Hello, I just got a 3 months old shih tzu (I named it ficco) and He doesn't want to be put in the crate so I just let him in a small room with papers on every corners. The problem is.. is it okay if I leave him in that room from 7am-3pm? Because I'm in college. Though I have a maid who only gives him food at 1pm. Then when I come home I let him in my house and put papers on the corners too because I'm not training him to potty outside my house since I don't have a yard. He goes back to the small room at 10pm. Is that okay or will he get stressed? Its my first time to have a dog. Do I have to give soft food like pouring warm water for 15 minz to his food before I feed him?

Another problem is that I just found out that ficco got a hernia on his belly. The vet said its an abdominalis hernia. Does he need to get a surgery at this age?

And the last question is, he scratches his ear a lot and lick his legs. When I check his coat and skin there's no flea or anything. What can cause the scratching?

Thank you so so much if you would answer, because my puppy's vet isn't much of a help!

For the hernia, the ear, the scratching, either your vet will have to help, or you need to find one that will. Pull the hair forward at the base of the tail and look for dark reddish specks. If you see any, your dog has fleas, even if you haven't seen any. Talk to the vet about which of the modern, effective remedies is best for you.

There should be no need to soften the food at 3 months. Be careful not to let it get too fat, see LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog

I think you would be better off using the crate and teaching the dog to go outside. You don't have to have a yard, you can take it out on a leash in a prying lot. You do need to try to avoid an area with poorly cared for dogs. You can't let the dog push you around. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.

There is much more you need in the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802

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Originally Posted by dhenia182

hello, I just got a 3 months old shih tzu (i named it ficco) and He doesnt wanna be put in the crate so I just let him in a small room with papers on every corners. the problem is.. is it okay if i leave him in that room from 7am-3pm? because im in college. though i have a maid who only gives him food at 1pm. then when i come home i let him in my house and put papers on the corners too because im not training him to potty outside my house since i dont have a yard. he goes back to the small room at 10pm. is that okay or will he get stressed? its my first time to have a dog. do i have to give soft food like pouring warm water for 15 minz to his food before i feed him?

another problem is that i just found out that ficco got a hernia on his belly. the vet said its an abdominalis hernia. does he need to get a surgery at this age?

and the last question is, he scratches his ear alot and lick his legs. when i check his coat and skin there's no flea or anything. what can cause the scratching?

thank you so so much if you would answer, because my puppy's vet isn't much of a help!!

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Thank you for your answer :) but I don't have time to teach him potty outside, that's why I asked if paper train the shih tzu was also okay. If I put him in the crate, he won't stop barking. Now that small room is just like his own room , and he now only pees on the paper. But when I take him to the living room, he will just pee wherever he wants. My pup only uses the crate when he wants to drink. I refused to put him in the crate because I thought he would get stressed when I have to leave him for college for 8 hours and at night when we all sleep. What do you think?

Who is in charge? A top dog isn't a drill sergeant, but more like an old fashioned strict, but loving parent. Either take charge now, or be ready to accommodate the dog's every whim for most of the next 20 years.

I think 8 hours is too long to crate any dog. I have had very little trouble leaving even a 7 week old 4-5 hours. You mentioned the maid feeding it. She could give it a mid day break to relieve itself. Leaving a dog in a crate all day is asking for problems. The material in the sticky is well proven, having worked not only for all our puppies, now 17, but for many other people. Papers have a poor record. Having committed to having a dog, you are obligated to give it the time and money it needs.

Is it normal that my shih tzu puppy often sneezes?

It doesn't sound like a problem to me. Talk to the vet next trip. You are getting it shots, heart worm remedy, etc.

Yeah I have had the first vaccine, eurican 4. and tomorrow he will be 3 months old so he should be getting the 2nd vaccine from the vet. His eyes colors don't look bright, so I'm just concerned about it..

Here is the picture
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...3012008003.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...0122007002.jpg

Your vet should be happy to answer all your questions.

I am no expert but my dog scratches his ears and licks his legs but he's just had a flea treatment so we think it is just ordinary, if you scratch your head it does not always mean you have nits does it?