New Puppers

Owned by Lucy · 02-17-2005, 09:31 PM

Either tomorrow or Saturday I am going to pick up my new puppy. It is a 6 month old male golden retriever who is severely malnurished and emaciated. He was housed at a shelter in Virginia that had run out of money and they were not properly caring for the animals. The Animal Rescue League here in Maine took some of the more critical ones and my husband fell in love with him so I am getting him for my birthday

I am fairly well versed in dealing with most puppy issues but this is one I have not encountered before. How do I safely get this puppy up to a healthy weight with out making him sick. Second, I also want to head off any food/resource guarding that may occur because of the pups history.

If anyone has any other advice for the successful rehabilitation of the pupper into a happy and healthy dog it would be much appreciated.

Here is a picture. He is the one in front.

sunny98 · 02-17-2005, 10:07 PM

What a cutie. I am not sure of how to deal with the situation but I am sure someone here will be able to help you out. Keep us posted and post more pictures!

eskilady · 03-09-2005, 08:42 AM

How is the new puppy doing? Did you have any problems regarding the food issue? What did you end up naming him/her?

Owned by Lucy · 03-09-2005, 09:14 AM

His name is Duncan. Knock on wood, we haven't had any foor related problems. He is eating fine and gaining weight, no resource guarding issues and is happy and healthy.

He is going to be a big boy. He is 30lbs now at about 5 to 5.5 months. I suspect he will be about 85-90 lbs full grown.

Here are some pictures I took last week.

gaddylovesdogs · 03-09-2005, 09:25 AM

Oh, he's adorable!

Michelejc · 03-09-2005, 10:19 AM

he's soooo cute

***Carrie*** · 03-09-2005, 10:44 AM

A-w-w-w, he's so cute, but yes, I can see that he's so thin. I would have him looked at by a vet and get some advice, only I'd caution their usual advice about feeding Science Diet. I think that food is garbage. Anyhow, normally, you would give him smallish sized feedings, but frequently, maybe 6 different times during the day so you don't overwhelm his system, but that he gets plenty. You can increase the size of the feedings and decrease the frequency after a while...maybe a couple of weeks. Don't over do it and let him get too fat though, as might be the tendency when you feel so sorry for the poor pup. Feed a good quality puppy food like Canidae, Innova, Chicken Soup for the puppy lover's soul, Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance...something like that. Have fresh, clean water available at all times.

Keep us posted. He sounds like a sweetie and hopefully wasn't abused otherwise. If he seems well adusted emotionally, he probably wasn't.

But I'd definitely have him checked, wormed, if needed etc by the vet.

Good luck and he is adorable.

ChiChi · 03-09-2005, 10:51 AM

o he is beautiful! how old is he? he doesnt look like a little pupper... i have a golden *lives w/ gma* and they are GREAT dogs, unfortuneately i cant help w/ this problem, i havent ever delt w/ it... but congrats!

eskilady · 03-09-2005, 11:28 AM

He is a beautiful color!! If I weren't so fond of "white", I wouldn't mind having a dog his color. Keep those pictures coming as we would all love to see him grow and mature.

Owned by Lucy · 03-09-2005, 02:59 PM

He is now eating Wellness Super 5 Mix, the same thing Lucy eats. We did go to the vet (5 days ago) and they said while he is a little thin he should only weigh about 4 pounds more then he did (he was at 26.5lbs). We up'd his intake a little and he has put on some weight. We are going back to the vet tomorrow for a check up.

I don't think he was abused just not well socialized (read - little to no human contact) and malnurished. He has become fairly comfortable around my hubby and I but will run and hide behind us when a new person approaches and slowly warms up. No signs of aggression in any arena.

I will get some more pics after the vet tomorrow.

Eskilady - If you like "white" you would love it here. We got a fresh blanket of it last night. It's freaking March for crying out loud and another snow storm is on its way for the weekend.

bigdoglover · 03-09-2005, 03:14 PM

Glad to hear your pup is eating good!! I would say small amounts throughout the day...obviously a late post!!

He looks good so far, and you can just see in his eyes that he is happy and grateful to be with you!!

flyndog · 03-09-2005, 03:36 PM

He looks like a real charmer! I think with your patience and slow, gentle guidance he will become a fat (not too fat) and happy dog. He is one lucky pup to have you two.

eskilady · 03-09-2005, 08:17 PM

Have to admit that I like my dogs white but not the ground! We are expecting more snow too and that is just too much. I wish that spring would hurry up and get here.

sunny98 · 03-09-2005, 08:45 PM

What a cutie! Keep us posted and more pictures too!

