New Puppy...

[Tahla9999]

Okay, I got some bad news. My parents went out and got a dog! I was very surprise because I did not know they were going to do this and I really wish I was there to see the breeder. I REALLY wanted to rescue, but my dad was against it. He doesn't want any more ''mutts'' and I tried to convince him that that wasn't true( for he had seen purebreed dogs in shelters before) but he is so stubborn and adamant. He was thinking on a lab puppy ''in the future.'' Imagine my surprise when they end up bringing in an all white pit bull puppy in today!

It is 5 weeks. I ask my mom about that and she said they ''had'' to get it today because of how far they had to go for it. She said she will make it secure and right now the pup is sleeping with a stuff animal.

Okay, it is all white. I am worried about deafness. How common is deafness in white APBT?

Please, any suggestions for this, I am freaky out right now about this puppy. My parents meet the pups mother and father and said that both dogs were nice, but I am still very worried!

 

[Renee750il]

One of the things you're going to have to work with this pup on is bite inhibition. That's one of the things mama does during these next weeks . . . You'll get plenty of help here, though

Sometimes . . . parents . . . . they just think they know it all

 

[Beanie]

I don't think a pittie being white is bad the way it is in other breeds, but somebody who knows for sure will have to chime in...
Yikes, five weeks! How big is he? He must be soooo tiny!

 

[BigDogs]

I once had a all white pit with blue eyes. His eyes turned rather hazel as he matured and he developed some black spotting on his skin (not in his fur) and people were always asking if he was an albino. He certainly was not deaf.

Just make sure you socialize him ALOT with people, kids, cats, dogs, etc. Obedience classes would be a big plus. And carefully guard it against all the idiots who will want to provoke it.

 

[Tahla9999]

One of the things you're going to have to work with this pup on is bite inhibition. That's one of the things mama does during these next weeks . . . You'll get plenty of help here, though

Sometimes . . . parents . . . . they just think they know it all

Thank you, thank you , thank you! I am so glad I joined here, the pup is going to be difficult, like all pups, but I know for sure one thing. My family may not be good at picking dogs, but when it comes to it, they never give up on them. Chouchi was an oblivious risk to us, but we could not put him to sleep because he was part of the family. We don't give up on our dogs no matter what.

Right now, the puppy is awake, and is now biting everything. What is the best way to correct this? Or should I now, or wait later.

And Renee, you were right.

 

[Tahla9999]

I don't think a pittie being white is bad the way it is in other breeds, but somebody who knows for sure will have to chime in...
Yikes, five weeks! How big is he? He must be soooo tiny!

He isn't really small, he seems pretty big for five weeks.

 

[Renee750il]

For right now, on the biting, take your hand away, or whatever he's biting that you don't want him to bite, tell him "no," "stop," or whatever word you want to use to cue him to stop something. Give him verbal praise when he stops, let it sink in, then give him something he CAN chew on and tie it to a verbal cue. It will take awhile - he's definitely a baby.

The more bonding you can do with him and the more dependent he is on your affection and attention the easier it will get

I'm sure some of the FAR BETTER trainers will chime in with answers to your questions

Oh, and a Terrier puppy? Difficult? :rofl1: Oh . . . get ready . . . .

 

[Miakoda]

Renee is correct. This pup is going to lack a lot of the social manners it would've learned from it's littermates and mother.

As for white APBTs, there are many a deaf 'pit bull' out there. And many more have poor hearing and the owners just think it doesn't listen. It's something I would definitely watch, but the only way to know for sure is to have an vet perform a hearing screening on the dog.

 

[Tahla9999]

Renee is correct. This pup is going to lack a lot of the social manners it would've learned from it's littermates and mother.

As for white APBTs, there are many a deaf 'pit bull' out there. And many more have poor hearing and the owners just think it doesn't listen. It's something I would definitely watch, but the only way to know for sure is to have an vet perform a hearing screening on the dog.

I will do that, but the puppy seems to respond when I make some noise.

 

[dr2little]

I'm really glad that this pup has you to help guide your parents through. Are they likely to take your advise..can you send them here or to a trainer for help?
There are so many things that you'll need to help your pup with during the next few weeks that should have been done with mom and sibs but as the others have said, bite inhibition will be a big one. You do want to allow the pup the opportunity to understand how much pressure is too much but you should also be careful not to over correct, your puppy is right smack in the first fear period so it's critical to be extra sensitive to gentle stimulation.

As for the deafness in pure white pit pups, I'm with Mia and Renee, it is a concern and one you should keep an eye on. It's too early yet to tell but I'd be getting that pup to a Vet A.S.A.P especially knowing that someone was that irresponsible to give a puppy up at 5 weeks. You don't know what this pups been exposed to and the sooner you begin his relationship with a good Vet, the better his chances with everything...including diagnosing deafness.

I'll keep an eye on this thread and I sure hope that you'll keep us posted.

