Fussy Puppy

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

Cesar Millan - Cesar's Tips - Puppy Development: Stage 3

I think you can get lots of great advise from Cesar, but one thing great about Yorkietalk, is the advice you get is breed specific. What is good advice for a larger breed dog is not good advice for the toy breeds for example, collars, a large dog can wear a collar with no problems. toy breeds do better in harness. Cesar's advice on the 8-week rule is actually longer than what some states require but these rules are the same for all breeds, and the toy breed is considered to have special needs by the experts in those breeds.

The Maltese breed is another toy breed and this is taken from a Maltese breeder website: I've substituted the word Yorkie for Maltese.

Why is there a 12-week-old rule about selling a Yorkie puppy? Have you ever wondered why it is fine to place a large breed puppy at 8 weeks old as opposed to a small breed puppy? Why does the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America code of ethics require a Yorkie puppy be 12 weeks of age before they are placed in homes? There are many reasons!! I am going to compare lab puppies to Yorkie puppies because I have had experience with both breeds in hopes of making it more easily understandable as to why this "12-week-old" rule exists for Yorkie and many other "toy" breeds.
At birth there is not a lot of difference between Yorkie puppies and lab puppies.......both litters depend on their moms for food, comfort, and heat. Shortly there after the differences start to become very apparent. A litter of three week old lab puppies are up playing and maneuvering around pretty well and are usually 3 pounds or more in weight. They are also getting their teeth and starting to eat gruel. A litter of Yorkie puppies at three weeks of age have an average weight of 13.5 ounces and are just barely starting to get up on their legs and maneuver around readily....they have very little coordination at this point.
By four weeks old a lab litter is usually weaned from their mom. Yorkie puppies at 4 weeks old are still very dependant on their mom's for nourishment although at this point I have moved the water bowl down for them to lap and they do lick at mom's food.
By eight weeks there is a drastic difference between a litter of lab puppies and a litter of Yorkie puppies. Eight week old lab puppies usually have their teeth now and are eating puppy food. They are also much larger at this point with an average weight of between 20 to 25 pounds. They also seem to be mentally more mature at this point to me and are able to go to their new homes. In many cases, my Yorkie puppies do not even have teeth and are still nursing their moms at eight weeks old.
At eight weeks old my Yorkie puppies whose "average" weight is 1 pound 9 ounces usually start to get teeth and when those tiny needle sharp teeth start to come in is when Mom decides it is time to wean. This is a very important and scary time for Yorkie puppies. They are used to having a milk bar provided for them and many do not really want to eat that nasty old gruel. Since a Yorkie puppy is still very small, normally less than 2 pounds, they are also in danger of getting hypoglycemia which is caused by them not eating enough. This can be a very dangerous time for a Yorkie puppy since hypoglycemia can result in seizures and even death if not taken care of immediately. This is also the normal time when a Yorkie puppy starts to learn about puppy etiquette from it's mom and any other adults around and from playing with siblings, if there is more than one puppy in the litter. They learn about appropriate doggy behavior at this point. This is very important for the future well being and mental stability of this Yorkie puppy. Yorkie puppies learn some valuable lessons in the weeks after weaning, including how to get along with other dogs, and that biting hurts. These are lessons, all learned in puppy play, that no dog should be without. Some of the most important lessons in life, a puppy will learn from it's mom and siblings. They NEED this time with their mom and littermates!!
An eight week old Yorkie puppy may or may not be ready for it's first puppy shot. Resent studies on vaccination have proven that vaccinations given to a nursing puppy are basically worthless. They need to be weaned for that vaccination to do what it is supposed to do. My Yorkie puppies are usually just receiving their first puppy shot sometime between 8 and 10 weeks old." http://www.foxstonemaltese.com/12weekrule.htm

I'm not saying that you shouldn't read Cesar, I just saying that he isn't giving breed specific information in this case, and we are trying to give you that.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think you can get lots of great advise from Cesar, but one thing great about Yorkietalk, is the advice you get is breed specific. What is good advice for a larger breed dog is not good advice for the toy breeds for example, collars, a large dog can wear a collar with no problems. toy breeds do better in harness. Cesar's advice on the 8-week rule is actually longer than what some states require but these rules are the same for all breeds, and the toy breed is considered to have special needs by the experts in those breeds.