02-17-2005, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Owned by Lucy Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 429 Rep Power: 89	New Puppers Either tomorrow or Saturday I am going to pick up my new puppy. It is a 6 month old male golden retriever who is severely malnurished and emaciated. He was housed at a shelter in Virginia that had run out of money and they were not properly caring for the animals. The Animal Rescue League here in Maine took some of the more critical ones and my husband fell in love with him so I am getting him for my birthday I am fairly well versed in dealing with most puppy issues but this is one I have not encountered before. How do I safely get this puppy up to a healthy weight with out making him sick. Second, I also want to head off any food/resource guarding that may occur because of the pups history. If anyone has any other advice for the successful rehabilitation of the pupper into a happy and healthy dog it would be much appreciated. Here is a picture. He is the one in front.
	__________________ Courtesy of Rip "A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." -John Holmes

02-17-2005, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 96	What a cutie. I am not sure of how to deal with the situation but I am sure someone here will be able to help you out. Keep us posted and post more pictures!
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

03-09-2005, 08:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
eskilady American Eskimo Dog lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: upstate NY Posts: 161 Rep Power: 71	How is the new puppy doing? Did you have any problems regarding the food issue? What did you end up naming him/her?
	__________________ Eskilady Mom to Maizie (9), Milo (6), Molly (5) and baby Mona plus bridgekids Motli, Margie and Misha http://www.geocities.com/fingerlakeclub/Miracle.html

03-09-2005, 09:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
Owned by Lucy Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 429 Rep Power: 89	His name is Duncan. Knock on wood, we haven't had any foor related problems. He is eating fine and gaining weight, no resource guarding issues and is happy and healthy. He is going to be a big boy. He is 30lbs now at about 5 to 5.5 months. I suspect he will be about 85-90 lbs full grown. Here are some pictures I took last week.
	__________________ Courtesy of Rip "A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." -John Holmes

03-09-2005, 09:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 151	Oh, he's adorable!
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

03-09-2005, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Michelejc JCDOG Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 83 Rep Power: 69	he's soooo cute
	__________________ Michelejc

03-09-2005, 10:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,413 Rep Power: 283	A-w-w-w, he's so cute, but yes, I can see that he's so thin. I would have him looked at by a vet and get some advice, only I'd caution their usual advice about feeding Science Diet. I think that food is garbage. Anyhow, normally, you would give him smallish sized feedings, but frequently, maybe 6 different times during the day so you don't overwhelm his system, but that he gets plenty. You can increase the size of the feedings and decrease the frequency after a while...maybe a couple of weeks. Don't over do it and let him get too fat though, as might be the tendency when you feel so sorry for the poor pup. Feed a good quality puppy food like Canidae, Innova, Chicken Soup for the puppy lover's soul, Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance...something like that. Have fresh, clean water available at all times. Keep us posted. He sounds like a sweetie and hopefully wasn't abused otherwise. If he seems well adusted emotionally, he probably wasn't. But I'd definitely have him checked, wormed, if needed etc by the vet. Good luck and he is adorable.

03-09-2005, 10:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
ChiChi Sheltie Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina YEEHAW! Posts: 1,439 Rep Power: 105	o he is beautiful! how old is he? he doesnt look like a little pupper... i have a golden lives w/ gma and they are GREAT dogs, unfortuneately i cant help w/ this problem, i havent ever delt w/ it... but congrats!
	__________________ Owned by Brody the sheltie "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." --Ben Williams

03-09-2005, 11:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
eskilady American Eskimo Dog lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: upstate NY Posts: 161 Rep Power: 71	He is a beautiful color!! If I weren't so fond of "white", I wouldn't mind having a dog his color. Keep those pictures coming as we would all love to see him grow and mature.
	__________________ Eskilady Mom to Maizie (9), Milo (6), Molly (5) and baby Mona plus bridgekids Motli, Margie and Misha http://www.geocities.com/fingerlakeclub/Miracle.html

03-09-2005, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Owned by Lucy Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 429 Rep Power: 89	He is now eating Wellness Super 5 Mix, the same thing Lucy eats. We did go to the vet (5 days ago) and they said while he is a little thin he should only weigh about 4 pounds more then he did (he was at 26.5lbs). We up'd his intake a little and he has put on some weight. We are going back to the vet tomorrow for a check up. I don't think he was abused just not well socialized (read - little to no human contact) and malnurished. He has become fairly comfortable around my hubby and I but will run and hide behind us when a new person approaches and slowly warms up. No signs of aggression in any arena. I will get some more pics after the vet tomorrow. Eskilady - If you like "white" you would love it here. We got a fresh blanket of it last night. It's freaking March for crying out loud and another snow storm is on its way for the weekend.
	__________________ Courtesy of Rip "A dog is not "almost human," and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." -John Holmes

03-09-2005, 03:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 175	Glad to hear your pup is eating good!! I would say small amounts throughout the day...obviously a late post!! He looks good so far, and you can just see in his eyes that he is happy and grateful to be with you!!

03-09-2005, 03:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 181	He looks like a real charmer! I think with your patience and slow, gentle guidance he will become a fat (not too fat) and happy dog. He is one lucky pup to have you two.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

03-09-2005, 08:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
eskilady American Eskimo Dog lover Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: upstate NY Posts: 161 Rep Power: 71	Have to admit that I like my dogs white but not the ground! We are expecting more snow too and that is just too much. I wish that spring would hurry up and get here.
	__________________ Eskilady Mom to Maizie (9), Milo (6), Molly (5) and baby Mona plus bridgekids Motli, Margie and Misha http://www.geocities.com/fingerlakeclub/Miracle.html

03-09-2005, 08:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 96	What a cutie! Keep us posted and more pictures too!
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

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