[dsmkid95]

Well how will i start. my name is Eric and i am 22. i just picked up an 8 month old Bichon yesterday named Pierre. He came from a vet clinic. (lady that i work with at work her best friend is the vet) Well i picked him and let me start with everything and maybe someone can shine in

The passed owner was an elderly lady who also had a large dog (assuming mastiff or great dane by what was mentioned.) the lady had a choker collar on Pierre sort of like what you would find on a pitbull or doberman. they took him and the collar was choked under his neck so he had some bruising and was very swollen. they shaved a small part off of his neck and they game me some cream and antibiotics which will get rid of it. Other than the the dogs health is great. he was a little over 11pds, neutered, up to date on records and is healthy to what i can see. This is the least of problems though.

1. We have to apply ointment to the spot a couple times a day. thing is he wont let us and he snaps when we do. we have to give him his medicine in a syringe which he doesnt like that way but we put it in his water dish and he did fine with that. how do i apply this ointment. Still not the worse part!

2. He was caged from day one and the vet let us know about this but i really think he was only let out to go to the bathroom and that was it. i think the choker collar went on because the dog became so used to staying caged he would never come out therefore she would have to force him. This dog has not left his little cage since we have gotten him. i did not know the first time and i put my hand in there and he snapped at my hand. before i brought the cage in he stayed in the corner and once he saw his cage he jumped up and was wagging his tail and jumped all over it and went inside. the only way i can get him out is with a treat. he will occasionally peak his head out and then go back in. He pooped on the floor and as soon as my girlfriend noticed it he saw her and shot to his cage. how do i break this habit of the cage? i do i take over his fear of this. i have had a golden before, a corgie, a maltese and they have been caged but only while we were out of the house other than they they would be loose.

3. He is currently at my girlfriends house now. she has an 11yr old poodle and a 14 week old german shepard. This is probably the hardest here. the two dogs are very playful and want to play and when we put Pierre down they get close to him and he snaps and attempts to bite them. i really dont know a whole lot about this breed but i do know they acquire alot of attention. do they not liek other dogs? this is the biggest issue. She lives in a ranch so there is room but not alot. there is also a 4yr boy at the house and im afraid he wont get along with small kids. If things dont work out at this house i will end up keeping him at my house. 2 adults, I and 12 yr old brother and a huge house to run with with no other dogs.

Can someone shed some light on these issues for me? i really love this dog and i know he needs lots of love which both homes can give.