Please help! My new puppy won't drink water! And he's scared!?

Question

Ok, I went to a well known and respected pet store last night. At least that's what I thought.

I bought a dog that is called a chidorkie. It's chihuaha, yorkie, and doxie.

It isn't a baby, really, it's 5 months old. So it was in that pet shop, in a cage, for 5 months. Sad, huh?

Ok, well I bought him, and bring him home, and he is just freaked out. I have him a little calmed down, he ate some food, and he has played a tiny bit with my chocolate lab that I already had. But he wont drink anything. I'm really worried, because I don't want him to get dehydrated. I did what my papers say, to put some honey on a dish, or the roof of his mouth, and it didn't work.

I put the water dish in front of him and tipped it so the water was on the edge, and he took like 4 tongue fulls, but that's obviously not enough.


So I have 2 questions...

How do I get him to drink.
And what can I do to make him not scared?

I have toys for him, blankets, and pillows... (read on)

and I'm getting him a puppy crate today so he can have his own little space, and so i can start crate training him, potty training, ect...

Please help, I'm worried.

Oh and the food, and water i'm giving him is different, and away from the food I give my lab.

It's not a mutt. It's a designer dog. I have the money to spend, I spent it how I wanted to. Don't insult me with your immaturity.

Answer 1

Please don't be scared. Concerned yes but don't be scared.

Most pet stores get their puppies from commercial dog breeders and many of those are 'puppy mills' who will crate their dogs in cramped, dark and filthy areas. Your puppy likely did not spend 5 months at the pet shop. Likely he was taken there around 2-4 months of age. You can ask the pet shop if you'd like to know. My guess would be by your description that this is a classic puppy mill puppy and he was not at the pet store that long but rather traumatized by the so-called breeder's property. He isn't quite sure what to make of this new found goodness he has in you and it's going to take patience for you to see him through his fear of waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak.

Additionally, keep in mind that temperament and personality are hereditary and most breeders who don't care where their puppies go (sorry, but as a breeder, I couldn't bear to let a pet shop just let my puppy go to the first person with money.. I need more info than how much is in their wallet - certainly not even close to a dig on you, just the breeder who puts puppies in that risky situation. Your puppy could have just as easily wound up with someone terrible. I'm glad he found you!

First, I'd want a complete checkup done at a vet's office asap.In the meantime, try giving your new baby some pedialyte from a needleless syringe or eyedropper, etc. This will help you be certain he is not getting dehydrated. If his tummy is upset, you can give a tiny bit of pepto bismol or kaeopectate.

I am normally a huge crate training advocate but in this case, I would avoid it for now. He may very well be traumatized by improper cage use.

When reassuring him, rub his shoulder. This is what wolves in their packs do when they wish to convey "you're accepted. You're okay, I'm okay". Just be careful not to appear to be rewarding cowardly behavior or you may accidentally reinforce it. Instead, set him up by asking him to come.. reward him. -- ask him to sit.. reward him (even if you have to gently guide him into the sit position). but for a day or two, just let him explore and relax.

Wishing you and your new baby all the best for many years to come.

Answer 2

I don't think you worry too much. With water available he won't allow that, he will drink. If my cockapoo is in a new place or we are travelling he will not drink for what seems the longest time. I don't know if it's because he doesn't want to have to go pee and doesn't know where or when he'll be allowed out or what it is. Maybe just a reaction to unfamiliar surroundings.
You should maybe not fuss over him so much and let him get comfortable with his new home at his own pace. Keep an eye on him for sure but leave him to his own devices. Having his own crate will probably help make him more comfortable. Just have a little patience he'll soon be coming to you he's like you said just freaked out he should settle in after a couple of days. Good Luck.

Answer 3

just because you have been around a dog that had parvo that makes you think yours doesn't, doesn't mean he doesn't! if that makes sense. All the signs you have said point to parvo. Take him to the vet. My puppy was throwing up yellow fluid, but was eating and drinking. The vet said he had a little stomach upset cause he's a puppy and probably eats lots of crap. Hopefully that is the case with your dog, but you can't diagnose parvo, you are not a vet.

Answer 4

Yeah putting water in his hard food is a good idea. Sometimes dog's will only "have what you have" so having him watch while drinking some water from a glass then putting it in his bowl may help too. As for him being scared.. its usually a sign of something that happened in his past but it can be resolved. If you live in the UK look up a program called "Dog Whisperer" on the BBC. It may have some helpful tips in achieving this. If not, this website looks helpful http://www.dogbehaviour.com/behaviourproblems/indexdog.htm

Answer 5

He spent 5 mos in a box and now he's out in the big wide world, of course he's scared half to death. What a horrible life he's had! Give him time. Don't play loud obnoxious music or TV around him, don't invite all your friends over to see your new dog for quite a while. Just spend one on one time with him whenever you can. Speak gently and with affection. Hold your hand out often for him to smell and pet him, scratch behind his ears. Hold him to your heart and give him little kisses. Eventually he'll trust you and then by extension, he'll learn to trust the things you trust. Good luck on your new dog!

Answer 6

Take him back to the petstore, You know better than to buy a puppy from the petstore. He probably was drinking out of one of those hamster bottles and isn't used to a water dish.
You got ripped off, cause there is no such thing as that thing you mentioned. You spent good money on a mutt.

Answer 7

It's normal for puppy's not to drink anything when u first bring them home, I had one that wouldn't eat either. He will start to he's just scared right now. I did baby one of my dogs to make them feel safe, and now he's a momma's boys. So if u don't want a dog who is snuggly and needs alot of attention from u I wouldn't do this. Good Luck

Answer 8

When dogs are stressed and/or overly anxious, they will not take water. What your dog is doing (refusing water) is an elictied response to stress.

You need to calm down and let nature run its course, trust me, she won't let him die of thirst. But you, on the other hand, need a big glass of water to chase down a chill pill!

Tony A-

Answer 9

Js but your dog is a mongrel. He's a mixed breed. "Designer dog" is just another name for mongrels

Answer 10

Try chopping a tiny piece of garlic off of a clove, and then squeeze it into the water. It's completely harmless, but the smell is strong, so he should be curious about it. Make sure you play with him, talk to him, and pet him too, to help him calm down. Good luck!