Question:
Hi, I have a few questions regarding my 6-month-old male Pomeranian, can anyone please help? Thanks.
1. He's very protective of anything he considers his food including tissue paper and his own poop. One time when I saw him poop under our dinning table, I went to get some tissue paper to pick it up. He immediately took the poop into his mouth and when I tried to get it from him, he growled at me and even tried to bite me. He also likes eating tissue paper. What should I do? It seems as if he prefers poop and tissue paper than his own food...
2. I took him to a vet about 11 days ago for desexing and the doctor said I should wait 10 days before giving him a bath. Is it really safe to do so now? Is it ok to take him to a pet salon for hair trimming (it's getting humid and hot here) and bath?
3. If I want to take him outside for a walk on a leash, should I apply anti-flea drugs before doing so? Is Revolution good?

Thanks.

Answer:
The reason you can't bathe for 10 days after surgery is they do not want the sutures to get wet while the incision is healing. After 10 days if he is all healed, it's fine to bathe him.

If you are worried about fleas, you can certainly use a flea product like revolution, just follow the directions and use the correct product for his size.

As for his behavior, what you have described is classic resource guarding. This link may be helpful, I'm sorry I don't have the time right now to type out a long response, but this article is essentially what I recommend for resource guarding. And of course never hesitate to find a good trainer or behaviorist if you feel you need help working on behavior issues. And for the time being make sure all tissue paper is out of his reach!

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/handout...-guarding.html

Answer:
I can't help you with your other issues but a word of caution. I don't know if you can get Revolution without prescription over where you are. It is advisable to consult your vet before giving it to your pet. Some dogs may have allergic reaction to Revolution. I know mine is.

Answer:
Stop being kind with the dog. Stop giving the dog table scraps, tell the folks that as I know they like to feed him table stuff. Everything he wants, he has to earn. He wants to eat, sit and patiently wait for it. You want your hand in his bowl while he eats, tolerate it. Poms are very hard dogs to train and we see more come in to rescue from families who allow the dog to walk all over them. You're the boss, he's the lowest pion on the ladder. Make him understand it but it won't work unless your whole family is on board. Use the NILF method, google Nothing in life for free.

Answer:
Thanks guys, I also notice some red bumps around his upper lips. Two days ago, it was on only 1 side and but today both sides have these red bumps. He doesn't use any plastic bowls except his bed. What could it be?

Answer:
Poms aren't hard to train. They are VERY smart though and if they think for an instant that they can get something by you - they will!

You need to get your pup into a class. A basic obedience class will do wonders for you, your pup and the relationship that you have. What you learn there will help you "read" your pup and deal with other issues.

You need to institute a NILIF program now. NILIF means Nothing In Life Is Free and your pup must do something for EVERYTHING that he gets. That means not only food, but cuddle time and everything. And for now - I would take away his furniture priveledges.

Don't put your hand in your pup's food dish. Then he has a reason to protect his food. Put his dish full of food down and let him eat in peace! If you feed him in the kitchen, when you walk by him - drop something tasty in his dish. After a short time of this, he will learn that your going by is a good thing and not a threat.

Answer:
At 6 months your pup is just the right age for teenage acne. I was surprised to read that dogs can get it too and my girl had a few bumps on her chinny-chin-chin when she was that age. A warm compress might help alleviate it if they are sore and bothering, as well as help to dry up.

Answer:
So is there anything I can use to clear the dog acne? It looks like it's getting worse...

Answer:
Don't put any human meds on it, please. You could try the tip Longblades gave you, a warm compress. We all tend to coddle our pets but some things are normal and will go away on their own.

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