Crating dogs and introducing puppies to crates
Polly is a toy poodle puppy (14wks old now) that I have had for only 2 months. My last dog, Prissy, died of cancer one year ago. So, it has been about 12 years since I have had a puppy. Prissy was very easy to train, quiet, docile, and had been in a crate since she was born. Polly was the dominant pup in her litter, is very vocal (i.e., whines a LOT), and seems to hate the crate. Polly is very smart. She is already completely house broken, and is almost leash trained. She already knows her name and has picked up several more words. However, I have two main issues that are concerning me. The first is about the crate. I am single and work. Polly will need to be comfortable being in her crate. I am a school teacher and am home now most of the time since it's summer. So, she's not been alone much. However, I have been putting her in the crate a little every day even if I am home. I have tried to praise her when she finally quiets down. The problem is she NEVER quiets down. She will whine for 2-3 hours straight. I eventually get her out when the time is up, but I'm afraid she is connecting "freedom" with whining. HELP! My second question is kind of related and has to do with sleeping. What is a reasonable time period for a puppy her age to sleep through the night? She weighs about 4 pounds. Again, she whines to wake me up. I am a late night, late sleeper person. I teach night classes and have adopted a night owl routine. I am trying to get her on my schedule and it is not working. She can go to bed at 9 or midnight and she still wants to get up between 7 and 8 in the morning. I hate to compare, but Prissy slept through the night from day one and easily slipped into my routine. I feel like I am the one doing something wrong or that maybe I was just lucky before and this type of transition is more normal. Are my expectations too great for a puppy her age and will this just come in time? If I knew that, I would be able to relax more and just enjoy her now. As it is, I am stressed to the max because I feel like I am screwing this up. Thanks for your help. |
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Dog with problems walking
When I came home from work yesterday, Sparrow(6yo female neutered mix breed), who stays in my basement with access to the crawl space under the house, was having trouble going up the stairs. She seemed sick - hot nose & depressed. She has a knot midway up her tail about the size of a quarter. Her hindquarters are slightly swollen and tender. Her behind was dirty with dust, some fecal matter, and little black dots that looked like flea eggs (she doesn't have fleas - she's on med from the vet.) It seemed she had been dragging her bottom on the ground. My gut feeling is that she may have been bitten by a spider or god forbid a snake (in my basement?!!) but I'm also worried that she's hurt her back. She can still walk - even jump on the bed - but she is not moving correctly. She is still eating and drinking. She's not any worse this morning, but no better. She's not limping, but she acts stiff - is not moving her hind legs with ease, but I don't see where they look out of whack. For example, when she goes up steps, she just goes one step at a time, very slowly and carefully when she usually bounds & skips steps. It doesn't look like she's knuckling over, and her feet and legs look normal. Another thought after babying her this morning - she has had trouble in the past with her anal glands being blocked. Usually I try to massage & expel them when I bathe her. I haven't noticed her dragging her butt, which usually happens when her glands are filled and need expelling, but is it possible this could be the problem? Or constipation?
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