what should I do???
 

I have a brand new female 8 week old yorkie puppy. I have read that they love to be by their owners side at all times but then I read that new places and activites such as car rides and new people cause stress. Should I take my puppy with me everywhere I go or should I limit trips? I hate to leave her home alone in a cage when I can be taking her but I dont want to cause stress on such a little girl?? HELP!! :animal-pa

I don't mean too scare you but better safe than sorry. In my opinion she is still too young to be outside the house too much. I do not think at her age that she has had all her shots. You have to be really careful that she does not pick anything up. Do not put her down outside in the grass where other dogs poop better on the concrete for now as the Parvo virus and others are passed through dogs poop. Also if you go to pet stores do not put her down on the floor because dogs track in germs on their paws there too. Once she is older and has built up her immunity then you can take her out. Buster goes with me on some errands usually to pet shops. I always make sure that if I am taking him I do not have to run errands in a place that Buster can not go in because I would not leave him in the car for a second. I would be too afraid he would get stolen. Once she is older have a wonderful time taking her out!

Sorry, but I don't think we should treat them like they're porcelain. Ozzy is under 5 lbs and he's a trooper. We take him some places, but leave him home other times. He goes on car rides to visit other people and the park. Everyone comments that for such a little guy he acts just like a regular dog and he's strong and confident.

Please don't let fear rule your decisions. Your fear will rub off on the dog. Believe they can do anything, and they will surprise you and do everything! Your confidence will help them be confident too.

Welcome to YorkieTalk. At 8 weeks your pup is very young and has not had necessary vaccinations. Lots of activity and new situations and over-handling can be too taxing at that age and could lead to a serious case of hypoglycemia or worse. Your pup needs frequent rest.

Ideally, pups should remain with their mothers and littermates until 12 weeks of age, so at 8 weeks, definitely too early to be carting around. At 8 weeks, they also need close supervision and almost round the clock care.

The pup is only 8 weeks old. :)

Welcome to YT! The stress thing depends on the dog. Some enjoy outings some don't. If you start socializing, and exposing them to new things early on, they get use to being your constant companion. :) HOWEVER, your pup is a smidge too young to be exposed to the world of germs. In fact, at 8 weeks she should still be with her mom and littermates. She's missing out on doggie etiquette lessons from mom, learning bite inhibition from mom and littermates, and mom also starts the potty training process. I tell you this so you can be ready to take over this teaching process. Back to the germs thing, it's best to wait until 2 weeks after the last set of shots to give her little body a chance to build immunity, which is usually around 16-18 weeks. A sick puppy is no fun, and it makes you worry so much. You also have to make sure she's eating enough, to avoid hypoglycemia.

It sounds like a long time, but trust me, you'll wonder where that time went. :) There is also plenty to do inside. Potty training, obedience training, and just simply bonding with your new pup. :) they're smart little fuzzballs, and can learn things very quickly! If you don't want to just leave her in a cage/crate all day, there is an alternative. You can try and expen, which gives them more room, and also keeps them from getting into stuff they shouldn't.

I work from home so I am home all the time, so she gets constant care. And I would NEVER leave her in a car! Thank you for all the replies and it did ease my mind to know that its ok to leave her home alone sometimes. I felt the same way that the outside world may be a little to much for her right now. But I also did not want to stress her out by putting her in a cage when I am gone. The wonderful world of internet is awsome when you have a question that just needs a simple answer :) Thanks guys!!!

:goodpost:

I forgot to say, congratulations on your new pup! Looking forward to pictures. :)

Forgot to add, my little one, a 7 lb monster is an outing pro! :D He goes on family trips, when I go visiting friends and family, and on errands. I got him at 12 months and is extremely shy, which brought it's own complications, but he's the best little buddy ever! My friends and family love having him over because he's so well behaved. (hint hint ;)) He knows which ones is "his" car, and happily hops up to get in and strapped into his car seat. You'll have a lifetime of adventures and outings together. Just protect her now when she's the most vulnerable.

When mine was very young and I would have to go out and leave her, I would put her in her crate with a blanket/towel on top to make like a den type atmosphere. I also put in a stuffed animal that was about her size (stuffed pig). It simulates a fellow littermate for them. She did well being left for fairly short periods of time and grew to love that pig. She loved that pig all of her life. She used to drag him around by the ear.

I have a blanket over the crate and a toy inside the crate. I am going to leave her home today when i go pick up my daughter from school because I am only going to be gone for about 20 minutes so we will see how it goes.....
Also, anyone think its to soon for a trip to the groomers for a bath? I just got her 2 days ago and she is a bit smelly, I tried the bath but she did not like the water so I thought the groomer would do the best job. To soon??

No to the groomer right now. She is too young had has not had all of her shot's. You can take after all her shot's are done but not until then. You don't want to run teh risk of her catching anything at the groomers.

Just try and get her used to having baths at home for now, sure she may put up a fight, but try and make it fun for her.

Definitely too soon for the groomer. Now is the time to start working with her daily so she accepts you grooming her. Touch her all over, paws, ears, back. Take your time and be gentle and reassuring to make it a pleasant experience.

Use a small basin in the sink or tub to wash her. You are going to have to bathe her in between grooming visits, so she will have to learn to accept the water.

I brought Chloe home at 8 weeks. I stopped on the way home to make sure I had the food that I would be feeding her, as not to start a temp. food, then to change on her. I made sure she had a nice chew toy, a crate and something to snuggle with. They tend to snuggle with a stuffed animal.

I still have not taken her outside to use the bathroom, she's 16 weeks. I do take her as much as I can. I'm trying to train her to like riding, wearing hair bows, clothing, etc. Things things of course are only minor things but If you don't start early, they will not like them.

I go by instinct. I have had other animals that I raised, as well as my own children.