The Maltese breed is another toy breed and this is taken from a Maltese breeder website: I've substituted the word Yorkie for Maltese.




I'm not saying that you shouldn't read Cesar, I just saying that he isn't giving breed specific information in this case, and we are trying to give you that.

thank you that was nice to learn about!!!

[Ladymom]

Besides the one Nancy posted from Foxstone Maltese, here are a few more for you:

Be sure the pup is old enough to go to a new home. The ideal age is 9 weeks for most breeds, but small toy size dogs may need to be as old as 14 weeks before their breeder will let them go.

http://www.knowingdogs.com/Images/Ch...our_Family.pdf

See page 15:

Small dogs, big hearts: a guide to ... - Google Books

A good breeder will not send you home with a puppy under the age of 8-10 weeks old, this goes even further for toy breed dogs. A toy breed puppy should not leave the breeders home until they are at least twelve weeks of age. Up until this time, the puppy is in a crucial socialization phase and should not be separated from the litter. A breeder who sells puppies 4,6 & 7 weeks old do not have the best interest of the pet in mind.

noselicks.com - Articles - A Good Breeder

[TOY]

Rachel, I'm going to jump right in here and meddle, I think.

I have read your threads from the very beginning and at once even got caught up in the drama. I am in a bit of an observer mode right now so while I am in that mode, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. You may take them in the spirit in which I am giving them or you may spurn them...regardless, I hope it will give you a bit more insight into those who are responding to you.

I don't know your age but I daresay I am quite a bit older than you...perhaps even old enough to be.....well, I do hope that is stretching it a bit! Your youth is apparent to me in your postings, through what you say, how you say it, and the energy you exert. (You may not understand that until you are in your own middle age years...LOL)

Have you ever talked to someone who never listened? What I mean is a person who is formulating how they are going to respond and what they are going to say before you ever finish your thought? They never really hear what you say because they are too busy already putting up defensive barriers. I fear that you are quite often doing that in your reading and posting.

You have some had some great wisdom shared with you from folks here who have so much experience with dogs and puppies and Yorkies in particular. I feel confident in telling you that because I am not one of those wise ones. I have only had my Yorkie puppy for a few months now and still have so much more to learn.

However, I do a couple of things when I post for advice and help. I learned this quite early in my postings before I bought my Yorkie because one of my first posts included weight of the puppy I hoped to get. I wasn't really seeking information then but boy did I get some "learning." I realized that there was so much I didn't know regardless of my education and degrees. There is such a vast difference in "book learning" and experience. In many instances, experience trumps and in my opinion, raising dogs is one of them.

I learned from my first few "painful" postings that I needed to think and rethink, read and reread before I hit the "submit" button to post especially when I was responding to or reacting to someone else's post. In most instances I remember to do that. Ever so often though, emotion overcomes my intelligence and I spout off before I think it through. Without exception, I always end up regretting it.

You need to step back and take a deep breath and try to read responses to your posts without being so defensive. These people wish you no harm. If it appears to you that they are always on your puppy's side, let me assure you that they are ALWAYS on the side of the puppy. (It reminds me a bit of when I married. My mother told my husband that she wanted him to know that whenever he and I argued, she would be on HIS side. It was meant as a joke but there was an underlying truth to it. What she really meant was she didn't want me running to her with complaints, etc.)

That's a bit where everyone is coming from, I think. They tried to council you and share their experiences but as almost everyone of us has done, you followed your own heart. That point is moot now because it is a "done" deal or as I liked to tell my students, you can't unscramble eggs.

However, you move on from this point. You will find people willing and eager to advise and help you but they will want to do it to help the puppy. They are the puppy's advocate, not yours. They speak for the one who cannot speak for herself...your Sadie. If you stop and think about it, would you want any less from a forum about Yorkies?

