A bunch of puppy-related questions...

[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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

Thanks a MILLION! I know this is alot of questions to ask, but I kinda wanted to put them all together in one post so that I didn't clutter the messageboard.

[poppys mummy]

wow what a lot of questions she is still an adorable little sweetie though hope you get some good answers

[LilMissy]

OOoops! I forgot to add, she is 9.5 weeks old.

Thanks, I hope that I get some answers too.

[poppys mummy]

poppy sleeps in bed with us now but when she was missys age she slept in her basket at my side of the bed . when we knew she could jump on and off safely thats when she came in with us . and now she wont sleep anywhere else but i love that way

[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.

[poppys mummy]

poppy actually puts her head on my pillow and when its time to get up we sometimes have to lift her out of bed she really does like her comfort

[LilMissy]

Awwwww! She sounds like a sweetheart

[Nancy1999]

Shaving the top third of the ear is the standard look for Yorkies; if they are droopy you shave the entire ear. I personally don't believe that you should take her out until she's had all her shots. Going to someone's home who doesn't have a dog might be safe, don't let children ever hold her. I don't believe in giving Nutical as a preventative, it can actually cause low blood sugar, it should only be given when signs of hypoglycemia are present. Just being "very tired and blah" isn't a sign. Most common clinical signs of hypoglycemia are drowsiness, shivering, collapsing, disorientation, seizures, listlessness, depression, muscle weakness and tremors, of course they don't have to display all signs, but try giving food first, and remember puppies sleep a lot. Yes, you can give bullysticks when they are young. They are teething and love to chew, they should always have something appropriate to chew on, it's much easier to teach them not to bite and chew if you can give them an adequate substitute. I suggest you visit our other forums for more detailed answers to you question, also the search feature is great.

[LilMissy]

Thanks Nancy! I appreciate your responses. I have been searching these forums since a few days before I got Missy. I am a research-aholic. So I'm not being lazy by posting these questions. I just wanted more specific answers to my questions, if anyone was willing.

I keep getting mixed answers to the Nutracal, some say to use it as a preventative measure, some don't. I've asked both the vets that I use, and got two different answers. Not sure what to do!

[bchgirl]

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?

The ears are usually kept tipped...meaning the edges and shave 1/3 way front and back...this includes yorkies kept in coat.

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.

Unless you plan on boarding her...skip the bordetella. It's for kennel cough and many puppies get sick from it. The schedule you mentioned is fine. Mine all got a rabies shoot a week after the last set.

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.

After she has completed her vaccinations...unless you are very sure of what animals have been wherever you take her. If you have a yard...it's fine to go out there.

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?

You can use treats for training now. What you mentioned is fine. It's easy to go overboard on treats...and can add unnecessary weight

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?

If you want to stop the canned...do so...especially since she's shown a preference to the kibble. Usually it's the other way around...wants canned and ignores kibble

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?

What does she weigh? Puppies outgrow the threat of hypo episodes...so she may not need this any more.

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.

You can try giving her bully sticks...sometimes puppies get diarrhea from them though. I have two who never had a problem with them...as puppies....and one that did. Now they can all eat bullies with no issues.

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.

Daily cleaning....I use a baby wipe. Bath wise...I use a cup to wet their beards and heads to avoid getting water in their eyes. I use a pin brush to brush them. You need to get a pin brush...it will eliminate matting and that soft brush probably isn't strong enough. Brush her EVERY day....if not brushed regularly....puppy fur will mat...sometimes bad enough the dog has to be shaved.

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.

Can't help you there....all of mine sleep with us....cause I couldn't take the crying. I am old and need my sleep.

Enjoy!

[bchgirl]

Her picture in your avatar is darling!!

[LilMissy]

What does she weigh? Puppies outgrow the threat of hypo episodes...so she may not need this any more.

She weighs 1 lb and 3.8 ozs as of today.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I know it was alot of work to go through all of those questions.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

Thanks Nancy! I appreciate your responses. I have been searching these forums since a few days before I got Missy. I am a research-aholic. So I'm not being lazy by posting these questions. I just wanted more specific answers to my questions, if anyone was willing.

I keep getting mixed answers to the Nutracal, some say to use it as a preventative measure, some don't. I've asked both the vets that I use, and got two different answers. Not sure what to do!

Sorry, I didn't mean to make you sound lazy; you're efficient! Some people don't really know about the search feature, so that's why I mentioned it. I'm not against Nutric-cal, but you have to remember it's corn syrup which is just sugar, and while it can save their lives if given when needed it can also be harmful. It's really important to know the symptoms.


Bchgirl what a wonderful reply!!!

[LilMissy]

You were being very helpful Nancy. I just wanted to point out that I have been researching already, so that hopefully people are more willing to help. One of my personal pet peeves is when people expect everyone else to do their work for them.

Now, as far as the Nutracal....do you think that I should kind of wean her from it? Or just discontinue using it immediately. When I didn't give it to her (about 3 days ago) at all is when I started to notice her not doing so great.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

She weighs 1 lb and 3.8 ozs as of today.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I know it was alot of work to go through all of those questions.

She's still a tiny miss. I would probably give her the nutrical at bedtime...it's a long time from dinner to breakfast and you don't want her sugar dropping.

The main thing is she should be eating regularly...that will prevent any hypo episodes.

Don't be alarmed if she sleeps quite a bit...she is still very much a baby and that's what they do...sleep.

You're welcome...