Your best piece of advice?!

[Sebi_143]

Originally Posted by xFoxyx

I tell you the one most important thing I learned from experience. Do NOT feed your dog from the table. No processed foods - high fat foods. I've spent almost $20k in vet bills over 9 years for treatment of chronic pancreatitis because I was not making him eat his food like he should have been doing. He is 16 now and still chugging along, but I am better advised now.

Great advice! I never knew they could be affected so much by "people food" ...I do give him a little taste once in a while :/ that ends this min. Thank you!

[gracielove]

It kind of sounds like maybe your dog was not handled a lot when he was very young puppy since he is fighting you so much about grooming. Don't give up on the training though. Sit him on your lap and lightly comb him. You can't let him get matted between groomings. Try to make it a short grooming session. A spray conditioner may help get any mats out and help stop tangling.

Puppies like to stay active and terriers tend to be a bit fussy about being held still for very long when they are young but if you are persistent and consistent he will eventually get accustomed to it. A small treat at the end of the session will help make him more accepting.

As for your registration; since he is only a pet you can enjoy him anyway but be aware that people who use that "registry" are not honest and are using less than sound stock. It's best to find reputable breeders rather than reward people who degrade the breed with poor breeding practices.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Sebi_143

The breeder was actually super nice..we stayed there for hours getting to know her and her husband..they seemed to care a great deal about their animals. She did say not to use a groomer because she had heard way too many negative things and she didn't think I should take the chance...She showed me all of her grooming supplies and told me where I could get them.. I totally understand her intention but, I can barely style my own hair lol I wasn't about to do his! And as far as micrchipping.. I'm thinking she might have said not too because he was so tiny at that time..Surely a year later he's fine to have it done!

It sounds like your breeder breeds to supplement her income. While she was super nice, I think most if not all of these types of breeders will be super nice bc they are trying to get you to buy one of their dogs. It's important to support the right kind of breeders, those who breed to improve the breed, not do the opposite. This is how so many of us come to have off standard yorkies, with luxating patellas (very common in yorkies, where the knee caps float around, and could result in lameness and/or surgery), health problems, dental problems (too short of muzzle, not enough room for teeth) etc. Also may be why this breeder let you take your baby home at 7 weeks. A lot of socialization is learned at this age up to 12 weeks.

However, since you have already owned him for almost a year, all the above does not really matter now. Just thought I would let you know, in case in the future you may want to add another.

As for advice, I strongly agree with the no table food, as in processed, high fat foods. They can get pancreatitis, which can be difficult to control and expensive to maintain. My Uni got pancreatitis from regular dog food. You just have to see what works and what doesn't. I know now she can't have lamb. Bil-Jac isn't that great of a food. There are a lot of grain free, corn free, organic, holistic, etc foods out there that are not very expensive that you may want to look into. Read the labels and avoid anything that has corn meal, by products, or vague names such as animal fat, what animal is it?

I would def get him neutered also. I'm guessing he's about a year old now, so I think it's time for his dental also, and to take out any retained baby teeth. Do all that while he's under, along with the microchip, and get his nails done all at once. make sure the vet explains how the chip works. You have to buy the chip from the vet, but still have to pay another fee to get it registered to you. We've been discussing chips recently and a lot of us were still pretty confused on how they work. Also neutering is not only the responsible thing to do, but also eliminates the risk of certain cancers.

Sorry for rambling. Hope some of it helped.

Oh, is he on any flea or heartworm preventative?

[capt_noonie]

Forgot to say that healthy people food can be great treats and many of us give them. Such as tomato, melons, cucumbers, many types of fruits. But do not give onion, grapes, or raisins. Do not give any food that have been cooked with onion, such as giving a carrot that was in a soup that also had onion.

[Sebi_143]

[QUOTE=capt_noonie;4057040]It sounds like your breeder breeds to supplement her income. While she was super nice, I think most if not all of these types of breeders will be super nice bc they are trying to get you to buy one of their dogs. It's important to support the right kind of breeders, those who breed to improve the breed, not do the opposite. This is how so many of us come to have off standard yorkies, with luxating patellas (very common in yorkies, where the knee caps float around, and could result in lameness and/or surgery), health problems, dental problems (too short of muzzle, not enough room for teeth) etc. Also may be why this breeder let you take your baby home at 7 weeks. A lot of socialization is learned at this age up to 12 weeks.

