126. The Chocolate Labradror Retriever eats newspapers

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

FOLLOW UP ON THE ENGLISH LADY'S CHOCOLATE LABRADOR RETRIEVER.

Tail wagging on the examination table. This Chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy was happy to go to the vet as he went into his plastic crate willingly. As cars are expensive in Singapore, it is not surprisingly to see the English lady taking a taxi to the veterinarian.

I mention about this happy puppy because 2 weeks ago, a 8-year-old, neutered Silkie Terrier stiffened his legs, spitting froth in his mouth when he went into the waiting room for the treatment of ear infection.

"Give him an injection or he will die" the owner shouted as this Silkie had a history of going into fits when visiting a veterinarian. I could recall him having fits many years ago but that was during a thunderstorm. The owner should have stopped entering the waiting room but did so when her turn for consultation was due. So, the dog went into cramps and fits.

I asked the owner to take the dog outside quickly, away from the room. This just took less than a second. But the owner keep saying, "Give him an injection or he will die".

He might not die but why take the risk? I sedated him. He had developed this phobia after neutering at a veterinary premises many years ago, the owner said. This case was so rare that it was my second encounter over many years.

So, it was a pleasure to see this Labrador Retriever so happy on the examination table. A happy lady owner too. He came in for an eye infection. Nothing serious.

"So, how's his house-training?" I asked the English lady. Not much time to talk more.

"He goes outdoors," she said. "No accidents, unless I did not have time to bring him down before midnight."

"You can stop him giving him water after dinner," I suggested. "In this way, he can control her bladder overnight." The lady arched her eyebrows thinking that puppies must be given water 24 hours a day.

"How about paper-training him in the kitchen?" I asked.

"He would swallow all papers," she said. "He is confined to the kitchen only when he misbehaves. Other times, he has the run of the living and dining area."

"Then, the only place is the maid's bathroom for emergencies." This condo has a maid's bathroom at the back of the kitchen. But how she is going to do the house-training, I do not know.

I know that this puppy will be well cared for. I still cannot believe that he can control his bladder for the descent of 19 floors to go to the grass to relieve himself. He is just a 3-month-old puppy and has had waken up from sleep. Rushing down 19 floors in a lift without peeing is incredible but true.