Years ago, we saw the lamest film which was billed as a creepy guy who ran a creepy hotel in the middle of nowhere that was surrounded by an "alligator infested swamp". In actuality, there was only one crocodile in a pond next to the hotel. Of course, there is a storm and an unsuspecting family stops to take refuge in the hotel. Their little white puppy gets eaten early on by the croc. Does anybody recall the name of this ridiculous film? It was hilarious.
This sounds like "Eaten Alive." I don't remember the puppy, but it has been years since I last watched it - and the other parts match up nicely.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074455/
The little dog gets ate by ol' Neville Brands gator. So Her Dad goes to shoot it...and Neville whacks him...and is gator bait as well!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xKlRt0yWJAM
Sadly Trish will never be back, but both previous respondents are correct, this is EATEN ALIVE (1976), complete w/ gobble puppy dog and all. It is kind of a lame move, too... particularly after the incredible one-two punch of EGGSHELLS and TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE....... Hooper was not a consistent guy.