Many of these folks rescue abused Yorkies and help authorities close puppy mills and such. When you seek their advice by posting questions choose your words carefully. Regardless of your intent or what you meant to say, when you use words such as "evil" in reference to a Yorkie, you will have opened a floodgate of responses. They don't know you except through your words so you must carefully pose your questions or voice your thoughts.

They are not targeting you in a mean or rude or offensive manner intentionally. However, they are responding to what YOU write. For the most part these are wonderful people who have a genuine real interest in the welfare of your Yorkie, little Sadie. They are human adults though and being such are not perfect. You have to realize that when they offer their "told you so" rhetoric, they are responding much as parents to a child. It's just human nature, I think, to remind people that you did warn them about a potential problem.

Just try to remember that, give them that point much as you would your parents, and move on. If you've ever heard the expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater," you'll understand what I am suggesting. There is much to be learned and gained from the experience of the wise ones here. Don't fail to listen just because you first have to allow them the "told you so." If you can allow yourself to let down that defensive barrier, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your interactions on the board.

I have been.

[danyellm]

Originally Posted by TOY

Rachel, I'm going to jump right in here and meddle, I think.

I have read your threads from the very beginning and at once even got caught up in the drama. I am in a bit of an observer mode right now so while I am in that mode, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. You may take them in the spirit in which I am giving them or you may spurn them...regardless, I hope it will give you a bit more insight into those who are responding to you.

I don't know your age but I daresay I am quite a bit older than you...perhaps even old enough to be.....well, I do hope that is stretching it a bit! Your youth is apparent to me in your postings, through what you say, how you say it, and the energy you exert. (You may not understand that until you are in your own middle age years...LOL)

Have you ever talked to someone who never listened? What I mean is a person who is formulating how they are going to respond and what they are going to say before you ever finish your thought? They never really hear what you say because they are too busy already putting up defensive barriers. I fear that you are quite often doing that in your reading and posting.

You have some had some great wisdom shared with you from folks here who have so much experience with dogs and puppies and Yorkies in particular. I feel confident in telling you that because I am not one of those wise ones. I have only had my Yorkie puppy for a few months now and still have so much more to learn.

However, I do a couple of things when I post for advice and help. I learned this quite early in my postings before I bought my Yorkie because one of my first posts included weight of the puppy I hoped to get. I wasn't really seeking information then but boy did I get some "learning." I realized that there was so much I didn't know regardless of my education and degrees. There is such a vast difference in "book learning" and experience. In many instances, experience trumps and in my opinion, raising dogs is one of them.

I learned from my first few "painful" postings that I needed to think and rethink, read and reread before I hit the "submit" button to post especially when I was responding to or reacting to someone else's post. In most instances I remember to do that. Ever so often though, emotion overcomes my intelligence and I spout off before I think it through. Without exception, I always end up regretting it.

You need to step back and take a deep breath and try to read responses to your posts without being so defensive. These people wish you no harm. If it appears to you that they are always on your puppy's side, let me assure you that they are ALWAYS on the side of the puppy. (It reminds me a bit of when I married. My mother told my husband that she wanted him to know that whenever he and I argued, she would be on HIS side. It was meant as a joke but there was an underlying truth to it. What she really meant was she didn't want me running to her with complaints, etc.)

That's a bit where everyone is coming from, I think. They tried to council you and share their experiences but as almost everyone of us has done, you followed your own heart. That point is moot now because it is a "done" deal or as I liked to tell my students, you can't unscramble eggs.

However, you move on from this point. You will find people willing and eager to advise and help you but they will want to do it to help the puppy. They are the puppy's advocate, not yours. They speak for the one who cannot speak for herself...your Sadie. If you stop and think about it, would you want any less from a forum about Yorkies?

