Hugs all around. You guys all have contributed valuable things for me to take away from this thread. I just was feeling like a bad person for getting her. I'm definitely southern. Born and raised in the heart of Kentucky. I do want to clear up any misunderstanding about Darla and her age. I honestly have never said she was 10 weeks I can promise you that. When I first got on the board I knew right away what the general majority's stance was on the ideal time of when to bring home a puppy. I get that and I respect everyone's opinion. I know there are things that young pups pick up from other dogs that is key to being more socialized and well adjusted so they can live a happy life. Luckily we do have her older brother Buckwheat our German Shepherd who I kid you not, acts like an adoptive mom. I did receive AKC registration forms for Darla, and a family tree type thing. That traces back her lineage. I also got documentation on when shots and dew claws were done. Most importantly though I did receive documents which stated when she was born so I knew since getting her that she wasn't 10 weeks and I wouldn't ever lie about her age. Regardless though thanks to everyone who has made me feel like I'm not a total failure as a pet parent. I think even with human children we all do the best we can but in the long run, no one is a perfect parent.

I agree with the little but heavier cause they're not as fragile. Thanks for answering my question in the best way you could. I feel so bad for Bear. Bless his heart. I hope he's doing well with his treatment. :)

Not a bad person at all like I said she is lucky you got her and not someone who wouldn't take great care of her. Make sure you talk to your vet about the shots she had with the breeder she was probably to young and it might have not been enough time sense she was weened for them to have worked.

Thanks for the heads up. :)

Her shots were done 3 days before I got her. The vet seemed to think that the time frame of when the shots were administered is okay. I agree with it being lucky that it was me and not someone who was a first time dog owner and wouldn't think to join a Yorkie site or pick up some calorie booster to help ensure the new baby doesn't have a case of hypoglycemia. The younger they are the more prone they are to getting hypoglycemia, it seems. Her other two litter mates were gone before I got there so had it not been me that got her then she definitely would have been bought by someone. Most likely sooner than later and who knows if they would have had as much experience as I have with dogs. Maybe not Yorkshires particularly but when it comes to dogs I've always had one rather it be a family dog or a personal pet.

Thank you for the good thoughts. My little Bear is hanging in there. He's a trooper with his meds and Sub Q fluids. He puts up with a lot from his Momma.;)
I hope it's okay, I sent you a friend request.:)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...more-here.html

you probably just made a typo but often before giving any advice to a new member with a puppy I try to found out how old the puppy is, it's hard to believe that just three or four weeks can make that much of difference but with a small breed like a yorkie the difference between 7 weeks to like 12 weeks can be significant. So when I read this thread I guess I was just surprised since I had been posting on threads about carriers and sleeping in beds and so forth, in my mind I thought she was older

I have no idea how 10 weeks came about. I must have had other things going on while I was typing that. It definitely was a typo if anything. I wasn't trying to lie. I have no recollection of even saying what her age was in my original post. I'm so so very sorry. You had it right all along. I don't know what I was thinking. I agree a few weeks does make a big difference. I'm being ultra protective of her because she is so young. In CO towns are pretty spread apart so it can take hours to get from one town to the next. When we need to go to one of the neighboring towns (like today) I never leave her alone. However, since going to the vet she's not fond of car rides to say the least.

Glad to hear little Darla is doing well! As for size, it's hard to tell. I've seen pups go through growth spurts, where one day they seem short and heavy for their age, then they grow a bit and the next week seem taller and lighter. Also heard about the tiniest in the litter growing up to be the largest adult and vice versa.

Geez TxVicki, don't get so upset. :)

Nope not upset at all. But telling other's what to post is not supposed to be done on YT.

Well, making someone feel like a bad person isn't nice.

Dang it, I must have missed the new moderator memo again.

Maybe people need to reference Ann's post on another thread.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/4429853-post36.html

Sara-we are picking up our baby Saturday and she will also be 7 weeks old. The owner has business travel and cannot keep the pups any longer. Can you tell me what to expect those 1st few nights? I feel like one of those "crazy" dog people but I already have purchased so much for her. High quality dog food (should I wet it)?, an airline approved carrier, crate,playpen and yes-a dog stroller. I am so worried about hypoglocemia that I want her with me as much as possible. we lost our first and only yorkie several years ago and I cannot go through that again. Also, I bought the gel to give her once a day to help control her blood sugar. Where did you find the pet insurance? Have you even bothered starting potty training yet? Sorry-I have a thousand questions:)

I don't think anyone really did but I'm sure if any one breaks the rules a moderator will take care it.

I very strongly suggest you do not get the puppy reputable breeders either give up traveling or have a person to stay with the pups. Did your breeder do health and genetic testing? Are her pups AKC registered? Has she been breeding for a long time?

