new mom !! need advice pls ....

[ritz]

cool...another recent observation....he starts barking every time he wants me to pick him up...is it okay to cuddle him all the time or is he already getting too used to me ??

Originally Posted by EmGo11

If you want to be on the safe side, just ask your friends that want to play and touch the puppy to sanitize their hands first.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

From 8 to 12 weeks of age is when the pup obtains training from it's mother. It learns how to play, puppy manners and where it fits into the pack. The pup is being socialized by it's mother and of course the breeder. Since this didn't happen with your pup, you will now become the pups mom and socializer. You'll have to instill that confidence into him. Over handling, carrying the pup everywhere may make the pup overly dependent on you (over handling can bring on hypoglycemic attacks), so make sure your pup gets plenty of rest. What is needed is to reassure the pup that it is safe.
The NutriCal is a good product to have on hand, but be careful as over use can lead to Diabitis.

Originally Posted by ritz

cool...another recent observation....he starts barking every time he wants me to pick him up...is it okay to cuddle him all the time or is he already getting too used to me ??

I edited the quote I used...to shorten what you need to re-read and bolded it for you...
1. Do you have a kennel yet? That should be #1 on the list of things you ran out an bought...you need to start right from the begining or it makes everything harder
2. Barking is okay..a couple barks to get your attention, otherwise you are teaching your pup to bark to get its way and thus rewarding this behavior-remember they are a pup but also pups need training, you can't reason with a pup so everything is cause and effect, action reaction...that's what they learn from-with the exception of fear based responses-doesn't sound like that's an issue for you though.
3. While you are getting the kennel get some Nutrical
4. Is he already getting used to you...couldn't say...you will soon become what he knows soon though, cuddling all the time-well okay do you plan on cuddling all the time for the rest of his life and risking behavioral issues due to codependency and instilling anxiety etc? Pups need rest play and it's so hard...but to be ignored sometimes...oh it's so hard...but it sets the tone for reality and giving them what they need isn't always giving them what we want to.

[ritz]

nope...havent gotten a kennel yet....i got him a small bed but everyone at the pet store told me not to put him in a kennel so i didn't bother....but i m gonna go grab it anyways ..no harm having it in the house...
its not that i m cuddling him all the time but whenever he s not sleeping and done playing he s usually in my arms....
i dont know if its me but i think he's sleeping a lot more today then he did yesterday...i don't know if its just me or is it okay to sleep..i mean he wakes up ...eats..goes to the loo ...plays for 5 -10 mins and then heads up to his be....is he okay??

Originally Posted by concretegurl

I edited the quote I used...to shorten what you need to re-read and bolded it for you...
1. Do you have a kennel yet? That should be #1 on the list of things you ran out an bought...you need to start right from the begining or it makes everything harder
2. Barking is okay..a couple barks to get your attention, otherwise you are teaching your pup to bark to get its way and thus rewarding this behavior-remember they are a pup but also pups need training, you can't reason with a pup so everything is cause and effect, action reaction...that's what they learn from-with the exception of fear based responses-doesn't sound like that's an issue for you though.
3. While you are getting the kennel get some Nutrical
4. Is he already getting used to you...couldn't say...you will soon become what he knows soon though, cuddling all the time-well okay do you plan on cuddling all the time for the rest of his life and risking behavioral issues due to codependency and instilling anxiety etc? Pups need rest play and it's so hard...but to be ignored sometimes...oh it's so hard...but it sets the tone for reality and giving them what they need isn't always giving them what we want to.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by ritz

nope...havent gotten a kennel yet....i got him a small bed but everyone at the pet store told me not to put him in a kennel so i didn't bother....but i m gonna go grab it anyways ..no harm having it in the house...
its not that i m cuddling him all the time but whenever he s not sleeping and done playing he s usually in my arms....
i dont know if its me but i think he's sleeping a lot more today then he did yesterday...i don't know if its just me or is it okay to sleep..i mean he wakes up ...eats..goes to the loo ...plays for 5 -10 mins and then heads up to his be....is he okay??

He's a baby and very very young. They sleep alot.

[ritz]

ok thank u ...sorry for asking stupid question and being so paranoid...just want to be safe with him ...

Originally Posted by bchgirl

He's a baby and very very young. They sleep alot.

[Rachael x]

Welcome to YT and congratulations on your new pup.
I brought my Poppy home at 6 weeks old (I was told she was 8 weeks old) and at the time I didn't know that this was too young. She had trouble with her ears and in the end we found out she was crawling with ear mites so I didn't want to give her back to the breeder because she would catch them again, and I didn't trust them to look after her properly.

