I just got a Yorkie! I need help/advise?!!!!!

[Blue gumdrops]

I received a male 6 week old Yorkie and we named him champion lol. Well when we picked him up his previous owner told us he drinks warm milk and he eats Cesar savory which is okay. Well the Cesar he likes and it's actually a dog food that he can eat for now since he hasn't gotten his teeth grown in. Anyway I googled if milk is okay to drink and I guess not? What should I give him to drink? Or do dogs just eat? Idk I'm sorry this is the first time that a dog is my responsibility and I'm trying to make this the home for him. He is so small he's the height of my pinkie and I'm a female. Our house is kinda chilly and I ready that Yorkies don't have fire but they have hair and only have 1 coat and champ was shivering and trembling since its kinda cold in my house. We put blankets on him but he moves around a lot so we turned on the heater so he's at least warm. He isn't trembling or shaking after that. But about every hour at night he would sleep wake up and start whining. I think it was because he he to pee because I picked him up and put him down and he peed. So he knows to tell us when he has to go. But My mom said she wants to keep him indoors because he's just a baby and he's so small. She fears he will get sick but since he isn't potty trained we're going to house train him and eventually buy pads. Should I start him now? Or around what age should I start potty training him? I would also like to know the difference when he's hungry and when he's just whining because he just likes to get picked up and put onto our bed. I always assume that when he whines it's because he's hungry since he starts licking my fingers along with my sisters. Or is that him just being friendly? Another thing I want to address is that he's been biting my sister, my blanket, his self and I. It doesn't hurt because he doesn't has teeth but I would like to know if it's because he doesn't like us and he's trying to show us that it if he's just teething and we should buy him a toy or something to chew. If anyone could answer my questions and not leave anything out that would be great oh and his claws or nails are kinda sharp and get stuck on his bed along with my shirts. Idk where to stop cutting. Should I get his done by a vet or should I do it myself?how much does it cost for that alone? And with grooming his hair isn't long but I read that grooming is essential fora Yorkie so is it fine to brush his hair with a regular brush or is there a specific brush for it? Anyways I'm sorry to waste anyone's time but this is to make sure he has the best care

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and welcome to YT .

Given your family's inexperience, I'm *very* concerned over this tiny, tiny young one being with you. This puppy should not have been taken from its Momma yet - it's too young....WAY too young. Yorkie puppies should be kept with their Momma's until they are twelve weeks old, not only a wee 6 weeks.

So, let me stress...you're in a very precarious situation here that could put this puppy's life in danger. I hope you truly understand this.

Most importantly right now, please find some tiny sweaters to keep him warm. And/or cut up a tube sock and cut 2 holes in it for his front legs and use that for warmth.

Hypoglycemia is a real danger for yorkie puppies, and if that's what's going on when he is shaking - it needs to be treated IMMEDIATELY with Nutrical or Karo syrup, or he could die.

Please get this puppy to the Vet ASAP to be fully checked out and to receive proper medical advice.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by Blue gumdrops

I received a male 6 week old Yorkie and we named him champion lol. Well when we picked him up his previous owner told us he drinks warm milk and he eats Cesar savory which is okay. Well the Cesar he likes and it's actually a dog food that he can eat for now since he hasn't gotten his teeth grown in. Anyway I googled if milk is okay to drink and I guess not? What should I give him to drink? Or do dogs just eat? Idk I'm sorry this is the first time that a dog is my responsibility and I'm trying to make this the home for him. He is so small he's the height of my pinkie and I'm a female. Our house is kinda chilly and I ready that Yorkies don't have fire but they have hair and only have 1 coat and champ was shivering and trembling since its kinda cold in my house. We put blankets on him but he moves around a lot so we turned on the heater so he's at least warm. He isn't trembling or shaking after that. But about every hour at night he would sleep wake up and start whining. I think it was because he he to pee because I picked him up and put him down and he peed. So he knows to tell us when he has to go. But My mom said she wants to keep him indoors because he's just a baby and he's so small. She fears he will get sick but since he isn't potty trained we're going to house train him and eventually buy pads. Should I start him now? Or around what age should I start potty training him? I would also like to know the difference when he's hungry and when he's just whining because he just likes to get picked up and put onto our bed. I always assume that when he whines it's because he's hungry since he starts licking my fingers along with my sisters. Or is that him just being friendly? Another thing I want to address is that he's been biting my sister, my blanket, his self and I. It doesn't hurt because he doesn't has teeth but I would like to know if it's because he doesn't like us and he's trying to show us that it if he's just teething and we should buy him a toy or something to chew. If anyone could answer my questions and not leave anything out that would be great oh and his claws or nails are kinda sharp and get stuck on his bed along with my shirts. Idk where to stop cutting. Should I get his done by a vet or should I do it myself?how much does it cost for that alone? And with grooming his hair isn't long but I read that grooming is essential fora Yorkie so is it fine to brush his hair with a regular brush or is there a specific brush for it? Anyways I'm sorry to waste anyone's time but this is to make sure he has the best care

