Ask Me Help Desk - Depressed puppy won't do anything

:confused: Just got my 3 month old lab mix today. She is very lazy and depressed. She won't come to me when I stand up, and hardly comes to be with I sit on the floor and call her. I want to know if my dog is depressed, adjusting. I hope she is just going through a phase. But if anyone have any idea please help me.

A 3 month old Lab should alternate between periods of active play and naps. If she has been in a kennel or pet store, your home is a strange new place and you are a strange new person. Getting down to her is the right thing.

She may adjust quickly, or she could have a health problem. Make an appointment with a vet, and take her and any health records for her your have. If you don't have records, you try to get them. Otherwise, the vet will have to assume she hasn't had any and go ahead with everything. She will need a heart worm test and start a preventative. She needs a flea remedy too. The vets have the best, but some of the over the counter stuff works well too. The creams, pills, drops, or shots today are much more effective that in the past.

Well today she warmed up a little, she still is scared of everything. She sleeps a whole lot. She will come to me if I call for her now. But she is still scared of doorways lol, and stairs. New people also scared her. I really hope she turns out to be a good dog.

I am a dog breeder, so I can tell you from experience that she will be just fine. I always tell anyone who buys one of my dogs to expect her not to eat or socialize for 2-3 days. As long as she is drinking water, and going potty, she is fine. Also, your puppy is sleeping a lot in part because she is a puppy and also because she is stressed about the change... new smells, people, places, etc. one thing you can do that is very important is to NOT switch the food she has been eating. Switching gives them gas, diarreah and cramps, which she does not need, especially during the transition to her new home. I hope this info was helpful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveMyBooBooGirl

i am a dog breeder, so i can tell you from experience that she will be just fine. i always tell anyone who buys one of my dogs to expect her not to eat or socialize for 2-3 days. as long as she is drinking water, and going potty, she is fine. also, your puppy is sleeping alot in part because she is a puppy and also because she is stressed about the change...new smells, people, places, etc. one thing you can do that is very important is to NOT switch the food she has been eating. switching gives them gas, diarreah and cramps, which she does not need, especially during the transition to her new home. i hope this info was helpful!

I have seen enough puppies to know if they are properly socialized by the breeder, they eat what they are given and are quick to socialize with everybody in their new home as soon as they walking the door. Not just Labs, but Shepherds and other breeds too. Many of the questions I see here and elsewhere relate to poor early socialization. Too many breeders leave the mother and puppies to themselves until time to sell the puppies.

Leaving a puppy in the kennel until it is 3 months old gets it off to a poor start.

Having grown up in a family that bred champion golden retrievers for over 10 years and breeding the Australian cattle dog for several years myself,with outstanding reputation, I believe I am qualified to speak on breeding, development and socialization. Puppies are an ever hungry being :) and will eat almost anything put in front of them. They do not have the knowledge that a change in diet almost always causes some degree of stomach discomfort, be it mild gas or cramping and diarreah. And proper socialization is a highly important key in their development. My litters are exposed to children, cats and other dogs (my personal pets only for their health), in a sanitary controlled environment at about 1 month of age. As soon as they have begun vaccinations, they begin short car trips (through a drive-thru atm or restaurant). Around their 2nd month, after 2 series of vaccinations, they experience a shopping cart stroll through Petsmart and some play in the front yard. (the front yard is not advisable until they are vaccinated because of the risk of parvo and other illnesses transmitted by stray animals) The trip is 1 part socialization, 1 part marketing. :) but even at that, they can still be weary of all the stimulous of a new home, especially with other pets and young children for the first day or two.