Many of these folks rescue abused Yorkies and help authorities close puppy mills and such. When you seek their advice by posting questions choose your words carefully. Regardless of your intent or what you meant to say, when you use words such as "evil" in reference to a Yorkie, you will have opened a floodgate of responses. They don't know you except through your words so you must carefully pose your questions or voice your thoughts.

They are not targeting you in a mean or rude or offensive manner intentionally. However, they are responding to what YOU write. For the most part these are wonderful people who have a genuine real interest in the welfare of your Yorkie, little Sadie. They are human adults though and being such are not perfect. You have to realize that when they offer their "told you so" rhetoric, they are responding much as parents to a child. It's just human nature, I think, to remind people that you did warn them about a potential problem.

Just try to remember that, give them that point much as you would your parents, and move on. If you've ever heard the expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater," you'll understand what I am suggesting. There is much to be learned and gained from the experience of the wise ones here. Don't fail to listen just because you first have to allow them the "told you so." If you can allow yourself to let down that defensive barrier, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your interactions on the board.

I have been.

Very well said ...and let me thank you for interjecting some wisdom into the discussion

[MollysMum54]

Toy...that was a very wise and sensible post..very well said.

[LilMissy]

I worship the ground that Cesar walks on. I've watched all of his shows, I own his books....BUT there are sometimes things that he does that I disagree with when it comes to tiny dogs. One, is the 8 weeks rule you mentioned. As others have pointed out, this is a GENERAL guideline. 8 weeks is not a good time for yorkies to leave their Mommy. Another thing that Cesar has done with little dogs that I disagree with is making a leash into a noose, and putting it around their neck. Anyone seen the Yorkie that would attack the ironing board? He actually suggested to the owner that she put this thick cord noose around the yorkies neck and step on it if he tried to run away. The dog was 4 lbs, same as my Missy....I would NEVER put a rope around her neck and then step on it. That could damage her trachea and then I end up with a $5000 dollar surgery, and you also have to pay for each ring that is placed in the trachea on top of that. NO THANKS! I think Cesar understands dog psychology perfectly. I love how he teaches to be alpha by matching the intensity of your dog and all of that, but it is NOT breed specific. As with all advice about dogs, you kind of have to pick and choose what parts will work for you and your dog. Which is also why I like Cesar, because he works with each dog differently. I also found that putting Missy on her back to stop the behaviour didn't help. It got her more excited, but ignoring her worked perfectly. Yorkies don't like to be ignored, they thrive on attention.

As others have pointed out, Rachel you are young, BUT that doesn't mean that you are stupid. I'm guessing that you haven't owned your own dog before. I'm glad that you got a puppy before having children, because MAN then you'll really be in for it You REALLY can't take anything said on the internet too much to heart. This is a public online community. There are all sorts of people and personalities here. Each and every time you post, you open yourself up for support or criticism. Let the posts that offend you roll of your back, and listen to the advice that you feel will help you in your situation.

I remember when I brought Missy home at 7 weeks of age, I could tell it was too early (didn't know this before I got her, my previous dog I got at 6 weeks of age, but she was a rottweiler/lab). This is when I found YT. Anyways, I remember thinking around the 10 week mark that it would have been a better time for Missy to have left her Mommy. That's when things seemed to settle down a little. I personally feel 12 weeks is a bit late, but to each his own. However, I NEVER EVER felt frustrated with her, and I still haven't. That is probably why she's been such a little angel. You are already starting to notice that dogs feeds off of your energy, and she always will. This is how they work.

LOTS OF LUCK! Can I make one last suggestion? Maybe the next time you want to vent, just pick a few posters that you have bonded with and PM them privately for advice. I'm sure that you know by now who's advice you like the best. Unless of course you like the drama, and it entertains you while you're at work.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by TOY

Rachel, I'm going to jump right in here and meddle, I think.

I have read your threads from the very beginning and at once even got caught up in the drama. I am in a bit of an observer mode right now so while I am in that mode, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. You may take them in the spirit in which I am giving them or you may spurn them...regardless, I hope it will give you a bit more insight into those who are responding to you.

