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FlDebra · 03-16-2011, 10:27 AM

You sound like you are going to be a very conscientious puppy momma! I would ask her if she would please let your puppy stay a few more weeks with its momma but if she will not do it, then don't think you are going to be shunned here just for bringing him home sooner than recommended. I wish all breeders would understand that toy puppies do so much better if they can stay with mom & siblings until 12 weeks of age. But -- I have hand raised a litter with no momma around and they did extremely well. I did keep the puppies together until after 12 weeks and kept 2 of them even longer as they were so small. You just do what you have to do to try to help them when they don't get long enough with mom.

I have a Jack Russell that we bought way too early. She is a WONDERFUL pet but she is very nervous! She is afraid of everything but once you get her fears soothed, she is a dynamite dog. Some problems you may also see from bringing them home too early are biting too hard. Momma dogs train them not to bear down when they play bite by nipping at their neck and sharp barks if she needs to. You can imitiate a momma dog by gently pinching some skin at the neckline with your fingers. Don't hurt, just accompany the pinch with a sharp NO and the tone will get across your message better than anything. The ones leaving mom too early are often less confident and more needy than the ones who get plenty of time. To help alleviate that, show them lots of attention but also encourage them to have some alone time so they can build a little self-confidence. Play tug-of-war and let them win at least half the time. This keeps them trying harder (from the losses) but gives them a sense of accomplishment (from the wins). I know it sounds silly but these are the little games momma would play if she had more time with the puppy. You want to help build their confidence.

Since the puppy will also be smaller and less developed, you will need to be extra vigilant and take the utmost care for their health & safety. Make an appointment to take the puppy straight to a vet on your way home from picking him up if you can. Tell the vet of your concern with him being younger than this breed should be when they come home and ask that he give a thorough evaluation/exam. Don't let him jump off furniture. I would immediately invest in some puppy steps. Don't take him in public until he can get all of his immunizations. I would even be careful about taking him out to potty. I did not let my puppies go outside on the ground before they were 12 weeks old and had their first shots.

I would also try to get one of the Snuggle Puppies Brown Mutt Snuggle Puppy - Prices, Reviews, & Product Specs | 208285380 -- They have a little battery operated heart beat that the puppy can feel when he lays on it. They also come with a rice bag you heat in the microwave & it keeps the puppy extra warm since he will miss cuddling in a puppy pile. I actually had a cat one for my puppies as that was what I found at Petsmart. It won't matter what -- just the heart beat & warmth factor helps.

Depending on how young the puppy is, I might even get some goat's milk to supplement the kibble. If they were allowed to stay with momma, most continue to nurse as much as the mom will allow. So, giving a little goat's milk (dilute 1/2 & 1/2 with water) helps too.

Be especially vigilant to signs of a cough, fever, or low blood sugar. The last is a big danger to these little ones taken too soon from mom. I recommend free-feeding (food out 24/7) so they can nibble a little all day. Keep some Nutrical on hand to rub on his gums if you ever notice signs of low sugar. (Acting really tired, sometimes can't hold head up or even stand, disorientation, can even have a seizure -- if a seizure, also get to vet asap while rubbing Nutrical on gums). Too much exercise can trigger low blood sugar too so watch them when they have really played hard. Don't want to keep them from it, just watch and make sure they also eat well.

Ask as many questions as you need. There will be someone with the answer! I would definately still ask the breeder to keep the puppy with mom for a couple more weeks at least. You might tell her you read on ytca.org that breeders should keep them with their mom & siblings until 12 weeks old. ytca is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America -- the breed's parent club. She really should appreciate it as a valid reference. But if she will not, no one is going to turn you away if you follow through on the deal you have already made. I know how you bond with these little ones as soon as you see them! Sometimes you just know that is your dog!

03-16-2011, 10:27 AM	#23
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	You sound like you are going to be a very conscientious puppy momma! I would ask her if she would please let your puppy stay a few more weeks with its momma but if she will not do it, then don't think you are going to be shunned here just for bringing him home sooner than recommended. I wish all breeders would understand that toy puppies do so much better if they can stay with mom & siblings until 12 weeks of age. But -- I have hand raised a litter with no momma around and they did extremely well. I did keep the puppies together until after 12 weeks and kept 2 of them even longer as they were so small. You just do what you have to do to try to help them when they don't get long enough with mom. I have a Jack Russell that we bought way too early. She is a WONDERFUL pet but she is very nervous! She is afraid of everything but once you get her fears soothed, she is a dynamite dog. Some problems you may also see from bringing them home too early are biting too hard. Momma dogs train them not to bear down when they play bite by nipping at their neck and sharp barks if she needs to. You can imitiate a momma dog by gently pinching some skin at the neckline with your fingers. Don't hurt, just accompany the pinch with a sharp NO and the tone will get across your message better than anything. The ones leaving mom too early are often less confident and more needy than the ones who get plenty of time. To help alleviate that, show them lots of attention but also encourage them to have some alone time so they can build a little self-confidence. Play tug-of-war and let them win at least half the time. This keeps them trying harder (from the losses) but gives them a sense of accomplishment (from the wins). I know it sounds silly but these are the little games momma would play if she had more time with the puppy. You want to help build their confidence. Since the puppy will also be smaller and less developed, you will need to be extra vigilant and take the utmost care for their health & safety. Make an appointment to take the puppy straight to a vet on your way home from picking him up if you can. Tell the vet of your concern with him being younger than this breed should be when they come home and ask that he give a thorough evaluation/exam. Don't let him jump off furniture. I would immediately invest in some puppy steps. Don't take him in public until he can get all of his immunizations. I would even be careful about taking him out to potty. I did not let my puppies go outside on the ground before they were 12 weeks old and had their first shots. I would also try to get one of the Snuggle Puppies Brown Mutt Snuggle Puppy - Prices, Reviews, & Product Specs \| 208285380 -- They have a little battery operated heart beat that the puppy can feel when he lays on it. They also come with a rice bag you heat in the microwave & it keeps the puppy extra warm since he will miss cuddling in a puppy pile. I actually had a cat one for my puppies as that was what I found at Petsmart. It won't matter what -- just the heart beat & warmth factor helps. Depending on how young the puppy is, I might even get some goat's milk to supplement the kibble. If they were allowed to stay with momma, most continue to nurse as much as the mom will allow. So, giving a little goat's milk (dilute 1/2 & 1/2 with water) helps too. Be especially vigilant to signs of a cough, fever, or low blood sugar. The last is a big danger to these little ones taken too soon from mom. I recommend free-feeding (food out 24/7) so they can nibble a little all day. Keep some Nutrical on hand to rub on his gums if you ever notice signs of low sugar. (Acting really tired, sometimes can't hold head up or even stand, disorientation, can even have a seizure -- if a seizure, also get to vet asap while rubbing Nutrical on gums). Too much exercise can trigger low blood sugar too so watch them when they have really played hard. Don't want to keep them from it, just watch and make sure they also eat well. Ask as many questions as you need. There will be someone with the answer! I would definately still ask the breeder to keep the puppy with mom for a couple more weeks at least. You might tell her you read on ytca.org that breeders should keep them with their mom & siblings until 12 weeks old. ytca is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America -- the breed's parent club. She really should appreciate it as a valid reference. But if she will not, no one is going to turn you away if you follow through on the deal you have already made. I know how you bond with these little ones as soon as you see them! Sometimes you just know that is your dog! __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard Last edited by FlDebra; 03-16-2011 at 10:29 AM.