Thank you for this...when we first started to look for a yorkie I had no idea about good vs. bad breeders, potential health probs, etc...I know now that it takes much more research than simply going out to the first person you find and purchasing a dog.

However, since you have already owned him for almost a year, all the above does not really matter now. Just thought I would let you know, in case in the future you may want to add another.

Sebi is my one and only for now but, I've been considering getting one for my mom since we have all moved out and she's alone most of the time.

As for advice, I strongly agree with the no table food, as in processed, high fat foods. They can get pancreatitis, which can be difficult to control and expensive to maintain. My Uni got pancreatitis from regular dog food. You just have to see what works and what doesn't. I know now she can't have lamb. Bil-Jac isn't that great of a food. There are a lot of grain free, corn free, organic, holistic, etc foods out there that are not very expensive that you may want to look into. Read the labels and avoid anything that has corn meal, by products, or vague names such as animal fat, what animal is it?

Would you mind recommending a few brands? Bil-Jac is what the breeder had been giving them and she said that's what she feeds all her dogs so I just went with it. I assumed she knew her stuff (and I sure didn't) so I trusted her.

I would def get him neutered also. I'm guessing he's about a year old now, so I think it's time for his dental also, and to take out any retained baby teeth. Do all that while he's under, along with the microchip, and get his nails done all at once. make sure the vet explains how the chip works. You have to buy the chip from the vet, but still have to pay another fee to get it registered to you. We've been discussing chips recently and a lot of us were still pretty confused on how they work. Also neutering is not only the responsible thing to do, but also eliminates the risk of certain cancers.

Yes he is almost one..Dec 24th is his birthday. I plan to get him neutered within the next few months and he also has 2 teeth that will be taken out at that time. Sebi just had surg last week for a dislocated hip and the ER vet suggested I do these things at the same time as the FHO but, the specialist I took him to did not recommend I do that.

Sorry for rambling. Hope some of it helped.

I love rambling lol ..I appreciate you so much for taking time to help me out!!

Oh, is he on any flea or heartworm preventative?

Yes he is on heartgard and frontline...and he is up to date on all of his vaccinations. I'm doing my best

[capt_noonie]

[quote=Sebi_143;4057363]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

It sounds like your breeder breeds to supplement her income. While she was super nice, I think most if not all of these types of breeders will be super nice bc they are trying to get you to buy one of their dogs. It's important to support the right kind of breeders, those who breed to improve the breed, not do the opposite. This is how so many of us come to have off standard yorkies, with luxating patellas (very common in yorkies, where the knee caps float around, and could result in lameness and/or surgery), health problems, dental problems (too short of muzzle, not enough room for teeth) etc. Also may be why this breeder let you take your baby home at 7 weeks. A lot of socialization is learned at this age up to 12 weeks.

Thank you for this...when we first started to look for a yorkie I had no idea about good vs. bad breeders, potential health probs, etc...I know now that it takes much more research than simply going out to the first person you find and purchasing a dog.

However, since you have already owned him for almost a year, all the above does not really matter now. Just thought I would let you know, in case in the future you may want to add another.

Sebi is my one and only for now but, I've been considering getting one for my mom since we have all moved out and she's alone most of the time.

As for advice, I strongly agree with the no table food, as in processed, high fat foods. They can get pancreatitis, which can be difficult to control and expensive to maintain. My Uni got pancreatitis from regular dog food. You just have to see what works and what doesn't. I know now she can't have lamb. Bil-Jac isn't that great of a food. There are a lot of grain free, corn free, organic, holistic, etc foods out there that are not very expensive that you may want to look into. Read the labels and avoid anything that has corn meal, by products, or vague names such as animal fat, what animal is it?

Would you mind recommending a few brands? Bil-Jac is what the breeder had been giving them and she said that's what she feeds all her dogs so I just went with it. I assumed she knew her stuff (and I sure didn't) so I trusted her.

I would def get him neutered also. I'm guessing he's about a year old now, so I think it's time for his dental also, and to take out any retained baby teeth. Do all that while he's under, along with the microchip, and get his nails done all at once. make sure the vet explains how the chip works. You have to buy the chip from the vet, but still have to pay another fee to get it registered to you. We've been discussing chips recently and a lot of us were still pretty confused on how they work. Also neutering is not only the responsible thing to do, but also eliminates the risk of certain cancers.