I don't know your age but I daresay I am quite a bit older than you...perhaps even old enough to be.....well, I do hope that is stretching it a bit! Your youth is apparent to me in your postings, through what you say, how you say it, and the energy you exert. (You may not understand that until you are in your own middle age years...LOL)

Have you ever talked to someone who never listened? What I mean is a person who is formulating how they are going to respond and what they are going to say before you ever finish your thought? They never really hear what you say because they are too busy already putting up defensive barriers. I fear that you are quite often doing that in your reading and posting.

You have some had some great wisdom shared with you from folks here who have so much experience with dogs and puppies and Yorkies in particular. I feel confident in telling you that because I am not one of those wise ones. I have only had my Yorkie puppy for a few months now and still have so much more to learn.

However, I do a couple of things when I post for advice and help. I learned this quite early in my postings before I bought my Yorkie because one of my first posts included weight of the puppy I hoped to get. I wasn't really seeking information then but boy did I get some "learning." I realized that there was so much I didn't know regardless of my education and degrees. There is such a vast difference in "book learning" and experience. In many instances, experience trumps and in my opinion, raising dogs is one of them.

I learned from my first few "painful" postings that I needed to think and rethink, read and reread before I hit the "submit" button to post especially when I was responding to or reacting to someone else's post. In most instances I remember to do that. Ever so often though, emotion overcomes my intelligence and I spout off before I think it through. Without exception, I always end up regretting it.

You need to step back and take a deep breath and try to read responses to your posts without being so defensive. These people wish you no harm. If it appears to you that they are always on your puppy's side, let me assure you that they are ALWAYS on the side of the puppy. (It reminds me a bit of when I married. My mother told my husband that she wanted him to know that whenever he and I argued, she would be on HIS side. It was meant as a joke but there was an underlying truth to it. What she really meant was she didn't want me running to her with complaints, etc.)

That's a bit where everyone is coming from, I think. They tried to council you and share their experiences but as almost everyone of us has done, you followed your own heart. That point is moot now because it is a "done" deal or as I liked to tell my students, you can't unscramble eggs.

However, you move on from this point. You will find people willing and eager to advise and help you but they will want to do it to help the puppy. They are the puppy's advocate, not yours. They speak for the one who cannot speak for herself...your Sadie. If you stop and think about it, would you want any less from a forum about Yorkies?

Many of these folks rescue abused Yorkies and help authorities close puppy mills and such. When you seek their advice by posting questions choose your words carefully. Regardless of your intent or what you meant to say, when you use words such as "evil" in reference to a Yorkie, you will have opened a floodgate of responses. They don't know you except through your words so you must carefully pose your questions or voice your thoughts.

They are not targeting you in a mean or rude or offensive manner intentionally. However, they are responding to what YOU write. For the most part these are wonderful people who have a genuine real interest in the welfare of your Yorkie, little Sadie. They are human adults though and being such are not perfect. You have to realize that when they offer their "told you so" rhetoric, they are responding much as parents to a child. It's just human nature, I think, to remind people that you did warn them about a potential problem.

Just try to remember that, give them that point much as you would your parents, and move on. If you've ever heard the expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater," you'll understand what I am suggesting. There is much to be learned and gained from the experience of the wise ones here. Don't fail to listen just because you first have to allow them the "told you so." If you can allow yourself to let down that defensive barrier, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your interactions on the board.

I have been.

Thanks for that, you sound so kind and wise there. Those kinds of posts don't offend me, i guess because you come at me with the kind dare I say it "grandmotherly" approach. you are correcting me, sure, but you aren't hurting my feelings or questioning my intelligence or my integrity in doing so. i don't mind other's opinions and i like to learn more about things, really i do, it's just that sometimes i will read a post on my thread and the wording and the way it comes across is very snide and sassy. there are almost always wonderful wonderful amounts of information and good knowledge in all posts, and then at the end they just have to slip in something a little snide. i don't understand that, it's like a person wants to educated and to advocate, then why on earth would you jeopardize the student's response to your information by throwing in a little snide remark just for spite???

