Hi, I'm new to this site and this whole process, but hopefully someone can help me out with my problem. I just got a new puppy, he's 16 weeks old. He seemed very lethargic/depressed at the breeders, just wanting to lay in the grass. She brought another little guy out, and my pup jumped right up and starting tugging at the others ears,etc.. Then a min. of that, and then lied right back down. He was in the car for the few hrs. ride to his new home, just laid on my lap, but never did sleep. His eyes were wide open and he was deff. Aware of his surroundings. We tried to get him going at a rest stop, but he would just lay down in the grass. Since having him at his new home for a few hrs, he has actually stood up! (he had been just laying down) and even managed to drink just a bit of water; but still hasen't eaten anything at all. He is deff. Awake, but he either just sits in one spot, or lays down. He doesn't walk around or anything. So I was wondering is it something serious, just a case of missing his playmates, etc? Any info would be most helpful! I love this little guy!!

He might be getting used to his new owner. He knows something is VERY different and is stressed most likely. Our new puppy didn't eat for almost 2 days after bringing him home. If the new pup doesn't seem to get better soon, and I mean in the next day, or even hours, you may want to take him to the Vet to make sure the little guy is okay and not anemic or something.

Woah strangely.
That has happened to me except I'v had this puppy for around 8 months. It got really sick and now its kind of depressed :/
Maybe it misses its family, try giving it some really good food or buy it some toys.
Good Luck!
~Loui

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Originally Posted by HannahJade

He might be getting used to his new owner. He knows something is VERY different and is stressed most likely. Our new puppy didn't eat for almost 2 days after bringing him home. If the new pup doesn't seem to get better soon, and I mean in the next day, or even hours, you may want to take him to the Vet to make sure the little guy is okay and not anemic or something.

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Thank you for the information. He didn't sleep at all on the car ride home, and doesn't seem to have slept yet. I'm sure he would have to be tired by now, I mean he is very attentive, he reacts well to voices/noises and such. He just lays there right now with those oh-so cute eyes. I was thinking it was just the new surroundings/people, at least I hope so! Hasn't gone to the bathroom yet either, but hasn't eaten (just drank a little bit of water) Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to mention he deff. Had eaten before we picked him up. He threw up once in the car.

Knowing that he hasn't gone to the bathroom is a sure sign that he's just not comfortable with the new family yet. Give the little dude some time and everything should work out, if not, I advise you STRONGLY to see a vet. You don't want the new family member in any pain =/

Take advantage of the fact that he is very alert. Give him something to do, and he is not too young to start basic training excersises. (sit, stay, down, etc.) Make sure he is taken out for long walks in the morning and evening to drain his energy. This should make him hungry, and get him into a routine. Establish your role as pack leader early on. Don't let him wander when you go for walks. Be his leader. He is getting used to his new surroundings without his litter mates, but it should take very little time for him to bond with you if you spend the time with him.

Have you considered the possibility that he might have worms? That could really drain him of his energy. It could be doing a lot to make adjusting to his brand new life harder than it would be otherwise.

The fact that he was lethargic or depressed at the breeders makes me think that he has something going on. It's probably very easy to take care of. Have you asked the breeder about the last time he was dewormed? I would call them, and I would also take him to the vet to get checked out.

After waking up this morning, (we got him yesterday) noticed he did do #1 & 2 on the floor. He had been at the very least "nosing" through his food at some point last night. He still seems very aware of his surroundings, he deff. Awake, but he either just sits or lays down; with his eyes wide open. Almost like he's asleep with his eyes open? (make any sense? ) He was last wormed just yesterday, when we picked him up along with another puppy vaccination. We are planning on taking him to the vet, actually later this afternoon. The breeder said he was up playing around before we picked him up yesterday. His dewormer shots look up to date (every month so far) He seems healthy, I mean he's not all "skin and bones". Is it just withdrawl, etc... He doesn't show any of the typical puppy behavior, i.e.. Jumping, yipping, etc, etc... Thanks for everyone's help!

I forgot to add that he does move a few feet every now and then. When he lays down, he's not sleeping, his eyes are still wide open. Is he very scared, etc? Thanks everyone for the help!

Actually, you might have just identified the issue. Sometimes vaccines can wear a pooch out for a few days. It's good that you're taking him to see the vet. I wouldn't worry so much just yet. Let the vet give his opinion, and keep watching how the pup progresses.

Had you seen the puppy before the day you took him home? What breed is he? Does he seem scared to you? Has he been backing away from you, backing up into any corners, holding his tail between his legs, growling or showing teeth?

