[Sandyd]

I work with a rescue group up here in Minnesota so I'll try to give you a few tips. First a few things about your comments that pop out to me. If your little girl is 4 years old and has bad teeth and the prior owner only aquired her a few months ago, I suspect they didn't get her from a breeder but that she came from a mill. Most of our mill dogs over a year old need to have a dental when they're sterilized and a dog by 4 years old ususally has to have teeth extracted during the dental. They have been living in a bacteria filled environment with poor or little food and bad water quality so their teeth take a big hit.

I am wondering how long ago you aquired your little Yorkie? If it's been just a few days or a week, she may just be trying to adapt. So here are a few things I do for a new rescue who comes into my home:

1. Love, snuggles, cuddles and a lot of lap time. Your little girl may have been in another home for a few months but I would suspect that she is not used to being in a home environment and if the previous owner didn't have time for her, this part was missed. If she wants to just snuggle on you, let her.

2. To temp food, especially if they have bad teeth, I put some water through my coffee maker to get really hot water and add that to their kibble and let it really gravy up. As soon as it's cool enough to eat but still warm, I feed. I will even sit right next to them and put it in my hand and let them lick it off to begin with. If she won't eat off your hand, you can try a spoon. If she won't eat, lift the bowl and do not let her free feed. If she doesn't eat, offer the meal again a bit later. Eventually she will notice that the only time she is going to eat is when you offer it and you'll be the provider.

Another idea if she's not eating is to get some baby food meat, the really small jars that are just strained chicken or turkey. I cook a cup of minute rice and in the water before I add the rice, I put the meat in the water so when the rice is added, it soaks up protein too. Plus they think it's nummy. A cup will last a few feedings so just refrigerate it and warm it up for the next meal.

If you do cook chicken, boil the chicken with the bones but no skin and when the meat is ready to fall off the bone, remove the bones. The broth will be bolder if you leave the bones in while cooking. I like picking up legs and thighs because it's the darker, softer meat on the chicken.

3. Watch for dehydration by looking at her gums. If they're getting tacky, she's getting dehydrated. But as long as she's taking some sips here and there of water, she should be okay. Also by adding the water to her food, you're giving water. I also put additional water bowls by the door outside so coming in and out, a quick sip is good.

The first few days the most important thing you can do is bond with her. The more safe she feels, the faster she will feel comfortable eating and thriving.

Try these things and let us know if she's improving.... others will have more ideas.

Sandy