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Question

I have a 9-week-old Boston Terrier puppy and she seems completely healthy physically (the vet agrees). However, the longer I have her, the more I think something is wrong. She seems oblivious to what's going on around her. Sometimes she's fine and acts like a normal puppy, but other times she doesn't know her name and I can be 2 feet away from her calling her and she doesn't even look at me. She doesn't eat all of her food and sometimes has no interest in treats. I've had a Boston before and this just does not seem like normal behavior for a pup. I did research on mental illness in dogs, but most of that relates to anxiety and fear, and this isn't like that at all.

Submitted: 212 days and 14 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: <1

Already Tried:
When she's feeling playful, I get down on the floor with her with treats and call her to me over and over again until she seems to understand that her name is XXXXX XXX she needs to at least look at me when I say her name. But 2 hours later, she seems to have forgotten everything and sometimes she doesn't even want the treats... even when it's before I've fed her.

Accepted Answer

Hello,

 

Keep in mind that 9 weeks is VERY young for her to be separated from her mother. It is generally recommended that a puppy never leave the mother until she/he is at least 12 weeks of age.

 

At 9 weeks the puppy would have a VERY difficult time learning and knowing her name. It often takes up to a month for a puppy to fully recognize and come when their name is XXXXXX XX this is pretty normal for her age.

 

As for the treats, young puppies often are not as excited for treats as older dogs as they have only been eating mothers milk and their food for a few weeks so treats is not something they fully understand. Most puppies love treats, but prefer those made from milk such as cubes of cheese.

 

At this point I think what you are seeing is more her age then anything else. Mental illness is not often seen in dogs other then anxiety and stress. While there could be some cases it is very rare as dogs brains do not react the same way a humans does.

 

Walter

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Expert: Walter
Pos. Feedback: 99.7 %
Accepts: 5086
Answered: 8/11/2009

Breeder

Breeder and pet health consultant. Have spent a number of years with dog rescue, training and health

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