growth of my new baby boy
 

First of all, welcome to YorkieTalk, JenniferMarie!

PLEASE feed your little 12 week old baby 4 times a day, about a tablespoon at a time. They need to eat several times a day until they are about a year old. Best thing is to feed twice a day and then leave fresh dry kibble and clean water out for them to help themselves while you are gone. It's important for babies to eat several times a day so they don't have a problem with hypoglycemia, which can affect small breeds (it's a drop in blood sugar that can lead to unconciousness).

As to size, I think the formula is to double their weight at 12 weeks and that will be roughly where they will end up. So your little one should top off at around 8 pounds, just a really nice size for a small dog!

And just right to play with a Japanese Chin, too! Those are darling dogs! Keep visiting YorkieTalk and feel free to ask us anything. And post a picture of your little one, too. What is his name? We love furbabies here....we're like a bunch of doting aunties!

If Squirt (LOVE that name!) and Gizmo are getting along REALLY well and truly enjoying playing together, and Gizmo is not too rough with him, I would certainly leave them home together. They will be good company for one another. Whenever you leave Squirt, leave LOTS of toys for him to play with! I mean LOTS of toys! Then they don't chew up YOUR stuff.

If you have Squirt neutered when he is about 5-6 months old, he will never lift his leg "marking" all over the place. He will also be a healthier, and happier dog with a greatly reduced risk of getting cancer. I HIGHLY recommend it unless you have a show dog where they must be intact in order to be shown.

When you have him neutered, ask the vet to remove any baby teeth that haven't already fallen out. Small dogs often don't lose them and that can cause problems, not to mention that they look like little piranhas!

My Higgins has a lovely head of gray hair at 10 months old! I think that Yorkies coats change for as long as 1-2 years. So it will be awhile before you know what his final color will be.

Jennifer, luv, I'm an old grammy with poor eyesight. Would you mind very much changing to a darker type that I could see better? Pretty please? Thanks!

When Higgins was little, the vet recommended Lamb Jerky made by Natural Choice. It is all natural and has lots of nutrition. The pieces are sort of large so just break one into 2 or 4 little pieces and give them as treats. And if I'm not mistaken, Bettyeanne's Toto will practically do somersaults for pieces of honey coated cheerios.

It is never too early to begin leash training. VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT put a collar on Squirt! Instead, buy him a harness (cat harnesses are small enough) and attach the leash to the ring on the back of the harness. Yorkies have VERY delicate tracheas (windpipe in their necks) and it can easily be injured by pulling on a collar/leash. They seem to like the harnesses, too. We put Higgins in his all day, then take it off at night. He's really good about it. Put it on Squirt and let him wear it around the house for a couple of days to get used to it.....then put the leash on him and tug gently, offering him a treat when he comes along.....

Welcome Squirt and jennifermarie! Higgin's Mom has got ya covered I see, yes, I'd leave them home together if they can play nice and don't attack each other or anything. It'd be good for them to socialize, just make sure they are okay with it for extended periods of time (watch 'em first while you are at home). :)

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Squirt looks like he is a handfull, I have seen that same face on my Rudy. Squirt is a cutie. You have come to the right sight to get the best information that will help you with squirt. I learn something new everyday. Hope you enjoy the site.................Cindy

wow guys thanks. thats cute that she'll practically do somersaults for cherios. but when i tell him to sit. i dont think he knows exaclty what i sayin. so how would i get him to do other things?

jennifermarie: just takes patience and lots of repetition. When they are sitting, say SIT and repeat it as long as they are sitting. Then try to get them to do that action. Sometimes you need to 'help them' sit a bit, by helping them fold their legs and make them sit on their butts. Take maybe 15-20 minutes a day teaching them and once they've learned a command, repeat it throughout the day and give treats when they do it right. :)

thanx alot guys. ill have to try it. now for the peeing and pooping everywhere. ;[