A bunch of puppy-related questions...

[LilMissy]

Ok, that's kind of along the same lines as the response that one of my vets gave me. My ONLY concern is that my neighbour has 3 dogs that are always at the fence. I am not sure if they vaccinate their pets or not. I know my pug dog got fleas from their dogs before, and they don't seem like the cleanest people. It's definitely something to think about it.

[Ellie May]

The vaccine protocol doesn't sound correct to me.
Seven weeks was too early to start and she will need at least two more sets of distemper, hepatitis and parvo. It sounds like the third set would just be distemper? That wouldn't be right...

As for bordatella, there are benefits and risks just like with any vaccine.
It may not be as dangerous as the rabies vaccine but there can still be side effects. The intranasal can cause the disease. We don't do non-core vaccines with Ellie really (except maybe parainfluenza) and she is fine. There are many opinions and you have to do what you're comfortable with. I would say that in order to make sure your dog is protected from the strains that can be protected against, the vaccine should be given more than once yearly and I just feel like we are starting to talk about giving vaccines way too often and way too many....

Never give the rabies on the same day as another vaccine.
I would wait a week or two after other ones are given and wait as long as possible to give it.

[LilMissy]

Missy is 10 weeks old today, and I'm happy to say that today is her third day without Nutracal! She's doing great, and weighs in at a whopping 1 lb 5 ozs.

Thank you everyone for all your help

[AVERYxo]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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! (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..

Originally Posted by LilMissy

I love it that way too! All of our fur babies have always slept with us. Same with our children when they were babies. Occasionally the kiddos still come to our room and hop in. I'm afraid that Missy won't ever be able to jump on and off of our bed though. It is quite high. I may have to invest in a ramp or stairs when she is old enough for it.
i would DEFINITELY get some pet stairs, for the bed & couch(if you want her up there) get her used to them as a baby!

you can do searches on here.. you will find a TON of info! let me know if you need any help..
good luck and congrats on your new baby!!

[LilMissy]

Thank you Meg, that was an extremely helpful post.

[iluvkst]

This thread was very helpful. I was giving my yorkie NUtrical 2 times per day. My vet told me to stop and just give her a little canned food with the dry food. I wasn't going to stop the nutrical because I thought it was necessary to prevent hypoglycemia. I will at least cut it down to once per day for the next week and then stop altogether after that. My baby is 1 pound 14 ounes-15 weeks old.

[LilMissy]

Do you have pictures? I'd love to see her

[iluvkst]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

Do you have pictures? I'd love to see her

Oh I need to figure out how to post one. That's my goal for tomorrow!

[LaurenThig]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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?

Keep them trimmed all the time. You can really do this yourself... It is not hard at all!

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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.

I think this schedule sounds good--similar to what I had Lily do, but then again, I am certainly no expert on this kind of stuff.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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.

I think the general rule here is to kind of hold off till she's fully vaccinated, but then socialize away. We didn't really wait to do this, and that could be how Lily ended up with kennel cough early.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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?

Go ahead! We started working on sit within the first week or so I had Lily and started with Cheerios. And let me tell you, that dog would do ANYTHING for a Cheerio.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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?

To me, I think it sounds like she's telling you what she needs. If she's acting like she's preferring the dry, I'd go ahead and run with it. Lily was "babysat" for a few days early on and was around some other dogs and that's how I knew to go ahead and start giving her dry--she always picked at Max's food.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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?

I never did the daily Nutrical thing, but I know a lot of people do. I just made sure Lily ate often (every few hours except at night) and she did fine. She had some days where she just kind of hung out rather than play like crazy, but nothing that made me think she was hypoglycemic.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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.

Not sure here, but if you go ahead with them, I'd just make sure to supervise and not let her chew too long in case they upset her stomach. I think we gave Lily some chewies pretty early on too.

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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.

Quite the challenge here! I wash Lily's muzzle with a washcloth, but don't ever feel like I get it good and clean. I try the best I can. For brushing, yes, get a pin brush and brush lots. When their puppy coat starts to grow out it can kind of mat into their adult coat and create a big 'ole mess. Brush her good, and then you might want to try gently running back through it with a comb to get out any little knots. You'll be surprised at how many of those little things you get!

Originally Posted by LilMissy

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.

Mmmmm... you might as well go ahead and call it quits. Put her in the bed with you and get some sleep. In alll seriousness though, Lily didn't start routinely sleeping with us until she was about four months old, but once we started it was all downhill from there. She will NOT sleep now unless she's in our bed. If your little girl is like Lily though, she might just sleep on your pillow where's she's not in any danger of being smushed. But be careful anyway. I was always real worried about this too.

Good luck and welcome! Glad to have you here!