Hello.

[Billyboy]

Hello.
After getting 'Billy' nearly two weeks ago I've been doing lots of googling for general puppy advice,came across several doggy sites that seem full of lots of criticism and sarcasm...then found here...you all seem so friendly.

Billy is now 11 weeks old and most of the time proving to be a real sweetheart...although the first few days we thought we'd welcomed a beast into our home...kiddies seemed to be ever moving targets and got several bite wounds on their legs from where he decided to play tug of war with their limbs
With patience the playing is gradually calming down(a thread on here chilled me out by making me realise it was normal play behaviour that needed to be relearnt)

One question for now...whenever he needs a poo he gets a little agitated,will do one 'firm pile' but then wander around the garden finishing off with a far sloppier pile.(he also whimpers a little just before and during)
Also this morning,whilst DS was gently stroking his tummy he suddenly growled and snapped...no contact just seemed to be saying ouch)
He's not due to be wormed until Tuesday...would it be worth bringing it forward a couple of days...could worms be causing the problem?
He is a bit of a hoover and is constantly finding things to eat...grass,soil etc...we're quick to take other stuff away from him...having read up about obstructions in the gut I don't think it's that as he's managing to poo.

Thanks...and sorry that my first post had to include 'poo talk'

[lindamarie]

WELCOME TO OUR FORUM!!

Awwww......an 11 week old doodle! I remember it well! Bogart just turned 3 and went through tons of training to become a service dog and therapy dog!

When we got him at 9 weeks.....I sure can recall things that you have described. Billy's behavior sounds normal to me and with some training and obedience classes.......he will turn out to be the BEST! Doodle's just ARE the BEST!

The poo's ( we talk about them all the time, so don't feel like your first post was unusual ) could be a few things....especially since he's a little Hoover, like so many can be!

I'd first like to say that, from our breeder, we discovered that poo's can be solid and then be mushy especially, for some reason, at night.
Yet, I'm concerned about his wimpering during the process and the belly rub being possibly painful.
Have you taken him to the vet?
I know.........here's where the bills start coming in.
We had several issues with Bogart.
Although he came from a GREAT and reputable breeder, he had different types of parasites and worms. He was on meds for weeks, which, btw, our breeder covered the expenses, as they realized it had been caused at the breeders home.
Sometimes, when people visit puppies, they bring in various things from other places on their shoes etc. This is why several breeders I know ask that you NOT have visited another breeder the day you're visiting them. They want to keep their place clean and parasite free...nonetheless.....sometimes it happens.
I would take a sample of Billy's stool in asap and either rule in or rule out the possibility of worms or parasites.

Next, ******VERY IMPORTANT*****a vet needs to exam or take xrays of the tummy. There very possibly could be something he ingested lurking in his stomach or intestines. I would say you need to do this immediately and I hope your vet is open on Saturday.
If not, first thing on Monday, have Billy examined. He shouldn't be whimpering or in pain when his abdomen is touched. he gave your husband a warning of something going on.
Try not to be alarmed, but PLEASE, get him in! Believe me, we had to have several xrays and were you to search this forum, you would find that doodles......ANY DOGS.....have eaten things such as socks, tennis balls, rocks and things unimaginable that could be stuck somewhere in the digestive system.

Please keep us posted!

[Billyboy]

Hi Linda....and thanks for the quick reply.
The poos have been more normal today and yesterday he let me stroke him all over where yesterday he seemed to have a slight pain...I'm wondering if stinging nettles affect a dog...we have a little patch near the steps to the garden so he may have brushed his tummy against them.
He's due to have his second jab on Tuesday so I'll mention it to the vet then.

The nipping is definately improving...I'm hoping that the fact he seems to have started early that by the time he'ss that bit bigger he'll have learnt it's not acceptable.The kiddies still seem to bear the brunt of it but he's not sinking his teeth in as he was before.(it was literally everytime their feet hit the floor he couldn't resist jumping up and taking a chunk out...I'm working on making sure they take their turns feeding him and doing little bits of basic OB with him)

The house is gradually getting tidier anyway...or at least the floor and coffee tables...any high shelf is getting a little full up of guff that he's found and can't have

[lindamarie]

Happy to hear this is getting under control and you'll be seeing a vet soon.

I'm working on making sure they take their turns feeding him and doing little bits of basic OB with him)

This is GREAT! May I suggest something along with this since you have little ones.
No knowing how old your children are......this might be difficut.
If they are able to understand what I'm about to say, this will be really good to do........if not, you should do it with them there.
I mentioned Bogart is my service dog and he also works with kids in schools and hospitals.
We trained him immediately that we could pick his food up, ruffle his muzzle, tug his ears etc while he is eating.
We went as far as to stick our head in his bowl and move him aside!
Now, when Bogart is around anyone, child or adult, they can take anything away from him.
This is important as you don't want a dog you can't mess with when eating.
Your children need to know this is NOT a teasing time of take away or "let's mess with Billy".
If you can get them to understand that it's a training tool that would be great!! If not, let them stand next to you and participate in some way.
No one wants to have a dog who snarls, growls or even bites when someone comes near their food, bone or play toy, ya know?

[Billyboy]

I've been getting the kiddies to add a little extra food halfway through so he's used to them around when he eats and he often gets a back or head rub too...will maybe progress to your level

It's strange,I grew up with dogs and we had a German Shepherd and Sheltie from pup when I was particularly little...I thought I'd be fine and hubbie(his first dog) would be the worrier...nothing can prepare you for the first family dog when you're the mum...or maybe I'm just too much of a worrier!
I really do think he'll be fine...I'm just hoping his less than desirable play manners are unlearnt by the time he's bigger.(he's supposedly a miniature...but we're wondering if hid Daddy...a Toy...may actually have descended from a donkey!).