Please definitely listen to Wylie's mom and any other advice. My little Chewie was 13 weeks when we got her, and even now at 19 weeks, she has trouble regulating temperature. I can't imagine them being allowed to go home SO early!!!! I'm sure he's adorable.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

Please definitely listen to Wylie's mom and any other advice. My little Chewie was 13 weeks when we got her, and even now at 19 weeks, she has trouble regulating temperature. I can't imagine them being allowed to go home SO early!!!! I'm sure he's adorable.

Forgot to add that my little gal does this, too. Biting. She bit too hard a few times but has since resorted to gentle sucking on my two fingers and nibbling on my nails. She'll also do this with her own paws. I don't know enough about dog behavior when separated too young, but I know my cat I rescued from a shelter at 4 months did this on my shirt constantly, and she was taken from her mother too young. I don't know if it's the same with puppies (nursing) I just know my little gal does this when she's being a huge love.

[Magnus]

Magnus came to our family when he was only 4 weeks old. (There were many reasons this happened like my mom was lied to and was told Magnus was 8 weeks old. Unfortunately, we didn't know better.)

Fortunately, Magnus is now a very healthy 7 year old teapot! But the first few month we had him we had to make several trips to the ER and few days of over night stays. Besides the 4K of vet bills, the fear of losing him was just plain nightmare.

Wylie's mom's warning is very real and I hope you take your little one to the vet asap as she advised. PLEASE read all the important stickies! Especially the ones in the Sick/Injured forums. Also, since your Champ is so small, I'd like to suggest you put a sweater on him. You can actually make one out of a sock.

Puppy Sweater : Recycled Socks

How-To: Make a Dog Sweater from a Sock | Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers

Some other things I'd like to suggest:

- Leave food/water out at all times
- Handle his paws as often as you can so he can get used to it
- Don't let him nibble on your hands/fingers (I made this mistake and took forever in correcting it)
- If/when he tries to nibble on anything he shouldn't be, offer him a chew toy instead. Or get a small baby hand towel, soak it in chicken broth (no salt added), and put it in the freezer. The cold will sooth the gum.
- If you haven't already, get a ER kit together or purchase one. (One of the stickies in sick/injured forum) You'll probably need to use them in the future for one reason or another. This can be life saving.

Please keep us posted on how your Champ's doing. Good luck.

[Yorkiemom1]