i know i'm surely guilty of letting myself fly off the handle at people sometimes, but i try very hard to refrain and to hold my temper in on these threads. i am young, i'm 21 years old, a newlywed with lots to learn, but i was also raised by a good mother and grandmother who taught me a lot about life, common sense, frugality, conservativeness, and how to live the simple life. i usually listened to my grandmother, because she would always present her "thump on the head" as a loving, kind, gentle correction (much like positive training a puppy) and i almost NEVER listened to my mother due to her nagging, incessant, hurtful manners in which she tried to get me to do it her way. so i guess it only goes to show that i would have a much easier time listening to and learning from someone in a grandmotherly way than to have other repeat themselves over and over and over again about the same darn thing. sometimes it sounds like a nagging mother and as a teen i rebelled very very heavily against that type of instruction.

i don't mean to ever be rude and i appologize again if i sometimes slip and can't control my typing. i'm a kind hearted Christian young woman who is not only learning to love a puppy for the first time on my own (had a dog as a child that was dad's golden retriever hunting dog) but i'm learning a lot about life, working full time, and living as a married woman.

bear with me folks, i'm a work in progress and when God is finished perfecting me, i'll be in Heaven.

anyways, thanks again for the information, and whether i say it or not, i do read every post on here, i do take information and gain knowledge from ALL of them, and even when the snide remarks start to fly and sneak into your posts and i retaliate, i still am glad to have had some good information come out of your post.

hope we can all get along and learn together. i am growing and learning every day. don't mean to start drama, but it always seems to find me on YT anyways. hope we can finally be at peace and all just get along.

Thanks,
Rachel

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

I worship the ground that Cesar walks on. I've watched all of his shows, I own his books....BUT there are sometimes things that he does that I disagree with when it comes to tiny dogs. One, is the 8 weeks rule you mentioned. As others have pointed out, this is a GENERAL guideline. 8 weeks is not a good time for yorkies to leave their Mommy. Another thing that Cesar has done with little dogs that I disagree with is making a leash into a noose, and putting it around their neck. Anyone seen the Yorkie that would attack the ironing board? He actually suggested to the owner that she put this thick cord noose around the yorkies neck and step on it if he tried to run away. The dog was 4 lbs, same as my Missy....I would NEVER put a rope around her neck and then step on it. That could damage her trachea and then I end up with a $5000 dollar surgery, and you also have to pay for each ring that is placed in the trachea on top of that. NO THANKS! I think Cesar understands dog psychology perfectly. I love how he teaches to be alpha by matching the intensity of your dog and all of that, but it is NOT breed specific. As with all advice about dogs, you kind of have to pick and choose what parts will work for you and your dog. Which is also why I like Cesar, because he works with each dog differently. I also found that putting Missy on her back to stop the behaviour didn't help. It got her more excited, but ignoring her worked perfectly. Yorkies don't like to be ignored, they thrive on attention.

As others have pointed out, Rachel you are young, BUT that doesn't mean that you are stupid. I'm guessing that you haven't owned your own dog before. I'm glad that you got a puppy before having children, because MAN then you'll really be in for it You REALLY can't take anything said on the internet too much to heart. This is a public online community. There are all sorts of people and personalities here. Each and every time you post, you open yourself up for support or criticism. Let the posts that offend you roll of your back, and listen to the advice that you feel will help you in your situation.

I remember when I brought Missy home at 7 weeks of age, I could tell it was too early (didn't know this before I got her, my previous dog I got at 6 weeks of age, but she was a rottweiler/lab). This is when I found YT. Anyways, I remember thinking around the 10 week mark that it would have been a better time for Missy to have left her Mommy. That's when things seemed to settle down a little. I personally feel 12 weeks is a bit late, but to each his own. However, I NEVER EVER felt frustrated with her, and I still haven't. That is probably why she's been such a little angel. You are already starting to notice that dogs feeds off of your energy, and she always will. This is how they work.

