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Originally Posted by LifeLovePassion  1) do you have your baby yorkie on a schedule? What does your schedule look like? do you plan naps? I am a SAHM so I'll be around alot and want to make sure he stays rested
2) pee pads...if I have him on a schedule and say take him outside every 2-3 hours can I expect I won't need these in his space unless we will be gone longer? Should he be in a smaller kennel/crate those times so he won't feel like peeing in his space? Will he be too young for that? Should he then be in a bigger space w/a pee pad when we go for longer (it's rare, since we still plan around our girls naps, but a long stretch will be around 4 hours)
3) food should always be available correct? what age do you switch to meals? Or can I start right away w/meals, just 3 or maybe 4 meals. We will have treats throughout the day, for potty, training too. When would I be able to cut back to 2 meals a day? (I realize it's all approximate...depending on his size, etc...just looking for ballparks)
4) I did buy nutracal...Do you proactively feed a smidge after each meal (like was suggested in the big new puppy sticky thread) or use as needed? or can just use honey as needed and return the stuff? |
So you have read the sticky on new puppy parents? I think that some of your answers to your q's depends on how old your puppy will be when you get them, and how much he/she weighs. I started right away with a feeding schedule, for the first 2mths until he was five months old he got 3 meals a day, plus training treats in between, plus a snack/training treat before bedtime. Then about 5mths old he went down to two meals a day, plus his training treats in between.
Water was always available both in his xpen and crate.
3) for older pups that are a good weight, ie not under three pounds I did not use the nutrical. But it is always good to have nutrical on hand, in case of an emergency
2) peepads and outside training. Again depending on how young pup is, you should either take outside or to pee pad immediately after waking up, after eating, after playing, and every 2or3 hrs. Expect to get up at least once during the night to either take outside to potty or put on his peepad. I like to use the xpen for both containment when I can't watch him, and for his peepads, set up a separate arean within the playpen/expen one for peepads, and one for sleep play.
You will need to determine where he is going to sleep at night. In his playpen on his bed, or in his crate by your bed.
I use the crate for travelling-harnessed up to the seat belt, and also for his sleeping in at night. The crate is just large enough for him to get up and turn around in, and laydown.
Also what I've found useful in the early days of training to walk around the house with a little fanny pack on me with treats in it. That way I can immediately reward for good behaviour, and training becomes part of the day. Your in the kitchen cooking, call him to you, or dusting in the livingroom etc.
As puppies schedules work best for eating, sleeping, playing etc.
Such an exciting time for you!