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Originally Posted by Jnice123  Can someone tell me how much food and water you give your yorkies. I only feed him twice a day but I wonder if we are giving him too much water. |
Unless you are in the midst of some type of strict potty training program (which sometimes limits access to water in an attempt to potty train), puppies and adult dogs should be given access to an unlimited supply of water ALL THE TIME! Water is very good for us and them. The only example of truly over-drinking I can think of is if there are urinary tract issues....otherwise, he will drink what he needs and that's it! Of course, activity will increase his water intake as will eating sometimes.
Probably the best way to potty train "difficult to potty train" dogs is by adhering to a very strict schedule as far as food/water and free time (time out of the crate) goes. I'm sure there is very good information on the internet about it, but I bought a book about potty training in just 7 days. I'd be happy to PM you with the schedules it suggest for an adult dog if you'd like.
I don't know if the food would be causing his odor, BUT I would think it would be worth a try to switch him to a better food. Sometimes changing diet cures a lot of things..... Iams is not a great food at all, so that is where I would start. (Note: If you had told me that he has always eaten Iams and hasn't ever had any problems at all, I would say it's probably fine to stick with it. BUT, since you're concerned about his odor, enough to be thinking of possibly re-homing, I think it's time for a switch! It couldn't hurt to just try it....) I would also consider taking him to the vet for this (I may try changing his diet first, but if after 4 weeks or so he still had a foul odor, I would go.) Sometimes odor is the first clue that something is going on.