Some advice on my rescue puppy's behavior

mydogdozer

I can use some advice on my new puppy's behaviors that need modification.

He has been home for three days and is approx. 13 weeks old. He was found in not the best of conditions as an 8 week old puppy and was housed in a farm/kennel with many other puppies until I got him home.

He has hardly eaten since getting here. I am thinking it is because he was free fed until this point, or because he just isn't going through a growth spurt and just not that hungry. But I am still a bit worried and would appreciate advice from those who have gone through this.

Next, he has been with other dogs/puppies since birth and now is having a tough time adjusting to being an only dog. He walks around whining, hardly plays with toys (getting a bit better) and only acts really comfortable and "happy" when he is around my mother's or my sister's dog for a play date. How can I help him adjust? Has anyone experienced this and can give me some hope that he will adust?

Finally: he met a dog for the first time while being on leash and the other dog being on leash. It was his first face to face dog greeting as opposed to the more natural nose to butt greeting. He was immediatley intimidated by the dog and growled deeply. Finally he sniffed noses and suddenly growled and snapped at the larger dog. I am thnking that it was because he has never greeted a dog in that human imposed way (nose to nose) and misread the dogs body language and that once I teach him that it is okay to greet that way, he will be okay. If anyone has advice on the situation or their opinion on why he may have done it other than the one I have, please share!

Thanks for any of your help, it is much appreciated!

kmes

Since you have only had him for 3-4 days, your puppy is still adjusting to his new life with you. With time he will settle in. Once he is more comfortable, he should eat better and also begin to play. If he begins to vommit, have diarrhea, or stop eating then please take hime to the vet asap.


As far as greeting the strange dog, it very well may have been the nose to nose greeting. If your puppy is nervous do not force an interaction. I would just pull out something yummy and feed him for good behavior near the "scary" dog.
Also, since he is only 13 weeks you really need to be careful as he has not recieved all of his vaccinations. Normally I do not take a new puppy places where there are a lot of strange dogs until after it has recieved its third puppy shot. You may want to ask the vet to see what he/she recommends in regards to your little guy.

Mikey

Ditto Kmes.

When is puppy going to the vet next? I'd mention he's not eating much and get the dr's take on that.

As for playing-just keep encouraging. Most dogs don't want to play by themselves, so plop yourself on the floor and play with the toys yourself-I bet he'll come right over and start playing too.

As for the leash-it could be barrier frustration; read here: Leash Frustration