Hello *waves* from me and Poppy

[amanda]

hello and welcome here

[poppysmummy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome ;D

Poppy is my first Chi. I've had spaniels, bichon frise, GSD's in the past. My last boy, a Bichon, died 3 years ago aged almost 18. Poppy is filling a gap, I miss him so much

Talloulacouture, I'm in Medway. If you're nearby I'd love to arrange a puppy play-date when her jabs are all complete ;D

I didn't realise her mask may not last? I was very taken by it. Lots of people have remarked how like a fox cub she looks

[Rocky]

Welcome . You little girl is adorable!

[Sarah]

Just wondered you say she's now 8 weeks old how old was she when you got her?? I'm in Kent too not far from you.

[london12]

Hiya.............just hope she is happy and healthy as 8 weeks is very young to have a pup.
Mine are still having drinks from Mum!!
She is very cute tho'

[poppysmummy]

I agree that she's young to be away from mummy She was hand reared. Breeder said from 3 weeks! The mum would have nothing to do with them apparently but she's plump, happy in her self and healthy. My vet is happy with her and she was with her litter mates. She's healthy, I'm still anxious that I want her to mix with dogs so puppy class and doggie day care are on the agenda.

[Sarah]

3 weeks OMAG I feel physically sick!!! Some bitches can reject their litters but it's down to the breeder to raise them. Just so you know if youre ever looking for another (and thisgoes for the majority of toy dogs) that they shouldn't leave their mums/litter mates til 12 weeks. They need to learn bite inhibition or they will end up nipping everyone and everything and it hurts and some of them are buggers to break. That puppy would not have been weaned at 3 weeks old, most aren't fully on solids (not drinks from mum) until 8 weeks as Pauline said. Even if they are hand reared they still have to be supplemented

Have you had any problems with hypoglycaemia or anything?

I am glad she is healthy but keep an eye for things I personally wouldn't believe a word that your and I use the term very loosely 'breeder' says. Where in Kent did you get her from? Did the lady only have this one breeding girl? I am glad that you are looking after her

[poppysmummy]

I feel terrible now

I've not bought a puppy for 20 years, my dogs all lived beyond 17 (I've been lucky I think). She was 8 weeks and the 'breeder' was on Epupz (?) She had been listed as a breeder (in Swanley) for 4 years on there so I felt fairly happy she was genuine. I saw two bitches and a dog there, she said one of the bitches was Poppy's mum but she'd turned on the puppies whenever they tried to feed and their vet advised hand rearing as they weren't being fed properly. The other two pups had been rehomed that week and Poppy was last to go.

She does play bite but no worse than other puppies I've had and we're practicing positive reinforcement/time out when over exuberant which she is getting the hang of. She hasn't cried at night, she's calm when left periodically and getting the hang of pad training well. The breeder gave no supplement advice.... gratefully received now if any on offer? My vet is aware of her upbringing so far and said nothing either! I'm feeding her Iams puppy food as she was eating that and she likes it but I'm hoping to move her onto a raw diet when I can get my head round the quantities involved.

My utmost priority is Poppy's health and welfare in my care now. I can't undo what's happened so any advice will be appreciated.