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03-18-2009, 04:51 PM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So. Cal
Posts: 367
| Am I Ready??? I am SO very excited about getting my first yorkie baby (first puppy, actually) next Friday. But now that it's getting so close, I'm getting nervous! It really is like preparing for a new baby. I have been shopping like crazy. Spent $300 on her before she's even here. I have a travel crate, wire kennel, brushes, treats, bowls, blanket, toys, collars (got 2 sizes 'cause I wasn't sure). I've ordered online (all expected to arrive before her): puppy pads, pet bed, nutrical, dental kit, nature's miracle, bitter apple for chewing, wipes, harness, leash. I still need her dry food and 2 baby gates. (if you have suggestions on baby gates, please help here: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ppy-gates.html) I think where supplies are concerned I should be good, unless anyone can think of something else. Where I'm really clueless/overwhelmed is puppy proofing the house! I have a brand new house and don't want my baby causing too much destruction. And of course above all I want to keep her safe! I plan to keep her in the kitchen when not supervised, but it has a lot of cupboards. Can she get them open? Do sockets really need to be covered? I keep hearing about electrical cords. I have so many in my house. How do you keep the puppy from chewing them? I also have a cat. How do I keep the puppy away from her litter box? And her food? Anything else I need to do? Help me be ready! I will pick up my baby next Friday after work, so I will be tired. I will have 5 weeks off work to just hang out with her, train her, etc., but I want to be prepared from the very beginning and not in shock having to run here to ask questions!
__________________ ~ Bailey's Mommy~ |
Welcome Guest! | |
03-18-2009, 05:02 PM | #2 |
My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca.
Posts: 12,228
| Congratulations on your soon to be fur-daughter. First off you have more than enough for her, but one thing you didn't mention is an expen. Never, ever, let a puppy run around in the house before it's completely house trained. If they pee on the carpet just once, they will always pee on the carpet. If you put her in the expen, attached to the front of the wire crate, she won't cry as much as if she were let run around the house first, then find herself put in the pen. Put a blanket over the crate to make it den like, put wee-wee pads at the opposite end, and a little bit of water in a dog dish that can't be turned over. (change water several times a day) Give her a toy and a Kong. Take her outside every hour to potty and play. Only put her on the sofa or chair with you when you read or watch TV and don't play with her there. Make sure she is taught that it's quiet time on the sofa. Give her a chewy to occupy her and still take her out every hour, and never, ever let her out by herself. It only takes a second for a bird of prey to grab her up. These expens are a life saver. We have two that we take on trips and camping. They make a nice fenced yard when there aren't any. Have you a name for her? Be sure to post lots of pictures. Is anyone giving you a puppy shower?
__________________ AZRAEL RAZAEL JILLI ANN |
03-18-2009, 05:13 PM | #3 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Alabama
Posts: 161
| Quote:
You sound like you're on the right track and that 5 weeks at home with your new furbaby should be wonderful and you two should really bond. Oh, and welcome to YT
__________________ Maggie May and Smallblock Chevy's Momma Roxy!We'll never forget you. RIP Baby | |
03-18-2009, 06:19 PM | #4 |
Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois
Posts: 9,666
| My only piece of advise is to immediately put your new baby down where you want her to potty, either outside or on a pee pad. Do not let her paws touch your floors before she goes potty in the proper place...be patient, it may take her awhile, but she will eventually go potty...then let her know how happy you are that she did what she did!!! They really learn by association ,praise and of course treats! Soon she will want to potty in the right place to get that same reaction from you. IF, she does have an accident, ignore her...clean it up well, but give her no attention for it. Positive reinforcement. Seriously, this works, Winston was fully trained to potty outside at 8 weeks old...the day we brought him home. Another thing, do wrap your electrical cords with coil tubing...to prevent her from chewing them. If you have ever put down mouse or rat poison...be sure to get rid of it and clean the area well. Puppies can and will get into small places. Be extra careful walking when your puppy is under foot...learn to do the Yorkie shuffle, walking without actually picking up your feet. Be careful with recliners...make sure you know where she is before putting the foot stool down. Last but not least...have FUN, enjoy your new baby...take lots of pictures, they grow and change so fast.
__________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels |
03-19-2009, 01:24 AM | #5 |
YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nevada
Posts: 454
| The xpen is a good idea, or a crate (I'm personally a fan of crate training for potty training if you are able to be around and supervising her free of the crate quite a bit). But whether it's a crate or an xpen she needs to have some area where there is no possibility of her getting into anything that could hurt her, and that is where she will have to be when you are not watching her every move. What we did with electrical cords was to actually keep them uncovered, but spray them with bitter apple spray several times a day, preemptively. And when Nikko had access to them, we made sure they had a good coat of bitter apple on them and that we were supervising closely. During the first couple weeks of living with us, he never tasted a cord that wasn't horribly disgusting to him, and since then he has never bothered trying to put his mouth on one again. We did this because we didn't want to have to worry about cords forever, and always cover them - we wanted them to be directly associated with something gross and inedible. But anyways, beyond that, it sounds like you are well prepared. You're going to be stressed and overwhelmed at times, guaranteed, but you are going to be fine. And you are going to be deeply in love, very quickly. :-) It sounds like you are going to make a GREAT momma. Lauren & Nikko PS: I don't think I remember seeing what kind of treats you have for her? Be sure you have some treats for regular training, AND a super special mega-delicious different treat to use exclusively for properly placed pees and poos. Plain boiled pieces of chicken, tiny bits of liver, etc. or my favorite, peanut butter baking chips from the baking aisle broken into thirds. |
03-19-2009, 09:29 AM | #6 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So. Cal
Posts: 367
| Quote:
I've decided on Bailey, but could still change it if it doesn't fit the first few days. I really like the idea of a puppy shower. No one has offered to give me one, but I thought of having one myself. I love to have parties. I'm just afraid my friends will a) think it's crazy, or b) just think I'm trying to get gifts.
__________________ ~ Bailey's Mommy~ | |
03-19-2009, 09:33 AM | #7 |
BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Carolina
Posts: 2,376
| The only thing you got that I woudn't use, would be a collar. You want to use a harness or harness vest or dress with your baby, unless you're only using the collar to put your address/phone number on. Someone had written awhile back where their dog had a collar on and was in a crate, the collar got stuck to the front of the crate and the dog was strangled. Congratulations, can't wait to see all the pictures |
03-19-2009, 09:39 AM | #8 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snowflake, AZ, USA
Posts: 672
| Everyone has given you great advice... All I can say is get ready to give your heart away !!!! on your new baby girl!
__________________ Chloe and Little Man's Mommy We Miss you Milo! |
03-19-2009, 10:01 AM | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Diller, Nebraska
Posts: 19
| I too am about to adopt my first yorkie and also my first dog. I feel the same way as you. I am really excited but scared to mess something up. I have 2 children and I don't think I was this nervous bringing them home. I did have alot of experience with children though. A dog is uncharted waters for me. I didn't get a puppy for so long because I did have small children and had no spare time to have a dog. I now have a little more free time and the kids can do some stuff for themselves and now I can spoil a puppy. Anyway I know just how you are feeling. You can go to any department store like Wal mart or Target to get a baby gate just watch how big the holes are so your little puppy won't get through or get stuck in them. |
03-19-2009, 04:20 PM | #10 |
Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois
Posts: 9,666
| Remember a puppy can chew right through a plastic gate...get a plastic coated metal gate.
__________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels |
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