IM Overhwhelemed

I KNEW I would be abd tried to tell DH but he didnt listen. Im too much or a worrier.

I dont know whats right or normal in a puppy.

So We got our baby today, she is a shih tzu/Lhasa apso mix. She is 10 weeks old, about 3 lbs or so.

She seems to have a VERY runny nose, and the occasional sneeze.

She popped ( TMI) Twice today but now seems very constipated, keeps pushing to go but nothing is coming out.

She also keeps panting although I keep giving her water and she is cool to the touch.
Anyone know if this is typical of a shih tzu?

Im calling the vet in the morning to see if we can get her in on Thursday along with my cat ( for her check up).

She was from an animal shelter, she had one shot so far.

Im just so worried we are not going to be good puppy parents

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

I am so happy for you
I know how long you were looking for a puppy!!!

Gizmo is a shih-tzu mix and he always pants a lot in the summer... I think that is how they keep cool.

I am sure you will be great puppy parents!!!
And post some pics when you get a chance... I just love baby shih tzus

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Def take her to your vet!!!!!!!

Keep us posted. she will be fine.

Sounds like it could be stress related.

Remember all kittens and pups develop colds when are adopted.

Message edited 7/4/2006 7:34:36 PM.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

guys, I really mean it though. This is overwhelming....I feel bad putting her in the crate but I have to get her used to it. But she wimpers a lot and barks. And she keeps pooping and is too young yet for grooming but she gets it stuck ALL over her rear and I am afraid we arent going to train her right etc.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Maybe you can just trim around her butt with scissors? We do this to Gizmo in between groomings sometimes. Also, we use baby wipes to wipe his butt. Maybe the vet will have other suggestions. We never crated him so I can't help with that.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

the runny nose is probably kennel cough which is typical of shelter dogs.

the pooping issue....you could trim her fur, maybe the heat is disrupting her digestive system? some dogs are sensitive to that.

What food was she eating in the shelter? If you changed the brand, that could be affecting her too.

Panting is normal for all dogs....moreso in the summer. It's how they sweat...they don't have sweat gladns to sweat through their skin. Try giving her an ice cube or putting ice in her water to keep it cold.

The crate thing...she's got to get used to it....it's a puppy not liking it/not used to it/seperation anxiety thing. I'm sure she was in a cage at the shelter, so she is associating it with that experience.

Try to put treats in there randomly and let her "find" them when she wanders in there on her own and PRAISE HER big time when she goes in there on her own. She needs to know it's a safe place....takes awhile though. Give her crate a name....we tell our dog to "go home" and he heads right in there!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

THANK YOU GUYS!

ANd Thanks JEN For your FM's. I feel a little better knowing it wasnt just me who felt overwhelmed or that Iw asnt crazy thinking how HARD this was gonna be. I mean I know It would be, but it seems so much easier on paper how to train a puppy then actually doing in DUH!

Thanks again!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Posted by dm24angel

THANK YOU GUYS!

ANd Thanks JEN For your FM's. I feel a little better knowing it wasnt just me who felt overwhelmed or that Iw asnt crazy thinking how HARD this was gonna be. I mean I know It would be, but it seems so much easier on paper how to train a puppy then actually doing in DUH!

Thanks again!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Congrats on getting a puppy!!!!!!

Dont feel bad to call the vets office with every single question you may have. I did and still do since Rocky is our first family dog. I have the vet on speedial

Also, feel free to ask us here anything.

You'll be great puppy parents!!!!

Message edited 7/4/2006 10:32:28 PM.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Don't worry so much, you will be fine. The advice you've gotten so far is great. Take her to the vet and he will let you know what's going on as far as her runny nose and poop situation. Most likely it's the stress of coming to your house.
Good luck with her and Congratulations again!!!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

WE didnt sleep much last night. A few hours here and there. Finally DH took a blanket and slept on the floor next to the crate to get her to calm down. Shes just too tiny to let run around yet but doesnt seem to want to sleep for more then an hour or two at a time.

Gonna be a rough few weeks I think

Please someone tell me she will sleep more sometimes soon?!?!?!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

hi donna!!! puppies can be overwhelming but you're doing great so far don't worry!! you're going to have to try and show her the crate is a positive thing...eventually she won't cry in there and she'll use it as her safe haven

try putting the crate in the bedroom with you at night, dogs like to sleep with their pack, they feel safer

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Donna, taking her to the vet is definitely an excellent first step.

Panting is normal, esp in the summer. I panicked the first time Denver panted.

All of your worrying is normal and just means that you care and are taking this big responsiility seriously.

Puppy parenthood can be very overwhelming -- you are doing a wonderful job so far

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Posted by dm24angel

WE didnt sleep much last night. A few hours here and there. Finally DH took a blanket and slept on the floor next to the crate to get her to calm down. Shes just too tiny to let run around yet but doesnt seem to want to sleep for more then an hour or two at a time.

Gonna be a rough few weeks I think

Please someone tell me she will sleep more sometimes soon?!?!?!

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

I was so overwhelmed when I first got Max. Literally I was in tears by the 2nd night. He had bad kennel cough, problems with eating and barely slept---so what you're saying sounds familiar!!
He had a runny nose and congestion, but not really a cough but he still needed antibiotics. As far as his stomach problems, they got better after a little while. The vet thought most of it was stress related and it did settle down after a little bit. They did a stool sample at the vet just to make sure nothing was wrong.

As for the crate----I had a really hard time with the crate thing too. But, everyone told me to stick to it and I did. I aslo slept on the floor for a few nights just so he would sleep a few hours. Slowly he learned that the crate was his "safe" place and learned to love it. When we moved, I actually tried to get rid of the crate and he was lost without it.

FM me if I you have any ?'s or just need to vent!!

p.s. my mom's last dog was perfectly trained-she was a yellow lab that we got from someone who breeds for the blind association and was very strong in her opinions on having a crate for the dog. she actually had a whole list of things to do and not to do with the dog.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Message edited 7/5/2006 3:56:44 PM.

Re: IM Overhwhelemed

Thanks everyone. You all made me feel so much better!!! I know Im gonna have a LOT of questions...So I apologize in advance...