and gets along really well 90% of the time with other dogs, unless they snap or snarl at him, and then he has no hesitation in getting involved in scuffle. I got him as an 18mo pup, and took him to those parks at least twice a week for the first 2 months with no problem. He absolutely LOVED it! (and was used to it according to the breeder). However about 2 months ago he got into a 30 sec fight with another large dog, and caused some pretty deep gashes in the dogs face. I was really nervous to take him back, but when I did a week later he snapped and snarled at a Maltese. Haven't taken him back since! Because he's a Staffy he has a good bite on him, but am not sure whether its my own paranoia or whether its the responsible thing to do to exclude him from those places. He does miss it, because he whimpers every time we drive past, but i'd hate to be responsible for him doing serious damage to someone elses pet! Any opinions? Should I give it another go? Is there such a thing as a park for big dogs? ... lol. (I find its more likely to be a small dog who snaps at him, which makes it worse if he snaps back) Are there other ways to socialise your dog?