Well lets see how much help I can be....
1. I am sure the breeder will tell me what I need to know but just in case, what should I ask? What should I be bringing home? Will she tell me what kind of food I should be feeding her and how often? Dry food or wet?
Answer: You need to ask her what type of food she has been eating and ask her if she could give you about a weeks worth of food so you dont have to buy a huge bag when you want to switch her food. Being 10 weeks she should be eating dry food. Ask the breeder what she was been doing with her and do the same thing for about a week then mix the food you want her on and the food she has been on then switch it entirely!
1. What happens when I bring her home? I am planning on working from home the first week so I can spend lots of time getting her adjusted and comfortable and try to get on a routine but I am so confused. Do I confine her to a small area of the house? Baby gates? Crate?
Answer: Dont allow her to have free roam of the house, but you dont have to keep her locked up all day. Keep her in the room you are planning on working in and watch her so she doesn't have an accident. I use baby gates and lock our puppies in the kitchen when we are gone. THEY WORK GREAT!! And crate them at night.
2. Potty training: I am worried about using a pee pad in the beginning b/c I don't want to use them forever...should I start by just taking her out every hour? Or should I start with a combo....then as she understands the pee pad move it outside until she gets it? Will that confuse her?
Answer: We use pee pads and they have worked wonderfuly, but we live in an apartment. We are buying a house in Sep and will be using "Potty Outside" so I will let you know how well that works...I would take her out every two hours and keep a puppy pad inside. Just watch her and when she starts sniffing take her out. Start with that and if she doesnt get that and starts peeing in the house.. run to her the puppy pad.
3. Vet: I am planning on taking her within two days of getting her but what should I be asking? I have heard mixed reviews about what shots small yorkies should be receiving? Should I just trust that the vet knows? How often will I be visiting the vet in the first year?
Answer: TAKE HER ASAP!! That is so important! You seem really on top of that. Trust the vet on shots. They didnt go to 7 years of schooling for nothin. We also gave our puppies an additional shot (can't remember the name) but it prevents any parasites from hurting them if they drink spring water. If you live in an area with alot of ticks I know there is another vac that is recommended as well. Just ask your vet. He will know. We have gone 4 times so far and we be going for the last time this year to get her fixed. First was a check up. Second, Third and Forth were theirs shots and last visit is to get spay/neutered.
4. Sleeping: As much as I will want Lola to sleep with me...I think sleeping in her own bed will work better. Do I start this right away? Do I need a bed that has a door so she doesn't roam around? Do they roam around at night? How often should I be taking her out throughout the night? Will she pee in her bed?
Answer: I had them both sleep with me the first night ONLY! I know if yorkies get stressed they can go into hyperglycemia so watch for that (look at gums and if they are any color other than pink... let a vet know). Then the second night put her in a crate with a little blanket (or crate bed...get at petsmart) and take her out every two hours. She wont pee in her bed if you take her out. Puppies have a hard time holding their bladder but if you are on top of it she should be good. They dont roam at night unless you let them.. keep her in her crate take her out to go potty and thats it. Dont play tell her "Bedtime' and put her back in bed.
5. If I need to leave, is it okay to leave her for a couple hours? Is that too long in the beginning? I am worried if I bring her everywhere then she will get used to it and then when it's very hot and I cannot leave her in the car, she will have separation anxiety if I have to leave her at home? At what age is it okay to leave for a couple hours? Should I crate her? Or are baby gates better? I have heard people leave them in the bathroom but I think I would worry?
Answer: Everyone has their own option on what to do with your puppy when you are gone. We put them in the kitchen and lock them in with a baby gate. I know that alot of people use dog playpens. That is a good idea too. I would not put her in the bathroom... to much stuff to get into. Just puppy proof where you put her. They can get into cabnets so be aware of that and keep cleaning stuff put up high (Just like a baby)! She is old enough to leave home alone. She will be just fine I promise! They also find everything and anything on the floor swipe your kitchen/dog area everyday so they dont eat plastic, paper etc and get sick or choke.
6. When can she start going for walks? How soon for a collar, leash?
Answer: You can start going on walks 48 hrs AFTER she has had her second set of shots. I would still be safe and wait til she has had all her shots. You dont want her to get sick. Use a harness not a collar they are safer and when you start taking her on walks use a lease then. To get our puppies use to their harness and lease we walked them in the house for a couple of weeks then outside.
7. What about grooming....should I start brushing her from day one? How about baths? At what age do they go to the groomer?
Answer: YES!! Brush her from day one. They get really big knots around their bums. And brush her everyday. Baths every week. We do ours on Sunday and ours went to the groomer when they were about 12 weeks to get their bums shaved (really important to do) and face trimmed and ears shaved because they arent up yet. But make sure she is up to date on shots before you go.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your baby!!! |