For those who have skinkids...

[concretegurl]

Yes, he needs rest and I was told by a couple breeders over handling can lead to hypoglycemia, other health, and developmental issues and well behavioral problems in the long terms, but also 8 weeks was too young for him to even have left his mother.
[B]Plus you have to set the pattern of life for both kids and dogs...it's like double training...not sure you are being over protective though.

Originally Posted by smoochy_poo

My family just added Hercules to it on the 18th and all three of my skin kids love helping take care of him. Like mentioned, it isn't a chore to any of them because they all love him so much they are more then happy to do anything for him.

Quick question though: my daughter just turned nine and like most kids with a new puppy she always wants to hold him and carry him around with her. He's 8weeks old and I'm concerned that he isn't getting enough time to play on the floor. Is there really any such thing as holding a yorkie too much, or am I just being a bit to over protective?

[Rachael1983]

I teach all the kids who come into contact with Troy that they must sit on the floor to hold him. I'm not to trusting of little hands because Troy is so small. I do think there's double training that you should be doing.

My daughter is 8 and she loves to hold and cuddle Troy but I encourage her to only go about holding and cuddling when Troy wants to. I don't want him to be scared or anxious because he's always being held.

[Bellasmom30]

IMO what you are doing is great! I do the same thing. They do not get paid for it, but nor do they ever complain about it if asked to do something. Only I bath and brush her, but my oldest three (13, 10,7) fill her bowl with food and water. They also take her out to potty. These things aren't asked of them daily, I still do most of it myself, but they are definately involved.

It is a valuable thing to teach them about responsibility of being a pet owner. To me, it helps teach them that there is more to having a pet than just petting it and looking at how cute they are. They are another member of the family and of equal importance to me. They are just as dependant on you as a human child for their needs. My daughter goes to the vet appts. She has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 4 yrs old. She has her mind made up and is focused, grades and all!

[Suze225]

I have 4 skin kids......the two oldest are out of the house, then I have a 16 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. Carter and Sydney take turns weekly cleaning up the doggie poo in the back yard. Carter's responsible for feeding, watering and sometimes walking the dogs too! I do not pay my children to do chores in our house so there really is no incentive, they just want to be helpful!! Teaches them responsibility and love for animals!!!

[Rhetts_mama]

All of my skin kids have had chores relating to the furkids. What they did varied based on their age. But even a young child can pour water from a cup in to the dog bowl. I always had dog related chores growing up, too. I've never viewed it as learning how to care for a dog so much as chores are part of being a family.

[Dzbabykel]

No skinkids here but I think thats a great idea and teaches responsibility!