Here are my suggestions, I am sure others have more to add or have had other experiences or different advice.
1. How would you recomend bathing a small puppy for the first time?
In the bathroom sink.
2. What shampoo/conditioner would you recomend?
I am extra careful not to get water in the ears.
I am now using PPP -Professional Pet Products - Tearless Shampoo - For the Junior Pet Set - Specially formulated for Puppies, kittens, Ferrets, Rabbits and Hamsters.
3. How often and when should I give her a brushing and trim her hair?
I got my puppy used to a comb even by stroking her with the back of the comb.
She now lets me comb her although sometimes still tries to bite the comb playfully now and then, I just tell her NO wait a bit and try again. She has adapted very well to being combed out. I trimmed the hair on Mya's feet when she was 10 weeks old. I waited till she was sleepy.4. Would I need any special things? Like skin care products?
I would think you would not need that unless there is a skin problem.
5. What would you recomed for flee and tick provention?
I think it can be included in a shot. Maybe someone else has more input on this subject for you.
What should I give her to play with?
Mya's favorite toys are from the dollar store. Her favorite ball is a cotton knit ball that glows in the dark. I took out the plastic beads that were inside and replaced them with stuffing. She also has a tiny teddy bear from the dollar store (cotton filled no plastic or glass eyes or nose to chew off ) a stuffed dog, a tiny rope toy, a lil soccar ball that is leather like on the outside and cotton batting filled....chewable bones. She found my cat's toy which is a simple felt bag. I just bought her a tiny tennis ball. She also plays with this stuffed cat that is a draft stopper so the thing is 3ft long and she actually drags it around. It is sooooooo funny. She had a little rubber/plastic toy but actually chewed part of it off so I took it away from her.
Topic #3:
I find having a puppy is like having a baby. When Mya cries I go through the check list:
Is she just tired?
Is she Hungry?
Is she Thirsty?
Does she need to go pee or poop?
Is she just bored?
It could of been that the puppy was crying for one of those reasons.
A schedule is good to try and stick to. I keep Mya awake on purpose so that she will sleep when *I* want her to. It seems to work except when the cat wakes us up at 5am like this morning.....lol I did manage to get Mya to go back to sleep after a piddle and a snuggle.Also from past dogs I found that the carriers don't work as well as a cage. Maybe others can comment on this. Mya was brought home in a carrier and kept in one her first night, she did cry. She seems to love her cage with her padded bed in it and she loves her travel bag. She runs away from the carrier if she sees it.
Topic #4:
Just try to keep your eye on her, know where she is. You probably have already gotten on your hands and knees to check out your home. We did this and Vaccumme often just yesterday Mya dropped an AA battery at my feet. Remember no one is perfect! Also try to socialize her by taking her out to meet people and experience noises.
Enjoy your puppy !!!!!! I am so excited for you !!!!!
Cyn
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