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03-13-2005, 04:15 PM | #1 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Caldwell Idaho
Posts: 956
| Bringing home baby, need advice Hi there everyone. I am still relatively new to this site and I am so excited. I finally found the most beautiful female pup and I am happy to say I will be bringing my baby home in about a week. I am hoping to get some good advice from people about bringing her home. She has already been separated from her mommy for a few days and seems to be doing well. I have read as many books as I can find and I know some of the basics, a crate, a bed, a blankie etc. But I would like to know how most of you adjusted your new addition to your home. Should I keep her away from my kids for a few days? Should I let her wander on her own? What kind of food is ideal? (She is currently on Iams, and I have never been a fan of that brand). Anyways any advice on those first few days at home would be appreciated. Thanks so much Brandi |
Welcome Guest! | |
03-13-2005, 04:32 PM | #2 |
Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,719
| Hi Marlee, congrats, and welcome to YorkieTalk! Books are great but I agree, it seems that practical hands-on advice from this forum is invaluable. Your baby should be kept in until it has had all of its puppy shots, that means it can go outside to potty of course, but keep it from much contact with other dogs and I wouldn't take it around many public places at first. It needs the whole round of those shots for its protection cause they have very little immunity built up when they are tiny. As far as your kids, what ages are they? You can spend the next week preparing them and laying down rules. I would tell them that the pup will be a family pet (I'm assuming) but YOU are its mommy and you make the rules and they must ask permission before handling her. Also, if your kids are very small, its not a bad idea to insist that they never carry the pup. My 18 year old daughter dropped Bo (actually he jumped from her arms) and he was OK but could have been seriously hurt. It happens in a second and these little guys are SO wiggly!
__________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri! |
03-13-2005, 04:42 PM | #3 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto
Posts: 371
| Well, I got Sheila at 8 weeks and she was on a crazy home cooked diet from the breeder. The 1st few days were scary because she was nervous but I did slowly bring her over to dog food and she was fine. I have a crate but haven't crate trained her. I have a sealed of area from my bedroom to the bathroom when we sleep. I have no carpetng here except a few throw rugs and she took to the pee pads right away. She still has the occasional accident (at 14 weeks) but they are rare. She is in daycare and I highly recomend it if it's available in your area. She can't play with the other puppies because of her small size but she is around them and sees lot's of people and dogs every day. If you choose daycare be carefull, Sheila's requires proof of all shots and puppies are grouped by shots/age. There have been a few people that have dogs there that say she is the best yorkie they have ever seen in terms of temperment. Socialization is important to yorkies IMHO. |
03-13-2005, 04:48 PM | #4 |
Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,719
| Harbinger, I agree about the socialization. My Schnauzer has never cared about other dogs much but Bo ADORES him & would rather play with Woody than any of us!!
__________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri! |
03-13-2005, 05:41 PM | #5 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| It is such a special time when you first bring them home. They are like a newborn babe, so sweet!! I put a stuffed animal in my pups sleeping area and he cuddled around it like it was another puppy when he slept. You might wanna have some nutrical on hand. Some people give this regularly as a precaution to new little pups. Some people just keep it on hand. Its a nutritional supplement that also has sugar in it which yorkies can need if for some reason your pups not eating to keep its sugar from dropping. Its totally up to you but if it were me I would not change the food all at once. I did this when I brought my pup home and he got diahrea it may have been a factor. When you change give 1/2 of the old 1/2 of the new until she adjusts. I would ask your vet about the child holding. My vet said very little child holding for the 1st two weeks. He compared new yorkies to a piece of glass. The first two weeks is a crucial time for adjustment of new changes for the new puppy. They get so much sturdier and hardier as each week goes by. Its a real pleasure watching them change and grow.