I will try to answer your questions. I have to say I would LOVE the opportunity to get my hands on the person that dumped this unfortunate enfant on people that have no idea what they were assuming responsibility for. I am prayful this little soul survives.
1) This baby MUST be seen by a vet for an initial check up. NO SHOTS should be given at this age, they will be ineffective as baby is still covered by mommas immunity....hopefully, momma received at least the minimally required vaccinations and medical care any dog is entitled to receive.
2) Vaccinations for this baby should be given by the vet starting at 8 weeks old, and given approximately every 3-4 weeks. Until this baby is completely vaccinated at 14 weeks of age, you MUST NOT expose this baby to ANYONE outside the home......parvo disease is rampant in public and if the baby gets parvo, I think it safe to say it will die. Wash your hands before handling this enfant....do not handle other dogs of any kind, any place, and then handle this baby...you will transfer germs from whatever YOU have handled and been exposed to, to this defenseless baby.
3) You MUST buy the book, "Yorkies For Dummies"....it is a GREAT book that covers probably everything you are going to need to know for the well being of this baby. This book is available on Amazon.com, as well as any pet store. I have been doing this for over 25 years and I just had to replace my book it was so worn....you will NEED this book for reference for the life of that baby.
4) FOOD/EATING: This is a tiny baby....this baby DRINKS MILK! NOT cow milk....warm puppy formula .....it comes in a can....I recommend Just Born puppy milk....this baby should still be nursing from its momma....offer this warmed puppy formula at least every 2-3 hours....that is how often it would be nursing from momma. Somebody is going to have to feed this baby during the night, at least once.....feed him his warmed formula up until immediately before he goes to bed, once during the night, then first thing in the morning. If this baby's blood sugar drops during the night because he is not fed, he will have seizures and die....he is way to young to go even 4 hours with no food......feed him. Additionally, he needs to be eating puppy food in between the milk feedings. I do not think Cesars is vitamin fortified enough to help this immature baby develop all the muscles and tissue and cells in his tiny little growing body....he needs specific puppy food where the nutritional contents are being supported properly and adequately....I use Royal Canin Starter Mousse for mother and baby dog. Of course, momma is not your problem, but this enfant is, and you MUST provide the very best chance at survival and development for this baby. You may need to offer some of the puppy mousse along with the Cesars.......OMG, I cant believe this is coming from me!.....just be sure he is getting the puppy mousse....it has everything a developing baby requires. Be sure he gets the formula milk at least every 2-3 hours, around the clock....offer the puppy mousse/food
4-5 times a day, between and in addition to the formula feedings. Do NOT give cows milk, dogs do not digest cows milk.....they can drink it and it will keep them alive, but they do not benefit from nutritional value and it will give them diarrhea, which is yet another problem for enfants. Dont go there!!!
5) Next MAJOR problem is the chilly house. Puppies must be kept at an environment of at least 88* at this age or their systems shut down and they do not digest food as their tiny bodies try to regulate their body temp. You must keep this baby warm....not only on heating blankets, but the air temp around him. What do you keep him in??? If he is in a box, make it a tall box, at least 24 inches tall.....18 x 26 inches in length and width and 24 inches tall. Put a heating pad UNDER the box, on the outside of the box, or the babies will get too hot and die. Set the box on top of the heating pad, which you set on LOW....you will put a cotton pillow case inside the box for baby to nest in.....and you will need to throw one of those throw blankets that are heated....you can buy them at Walgreens, Walmart, Target, or on line...used to throw over your legs while you sit and watch TV....you need to throw that over the top of the box at least 1/2 of the box covered by the heated throw.....the temp in the box will reach around 86-88 degrees, and there will be NO drafts across the baby.
6) Mom is absolutely right....he MUST not go outside until he is completely vaccinated or at least 16 weeks old. Wash hands before handling the baby, you would do well to not wear clothes that you have worn where other dogs congregate as you will transfer any germs those dogs are carrying right to your totally defenseless baby, and if this enfant gets parvo, chances are good he will die.
7) You dont even worry about grooming...this baby needs to grow his coat for at least 8 months....that will help him with his own defense against temp changes....grooming is not even on your list of concerns for this baby at this stage!
8) Puppies eat 24 hours a day....you will be getting up during the night to give him his milk formula, warmed....if he eats his puppy mousse during the night, even allow him to lick it from your fingers, that will hold him longer overnight......he needs every bit of the nourishment you can get him to take during these early months....he is growing into what he will eventually be, and you must provide him all the building blocks you can to make him the very best he can be. After 12 weeks of age you dont need to worry about these every 2 hour night time feedings...just like a human baby, this baby requires comfort, love, warmth, reassurance, and food 24/7. When he gets 12 weeks oldm he will be eating kibble on his own, just put food and water in hbis area so he can eat whenever the mood strikes him. After he is a year old, if you want to start feeding 2-3 times a day, that is something you can think about doing....I free feed my dogs, they eat whenever they want, and they each still only consume less than a cup of food in 24 hours.
9) This enfant has been torn from his momma, his source of love and nutrition and protection. That is now YOUR responsibility to provide this to him. Buy pee pads NOW, and put one in the bottom of the box where he is sleeping, on one end of the box. His little bed is on one end of the box, next to his bed (blanket), put his little saucer with ....he will get used to going on the pee pad because it is in the bottom of his box, everywhere he walks is a pee pad. As he gets older, you will move him to a x-pen, where he can walk around and play more....he will have his bed in one corner, and you line the rest of the floor in the x-pen with his pee pads, and he will get very familiar with pee pads and as he gets older, you decrease the area in the bottom of the x-pen where you end up with maybe half the bottom of the pen has pee pad in ithe has always gone on the pee pad, so he will continue to go to the pee pad, even as the area decreases.... When he gets 4 months old, he will automatically go to the pee pad because he has grown up on the pee pad!
10) He needs toys to chew on as he will be teething and his gums are sore....dont worry about "biting" he is trying to sooth teeth breaking through sore gums....allow this! This is NORMAL behavior and should NOT be corrected. When he gets to be 12 weeks or older, then you may start to "correct" biting behavior....this is not really biting, it is playing and learning textures and different senses through his mouth....you should NOT curtail this behavior as this is how he learns about his environment. GENTLE correction by providing other chew options is what you need to be doing at 12 weeks of age.....not fussing or hollering at him, just hand him a chew toy or one of those big soft cotton ropes they love to chew on....

