I have been wondering about a few things, so I thought that I'd ask you ever so helpful people.
1. Missy's ears are perky, but I'm wondering if I should continue to keep the top 1/3rd trimmed, or is that only something you do if they are drooping?
Yes, you continue to keep the top of the ears trimmed..
2. Missy's second set of vaccinations is coming on Dec 8th. For her first series @ 7 weeks she had Parainfluenza, CAV2-Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Distemper. The vet has recommended I give her the same series for her next round but add Bordetella. Then another 4 weeks after that, just a Distemper, and shortly after that the Rabies vaccine. Do you all agree with this? I want her vaccinated properly, but I also don't want to overdo it.
with Avery i wasn't as aware about vaccines. but now i know a lot more ;) (everyone is different, it depends on where you live and your own opinion on certain things!) i know with the bordatella, it is NOT a must, unless you take your dog to be boarded, etc. neither of my girls got bordatella.. but i don't ever board them, i groom them myself, etc. i would do some research & make your own opinion.. like i said, everyone has their own view of this, but i personally think we are overvaccinating, (especially with the small babies, like yorkies) here is a link that talks a little bit about vaccinations: Is Your Vet Clueless, Too?
3. When can I take her out and about with me? I really can't wait to take her out and about in her new Pet Fly Carrier. Also, I want her to have the opportunity to meet new people and experience new situations.
you can take her to family & friends houses.. as long as you know they have healthy pets, etc. ..and you if you take her out now (to stores, etc.) i would just hold her and not set her on the ground! but it is a very good idea to socialize her! :)
4. Treats! I think that I'd like to stick to fruits, veggies, cheerios..things like that. When can I start using these types of things for training. Any other suggestions for treats?
we have fed cheerios since Avie was a baby.. and have continued to do so with Gemma.. both girls love those! ;) a lot of people who feed RAW diets, etc. like to feed grain-free treats.. which we like to do as well.. but all natural treats are a must! (check the ingredients, brand, etc.) we feed certain fruit/veggies(just make sure you know that it is ok to feed! NO Grapes!) we feed a lil bit of cottage cheese in the morning(sometimes) as well! we LOVE ziwi peak (food and treats!) Natural Range Of Premium Pet-food Products - Ziwipeak - Natural New Zealand Pet Nutrition i have heard wellness pure rewards are good. yorkie yummies(chattiesmom on YT) sells them.
5. Feeding. Up until now I've been wetting down her dry kibble, mashing it up with a fork, and then mixing in a bit of canned (All Go Natural products). The last few days though, she seems to be prefering just the dry kibble, which I always leave out. Should I stop giving her the canned mixed with mashed, moistened kibble?
i would do a search on here about food.. you will find a lot of info!! ;) we feed: Ziwi Peak air dried RAW food and their canned. Nature's Variety RAW medallions & canned instinct! we leave kibble out all day, only if they get hungry (with Gemma being so little, i want food available at all times.. but their main diet is what i listed above! but the kibble we feed them is.. Nature's Variety & Innova/EVO-small bites.)
6. Nutracal. She still seems to need it, but not as much. How long do you normally give this to puppies for? It's been 2 weeks now, and I've decreased the amount from 2-3 peasize amount 3 times a day, to 1 peasize amount twice per day. I tried cutting it out completely a couple of days ago, and she seemed very tired and blah. Suggestions?
with Gemma.. we gave it to her till about 16-17 weeks.. just for my own sense of mind-she's so little.. with Avery we didn't give it to her everyday.. only if she wasn't eating or we felt she needed it!(but we always had it on hand, just in case) i would just use your best jusdgement, make sure she is eating/drinking and cut the amount you are giving her down little by little, until you feel she doesn't need it anymore..
7. Can she have bullysticks this young? She has alot of nylabones and other toys, but I wanted to offer something a little more flavourful.
a lot of them say after 6 months.. but i am really not sure on the age. probably depends on the puppy.. we give the girls, Merrick Flossies! :thumbup: (they don't smell either!) i have never given either of my girls the digestable nyla bones.. but they both love the pink princess nyla bone(it is the pink "Y" shaped one) but it is only meant for a chew toy.. it does not break down, etc. (but it GREAT for teething, and even after as well!)
8. Grooming, how do you wash and rinse your Yorkies face? What type of brush do you use? I have a little puppy type brush with super soft nylon type bristles. I'm wondering what the next step is after this. I plan on growing her coat long.
i clean out their eyes, if needed, before we get them in the bath! then after i wash their body (we use minksheen shampoo and let it sit on for a couple min) so while the shampoo is on them.. just use my thumbs/fingers and kinda clean their face (carefully so i don't get it it their eyes).. i know some people use wash cloths, but i don't really.. i reccommend a good leave in conditioner.. for brushing! (you don't want to brush them when they are dry.. ice on ice is a good for brushing.. cowboy magic is good for detangling! ;)) i would invent in a good pin brush: Pin Brushes and comb: Combs & Handles (you will get A LOT of use out of them both, but we LOVE our comb.. i am a hair stylist, so i bought the same kind of comb that i use for my clients (we call it a rolling comb.. the teeth of the comb, roll as you brush-which does not damage the hair)(similar to the ones i posted above) we use minksheen shampoon, buddy wash shampoo, buddy rinse conditioner! if you are going to be grooming, yourself you will need to invest in a few more things! ;)
9. Sleeping arrangements. Last night was the first night that Missy woke me up a gazillion times. She has slept the night through since I got her, only waking up for a quick pee or poop on her pads. Last night she whined for me almost every hour. I tried ignoring her, and that didn't work at all. I'd go and get her, cuddle her to sleep, then slip her back in her crate inside her ex-pen, sometimes this worked for a little while. I also tried bringing her crate into my room and setting it on my night table, that didn't help either. Even with my fingers dangling in her door and my face RIGHT there. She was still unhappy. I do eventually want her to sleep in my bed with me, but 9 weeks is far too young isn't it? I don't want anything to happen to her, and can't think of a safe way to have her in our bed now.
Avery pretty much slept with us, from day one and she did VERY well.. no accidents, etc. With Gemma.. we had her in her play pen next to our bed, for a couple weeks.. then we brought her up when we thought she was ready..