Hi I'm new

[lola521]

Hello,

I had posted in Behavior and training forum but I could not find my post. It had posted initially but then it disappeared, I don't know what happened to it.

I am in my 60's and this is the first puppy I've ever had. She is 8 weeks old and her name is Sophia. I have a problem that I am concerned with in her behavior. She nips at her tail and legs (thighs actually) and sometimes her feet. I know it can't be fleas and ticks as it's winter and cold here. I'm afraid that she will nip herself raw. Is this a reaction to separation anxiety?

I am glad I found this forum and hope my post gets posted read and replied too. I am thankful to find you, it eases my frustration a bit to know I am not alone.

Lola

[Phyrie]

If she had fleas when you got her (which must have been very recently if she's only 8 weeks old!!) she could have fleas. If you didn't get her from a reputable breeder (you don't mention her breed) or if she came from a shelter, she very well could have fleas. The fleas don't know it's cold outside! You may be able to see them if you turn her on her back and have a look at her tummy, but fleas can easily hide. You might want to invest in a flea comb (which has very tight, close together teeth). If you comb her with a flea comb, then tap the comb on white paper, and you see black bits, you have fleas. That black stuff is flea dirt (AKA poop!). Have you had her to the vet? I assume you have, since you must be a responsible owner, right? You may want to mention her biting at herself. He will suggest proper treatments, appropriate to her age. DON'T just give her a flea bath with OTC flea treatments. Some of those are very strong, and can injure tender young skin, not to mention poison a pup too young for the drug used.

[lola521]

If she had fleas when you got her (which must have been very recently if she's only 8 weeks old!!) she could have fleas. If you didn't get her from a reputable breeder (you don't mention her breed) or if she came from a shelter, she very well could have fleas. The fleas don't know it's cold outside! You may be able to see them if you turn her on her back and have a look at her tummy, but fleas can easily hide. You might want to invest in a flea comb (which has very tight, close together teeth). If you comb her with a flea comb, then tap the comb on white paper, and you see black bits, you have fleas. That black stuff is flea dirt (AKA poop!). Have you had her to the vet? I assume you have, since you must be a responsible owner, right? You may want to mention her biting at herself. He will suggest proper treatments, appropriate to her age. DON'T just give her a flea bath with OTC flea treatments. Some of those are very strong, and can injure tender young skin, not to mention poison a pup too young for the drug used.

Hello Phyrie,

Her breed is mixed heeler and Aussie sheppard they think. Sophia's Mom, from a shelter got fostered out while the shelter was refurbished. The foster parents decided to adopt the Mom only to find out she was pregnant. The adoptive parents gave 3 of the pups away. They have been well taken care of in a clean home and very caring environment. They have taken the pups to their own vet and had their first set of shots. I have not taken Sophia to the vet yet as she has just been on the 20th of January, and she was given a clean bill of health. But I still plan on taking her of course I've only just got her yesterday. No I would never attempt a flea treatment without recommendation from the vet or professional. You assume right I am a responsible owner as was her Mom's adoptive parents. Thanks so much for the tips! I appreciate it so very much.

Lola

[Deerie me]

Hi Lola and welcome to the DP. It does sound as if something is irritating Sophia's skin. I wouldn't imagine it's a psychological habit at her age. What are you feeding her? Some dog foods, ie the cheaper ones can cause skin irritation due to the amount of grain in them.

[lola521]

I am weaning her off her food to Canidae from Pedigree. Her previous owner did not notice this behavior in her, she blames this on perhaps always being around the litter and it not being as noticeable.

Thanks for the Welcome Deerie me!

Lola

[DixieDoodle]

Sophie is adorable! Do you have more photos of her? Glad you are switching her food.

Welcome to DP from Amy and Dixie

[Sadie G]

Welcome to the DP Lola! Sophia is beautiful! I love the mix of these two breeds. I had an aussie/blue heeler mix for 15 years and he was a wonderful boy.

I looked at your profile, but don't see where you are from. It sounds like the biting and nipping at her legs may be either food allergies (glad you are changing the food), but quite possibly dry skin and or hot spots. My aussie/blue heeler had hot spots every fall/winter. The Border Collie mix I have now has food allergies which we are working through, but she also has dry skin from our extremely cold/dry weather.

At 8 weeks Lola is a still too young to use a lot of the over the counter products. I would take her to your vet as soon as possible. They can check her out completely, get her next round of shots scheduled, and give you some peace of mind.

We have a lot of great people on this site who will help answer any questions you have.

Again, a big welcome, from Linda and Sadie in Indiana.

[lola521]

Hi Dixie and Amy,

Thank you for the welcome. I am trying to figure out how to get an album started. I know there must be instructions someplace.

I'll try and download one to here when she was 5 weeks old.

DSC00139 (640x480).jpg (253.01 KB) Viewed 828 times

[RubyJeansMom]

Hello Lola, Sophia is an adorable little girl.
Your profile page should have options for adding a puppy and an album.

Welcome from RJM, Ruby, Kessler and Gizzie in Michigan

[Madi P]

Hello Lola, and Welcome! Sophia is so cute and fluffly!

I hope she feels better soon, its probably just dry skin, but better safe than sorry.
If the previous owners didnt notice her scratching when eating the Canidae could it be the Pedigree shes having a reaction to? I dont know dog food though.. so

Again welcome! From Madi, Milah & now Chance in SC!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Welcome to the Daily Puppy!

Everyone has given you terrific advice and I'm sure once you've seen the Vet, you will have some answers.

Sophia is a pretty name for a pretty girl. When I first saw her, I thought she resembled an American Cattle Dog, but it's so hard to tell when they are still so young.

An easy way to check for fleas on a dark coloured dog is to take a white towel and essentially roll the puppy on the towel, or wrap the towel around the puppy and rub a little bit. If there are wee black specks left on the towel, that is a sign of fleas, as Phyrie pointed out with the comb and paper trick. (I used to do that with my black Lab).