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Originally Posted by purplg8r  Thank you guys for the advice so far. I didn't buy it from a puppy store. It's a grooming botique and the owners have elderly neighbors that love their yorkies and breed them (so I guess it's considered a BYB).
I have a couple of more questions if thats okay..I read the new puppy sticky note and I didn't see this in there. (Yeah, I am totally going to be one of THOSE moms)
1) I've seen a bunch of Nutri-Cal. Should I be feeding this to my puppy every day (she's 11 weeks yesterday) or just keep it on hand?
2)For crate training...when I am gone at work, I was thinking of having a gate put up in the guest bathroom. She'll have her food/water, litter box, bed, blankets and toys in there. But I want to have her crate with me in the bedroom at night so she can sleep near me. Should I put her crate in the guest bathroom during the day with her?
3) I read that Yorkies need to be put under anesthesia and have their teeth cleaned. How often do I need to have that done?
4) What dog food do you guys suggest? Right now she is on Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food. Is that a good one?
5) What treats are best for yorkie puppies?
Thanks guys! |
A couple of points. First, unless you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, you need to be prepared for potential health issues or genetic conditions. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's a reality, and a particularly possible reality when you are not buying from a reputable breeder. Personally, I have only adopted adult yorkies from rescues or the pound. The good thing about adopting adults is that 1) they are generally already potty trained and 2) they are past that annoying, needy puppy stage. Yes puppies are cute, but they are like having infants. With an adult dog, you know what you're getting and generally any health issues have been identified. But if you are really intent on having a puppy, just be prepared for some long nights and potty training fun. It's not horrible, but I hate it when people get puppies, realize they are hard work, and then dump them off at the pound. It happens more than people realize.
That all said, regarding your questions:
1) Unless there is some specific reason, you should just have NutriCal on hand for any hypoglycemic episodes (common in Yorkie puppies, I believe). But you would want to consult with your vet to see if this is necessary.
2) I have never crate trained, but I hear that this is a good thing to do. Be sure that there is nothing in the bathroom that she can get into. Also, they sell doggie playpens that you can set up in your living room (which might give her more access to daylight instead of being stuck in a bathroom). But I definitely agree that you want to keep her contained during the day.
3) Yes, for a professional teeth cleaning (the kind you and I go to the dentist and get every 6 months or so), dogs do generally have to be put under anesthesia. It's a risk, but a relatively small one. There is one GREAT way to mitigate this risk however - BRUSH YOUR DOG'S TEETH. EVERY DAY. I cannot emphasize this enough. Terriers tend to have bad teeth (in fact, many small dogs are prone to bite issues, which leads to tooth decay). Tooth decay affects not just the mouth, but also internal organs. In addition, dealing with tooth decay is EXPENSIVE and PAINFUL for your little girl. So, start with a puppy kit and get her into the routine of having her teeth brushed EVERY NIGHT. Make it part of your daily routine. I have had Vinnie for about 7 years and he's about 8 or 9 years of age. He has had his teeth professionally cleaning only twice in his life and has not a speck of tartar anywhere because every night, no matter where we are, we brush his teeth. It takes 30 seconds out of my evening. A small effort for a HUGE reward. I cannot emphasize this enough.
4) I have not had a puppy in years, so I don't know about special puppy requirements. That said, I am very into the raw/home prepared school of thought. I feed both my guys either home-prepared food or Nature's Variety medallions. Feeding a raw, grain-free diet has so many benefits.
5) Avoid raw hides. I use bully sticks for my guys. Also, you should really try to find a natural pet food store in your area. They can provide a wealth of information about appropriate treats. Also, a good vet can help you tremendously as you navigate the puppy stage. Puppies are like babies and often pick up viruses or have diet/gastrointestinal issues. Having a vet you can call for advice or get in to see quickly can be a lifesaver.
Hope all this helps!!