Yes he is almost one..Dec 24th is his birthday. I plan to get him neutered within the next few months and he also has 2 teeth that will be taken out at that time. Sebi just had surg last week for a dislocated hip and the ER vet suggested I do these things at the same time as the FHO but, the specialist I took him to did not recommend I do that.

Sorry for rambling. Hope some of it helped.

I love rambling lol ..I appreciate you so much for taking time to help me out!!

Oh, is he on any flea or heartworm preventative?

Yes he is on heartgard and frontline...and he is up to date on all of his vaccinations. I'm doing my best

If you are interested, check out this site on what they have to say about Bil Jac. While not the worst food out there, there are def better ones. And not too much more, and why not? Our yorkies deserve the best! Bil-Jac Dog Food | Review and Rating Poke around the site and see what you can learn about food, but take it with a grain of salt. This is just one site's opinion on food. However, I think most would agree that any food with any type of by products in it is not good. Corn is really debatable but I give a grain free diet. Just something to look into. Blue Buffalo, Innova, Acana, Fromm are all pretty popular around YT.

May I ask how did he dislocate his hip? Was it an accident with a jump or fall or something? I've been told by vets not to have too many procedures at one time, to not keep them under for too long.

[gracielove]

Going to "the dog food advisor" will at least give you information in order to make a more accurate assessment of what you are feeding. "By products" is code for things that would ordinarily end up on the floor of the slaughter house. Since it comes from the body it is still called "beef", "lamb" etc.
Many people are taking their dogs off of foods that contain large amounts of grain. If you look at the ingredient list on the back of most kibble it will have some ingredients that most people cannot even identify as well as many synthetic vitamins. Why all the vitamins? Well, if you look into it you will find out. Buying the best food you can afford will help keep your dog healthy and help avoid expensive vet bills later in life.

Pet food production in this country is unregulated although they like to call it "self regulated." Labeling is also questionable since they do not have to put all the ingredients on the label. A few years back a big manufacturer of pet food was importing "fillers" from China that were killing pets.

Just be cautious. Sometimes the smaller companies have better quality than the bigger ones. Everyone has their own opinion about pet food so I will not recommend one unless asked. I do think with the proper information more and more pet owners will be able to make more educated choices for their animals.

[Sebi_143]

[quote=capt_noonie;4057644]

Originally Posted by Sebi_143

If you are interested, check out this site on what they have to say about Bil Jac. While not the worst food out there, there are def better ones. And not too much more, and why not? Our yorkies deserve the best! Bil-Jac Dog Food | Review and Rating Poke around the site and see what you can learn about food, but take it with a grain of salt. This is just one site's opinion on food. However, I think most would agree that any food with any type of by products in it is not good. Corn is really debatable but I give a grain free diet. Just something to look into. Blue Buffalo, Innova, Acana, Fromm are all pretty popular around YT.

May I ask how did he dislocate his hip? Was it an accident with a jump or fall or something? I've been told by vets not to have too many procedures at one time, to not keep them under for too long.

I started a thread about it a few days ago....I still feel a bit ashamed to tell people the story since it could have been prevented had I been watching. My daughter had a sleepover for her birthday and had several little girls over...they were all playing and running around the house and of course Sebi wants to be with sissy everywhere she goes. They thought it'd be fun to all pile up on her twin bed and one of the girls fell off and landed on him he's so small he didn't stand a chance...I just thank god it wasn't worse.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Sebi_143

I started a thread about it a few days ago....I still feel a bit ashamed to tell people the story since it could have been prevented had I been watching. My daughter had a sleepover for her birthday and had several little girls over...they were all playing and running around the house and of course Sebi wants to be with sissy everywhere she goes. They thought it'd be fun to all pile up on her twin bed and one of the girls fell off and landed on him he's so small he didn't stand a chance...I just thank god it wasn't worse.

Oh poor guy. Well at least you did the right thing by getting him surgery he needed. There's been times we've seen something like this and the person just comes on here to ask for free advice of what to do to help with pain, instead of taking the dog to the vet.

[chestermama]

feed no treats that are from china, chester got his chip when he was neutered and no hot dogs or ham or anything high in fat, they can get pancreatitis