This get you up to 12 weeks old...we will be in contact again by then. Good luck and remember, YOU are now this baby's sole chance at survival.....his only chance at growing into the very best he can be. Buy that book I told you to get and start reading....that will help you remember/answer your questions, and you can always come back here and ask....but you have to do your own VALID research, because you can get responses from people that really have no idea what they are doing but they want to help you....it may just not be the best or correct way to do it. READ, READ, READ, but it must be Yorkie specific information.!!!

[margiepickens]

Yoriemom knows what she's talking about. Best to take her advice on everything she says. She is a wealth of knowledge you can't get anywhere else.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I will try to answer your questions. I have to say I would LOVE the opportunity to get my hands on the person that dumped this unfortunate enfant on people that have no idea what they were assuming responsibility for. I am prayful this little soul survives.
1) This baby MUST be seen by a vet for an initial check up. NO SHOTS should be given at this age, they will be ineffective as baby is still covered by mommas immunity....hopefully, momma received at least the minimally required vaccinations and medical care any dog is entitled to receive.
2) Vaccinations for this baby should be given by the vet starting at 8 weeks old, and given approximately every 3-4 weeks. Until this baby is completely vaccinated at 14 weeks of age, you MUST NOT expose this baby to ANYONE outside the home......parvo disease is rampant in public and if the baby gets parvo, I think it safe to say it will die. Wash your hands before handling this enfant....do not handle other dogs of any kind, any place, and then handle this baby...you will transfer germs from whatever YOU have handled and been exposed to, to this defenseless baby.
3) You MUST buy the book, "Yorkies For Dummies"....it is a GREAT book that covers probably everything you are going to need to know for the well being of this baby. This book is available on Amazon.com, as well as any pet store. I have been doing this for over 25 years and I just had to replace my book it was so worn....you will NEED this book for reference for the life of that baby.
4) FOOD/EATING: This is a tiny baby....this baby DRINKS MILK! NOT cow milk....warm puppy formula .....it comes in a can....I recommend Just Born puppy milk....this baby should still be nursing from its momma....offer this warmed puppy formula at least every 2-3 hours....that is how often it would be nursing from momma. Somebody is going to have to feed this baby during the night, at least once.....feed him his warmed formula up until immediately before he goes to bed, once during the night, then first thing in the morning. If this baby's blood sugar drops during the night because he is not fed, he will have seizures and die....he is way to young to go even 4 hours with no food......feed him. Additionally, he needs to be eating puppy food in between the milk feedings. I do not think Cesars is vitamin fortified enough to help this immature baby develop all the muscles and tissue and cells in his tiny little growing body....he needs specific puppy food where the nutritional contents are being supported properly and adequately....I use Royal Canin Starter Mousse for mother and baby dog. Of course, momma is not your problem, but this enfant is, and you MUST provide the very best chance at survival and development for this baby. You may need to offer some of the puppy mousse along with the Cesars.......OMG, I cant believe this is coming from me!.....just be sure he is getting the puppy mousse....it has everything a developing baby requires. Be sure he gets the formula milk at least every 2-3 hours, around the clock....offer the puppy mousse/food
4-5 times a day, between and in addition to the formula feedings. Do NOT give cows milk, dogs do not digest cows milk.....they can drink it and it will keep them alive, but they do not benefit from nutritional value and it will give them diarrhea, which is yet another problem for enfants. Dont go there!!!
5) Next MAJOR problem is the chilly house. Puppies must be kept at an environment of at least 88* at this age or their systems shut down and they do not digest food as their tiny bodies try to regulate their body temp. You must keep this baby warm....not only on heating blankets, but the air temp around him. What do you keep him in??? If he is in a box, make it a tall box, at least 24 inches tall.....18 x 26 inches in length and width and 24 inches tall. Put a heating pad UNDER the box, on the outside of the box, or the babies will get too hot and die. Set the box on top of the heating pad, which you set on LOW....you will put a cotton pillow case inside the box for baby to nest in.....and you will need to throw one of those throw blankets that are heated....you can buy them at Walgreens, Walmart, Target, or on line...used to throw over your legs while you sit and watch TV....you need to throw that over the top of the box at least 1/2 of the box covered by the heated throw.....the temp in the box will reach around 86-88 degrees, and there will be NO drafts across the baby.
6) Mom is absolutely right....he MUST not go outside until he is completely vaccinated or at least 16 weeks old. Wash hands before handling the baby, you would do well to not wear clothes that you have worn where other dogs congregate as you will transfer any germs those dogs are carrying right to your totally defenseless baby, and if this enfant gets parvo, chances are good he will die.
7) You dont even worry about grooming...this baby needs to grow his coat for at least 8 months....that will help him with his own defense against temp changes....grooming is not even on your list of concerns for this baby at this stage!
8) Puppies eat 24 hours a day....you will be getting up during the night to give him his milk formula, warmed....if he eats his puppy mousse during the night, even allow him to lick it from your fingers, that will hold him longer overnight......he needs every bit of the nourishment you can get him to take during these early months....he is growing into what he will eventually be, and you must provide him all the building blocks you can to make him the very best he can be. After 12 weeks of age you dont need to worry about these every 2 hour night time feedings...just like a human baby, this baby requires comfort, love, warmth, reassurance, and food 24/7. When he gets 12 weeks oldm he will be eating kibble on his own, just put food and water in hbis area so he can eat whenever the mood strikes him. After he is a year old, if you want to start feeding 2-3 times a day, that is something you can think about doing....I free feed my dogs, they eat whenever they want, and they each still only consume less than a cup of food in 24 hours.
9) This enfant has been torn from his momma, his source of love and nutrition and protection. That is now YOUR responsibility to provide this to him. Buy pee pads NOW, and put one in the bottom of the box where he is sleeping, on one end of the box. His little bed is on one end of the box, next to his bed (blanket), put his little saucer with ....he will get used to going on the pee pad because it is in the bottom of his box, everywhere he walks is a pee pad. As he gets older, you will move him to a x-pen, where he can walk around and play more....he will have his bed in one corner, and you line the rest of the floor in the x-pen with his pee pads, and he will get very familiar with pee pads and as he gets older, you decrease the area in the bottom of the x-pen where you end up with maybe half the bottom of the pen has pee pad in ithe has always gone on the pee pad, so he will continue to go to the pee pad, even as the area decreases.... When he gets 4 months old, he will automatically go to the pee pad because he has grown up on the pee pad!
10) He needs toys to chew on as he will be teething and his gums are sore....dont worry about "biting" he is trying to sooth teeth breaking through sore gums....allow this! This is NORMAL behavior and should NOT be corrected. When he gets to be 12 weeks or older, then you may start to "correct" biting behavior....this is not really biting, it is playing and learning textures and different senses through his mouth....you should NOT curtail this behavior as this is how he learns about his environment. GENTLE correction by providing other chew options is what you need to be doing at 12 weeks of age.....not fussing or hollering at him, just hand him a chew toy or one of those big soft cotton ropes they love to chew on....

