Could you be more specific about the problems you are seeing and how you concluded the hips are the problem...My suggestion - go to an orthopedic specialist for your dogscare. MEDICAM or other pain reliever might help, but surgery might be needed. This can be expensive,but can alleviate most suffering depending on what the problem is...Some dogs whine when sleeping and it has nothing to do with pain....so more info and a trip to the vet are going to be a good start on finding out exactly what is going on. You might even get out the camcorder to show the vet just what you are seeing in order to help make a better diagnosis and avoid unneeded diagnostics..Good Luck

Note: he is also panting excessively. I recommend less time asking questions online and more time at the vet's.

Maybe while you are at the vet's, you can get those kittens spayed and neutered?

Here is a link that might be useful: Excessive panting

The dog sounds like its in alot of pain,SEE A VET ASAP !!!!!!!

Some people never learn...

Note: he is also panting excessively. I recommend less time asking questions online and more time at the vet's.

Maybe while you are at the vet's, you can get those kittens spayed and neutered?

Here is a link that might be useful: Excessive panting

We called the vet -- I really hate to do that because his time is valuable and he doesn't charge for phone calls. Since we didn't have the dog even a week, he said it is probably due to stress of a new home. He says to bring him in if it persists another week or even two.

Already today, I am seeing definite improvement in both the panting/stress and his inability to get comfortable sleeping. I tend to jump the gun and ask you all on this forum way to early for stuff that probably isn't a problem but what is the forum for anyway????? If all the answers came from a vet, we wouldn't need the forum, would we?