Am I doing ok?
 

Ok. So, there are lot's of you on here that know much more about doggies than I do and I just want to make sure I am doing everything the right way for my baby Zoe.

Here is my daily routine. (well, started yesterday) I wake up and take her out. She pees, sometimes poops, I bring her in and put her food out while im in the kitchen making my son's lunch. After about 40 minutes I put it away and just let her run around the house and play. I take her our about 30 minutes later. She pee's but won't poop. She actually pees a few times. Then I bring her back in and before I leave I take her out again for a few minutes and then put her back in her crate. I work up the street from my house so I come home during lunch and let her out and feed her. Before I go back to work I take her out one more time then back in the crate and she is in there till about 5:10. Is that acceptable? When I get home I let her out and after she does her business, I allow her to run around and play and at around 7 or 8 I put her food down again.

I am a bit worried because this morning she wouldn't poop. I sat outside with her for almost 15 minutes and nothing. I was left no choice but to put her in her crate. :( I am open to suggestions on a different routine.

Is feeding her 3 times a day ok? I've read 3 is necessary then i've been told that 2 is ok. I'm confused.:confused: I need some expertice advice here. lol

Thank you in advance. :)

Sounds like your doing great. Mine seem to never poop right after eating sometimes it's hours later. I still feed mine 3 times a day because I have one with a medical condition that requires it. If she is small and young I would feed 3 times unless you are going to free feed her.

How old is your baby? It sounds like a good routine going, but if she is getting a little older, she might not have to poop as much. If she's still young (I think under a year?- anyone remember?) 3 feedings is ok, but I believe you can go to two after she's 1. It could also be that she just didn't need to go! When you get home from work, she might just go right away.

Thank you. I was just concerned because she didn't poop and I hate to think that she is stuck in her crate having to poop. :( I will continue to feed her 3 times. I'm sure after a little while she will get used to the routine.

Still learning myself, but it sounds like what you are doing is fine. At 3 mos I would say feeding 3-4 times is good. I have found that by that age, they may not poop each time. Aside, little Zoe has had a lot going on so once she settles down, she'll get into a routine. We kept a close eye on Hot Rod when we were crating him and then we got the expen. We watched for the circling signs and so forth. As he got older, his poops stretched out over the day and he would go for hours before need to poop again. Maggie is 5 mos now and she is at 2x a day and has been for about a month 1/2 now.

From what I have read, crating for the time that you are is okay. If you are really concerned, look into getting an expen for Zoe and this way she can be out more often. The only issue is that you will probably need to get her to use the pad as she may do her business before you get home. I've attached a picture of my expen to give you an idea. It was the best thing that we did because I was concerned about getting home late and so forth. But it sounds like you are on your way.

She is 3 months. Thank you. I just wanted to make sure I was doing what I need to be doing. :) I will continue her on 3 feedings.

Thank you. I think i'll stick to crating. :) I think after a few weeks she will get used to the routine. :)

Still learning myself, but it sounds like you are doing great! :D

My breeder suggested 'free feed' for the first two weeks (while she adjusts to my home) then 3 times a day for 3 - 4 months (i think, need to recheck the email) then down to 2.

Sounds like, if i compare my notes to yours, you are doing perfect. :animal-pa

Pictures of puppy are required as payment :animal36

You sound like a concerned and invested yorkie mom. Your routine sounds great to me!

Good luck!

I've always fed mine three times a day. I never did do two times a day only. Mine always got lots of exercise and so that may be why they didn't get fat. None of them could have gone through the whole day without eating at noon. I suppose you just have to see how she would do if you wanted to do two meals a day later on.

You are my hero:). I think your routine sounds great. You are doing amazing!! Can I send my kids to come live with you? I'll take them back after you break them in :D.

Zoe is a lucky girl :wub: with a Mommy like you.

Awww.. Thank you. :hug:Send me your kids? HA. I'm ok with my Zoe and my 5 year old little boy. Him alone is more than a handful. :)

I am lucky to have a little Zoe. She really is great.

that's about the routine i have for Tyke. Except he's put in the crate just at night. The reason why is because he stays in my daughters room when we're not home. It's all tile floor, everything is picked up ( one way to get a 17 year old to keep her room clean:D) he has his food water and pad in case he has to go. We bought a gate to put in her doorway so he doesn't feel so confined. I thought shutting the door just made me feel bad. He's getting alot better and only goes on the pad if he's left like from 1pm-6pm because i come up to the house for lunch too and let him out. I cut hair in my shop that's by my house. But Tyke is really doing good to this schedule. Your doing great! or I think so:)

Look like is working for you and your pup. I got a good yorkie book that help a lot of course yt too:p. I only use the crate when they were a pup I will put them there when we go to sleep, in the day a x-pen just like Mom to Hot Rod, they go outside if I take them out too, I also have a baby gate that I use if I have to leave them, the kitchen area with pads, food, water and safe toys, but that almost never happens since they are with me most of the time he,he:p

I think that sounds pretty good. I understand your frustration - Sammy will sometimes only go once a day, skipping her nighttime one. If she does, she's up at 5:30 ready to go outside :rolleyes: but trust me it gets easier once they are trained. I used to do like you - sit outside for 15 minutes and wouldn't let her back in or she'd run and go in the closet. But now she's trained and she will just ring her bell whenever she is ready. It's ALL worth it once they are trained, trust me. Mine were both fully trained around 18 months. They were good with supervision by 1 year.

Usually walking them, rather than just standing in the yard, will make them go. I do this if we are going out for the evening. I feed them and then walk them and they will both go within a block or two. It's nice to know they are empty if I'm going to be gone for a while.