Have you given him some things he might like to chew on? Have you tried luring him into playing with some puppy toys?

No matter what, I would keep everything around him very quiet and serene. If he gets up, just let him explore at his own pace.

Are you feeding him the same things he was fed at the breeders? If so, what is it? He might be a little more inspired to eat if you slip him a valuable treat like some little cubes of cheese, hamburger meat or turkey.

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Originally Posted by linnealand

actually, you might have just identified the issue. sometimes vaccines can wear a pooch out for a few days. it's good that you're taking him to see the vet. i wouldn't worry so much just yet. let the vet give his opinion, and keep watching how the pup progresses.

had you seen the puppy before the day you took him home? what breed is he? does he seem scared to you? has he been backing away from you, backing up into any corners, holding his tail between his legs, growling or showing teeth?

have you given him some things he might like to chew on? have you tried luring him into playing with some puppy toys?

no matter what, i would keep everything around him very quiet and serene. if he gets up, just let him explore at his own pace.

are you feeding him the same things he was fed at the breeders? if so, what is it? he might be a little more inspired to eat if you slip him a valuable treat like some little cubes of cheese, hamburger meat or turkey.

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We recently got back from the vet. He got his rabies shot, he doesn't have a fever or any obvious health issues she said. He just laid on the table and took it all like a man, lol She said while he could just be a non-rambuncious type, most of it seems like he just did get taken away from his home. No, we had not seen him before we picked him up. He is a Schnoodle, (mini shaunzer/mini poodle) He doesn't seem too scared, just timid I would describe. He doesn't back away too much, although if we're not around and he starts walking and we surprise him, he goes and lays right down in a kitchen corner. He doesn't growl or show teeth one bit. He has more than enough toys and things to chew on. We are just letting him do his own thing. He was eating Purina puppy chow, they sent a little bit of it along to mix in, and we bought Purina One puppy chow to start mixing in. He still didn't eat that food, but I got him to eat some cheese. He just sniffed at first, so I opened his mouth, put it in, and made him eat. I gave him a few more tiny pieces, and he at them right out of my hand! Very impressive! Then I put a sliver a few ft out in front, and another so we could see him from the other room. He made his way over and ate both places! As soon as he saw me looking, he turned around and went back to his corner though. At least he DOES move! The vet she hasn't seen a puppy this calm in a lonnnng time; some people would love that she said,but I'd at least like to see some "puppy activity" But he is healthy so to speak, thank goodness for that. Thanks

I'm so glad you posted again! Your questions have been on my mind. I have a puppy, too (he's an english cocker spaniel and just under 3 months old), and I know how important every part of his well-being is to us.

I think you should feel extremely reassured by your vet's opinion. It looks like it really is a matter of adjusting to his new life, together with the possibility that he really is a tranquil puppy. In fact, the behaviors you described are very, very positive. Although you might want to see him bouncing around, the most important part is that he's not scared. It sounds like he's an observer, which might show him to be a very smart dog, too.

With a little bit of time, everything will fall into place. No matter what, he is a puppy, and he will do all of the cute and silly things your heart desires. You may have also gotten extra lucky with him. A calm puppy can be easy to train, and can very easily mean that you're going to have an absolute dream of a companion as an adult dog.

You're doing the right thing by offering him some of his old food, which can be better for him both physiologically (at least in mixing it in for now - it's easier on his stomach that way) and even psychologically.

I'm thrilled the cheese worked! At least this way you know that he's eating a bit. Plus, if you're only offering things that are good for him in the first place, you can feel good about every part of it. My puppy will do anything (including new tricks and learning to love anyone, anything and any place) for his special little treats. In addition to cheese cubes, I will pick up some turkey, chicken or ground beef (the real deal - not the fake stuff), bake it in the oven on a non-stick baking sheet (without salt or oil), cut it into cubes, and carry it around with me in ziplock bag. It works wonders, and our vet has approved the process.

I love that he's a schnoodle. In fact, everything about him sounds adorable. I wish all of you the very best in becoming a brand new family.

might have the answer as your pup was from a breeder and recently vaccinated.

Maybe you can research information on the side effects of vaccines. Much research is now reporting that vaccines doses are the same for a Bull Mastiff as a Yorkie, so research this and maybe only give the vaccines 4 weeks apart not all at once. :confused: Top Natural Holistic Dog Health Care Book: Multiple Award Winner :cool:

2008 thread, reopened.