Any advice or help from breeders appreciated.
 

I posted this in the main forum, someone suggested i also post here, as this is where all the breeders 'hang out' :)

I have just gotten my first [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]yorkie[/COLOR][/COLOR], she was living with a male and the people i got her from had tried unsuccessfully to breed her for about 2 years.

Well, i believe shes pregnant now! They said they had been mating for a few weeks last month (they never suspected that shed get pg) and I suspect shes about 4 weeks along.

She has a vet appointment this evening, but holy smoke i have never had a [COLOR=green ! important][COLOR=green ! important]pregnant [COLOR=green ! important]dog[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] let alone help birth a litter. I'm not the sort who loses her cool LOL so i think i can handle it but im just afraid of doing the wrong thing.

I have googled it and watched plenty of youtube videos. I have also read alot here but i would like as much info as i can get my hands on.

Does anyone know of any good websites, books, or have any advice? i still have so many questions.

(how many pups are in there? can i tell ahead of time? do i have to clean their airways or cut umbilical cords? should i have a crate that confines her in with the pups if she isnt a good mother?)

** I noticed that some of you weigh your puppies twice a day to make sure they're gaining? what do you use to do that?

She should take care of the cord itself, if not...you'll have to cut it and tie w/unwaxed dental floss. And I use the the small vegetable scale( can get it from Walmart). About a week before she is due, have the Vet take xrays and you'll know how many pups she'll have. I use a box lined with blanket and flat sheet on top (for softness) for the mom and pups. I usually have it ready a couple of weeks before, so she can get used to and know its for her and pups. I cut out at the bottom of box a little doggie door with the flap so mom can get in and out. When the pups are bigger, I put them in a cage when I know they can't sqeeze thru the spaces of the cage. Good Luck and you'll do just fine:)

I forgot to give you some websites that will give you tons of information.:thumbup: If I can think of more, will send your way!

Dog Breed Info Center®, DBI
www.yorkiescorner.com

Canine Reproduction Video and Book on Breeding and Whelping dogs by Debbie Jensen for dog breeders and Whelping Supplies needed to deliver puppies. is the best site I have found. I use a postal scalee purchased from Office Depot to weigh mine. It weighs in lbs, ounces and grams. Good luck