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
03-13-2005, 08:13 PM | #6 |
Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD
Posts: 2,985
| So many of your concerns should be addressed by the breeder if he/she is a responsible knowledgeable breeder...Take your children with you to the breeder's house and have the kids and breeder discuss in a very serious manner the care they are to give the puppy and the privileges they have with the baby. Write a contract and have them read and sign it and post it several places in the house. I, personally, do not place my small puppies in homes with kids and that is my choice. I am not criticizing your breeder. No Yorkie should leave the breeders' home til after 12 weeks of age and that is even more important when kids are in the new home. A new puppy should NEVER have the run of the house for their safety. They need to be confined in an area that has no carpet or dangerous things like power outlets. X-pens are an absolute must in my home where all of my puppies and dogs live. But, please, do not close them in a room with the door shut..it can be terrifying for them and dangerous if an emergency occurs in the home when no one is there. I hope if you are not a stay-at-home mom that someone will be home with the new puppy all day. Is it possible to take some time off work? IF your breeder cannot answer your concerns to your satisfaction....feel free to PM me.. |
03-13-2005, 08:48 PM | #7 |
The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California
Posts: 2,010
| One thing I did when I brough Tia home was lay down rules and stick to them. It's hard to break a habit you start "because she's so new" by all means give your new puppy all the love and attention you can, but don't let her chew on the furniture the first day. As far as my kids go, I had a very very long talk with them about Tia. I had been teaching them about "our new puppy" from the time I started researching them. When I brought Tia home, the kids were allowed to pet her while sitting on the floor, but that was it. I'm a mean mommy, no holding the puppy (or Sandy who is 14 lbs, either) and they are not allowed to be alone with either doggie, ever. My dogs are with me 24/7, I'm a stay at home mom and don't let them out of my sight. The dogs don't love the kids any less, if anything they are more comfortable around them than anyone because they have learned that there is no chance of them being harmed. When my kids have friends over, I put my dogs in my room, close the door. Tia goes right to her crate and Sandy under the covers. I'm not sure how old your children are, but the key is to ALWAYS supervise any child with a small dog. Your kid can be the most gentle in the world, but the puppy could want to go and fly out of the childs' arms without a second thought. Another thing, remember that other people do not neccessarily educate their children about handling animals. I am very wary of any children around my dogs. My friend with a Yorkie went to someones' house and didn't watch her like a hawk. Next thing she knew, one of the kids had taken the dog. As she was coming in the room, the kid had the dog OVER HIS HEAD and proceeded to throw the dog on the floor. As you can imagine, it was a scary situation for all involved. Thankfully she came out alright. But this is one of many reasons I don't allow children to handle or be alone with my dogs. (okay, I'll get off this subject!!) Other things I did: Put the vets' number on speed dial. Gave as much love to Tia as is humanly possible. Socialized her with my other dog under close supervision. I have enrolled her in training classes which start in April Began training asap. She now knows how to sit, be good during a bath, and let me brush her all I want. I agree that your breeder should be there for you to answer any questions you have which may come up! As far as food, my breeder had her on Royal Canin and I have continued with that for the time being and it has worked well for me. My breeder was also feeding wet food two times a day but she is now only on solid food. (with a little help from some water and 10 seconds in the microwave - as suggested somewhere on this forum) Discuss and begin forming a good relationship with your vet. Ask if they have worked with small dogs before and if you ever feel uncomfortable, remember that it is okay to switch vets. In case of any health problems, it's always good to have a good relationship there. I think that's it. Good luck on your new addition! I'm sure you will do great and there are so many knowledgeable people here, feel free to ask any questions you may have!