 

[Tahla9999]

I'm really glad that this pup has you to help guide your parents through. Are they likely to take your advise..can you send them here or to a trainer for help?
There are so many things that you'll need to help your pup with during the next few weeks that should have been done with mom and sibs but as the others have said, bite inhibition will be a big one. You do want to allow the pup the opportunity to understand how much pressure is too much but you should also be careful not to over correct, your puppy is right smack in the first fear period so it's critical to be extra sensitive to gentle stimulation.

As for the deafness in pure white pit pups, I'm with Mia and Renee, it is a concern and one you should keep an eye on. It's too early yet to tell but I'd be getting that pup to a Vet A.S.A.P especially knowing that someone was that irresponsible to give a puppy up at 5 weeks. You don't know what this pups been exposed to and the sooner you begin his relationship with a good Vet, the better his chances with everything...including diagnosing deafness.

I'll keep an eye on this thread and I sure hope that you'll keep us posted.

My mom is more likely to take my advise than my dad, but overall yes. Right now, I am trying to convince them to take the puppy back for another two weeks, and then get him. My mom is smitten with him right now, so please wish me luck. The harder one is my dad, as he is so stubborn.

 

[bubbatd]

So glad that the pup has you !!!! I echo all of the above ! Anxious to know more when you can post !

 

[dr2little]

I can dig up a bunch of reading for you, here's a start. See if you can get your folks to read this and other material on the importance of social heredity from the mother and sibs of a puppy this young. It may help you to convince them that returning him to his 'crib' is the best thing for him.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/when-get-puppy

 

[Tahla9999]

I can dig up a bunch of reading for you, here's a start. See if you can get your folks to read this and other material on the importance of social heredity from the mother and sibs of a puppy this young. It may help you to convince them that returning him to his 'crib' is the best thing for him.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/when-get-puppy

Thank you so much! I have convince my mom with the page, she just wants the best for the puppy. My dad is gone at the moment, but hopefully he listens. I am welling to give him gas money to bring the pup back to the breeder, since it is quite far. I am worried about the poor pup, and must be so scary for him.

 

[dr2little]

Thank you so much! I have convince my mom with the page, she just wants the best for the puppy. My dad is gone at the moment, but hopefully he listens. I am welling to give him gas money to bring the pup back to the breeder, since it is quite far. I am worried about the poor pup, and must be so scary for him.

You're some great kid. They should be very proud of you, I am.

 

[Tahla9999]

Bad development. My mom is thinking otherwise now because she has a coworker who took care of a 2 week pup and now the pup is 8 months and ''doing fine.'' She also said that the husband of the breeder may not keep the pup for us. I am loosing her! I don't know what to do!

Okay, I am trying again.

 

[Tahla9999]

My dad is here now, I told him, showed him the page, but he said we'll take care of it. Now he won't listen to me and keeps telling me to be quiet. My mom agrees with my dad now, and I have lost the fight.

I am so upset right now. I feel like crying. We will have to deal with his problems and I need all the advice I can get to make this pup feel comfortable.

 

[dr2little]

It does sound like if you can't convince her to return the pup to his family, at least she may be willing to learn how to make the most of this less than ideal situation.
Raising a pup from 2 weeks of age with no issues resulting from such an odd start is very unlikely but I have seen pups who were seperated from their mothers at 5-6 weeks and still thrive, as long as the entire family (dad included) is totally committed to doing this right. Often in rescue work, pups enter the foster program without the mom (reserve pup especially), and as long as the foster home provides the appropriate amount/type of stimulation and exposure and the pups are properly Vetted, things usually work out.

I still wish the pup could be returned but if not, we'll be here to help.

 

[dr2little]

I know that there are lots of people on here who will be more than happy to help you with any questions/concerns that you have. Be specific with your questions and I know that you'll get a ton of support. I'll be here for sure..

Will they at least take him to Vet. right away to ensure that he's not carrying anything? I'm assuming that his shot schedule hasn't started yet. Be careful where you take him. He's susceptible to disease and at 5 weeks is pretty fagile in his abilty to fight anything he may catch.

(((((((hugs))))))) I know you tried your best, he'll be fine with you watching out for him.

 

[Tahla9999]

It does sound like if you can't convince her to return the pup to his family, at least she may be willing to learn how to make the most of this less than ideal situation.
Raising a pup from 2 weeks of age with no issues resulting from such an odd start is very unlikely but I have seen pups who were seperated from their mothers at 5-6 weeks and still thrive, as long as the entire family (dad included) is totally committed to doing this right. Often in rescue work, pups enter the foster program without the mom (reserve pup especially), and as long as the foster home provides the appropriate amount/type of stimulation and exposure and the pups are properly Vetted, things usually work out.

I still wish the pup could be returned but if not, we'll be here to help.

I want the puppy to be returned more than anything. My dad is just so....complicated. Tell me what I need to do and I'll make sure the family understands. They at least, know that it is going to be hard work.