topic Re: Snowball in Pet Lovers

Snowball

Flopsy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:19:27 GMT

Good morning pet lovers. I have never posted a new thread but do read a lot of the post and sometimes leave a comment. I find the support is truly wonderful and advice from all fur baby parents so informative, so on that note, we have adopted a dog, Snowball ( not our choice of name but he knows his name lol).

Snowball is an 8 year old Matipoo whose mummy when into an elderly home. She was heartbroken to leave him and put him in boarding kennels temporarily but she never came out. A local rescue took him and we were lucky to become his new parents.

We have an older dog Toby and Snowball is very clingy, any advice on dealing with this would be appreciated, he tries to dominate my/our attention.

Also, he has just had 15 teeth removed and needs about the same again. That's been a huge shock and a learning curve on adopting but we are committed to Snowball and already in love with him.

Any advice would be so appreciated. His manners are not quite as they should be, jumping up, up and down on the bed at night, anxiety when leaving but he is so loving and hes had a hard few months. I would post a picture but don't know how, I will try later. Thank you in advance.

Re: Snowball

silver Goldie — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:08:47 GMT

How about this pic

Re: Snowball

eddyandme — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:45:34 GMT

Snowball is ADORABLE!!!!!

Thank you for giving this baby a loving home. I'm can't give any expert advice. I can tell you from experience it's natural for him to be wanting all your attention: being a new family member,he'll soon fit in.

My Eddy named himself! And. I think Snowball is a fitting name for this beauty. Just continue giving Snowball plenty kisses and hugs - afterall, he's lost his mummy and needs all the love you can give. In time it all falls into place: this "child" will soon blend into his new family.

Re: Snowball

Mz iMac — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:08:32 GMT

Re: Snowball

Venezia — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:15:48 GMT

@Flopsy - Bless you for giving Snowball a new home. He'll probably be clingy because his world has been turned upside down.

I haven't had a dog in years (only cats now), but my feelings would be the same: just give him time and as much love as possible, so that he learns he's "home" and secure again. He'll repay you a thousand times over.

We had a rescue cat that ended up having to have a lot of teeth extracted. She did just fine afterwards.

I'm sure we all look forward to seeing a photo, if you figure out how to post one.

Re: Snowball

Puppy Lips — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:58:20 GMT

How wonderful of you to give this older dog a new home and a new life. I am sure he will settle in with time.

As a side note, we had a Husky mix who had some sort of condition where her immune system was attacking her gums. There was no specific "test" for it, but by process of elimination, that is what they came up with. My vet sent me to a specialist who recommended removing all her teeth at once. I just did not have the heart to do that. So we removed some, maybe just a few times. She was older then and eventually passed. But apparently dogs do fine without teeth. I think the thought of it is harder on us than the dogs.

Re: Snowball

KingstonsMom — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 18:07:11 GMT

@Flopsy

First on my list is thank you so much for giving an older dog a loving home!

Please keep in mind that his former Mom just went into the elderly care home, so it's likely that before that decision was made, Snowball had maybe not gotten the love and attention that he needed and craved, through no fault of his former Mom, she may have not been able to give him that, at that time.

I think his anxiety right now is normal and he won't always be so needy once he realizes that he's not goin' anywhere and he has a loving family with a neat sibling to play with!

If at all possible, maybe you could spend some one on one time with Toby and Snowball individually, for them to feel like the 'special' one, then the rest of the time is spent with them both together with you.

Let one lay on one side of you on the couch while watching TV, while the other one lays on the other side. That way you can stroke each one at the same time, LOL!

Re: Snowball

Foxxee — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:26:18 GMT

Edit:

@Flopsy

Tips for rescue dogs at the link below.

9 Vital Tips for Training a Rescue Dog - Alpha Trained Dog

Congratulations on Snowball. What a little cutie.

Had you thought about starting a training program yourself or taking him to classes?

Dogs are happier when they know what their owners expect from them. Training also keeps them safer. I'd expect him to be pretty smart since he is half Poodle. He'd probably learn quickly.

You would learn how to correct him when he does things you don't want him to do. Bedtime is bedtime, not the time to jump up and down on the bed.

