Question 1

My puppy chewed up a grape, didn’t consume it, maybe a piece, but did throw up. Will he be okay?

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

It should be fine.

Question 2

In the morning, I am the first to get up.  I take the dog out for a potty break and feed him if his food bowl is empty (same with water).  Then I continue my morning: pack lunches for my girls, make breakfast, etc...  Our goal is quite while this is going on.  However, once I leave, he starts barking: a very low bark spaced out by about 20-30 seconds.  Some barks are louder than others.  This is enough to wake up my wife and sometimes my kids.  How can we keep him from barking until my wife gets up?

Note that I come downstairs around 5:45 am and leave within the hour.  My wife and kids usually get up around 7'ish.  

Thanks,
Frank

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

I cannot tell from your description where he sleeps overnight and where he is after you leave.  There may be a solution by altering location, if you can let me know about this (you can use â€œContact Usâ€) I will try to advise you.

Question 3

Hi Dr. Rybka,

Today my puppy ripped the top off of his loft in his Pup Pee Poo Palace. We have never had any issue with him doing anything like this before so I'm not sure what would have triggered him to do this today. What would be the process to get another loft?

Thanks,
Jennifer Murphy

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

The first thing to address is him chewing up the loft.  It appears you have had the palace for about three weeks which means you need to be expanding his space in accordance with phase 2 of training.  Please contact our customer service specialist at 740 966-1516 for a replacement.

Question 4

We bought home our puppy 2 days ago and heâ€™s only had one BM. Is that normal or to be expected?

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

I don't worry about a puppy not pooping unless the puppy is trying but unable or if there is an affect on attitude or appetite.  If your puppy is eating well and feels good he will poop when needed.  For safety check to make sure there is no dried poop in the hair around the anus as this can cause the puppy to delay defecation because it is  uncomfortable.  If there is dried poop in this area you can gently bathe it away with warm water and a little mild dish soap or if you have a small hair trimmer you can clip it out.  Using scissors for this should be avoided as it is very easy to injure your puppy.

Question 5

Puppy itching more than usual  in evening and searching cool place to sit

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

Both of those observations suggest irritation to the skin and the most common reason for that in a young puppy is dryness.  Here is some info that should help:
If the skin looks normal with no redness, sores or rash it is probably due to dryness.  Using a mild puppy shampoo like aloe and oatmeal as well as a â€œleave onâ€ conditioner can help.  The best long term measure is using an omega 3 fatty acid supplement but it can take a few weeks before you see the effects of it.

Question 6

My 1 year old teddy bear mal-shih kicks her back legs. At first I thought it was only when she is excited and playing. But, I've also noticed it sometimes when she lays down. She will jerk her back legs. It happens two or three times with a slight pause in between. She does not seem to be in pain. She's been doing it for as long as I can remember, but not every day. Otherwise she is healthy and very active. Is this normal?

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

If she moves normally otherwise, and especially if the spasm are primarily when she is resting or sleeping then most likely it is normal.  It may help if you could send a 5-10 second video to support@doctorpup.com.

Question 7

Where is the best place for the palace if your bedroom is upstairs but most time is spent in family room on 1st floor. Also how do you combine crate training with outdoor training

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

Usually the best place is near but not in an area of frequent use,  so it sounds like a room adjacent to the family room would be good.  Deciding what the long term goal is determines the steps to training, if it is outdoors then you should take your puppy outside after everything.  That means immediately after eating, drinking, playing and sleeping.  If he is in the palace you should pick him up immediately after waking and carry him outside.

Question 8

I already mixed my puppy dry food w karo syrup/cesar soft food, but he still hasn't ate it. And i had to force him to eat some babyfood too. Is there anything else i can make him eat his dry food? I just got him today, i dont know if having a new home is the reason that he didn't want to eat much.

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

If he is not eating on his own you may need to feed him with a syringe.  Use equal parts baby food water and karo. 6 no pee pound of body weight per feeding each hour

Question 9

My 11-week old Teddy Bear puppy had bacterial ear infection, then ear yeast infection.  He has seen the vet twice for his ear problem.  Last exam, the vet administered some Claro Otic on both ears.  He seemed fine for a few days but started scratching his ears again.  Is there anything else I could do to help my puppy?

Dr. Rybka · Accepted Answer

Ear infections especially yeast overgrowths are most often related to added moisture to the ears.  Using an ear cleaning/drying agent would likely help.  Take a look at the Doctorpup video â€œCleaning Your Puppyâ€™s Earsâ€

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