She's coming home on Saturday!

[Jesskyjam]

Hi Everyone, I have been “stalking” the forums for weeks now. I’ve been waiting until I actually brought my baby home to post, but I can’t wait any more. I am SO Excited. I am counting down the days, I cannot wait until this Saturday when she officially becomes a member of our family. Ok, I’m getting a little ahead of myself, I’m Jess, I live with my hubby and 2 daughters 6 & 9. On Saturday, Cookie (I think we’ve decided on the name) is coming home at 12 weeks old, did I mention I’m excited!

Since I’ve been reading for weeks I know that you guys have a wealth on basically everything! I’ve read through the Sticky threads as well as the non sticky ones. Here’s the gist of what I have learned, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong… What I’ll need readily available when she comes home is a travel crate, blanket, bed, toys, current food, nutrical, pedialyte, treats, grooming kit, potty place, and a quiet environment. The breeder will have the current food she is eating now available for me when I pick her up which I’ll wean` her off of gradually after a few days to help the transition smooth. I know once she gets there I shouldn’t expect an energetic puppy as she will need some time to adjust and she may not eat well but I should monitor her intake to make sure she eats and drinks something. As far as training the important thing is consistency and praise. And of course show her lots of love!

I do have some questions, they seem dumb to me, like I should know this stuff, but I’m going to ask because I don’t know. She is 2 ½ hrs away, my hubby and I have decided to go get her while the girls are at their Sat activities (yes, they know she is coming) all I plan on bringing with me are her travel crate and a blanket. Is that it? Do I need to bring her anything else, a toy, water? I would think no water because we don’t want her to relieve herself in the crate, right? And also, does she have to ride in the crate? Can’t I just hold her and stroke her the whole ride like I really want to do, but if you say she should ride in the crate *sigh* she will. How I envision having it set up is an x pen with bed on one side, litterbox on the other side and food/water bowls and a few toys in her space. I have a few questions on this as well, how much food should I be giving her and how often? For the first few days “the adjustment period” should I just leave the food and water available to her at all times? I plan on litter training her until the weather warms up and there is less likely hood of rain and snow, but where I initially plan on putting the box is not where I will keep it once she has access to the whole house, will this be a problem? Ok bare with me cause I feel this is a really dumb question… Will my 2lb 10oz baby have trouble getting into the litter box? Btw, I’ll be lining it with a pee pad not litter so I don’t have to worry about her eating any litter. I could come up with a thousand more questions, I just want to do everything right, and make sure she has the easiest transition possible. I feel like I’m having my first born all over again, lol. Anyway thanks for reading and hopefully responding. Oh I also have a post in the regional forums looking for recommendations on vet, groomer, and pet supply stores, if you know any in my area, please let me know. Btw, did I mention that I am super excited!!

[Ellie May]

Aww, it sounds like you're going to be a great owner.

As she get older, she should ride in a car seat. That really isn't going to work for a pup, so the crate would be next best. I'd probably buckle it in if possible. I'd be sitting next to it with my fingers through the holes. lol. Or I'd get caught up in the excitement and hold her.

You may have to stop to let her use the bathroom. This could be kind of difficult though since she doesn't have all of her shots. If she is used to using a pee pad, maybe she would use one on the car floor? Really though, she will likely just hold it. Or she may go on herself in the crate. I would definitely take teh Nutrical with you.

Water should be available at all times or at least offered many, many times throughout the day...for life. It doesn't have to be available at night, but I personally would leave it out for a pup. You can free feed or feed 3-4 times a day for now (reduced to 2-3 times a day as she gets older). It really depends on the dog, your schedule, and what they do well on. If you do decide to free feed, it can be more difficult to make sure they are eating though. Obviously that isn't going to work if you feed canned food either.

Some dog like to tear up peepads and there could "possibly" be a concern with her eating them. That's a wait and see thing, but I'm pretty sure she won't. It depends how high the box is (whether she can get in and out). If it's too high for now, maybe just put the pad on the floor?

[YorkieD]

congratulations on your new baby. When I got mine last July, the drive was 4 hours, since the puppy was never in a car before, & with strangers he really didn't know, he was pretty stressed & vomited most of the way. All I had was a blanket & held him on my lap. I wish I had of taken 2 or 3 blankets or a small box to hold on my lap because it was pretty messy. We had to stop part way home & give him a drink of water & some fresh air & a little rest from the car. After we were home about 1/2 hour I offered him food & he just gobbled it up!
We left food & water available to him at all times. It took him a few days to adjust and I held him & carried him most of 3 days (he was so cute, I hated to put him down.)

[ellabee]

awwww hold her....what a great opportunity to bond!

i know nothing about litter boxes...I have pee pads out for my little one but most days she waits for me to come home at lunch/after work and go for a walk...but maybe consider the washable ones so she isn't likely to tear them up?

congrats on your new little one, can't wait to see photos!!

[Patti]

Congratulations. Maybe you could sit in the back seat and hold her or but her in her carrier and keep your hand in there. I would take Nutrical and some water just in case. Sounds like you are all ready!

[carmen in nj]

Originally Posted by Patti

Congratulations. Maybe you could sit in the back seat and hold her or but her in her carrier and keep your hand in there. I would take Nutrical and some water just in case. Sounds like you are all ready!

yes, this is what I recomend with all my new parents, treat it just like if you are bringing home a newborn in his chair. open the door of the crate and put your hand close to her and pet her and let her know that is ok to ride in the crate in the car. I would stop after and hour and have a pad in the floor of the car and let her sniff it and go if she has to. Do not feed her anything until you get home, you don't want her to get sick in the car. it seems that besides that you are pretty set. best of luck and congratulations.
hugs,
Carmen in nj

[yorkieusa]

I can't resist holding them myself. However, don't be surprised if they pee on you.! Congratulations! You sound like you're going to be the best yorkie mom ever! Don't be nervous. In time you'll learn what they need and when they need it.

[Jesskyjam]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, I hope I do live up to the standards of being one of the best yorkie mommies ever! You guys brought up some points I never even thought of, I'm glad you brought up vomitting, i didnt even think of that I would have freaked out for sure! So i will bring along some nutrical and extra blankets. I have an suv so what I'll do is have my husband stop off midway and put her on a pee pad in the back and see if she will go.... So far I'm leaning towards holding her!!

As for once we get home, thank you Ellie May I've taken note of all of your suggestions

[LilMissy]

Originally Posted by Jesskyjam

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, I hope I do live up to the standards of being one of the best yorkie mommies ever! You guys brought up some points I never even thought of, I'm glad you brought up vomitting, i didnt even think of that I would have freaked out for sure! So i will bring along some nutrical and extra blankets. I have an suv so what I'll do is have my husband stop off midway and put her on a pee pad in the back and see if she will go.... So far I'm leaning towards holding her!!

As for once we get home, thank you Ellie May I've taken note of all of your suggestions

You are going to be a fantastic Yorkie Mama. You've been researching already and want to do everything with her best interest in mind. I am very happy for you...and I say HOLD HER How could you resist?

[LilMissy]

Hmmm, double post for some reason. Sorry!