I had her in a pen in my bedroom and she would wake up every hour or so crying just for a cuddle. I know that I probably shouldn't have given in to her but I did hug her until she fell asleep again. I know she was just scared and lonley because she was too young to be away from her mum, this carried on for about a month until she slept through the night. (she had her pee pad in her pen).
I wouldnt give her milk as it make give her loose stool, just carry on mixing her food with a little water and giving her water to drink.

You should start training her on pads straight away seen as she hasn't had her shots and can't go outside yet. Look for the signs (sniffing the floor/circling) and put her straight on the pad. When she goes on the pad PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE! but if she does have an accident just say NO and put her straight on the pad. If you see a puddle on the floor but dont catch her in the act dont make a fuss just clean it up and try and keep an eye on her.

I also found Poppy slept better when she had a hot water bottle in her bed, you could try it?

I kept Poppy in a pen with a pee pad in until she was around 5 months old, then I started crating her at night and teaching her to go potty outside. But lots of people start earlier then that.
Also you will have to teach her bite inhibition because she was taken so young. She will be teething but don't think you are being kind by letting her gum at your finger because once those sharp puppy teeth come in you will regret it! Just say NO and give her a chew toy like a Kong or one of those puppy chews which you soak in water then put in the freezer, they will sooth her sore gums.
Good luck!


EDIT: Sorry I thought your pup was a girl, please excuse the "she's" I mean "He"

[ritz]

wow !! u nailed it !!! i couldn't have described it better...okay definitely makes me feel a lot better knowing thats its common for her to cry at night and seek attention...thank u for the advices...i am going to try the hot bottle in his bed...hopefully he likes it and also i cant lie i do the same thing every night when he walks up...i feel so bad when he cries and i feel so bad for taking him this young ...so i usually lie him right next to me till he falls asleep and then i put him back on his bed...i know i am spoiling him already ....but i love him ....and his names RITZ CARLTON !!!

Originally Posted by Rachael x

Welcome to YT and congratulations on your new pup.
I brought my Poppy home at 6 weeks old (I was told she was 8 weeks old) and at the time I didn't know that this was too young. She had trouble with her ears and in the end we found out she was crawling with ear mites so I didn't want to give her back to the breeder because she would catch them again, and I didn't trust them to look after her properly.

I had her in a pen in my bedroom and she would wake up every hour or so crying just for a cuddle. I know that I probably shouldn't have given in to her but I did hug her until she fell asleep again. I know she was just scared and lonley because she was too young to be away from her mum, this carried on for about a month until she slept through the night. (she had her pee pad in her pen).
I wouldnt give her milk as it make give her loose stool, just carry on mixing her food with a little water and giving her water to drink.

You should start training her on pads straight away seen as she hasn't had her shots and can't go outside yet. Look for the signs (sniffing the floor/circling) and put her straight on the pad. When she goes on the pad PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE! but if she does have an accident just say NO and put her straight on the pad. If you see a puddle on the floor but dont catch her in the act dont make a fuss just clean it up and try and keep an eye on her.

I also found Poppy slept better when she had a hot water bottle in her bed, you could try it?

I kept Poppy in a pen with a pee pad in until she was around 5 months old, then I started crating her at night and teaching her to go potty outside. But lots of people start earlier then that.
Also you will have to teach her bite inhibition because she was taken so young. She will be teething but don't think you are being kind by letting her gum at your finger because once those sharp puppy teeth come in you will regret it! Just say NO and give her a chew toy like a Kong or one of those puppy chews which you soak in water then put in the freezer, they will sooth her sore gums.
Good luck!


EDIT: Sorry I thought your pup was a girl, please excuse the "she's" I mean "He"

[Rachael x]

Originally Posted by ritz

wow !! u nailed it !!! i couldn't have described it better...okay definitely makes me feel a lot better knowing thats its common for her to cry at night and seek attention...thank u for the advices...i am going to try the hot bottle in his bed...hopefully he likes it and also i cant lie i do the same thing every night when he walks up...i feel so bad when he cries and i feel so bad for taking him this young ...so i usually lie him right next to me till he falls asleep and then i put him back on his bed...i know i am spoiling him already ....but i love him ....and his names RITZ CARLTON !!!

I know what you mean.. I couldn't help but hug Poppy. Even though I was like a zombie for a month and kept falling asleep at work I couldn't let her cry.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by ritz

okay ....went to the vet...so far everything good..told me to get him some supplement ...got him "energel boost for dogs" also got him natural puppy treats....told me to keep a very close eye on him....basically all the advice everyone already given me ....so thank u for all the advice....i feel a lot better now about the whole situation....

I think when your breeder said not to feed milk -- she meant no cow's milk as it contains lactose and they cannot break that down. The vet says supplement and that is what my vet suggested for puppies too but I can tell you from experience the Goat's milk will work better! I tried two different supplments (one cause diarrhea & one caused constipation). Switched ot goat's milk and no more problems. You will find most of the breeders here will recommend goat's milk. Walmart has it in grocery section, by the condensed milk.