LOTS OF LUCK! Can I make one last suggestion? Maybe the next time you want to vent, just pick a few posters that you have bonded with and PM them privately for advice. I'm sure that you know by now who's advice you like the best. Unless of course you like the drama, and it entertains you while you're at work.

drama does make the day go faster just kidding, no i don't really care for drama, i think it's better that i don't get into it if not needed so i can go home stress free and happy to my girl and give her the best possible personality i can give her.

thanks again, you have been really very kind to me, i appreciate you very much and i am still learning and understanding things. you are correct this is my first dog all on my own, Ruger, my golden was my dad's dog, never mine.

anyways, thanks again, i'll get better at this as time goes by.

and yes i'm not ready for a child yet, hence the dog!! but when i get ready i swear i'm staying far far away from books and the internet

[LilMissy]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

drama does make the day go faster just kidding, no i don't really care for drama, i think it's better that i don't get into it if not needed so i can go home stress free and happy to my girl and give her the best possible personality i can give her.

thanks again, you have been really very kind to me, i appreciate you very much and i am still learning and understanding things. you are correct this is my first dog all on my own, Ruger, my golden was my dad's dog, never mine.

anyways, thanks again, i'll get better at this as time goes by.

and yes i'm not ready for a child yet, hence the dog!! but when i get ready i swear i'm staying far far away from books and the internet

LOL! I think researching is good! As long as you can seperate the good from the bad, and learn from reputable resources. You're doing a good job Rachel, so don't get down about this OK? This is your first puppy, so you have to learn EVERYTHING about taking care of her. I had owned several dogs before getting Missy. Yorkies are more work to take care of I think. But you are researching, you are learning, you are commited, and you love her. Keep up the work, and please continue to ask questions when you need help. Don't let the posts that offend you deter you from using YT. It is really such a great forum.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

LOL! I think researching is good! As long as you can seperate the good from the bad, and learn from reputable resources. You're doing a good job Rachel, so don't get down about this OK? This is your first puppy, so you have to learn EVERYTHING about taking care of her. I had owned several dogs before getting Missy. Yorkies are more work to take care of I think. But you are researching, you are learning, you are commited, and you love her. Keep up the work, and please continue to ask questions when you need help. Don't let the posts that offend you deter you from using YT. It is really such a great forum.

if i was that thin skinned and really let them bother me that much do you think i'd still be here i may sometimes get aggravated and strike back (stupid me) but i really do love the "good" that i get from YT and i absolutely rely on this forum to help me to cope with and understand my girl, she's hard to handle sometimes and EVERYTHING about her is new to me. you can read all you want to, but some things books/forums don't prepare you for. i love YT because i always can find someone else with the exact same problem and learn from their forum most of the time without even asking about it myself...always the better deal cause then i can "lurk" haha.

thanks again, i'm not giving in or giving up on my girl and in an hour she's going to be playing outside with me and hopefully i can work a little more harness/leash training in before the rain and then go inside and try some more sit and down. she's picked it up so fast really...amazing little thing she is

[hillies]

I think I need a nap after reading this thread...it's exhausting!

Rachel, regardless of when the breeder was letting his puppies go, you were a kind and intelligent person that made the decision to take one in (one that could've otherwise gone to someone who wasn't nearly as willing as you to seek advice from people who know the breed best!). I'm young too (22) and having my own puppy for the first time has been a lot of learning/anxiety over the past few months, but it's also been fascinating and extremely rewarding. Anyone as determined as you are will end up with a happy, behaved, well-cared for dog in the end. And that's all that really matters. Best of luck in the next few weeks.

Whenever she frustrates you, correct her gently, but then play a game with her to distract her from whatever she was doing that was frustrating, and to keep you positive (how can you not smile when you're playing with your puppy ).

