YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - What are the challenges of raising a Tiny?

cj125 · 07-08-2010, 09:27 PM

Congratulations and Welcome to YT!

My 2 aren't tinies by any means but after owning a blk Lab for over 12 yrs - they're tiny to us.

Check your floors frequently
Being so low to the ground they find things that we don't see. We had to be very careful and watch that nothing was on the floor that could hurt them. I still shut the bathroom doors so they don't lick by the toilets or accidentally find some kind of cleaner residue.

Noise
Noises are louder down there as well. We have tile floors and neither one of my kids like to have a plate set on the ground for them to eat off of. I have a set that sits up off the ground.

Walking/sitting on them
I think the biggest problem with tinies would be that you have to be soooo very careful about walking around the house. These guys love to be around you all the time and I really had to watch out for them. Like when I'm doing dishes - instead of just turning around I have to turn my head and look to see if either of them are standing behind me before I pick my foot up and actually move.

Jumping
Jumping is a biggie too. I bought about 6 - $10 sets of steps from Walgreen's so that Mia & Max learned right off the bat that they had to use them. (especially since we have tile) I think I even threw pillows around my floor for Mia until she understood.

Dropping
If your baby is extremely tiny don't feel obligated to let other people hold him/her. These little ones are wiggle butts and so fragile that it could only take one time of jumping out of someone's hands for your puppy to get seriously injured, paralyzed, or die.

Hypoglycemia
I'm sure your breeder will go over this with you but make sure you have some Nutrical on hand. The little ones burn up so much energy that they don't have much reserve. You'll need to make sure that they only play for a little while at a time. They're just like babies in that they need to eat and sleep and occasionally play.

I'm sure you're so excited. Post pictures when you can. Don't hesitate to ask questions. This really is the best place to get help with your new baby.

07-08-2010, 09:27 PM	#4
cj125 Mia, Max and Moe's Mom Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 4,403	Congratulations and Welcome to YT! My 2 aren't tinies by any means but after owning a blk Lab for over 12 yrs - they're tiny to us. Check your floors frequently Being so low to the ground they find things that we don't see. We had to be very careful and watch that nothing was on the floor that could hurt them. I still shut the bathroom doors so they don't lick by the toilets or accidentally find some kind of cleaner residue. Noise Noises are louder down there as well. We have tile floors and neither one of my kids like to have a plate set on the ground for them to eat off of. I have a set that sits up off the ground. Walking/sitting on them I think the biggest problem with tinies would be that you have to be soooo very careful about walking around the house. These guys love to be around you all the time and I really had to watch out for them. Like when I'm doing dishes - instead of just turning around I have to turn my head and look to see if either of them are standing behind me before I pick my foot up and actually move. Jumping Jumping is a biggie too. I bought about 6 - $10 sets of steps from Walgreen's so that Mia & Max learned right off the bat that they had to use them. (especially since we have tile) I think I even threw pillows around my floor for Mia until she understood. Dropping If your baby is extremely tiny don't feel obligated to let other people hold him/her. These little ones are wiggle butts and so fragile that it could only take one time of jumping out of someone's hands for your puppy to get seriously injured, paralyzed, or die. Hypoglycemia I'm sure your breeder will go over this with you but make sure you have some Nutrical on hand. The little ones burn up so much energy that they don't have much reserve. You'll need to make sure that they only play for a little while at a time. They're just like babies in that they need to eat and sleep and occasionally play. I'm sure you're so excited. Post pictures when you can. Don't hesitate to ask questions. This really is the best place to get help with your new baby. __________________ *Connie* Mia Max Moe