Definately keep a very close eye over the next few weeks. Keep Nutrical at all times (just in case). Puppy proof your home, getting down on all fours and crawling around at puppy level to see what they might get into or chew.
Check this link for more info: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html

Many folks here were allowed to take their pups hom etoo early too, so you can do this, I just wanted to reinforce that this is not the way you really would want to start out. But -- cards are dealt so with extra care & attention, little Ritz will be a great little pet. Glad the vet check up went well -- that is of primary importance! When you find out the breeder's name, pls post. Wishing you well with your baby!

[MaddiesMommie]

Welcome to YT! It is great you are asking questions, that is what YT is for.
Debra just posted the link I was thinking of as I read through all these posts. Good call Debra!

You do have your work cut out for you but are certainly on the right track asking and learning about anything and everything you are unsure of. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on little Ritz.

[Furbaby Friend]

Originally Posted by ritz

okay thank u so much ...cause i am a lil over protective about him already and i so wouldn't want him to be sick...so basically he's home bound till feb ...and what about my friends that come over...should i not allow anyone to touch him till his shots are done and over with as well???

First of all, welcome to YT! You sound like a loving caring mommy that asks all the right questions!

I'd like to also comment on this. I'd recommend your friends taking their shoes off and not walking with them in the house where the pup will be. Being so young, he could pick up stuff that the drag in on their shoes (say they step in dog poop outside for instance from a dog that is carrying a nasty parasite). I was a paranoid momma and until Rylie was fully vaccinated there was a NO SHOES ALLOWED rule in my house .

[Jager_Cutie]

Originally Posted by ritz

sorry i didnt know...not gone to the vet yet since i got him on christmas eve..but going first thing tomorrow morning....

I read through this entire post, yet fairly quickly...What I would suggest (as a new owner of a pup myself), make certain they are checking for anything they can. Looking at the pup scanner ultasound is even better. At first, I never knew there was a difference with vets because the breeder suggested where I should go because I would "save" money. Well, taking him to a better quality vet at the next time, being so young, the new doctore found the most simple things wrong with him and gave me great meds to get Jager on track early.
Just a suggestion because I am in the same boat basically.
Your pup is a blessing! Take great care of him so he can continue to be that way. :-)
Good luck and great starting out!! ;-)

[zekie's mom]

This is your baby. Listen to all of the good advise, and then do what you feel in your heart is best for you and your puppy. Just like a human baby, I don't think there is anything like too much love. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Most of our guys are spoiled rotten because they are such sweet interesting and smart little buggers.

[ritz]

hey ...how r u ?? okay so just goats milk...do i heat it a lil...and also they told me soak is food in a lil bit of water and then give him that ...he dsnt seem to like it too much ...he's being really moody with eating ...i have 2 kinds of dried food and 2 kinds of food (chicken or lamb with brown rice) soaked with water...its not that he's not eating but he's eating little...i will get the milk tomorrow...hopefully he likes it...
thanks for all ur help
pria

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I think when your breeder said not to feed milk -- she meant no cow's milk as it contains lactose and they cannot break that down. The vet says supplement and that is what my vet suggested for puppies too but I can tell you from experience the Goat's milk will work better! I tried two different supplments (one cause diarrhea & one caused constipation). Switched ot goat's milk and no more problems. You will find most of the breeders here will recommend goat's milk. Walmart has it in grocery section, by the condensed milk.

Definately keep a very close eye over the next few weeks. Keep Nutrical at all times (just in case). Puppy proof your home, getting down on all fours and crawling around at puppy level to see what they might get into or chew.
Check this link for more info: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html

Many folks here were allowed to take their pups hom etoo early too, so you can do this, I just wanted to reinforce that this is not the way you really would want to start out. But -- cards are dealt so with extra care & attention, little Ritz will be a great little pet. Glad the vet check up went well -- that is of primary importance! When you find out the breeder's name, pls post. Wishing you well with your baby!

[ritz]

well thats my new rule...NO SHOES ALLOWED IN THE HOUSEHOLD !!! lol...i wud rather have my ritz safe then have my friends come into the house with their shoes...and honestly hes already bought me so much joy that i wouldn't trade his well being with anything in this world...hes my no1 priority ....

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend

First of all, welcome to YT! You sound like a loving caring mommy that asks all the right questions!

I'd like to also comment on this. I'd recommend your friends taking their shoes off and not walking with them in the house where the pup will be. Being so young, he could pick up stuff that the drag in on their shoes (say they step in dog poop outside for instance from a dog that is carrying a nasty parasite). I was a paranoid momma and until Rylie was fully vaccinated there was a NO SHOES ALLOWED rule in my house .