Stella and I have created a game of "follow the leader." I think it's something she must've played with her littermates because she plays just like a puppy when we play it. If I say "follow the leader, Stella" she'll run or walk after me anywhere I go in the house, tail wagging 100 times a second. If I do a couple laps up and down the main hallway and around the couches a few times, she's tired out and ready for a nap, and I've had a good laugh for the day. We also play "Find it" where I'll wait until she's sleeping in the living room or somewhere she can't see me, and I'll hide a few pieces of her kibble around the house. Then I'll tell her to "go find it" and she goes nuts looking for all the pieces--which will occupy her for a good 10 or 15 minutes until she's certain she's found them all. By then she's ready for another nap! Hope that helps a little bit, I know that playing games with her (and playing with her in general) definitely helped blunt frustrations I had during her "No-I-won't-eat-your-silly-dog-kibble!" and "why-isn't-the-hallway-my-potty?" phases. Good luck!

[mnewco]

You always try treats. Everytime she wines, say quiet time and give her a treat. When she does it again, give her a treat and say it again. It might take several times but it might work.

Also, when I brought my Samoyed home last year, I paid no attention to her and slept in the quietest bedroom in the house and after a solid week, there was no more whinning or barking and let me tell you, she barked all night long. Drove us crazy too.

Just be patient a bit longer and don't lay with her. She will expect it all the time.

Hope this helps.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i understand them saying i told you so if her health was in jeopardy or she was super sick when i brought her home, because majority of those posts were that she was automatically doomed to die or be really sick because of her breeder and because the's that young. well she didn't get sick so far *cross fingers* and she didn't die on me the first week, so there's really no i told you so in this...she's a healthy, happy, normal puppy. she eats plenty, sleeps plenty, goes outside to potty, and she's learning so fast it amazes me. being frustrated with a nibbling, whining puppy happens at all ages, it wouldn't matter if she was 8 weeks old or a year old, it's a new home, she's being left alone for some time and she doesn't like it, that's normal regardless of age. she's teething and she's a new member of a new pack, she's learning to adjust and age really doesn't have much to do with having to adjust to a new world.

thanks for the post and encouragement!! i don't think there is a reason to say "i told you so" because Sadie is as healthy and normal as she could possibly be, the inhibited bite thing she will learn from us with time, and she'll have plenty of socialization with other dogs and people when she's had all her shots.

Okay, I wasn't going to post. I really, really wasn't going to post. But, if you go back to the original threads, several people including me, explained about the lack of socialization your puppy would get by leaving mom/littermates early. I even posted examples from my own experience, not to be mean but to help you understand what you would be getting into. You ignored what was said, and called us mean and uncaring and accused us of causing you stress. Now that people are trying to explain that it will be a bigger struggle (as I had with Ginger) because your puppy missed out on some important developmental experiences, you are calling them mean. I never, ever come on here and say " I told you so", but this is insane.

Please face facts. No one is upset with you that you have this 8 week old puppy, but realize that she'll need extra care and training from you.

[daisy mae06]

This is a Great Post

Originally Posted by redvalaria

This, unfortunately is one of the reasons so many people urged asking her breeder to keep Sadie longer.

She misses her littermates and mother. She doesn't have THEM to teach her proper dog manners or when/where to do things.

You have a newborn. You are going to get up for at least a few more weeks. Her bladder is the size of a lima bean, there is no way she can hold it 8 hours yet. Part of the training process is training yourself to do things: take her out every hour during the day (potty training! yeah!), scold her when she chews innapropriately. If she chews on your fingers do NOT put them in her crate. A puppy experiences the world through her mouth, so, stop giving her innappropriate chew toys (it would be like saying "hey, don't eat this lovely ice cream sundae even though I locked you in a box with it" to us).

Does her crate have something for her to "snuggle into"? I used a shirt of mine as well as a rolled side pad AND a recieving blanket her breeder sent with her. He had the smells of "home" and "new home" all surrounding him and he learned to comfort himself by snuggling down into them.

I covered Fergus's crate with a thin blanket because if he could SEE me, he wanted to be held/played with. If I put him in and covered him (like a parrot) he went back to sleep, no stimulation.

Good luck. Remember, she is an infant you have taken from her mother and she does NOT understand it yet!