Unfortunately, that is not possible. Adie's litter mates have already gone to their homes. I have, however, seen momma and daddy and they are beautiful, well mannered dogs. If I want her, I have to take her Saturday and I am already head over heals for this pup. I realize the logistics are not perfect, but I believe with the products I have invested in, I can keep her with me and a close eye on her. She has a vet appointment waiting to make sure she gets a clean bill of health.
Any advice on the first few days at home? It would be greatly appreciated!

Keep her warm and keep her quiet. The little ones get hypoglycemic easily if they play too long. Keep visitors to a minimum. Follow up any nutrical with a protein to help prevent rebound hypoglycemia. Be prepared for crying, lots of it; she's going to be scared. If you can, get something with her mama's scent on it to help comfort her. Ask your vet about syringe feeding if she doesn't eat well. A wet food might be easier for her at this stage. No outings until her at least 2 weeks after her vaccines are completed.

Start reading now about socialization. She is going to be at a serious disadvantage because of being separated so early. She will bite. She will have some difficulties with potty training. Just know to expect it and it will help you avoid some frustrations.

Thank you so much!

All her teeth may or may not be in so you might have to soak dry food in hot water for a few minutes then drain it and it will be softer. Keep her warm and away from other places other dogs have been until she has had all of her shots. I would keep her on whatever food the breeder is using for a month or so to much change can be rough on them. If she starts pooing blood, won't eat, or drink get her to the vet ASAP they can go down hill very fast. I would be prepared for socialization and bite inhibition issues. Make sure you have a closed in safe place to put her when you can not watch her. It would also be best not to leave her alone for anymore then an hour. I would not start shots until 8 weeks old.

Are you referring to Nutrical? A daily dose does not help control blood sugar. Although many breeders and people recommend scheduled doses of it, this is not necessary. It really is for when the dog is actually exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. Also, it must be followed up with a protein, a little real food (I think within 20 -30 minutes?) or it sets up the pup to relapse faster.

As long as a puppy is eating well, a dose of Nutrical is not necessary. I never had to use it.

I grew up with family members that raised show dogs for many years. They always kept their pups until they were 12 weeks old. The weren't small breed dogs either. Once in a while they would let one go at 10 weeks if it appeared ready to go and it was going to a pet home.

Animal behaviorists have found that the puppy is more ready emotionally and physically to leave the littler at 12 weeks of age. At 12 weeks they start to become more independent of the other litter members. They may start to sleep in an area away from the pack if it is warm enough. They do become more adventurous at that age and so the trauma of leaving their only known surroundings has less of an impact on them.

Certainly most pups are physically able to survive away from the mom at 6 weeks but it is not the best for the mom or the babies. When the mom is ready to start weaning the pups she will start spending less time with them and will show them when they are misbehaving. The pups also teach each other when one bites too hard but to me the most important thing is the well being of the pup. When it leaves the pack too soon it is very difficult on the little one and that is why new owners have a crying puppy for several weeks after they bring a young one home. They tend to regress as far as social development and potty training is far, far from being accomplished.

Physically a puppy is unable to control the bladder and bowel habits until it is 16 weeks old and that is just the start. Of course you have to train your pup despite the fact that they can't really hold it but you really have to keep them very close to the potty until the muscles mature that control those things.

Over 20 years ago I bred and showed purebred Himalayan cats. It was standard practice even back then to keep kittens until they were 12 weeks old. For one thing you can't really evaluate the quality of the baby until at least that age or older and we also wanted our kittens to go to their new home at a time when they were at a point where they were ready to explore their new world without being traumatized.

I have always known of people who sold or gave away pups much younger than that. I feel for the pups but the owners are also in for many weeks of dealing with a puppy that needs extra TLC. Some people are willing to do that while others don't have the time to sit and cuddle a pup that misses it's litter mates and needs the extra warmth of a warm body in order to sleep soundly.

If you are planning on getting a young pup please be prepared to give that puppy the care it would hopefully get with it's litter. Keep it extra warm and cuddled, make sure the food is soft enough for the pup to easily chew and make sure it is actually eating as much as it should. With small breed pups you have the possibility of hypoglycemia that can actually kill a puppy. Have a great deal of patience with the pup because it cannot help having accidents on your floor.

Don't let your puppy chew on your hands or any part of your body. it is a normal desire for a young pup but unless you want that bad habit throughout their lifetime now is the time to put a stop to it. Most people like to wave their hands in front of a puppy and play wrestle but you have to teach that pup that you are not another puppy that it can roughhouse with.

This isn't meant to put any new owner down. It's just some of what I have learned over the years from some very fine professionals and I hope it will help others to see why some consider it important to keep a puppy with the litter until around 12 weeks.

I will add this: one of the reasons that some breeders want to sell a pup at 6 weeks is because that is when the pup starts eating food and that is also when the mom stops cleaning up after the puppies. It is a lot of work to clean up after a litter of puppies several times a day, as any new owner can testify with even one! It takes some true dedication to do that and to spend the time socializing the pups from the day they are born.

I am sure you will find more breeders selling the younger pups than the ones that keep them and work with them. It's everyone's right to choose but these are just some of the facts.