__________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.*Aimée, Sandy, and Tia*.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) |
03-13-2005, 10:10 PM | #8 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Caldwell Idaho
Posts: 956
| thanks for the advice...would love more... Well I have 6 kids, 4 of which are under 5. (triplets 4, and my baby is 2.5) I have sat them all down to explain to them this is not a toy. It is only mommy's puppy and can only be around them when either I or daddy are there to watch with a careful eye. I am mostly a stay at home mom, (daycare for 6 would put me in the poorhouse) and I plan on keeping the puppy with me at all times. If i do have to leave her at home my husband is there to watch her and the kids, so there is always someone home. I think the kids will be ok, i just dont want them to think that I am excluding them. We did talk about not being allowed to hold her at all, she can choose to be near them but if they try to pick her up they will not be able to touch at all. I also said if they see stuff on the floor to pick it up so she cant get it and choke on it. Now I think most of them understand, except of course the 2 year old, but I will be there and really cant see letting the pup put of my sight for to long,( heck I dont even let my kids out of sight until bed time. )I just want to make sure i do a good job for her. My breeder seems ok with the kids and had seen them in her friends home when went went to look at the pup. As far as some breeders not letting people with small children have them, I know it is only an oppinion, but my children have ben around pets and small animals their entire lives. I have seen how carefully they are to not hurt them, and in the last 10 years the only accident we ever had with any of our pets was not a child, in fact in was my father in law not being careful and to clumsy. |
03-13-2005, 10:23 PM | #9 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Graniteville, SC
Posts: 206
| I would suggest Royal Canin or Flint River Ranch. Both can be bought online or in stores. Both are high end and focus on the dogs growth and development. Those are the best IMO. |
03-13-2005, 10:28 PM | #10 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Graniteville, SC
Posts: 206
| And you know you're kids--it's others kids I would worry about. My friends have some pretty unsocialized kids IMO. They aren't allowed NEAR my yorkie. I have had to replace a plasma screen because of friends not watching their kids while visiting--I WILL NOT CHANCE MY PRECIOUS BABY. =) Please remeber that. |
03-14-2005, 01:59 AM | #11 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Caldwell Idaho
Posts: 956
| more on kids I do know many children that can be more "difficult" and I do have to take more percautions around them. These are also children I do not allow in my home most of the time(some are cousin). I do think every child is diffrent and it definatly has everything to do with how they are raised and what expectation the parents place upon them. I have NEVER allowed my children to disrespect their own or someone elses property. I believed in the rule that I should not baby proof my house becasue it teaches my child it is ok to do this and that when we are somewhere else. If they cannot be around my nice things, how can I expect to let them around others. Have there been accidents here and there, yes of course, but I have heard repetedly how well behaved all of my children are, and most people like having them around becasue they are so good. Sorry I do toot my own horn on this becasue I think others should do the same. I am so excited though, i cant even really sleep because I am excited to bring her home. LOL. thanks again, for all the advice and I will keep my ears open to whatever you all have. thanks Brandi |
03-14-2005, 02:13 AM | #12 |
My2Pearls Chelsey & Chanel YT Donator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N
Posts: 4,097
| Congrats on ur new baby, i know how precious they are and fragile at the same time, u got great tips in the above posts and as said, i would worry more about ur friends kids then ur own while they are around the puppy, i dont allow other kids to handle my little one, in fact im very carefull with allowing other ppl handling her.... its better to be safe then sorry, from day 1 i have told my son of 13 to hold her with both hands and explained why he should, how to handle her when she is on the couche or bed with him etc etc... my baby was on royal canin when we got her from the breeder and i kept her on that... she grows very well, shes a chubby little thing that loves her food, if she keeps growing this way she will be a giant yorkie lol... before we brought her home, i bought her a big floppy stuffed animal and brought it to the breeder to keep in the nest of pups so that would get to smell like her brother and sisters, the day we brought her home i put the stuffed animal in her bed and we never heard her cry once she was great and still is ... im glad i got the oppertunity to do that coz i can only imagine how scary it must be for a litlle one to come home in a strange place etc etc... but with the familiar smell with her she did very well ..... enjoy ur baby
__________________ Proud member of the crazy club |
03-14-2005, 02:30 AM | #13 |
The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California
Posts: 2,010
| I just want to say it sounds like you are being very responsible on the "kid" issue and it's so nice to see someone else who has the same views on it as I do And yeah - I am of the same mind when it comes to my children, I never did the baby proofing thing and have some pretty well behaved kids (unless, of course, you ask my mother in law -- she thinks they should never talk! LOL) The way I got my kids to make sure that EVERY little thing is picked up is by telling them that anything that is left on the floor belongs to Tia (my daughter had the unfortunate habit of leaving My Little Ponies and Care Bears around the house!) They very quickly learned to clean up those toys or they would be ruined incredibly quickly! Now I just need to get my husband to remember to pick up his socks! It sounds like you have your ducks in a row here and it is really nice to see.
__________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.*Aimée, Sandy, and Tia*.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) |
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