This get you up to 12 weeks old...we will be in contact again by then. Good luck and remember, YOU are now this baby's sole chance at survival.....his only chance at growing into the very best he can be. Buy that book I told you to get and start reading....that will help you remember/answer your questions, and you can always come back here and ask....but you have to do your own VALID research, because you can get responses from people that really have no idea what they are doing but they want to help you....it may just not be the best or correct way to do it. READ, READ, READ, but it must be Yorkie specific information.!!!

and triple that first statement from me!!

[canana]

Originally Posted by margiepickens

Yoriemom knows what she's talking about. Best to take her advice on everything she says. She is a wealth of knowledge you can't get anywhere else.

I second that. At 6 weeks the little guy is way too vulnerable to be in a home that is inexperienced. You need to follow each and every single step/advice Yorkiemom1 listed for you above.

[chasingbella]

Hope this little one is ok

[lovestiny]

how is this little sweetheart doing? these ladies sure know their stuff, so glad they took the time to write such detailed answers!

[_Chrissy_]

Listen to Wylie's Mom and Yorkie Mom

You will need this community to keep your new baby safe.
Any updates?
Don't be afraid to keep eveyone here up to date. They are trying to help.
You didn't know.
"When you know better, you do better".

[Blue gumdrops]

I can't thank you guys enough for informing me on what to do. Your threads had made me better care for him. We are currently buying him formula milk and better nutritional food. also the Royal Canin Starter Mousse was quite expensive any other recommendations? Anyways we took him to a vet and they told us to give him 1cc of honey or syrup so his blood sugar can go up. He no longer shakes or trembles as we changed the temperature in our house and he seems healthy. He turned 7 weeks today and he's getting his vaccines next week. I am currently trying to potty train him. At times he makes it in the pee pad and others get doesn't, when he does I give him a treat and when he doesn't I just pick it up and clean it. I clean the room every day as it gets dirty.

[4carolyn]

You have been given the best advice in the world. Please do everything these ladies say. Thank God you connected with YT. Praying for you and your puppy. Please update.

[chasingbella]

I am so glad to hear your little guy is doing better....so glad��
Thank you much for the update! In my prayers and please do keep us posted!