His clinginess can be corrected as well. He might be having some sort of separation anxiety. He might be afraid you will leave him like his former owner and never come back.

You could try leaving the room periodically during the day leaving him alone with Toby for short periods of time. Then return letting him know you will be back. You need to do that consistently until these symptoms subside. Don't reinforce this behavior if he begins to bark, cry, or howl by entering the room when you hear him start. Ignore it. I know that is very difficult.

With a bit of training and time, he will learn you will come back when leaving the house.

You already have a dog, so I don't want to assume you don't know anything about these issues.

Small dogs often have dental disease, worsening as they age, so losing his teeth is not surprising. Even the best dental program, brushing their teeth every night and regular cleanings may not stop it.

Re: Snowball

Flopsy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 19:33:36 GMT

Thank you to all for the support you are giving me, fyi that picture is not Snowball but he/she is Cute. I must work out how to post one. I know Kingstonsmum you are an expert in patience and love and thank you Foxxee, eddyandme and muzimac for your input. It's all helped and I probably was thinking everything would fit just in place all at once - silly me.

Snowball is better today from his 15 extractions. When finally finished he will only have 5 and they will also have to be monitored. Yes I feel awful but he probably is in less pain already. I can tell you are all animal lovers and genuinely care how they feel. The adoption process is hard, indepth and we have had disappointments at not being chosen. Now I feel Snowball was sent to us. So glad we found each other. Thank you all for your support.xxx

Re: Snowball

KingstonsMom — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:00:13 GMT

@Flopsy

Snowball and Toby are the luckiest dogs on the planet, that they have you to love and take care of them.

Just the fact that you asked for help and opinions shows how much you care about them!

Keep us posted how it goes, I'm sure it will work out fine for all!

Re: Snowball

Flopsy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:22:14 GMT

Thank you kingstons Mum for your kind words and encouragement. With help of hubby he is now center stage photo lol.

Re: Snowball

Flopsy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:28:28 GMT

Thank you kingstons Mum for your kind words and encouragement. With help of hubby he is now center stage photo lol. My daughter took this at Christmas with her gift of the neck scarf.

Re: Snowball

Boomernichols — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:08:28 GMT

@Flopsy Patience and lots of love will be the seeds of hope thiis little one needs!

SNOWBALL is a precious find, good luck.

Re: Snowball

Flopsy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:37:22 GMT

Thank you boomernichols. Your support means a lot to me.x

Re: Snowball

KingstonsMom — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:54:53 GMT

@Flopsy

OH! That picture of Snowball that you added to your OP is adorable!!

And I love the scarf your daughter bought him, he's official now, what a lucky boy!

Re: Snowball

qvcfreak — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:24:42 GMT

I just wanted to say congratulations on your new family addition and Snowball is adorable

Re: Snowball

Venezia — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 02:57:26 GMT

OMG, Snowball is just beautiful! I can see why his former "mom" gave him that name. I hope, if she's still alive, that someone has told her he's in a new loving home and being well cared for. (I'd want to know in the same situation.)

Re: Snowball

Drythe — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 05:27:59 GMT

@Flopsy

Happy Days to you and your new baby. Thank you for caring.

As many have said, Snowball has many reasons to be anxious right now.

Two things we do

Take extra care to reassure Toby that he’s not being replaced, give him a bit of extra time, and while snuggling Snowball, I would be sure to make eye contact with Toby once in a while, say his name, and talk your usual silly talk with him.

It would be great if you and DH could tag-team with the love, and hugs so no one feels left out. One dog on each side is a good idea too.

Finally, I always give the dog who was there all along his food bowl, or treat first, even if they are both standing right there. If you have assigned beds, never let the newbie take over the other’s bed. If invited it’s all good, but being kicked out is no fun.

Relax and enjoy the joy of your blended family!

Re: Snowball

on the bay — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 04:03:39 GMT

@Flopsy,

What a perfect and beautiful little face he has. I can understand why you are in love. Just keep loving him

and I'll bet he comes to understand you are going to keep him. Hope you have a loving journey with your new sweetheart!💞

Re: Snowball

luvzchiz — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 04:14:35 GMT

@Flopsy What an adorable puppy. Bless you for giving him a loving home.

sending woofs and wishes that he and Toby enjoy long lives and love.