Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:32 am Post subject: Strange noises when eating! And a few other bits....
Hi everyone.
I joined the forum about 5 weeks ago, a week before we picked up our black lab puppy. I have only just worked out how to post on here though I have read most of the forums.
Bentley was 8 weeks when we picked him up and now 13 weeks. Although I've had dogs before never had a lab. Always had boxers and most were rescue boys. So it's quite a new experience having a little lab puppy. Anyway, he's been a joy to have and comes to work with us everyday but recently we've noticed when he is eating he kinda sings! Makes very strange noises. My first reaction/thought was "OMG is he in pain" but it is becoming a more regular occurance. He eats his food but makes the most strange noises. It's not all the time but it sounds like he is singing. I do hope this makes sense and maybe one of you would have had the same experience and can help me stop worrying!
Also, am having a few problems with him going for a wee/poo outside. From day one we had puppy pads by the back door (and I KNOW a lot of you do not approve), but was our only choice, as we live in the middle of Dartmoor and had all kinds of animals wandering through the back garden so could not let him out from day one (until he had his second injection). He loves it outside and gets taken out regulary and for small walks but he holds everything and then goes straight on the pad when we get in.
We've gone out in all weathers with him and patiently said the word he knows "wee wee" and wonder what else we can do. He really is a very good boy and sits, stays, goes down and gives paw, comes back when called but we just can't get him to wee outside.
Any advice would be really welcome. Thank you. Julie x
Hi Julie, is the noise he makes a sort of happy whining noise? It might be excitement? He doesn't seem to have any problem eating, the food stays down, his poos are ok etc.?
I may be wrong, but one of our dogs used to make a funny noise after she ate, when she was licking the bowl around. It was a happy sound, she was obviously enjoying herself.
Re the puppy pads, not something I have used, but have you tried putting the puppy pads outside? If he is used to going on them, hopefully you can encourage him to start going outside that way. I'd start off putting it right by the back door - perhaps one that he has already wee'd on too - and if it works, just move it away from the door gradually until you can remove it. Appreciate the weather is not so helpful on this front just now though!
Angela has give the best advice and that is to put the puppy pad outside and take them up from inside the house, so he doesn't have that option. As long as you are prepared for the odd accident. You could also try scattering a few biscuits on the grass to see if the sniffing and eating encourages him to go simply because he can't hold it.
Re the noises, if everything else is alright (poo's, no vomiting, etc..) then I wouldn't worry about the noise. It is probably just his sign of appreciating the food
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I'd go for the puppy pad outside suggestion too. He probably doesn't know that he is supposed to go out there and sometimes puppies don't like to go outside because they feel more vulnerable whilst they are relieving themselves and the big wide world is a scary place.
Everytime he does a wee or a poo you need to give it a command as he is actually doing it eg. "be quick" or "busy" or "wee wee" and then reward so that there is a connection, then you can move this command to a place where you want him to go and hopefully he will perform for you in the desired location.
I remember it took Coco quite a while before she felt able to do a wee on a walk, she would hold it and wait until she got home to do it in the garden because either that was where she was used to going or that is where she felt safe.
One of mine used to "sing" as she ate. I can't remember which pup it was now....Probably Una, as she still sings when she's excited, but these days she sounds like a humpback whale. I find little things like that quite endearing .
I'd try putting the puppy pads in the garden too, although you might have to put a rock on each corner to stop them blowing away. Used one's would be best too, so the smell is already there attracting the pup to it.
Out of interest, was it your vet who told you not to let the pup in the garden until after it's second jabs?
Indi use to be the same she wouldnt go in the garden until we introduced treats. We stayed out in the garden till she did one - it took a while to start with, and we reinforced with a "be clean" command. As soon as she did it she got a treat and everytime after she weed in the garden she got one. However when it came to then taking her out n walks she wouldnt wee or poo on a walk. We stuck to the 5 min rule/month and walked then turned around. Usually she got home and did one. eventually she got the idea whilst she was out and the first time she did a wee/poo on a walk she got the over the top very dramatic "good girl! What a good clean girl! Your so clever!" Lots of treats and fuss and we never looked back. It took her a while to pluck up the courage to go on a walk etc. Completely agree about the puppy pad idea. We never used them simply because Indi hated them and everytime i put one down she wouldnt wee on it but would wee next to it and the one day we got home and she had shredded it - her way of telling us i suppose! Just take him out give him lots of encouragement take out the treats so he knows they are there.Even now when i take indi out to the garden at my parents or friends i always take a treat out for when she goes for a wee as I know being in a new place can be daunting for her and she wants to sniff and suss it all out and can get a bit frightened, that way when she does go she gets a reward and fuss and knows its ok to wee out here as she can be very funny about where she goes! She is a shy pooer and wee dog!
It`ll take time to toilet train. Indi wasnt fully toilet trained until about 5-6 months old. We had the odd accident, we could have had shares in the kitchen roll and floor cleaning businesses. But it was a case of Oh dear! Wipe it up and not get angry! He`ll get there eventually he is a baby and will suss it out soon enough! Just lots of praise and fuss and encouragement.
Awww thanks everyone for your advice. We probably are doing all the right things just gonna take a bit of time. But it's put my mind at rest. I've tried the pad outside and he gets lots of praise and treats etc. but when he's had enough outside he will just sit on the pad. Will keep perservering as he never seems to have accidents.
As for the noise he makes when eating yes I suppose it is a happy sound and it does sound a bit like a whale or dolphin. He's eating ok and poops are definitely ok so once again thanks for putting my mind at rest. I do have a little video of him doing it but I'm still trying to work out how to even upload just a picture ha!
Our vet is very good and she was all for getting him out in "safe" places from day one, so we did take him on the moors along the cycle path. However, a week or so before we had him we had escaped sheep and cows in the garden who left some nice calling cards and there was also a strange dog wandering into the garden too from the local stables and I'm pretty sure after talking to the owners he definitely wasn't upto date with his jabs so as a precaution she suggested we took him outside elsewhere for 2 weeks just to be sure he wouldnt get anything nasty.
Once again thanks everyone for being so helpful and friendly. I daresay I will have a barrage of more questions.
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when he's hoovering up his dinner 
