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02-01-2013, 02:55 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nunavut, Canada
Posts: 16
| Lots of Questions from New Yorkie Parents We just brought home Pepper, a (we think) 6 month puppy from a family who wasn't quite prepared for the attention a puppy requires - we're happy to have rescued him into our home because he's stolen our hearts in just a couple of short weeks! Unfortunately we live in an extremely remote community (1800 people) in the Arctic with no vets, no pet stores, and certainly no Yorkie friends for Pepper to play with! We don't have any experience with Yorkies so hopefully we can figure things out here where everyone is so friendly and welcoming! Just a few questions for us extreme newbie parents, please! 1. Pepper is thought to be around 6 months (born at the beginning of August we were told) and weighs 6 pounds - when do puppies fully mature in terms of growth? Will he get bigger or is this about the size he'll be? 2. The only puppy food the one store in town sells is Iams, and that's what the family before us is feeding him but he's not eating much of it. I found a puppy food recipe online and home cooked him a batch while I'm waiting for an online order of Merrick Grain Free Puppy food to come (both dry and wet), plus some puppy vitamins - but I'm wondering is it a good choice? I see a lot of discussions about food here but most of the brands mentioned are on sites that won't ship to us way up here, or the shipping costs more than the food itself!! 3. Pepper has really white hair on the top of his head and we can see the pink of his scalp under it - it almost looks like he's wearing a toupee! Will that darken, or will it always be white? 4. I read that collars aren't good for small dogs because their throats are so delicate, and harnesses should be used - is this true? We have a harness being shipped up, but a also want the option to walk him with a collar and leash if possible. 5. We try to brush his teeth every evening and he hates it - is there a trick to getting him not to squirm without hurting him? I think we're afraid that if we hold him too tightly he'll squish because he's so little!! 6. Same with baths - he can't stand it even though he's so soft and scratches less after, is there a trick to getting him to like it/not be scared of it? With being so remote, I'm really scared that he's not growing into an adult dog like he's supposed to be, but I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong! Vets come to the community once a year, and won't be here for about 7 months so I want to make sure Pepper is as healthy and as happy as possible before they get here - any tips and advice would be really appreciated! Sorry for so many questions! We just want to make sure we're doing the best we can for Pepper! |
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02-01-2013, 06:52 PM | #2 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA
Posts: 5,491
| Quote:
__________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything." Last edited by Buster Brown; 02-01-2013 at 06:56 PM. | |
02-01-2013, 07:05 PM | #3 |
and molliluv too! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Irving TX, USA
Posts: 1,619
| 5. We try to brush his teeth every evening and he hates it - is there a trick to getting him not to squirm without hurting him? I think we're afraid that if we hold him too tightly he'll squish because he's so little!! *For this one I used a towel and wrapped my little puppy in a "yorkie burrito" you keep them from squirming or scratching you but don't squish them. *For the food I know you can order anything through Amazon or through the manufacturer directly, buy 2 bags so you don't have to order so often. *I would try and see if there are any Vet Techs or people knowledgable about pet health in your neighborhood, it's always nice to at least have some one give you a second opionion. After many incidents with my puppy I learned to always have hydrogen peroxide on hand (induce vomitting) nutri-cal (incase of low blood sugar) and baby wipes (clean face and minor ickyness) Good luck!
__________________ Teapot Club Member |
02-01-2013, 07:20 PM | #4 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| WELCOME TO YT! Get to a vet and set up a comprehensive doggie emergency kit. Absolutely no collar - too risky, trachea damage is a major problem. We like pictures!!!!
__________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car |
02-01-2013, 07:23 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| Another thought -- since you said you live in the arctic you may want to think about using and indoor potty pad. Many dogs learn to use them and also to go outside.
__________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car |
02-01-2013, 08:01 PM | #6 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| How far is the closest vet? Yorkies are known to have health problems so you need to have a regular vet and he needs to have a check up sense you have gotten him. A collar should never ever be used on him except to hold an id tag other wise you are putting your pup at risk of collapsing trachea which has no cure and is very serious. When hooked to the leash a harness is what should be used. If you brush his teeth often him will probably get used to it. Make sure you are using a dog tooth paste with enzymes like CET tooth paste. Normally dogs are full grown by a year old. Just take a look around YorkieTalk and you will find a lot of good info.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
02-01-2013, 08:22 PM | #7 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nunavut, Canada
Posts: 16
| Hi all, Thank you so much for the replies!! I'll try to answer the questions as best I can here! The closest vet would be a day's flight away, or a 6 hour flight if we were in an emergency medi-vac situation. Vets come to the community once a year to perform check ups and other routine visits with animals in the community. There are no vet techs or anything like that where we live, and we would have to fly south for that. We purchased a doggie dental kit with doggie toothpaste and a little finger brush, he likes the taste of the toothpaste, he just hates the whole process. I will try the "burrito" method for sure!! He is indoor trained on pads and is about 90% successful. Lots of praise and treats seem to be making him more and more successful each day! We can't go for walks because his parka and booties haven't arrived, but we do try to tire him out and play with him in the house every day. Ordering things through Amazon.com is tricky because the shipping cost to where we live is often more than the cost of the food itself. Amazon.ca is something we will look into since I read that they now carry pet products. We have been buying things through Well.ca (Merrick food and vitamins, etc.) and have been happy so far. Thank you for the tips on the collar/harness - I had read it was bad so have a harness on its way, so I am glad I confirmed! I will also make sure to have the hydrogen peroxide and lots of baby wipes on hand! Having an emergency kit on hand is a fantastic tip and I will look into building one! Here are some pics of our Pepper from the first night he came home! |
02-01-2013, 08:55 PM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA
Posts: 5,491
| Pepper is adorable! The top of Buster's head was like that as well with the silvery white hair.
__________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything." |
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