Questions, questions
 

I just found out today that I'm getting a little baby boy yorkie so now my head is spinning with questions! lol

I plan to use an expen and I'm thinking of getting a litter box and using wee pads in it. Do you think it's ok to have the litter box in the expen?

It's been a long time since I've had a new puppy, and I know they cry at night in the beginning. This doesn't bother me at all. Since I work in the evenings, I'm up late. Everyone keeps saying "don't put that dog in bed with you!" But, my hubby and I have no problem with him sleeping with us. Is it really so wrong if I cave in and put him in my bed?

If I use the litter box in the expen, will I confuse him if I also take him outside? I want to do everything right and don't want to make things harder for him.

How long should I wait before I start giving him baths, and what should I use? How often should he be bathed?

I've already bought a bed, crate, doggy toothbrush, brush and comb, and a few toys. I'll get the wee pads before I bring him home, but what else will I need right away? He comes with a blanket, toy, bone and Nutrical.

How often do I brush his teeth, and how do I know when to give him the Nutrical?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions, I'm just so excited and want to have everything I need!

Thanks in advance!

Congratulations on your new little guy.

I don't recommend letting him sleep with you till he is relatively potty trained to at least holding it during the night. Otherwise, you may end up with soiled bedding regularly - unless you plan on getting up at least once in the middle of the night to take him to potty.

It is best to decide where you want him to potty. If it is a litter box, then start this right away. If it outside, then start this right away. Pee pads are a great thing to use in the ex-pen and it is possible to train them to use the pee pad and go outside also.

I started giving Sissy baths right away. She was 13 weeks old when I got her. I bathe once a week - that seems to be the most common. She gets combed at least once a day. I started brushing her teeth right away as well. I brush once a week and use the PetzForLife, Life for Teeth gel on the other days.

Nutrical depends on how old he is. If he is eating well, he may not need it. You might want to give it to him once a day just to make sure in the beginning. As he grows older, you want to keep it on hand and use if he has been outside when it is really hot, if he isn't feeling well, or if he isn't eating well.

A couple more chew toys, perhaps something with a rope, are good teethers and can save your furniture and shoes.

That is all I can think of right now. Good luck with him and be sure to post some photos when he comes home!!!

CoNgRaTs on getting a new puppy! How exciting!

I think the set up you describe will be perfect. Are you going to be able to let him out often during the day or is he going to have to stay in the xpen for a large number of hours? If you can let him outside to potty every 2-3 hours, I wouldn't bother even using wee wee pads. On the other hand, if you won't be able to let him out that often, then putting a wee wee pad in the xpen is probably a good idea. The only thing I worry about it being in a litter box is your new puppy may not want to jump in that box. He looks so tiny and the box may intimidate him. I work during the day, so I have a large crate that I put my puppy in. It is basically the same concept as an xpen bc it is large. But I fold a wee wee pad in half and put it in half the crate and then on the other half I have a bed. That way, there is no other place she can go to the bathroom but on the wee wee pad. Then when I'm at home, I make her go potty outside. Eventually I'll take the wee wee pad away altogether. I just don't want to her to potty all in her crate when I'm gone.

I would wait a week to bathe him. You need to let him get adjusted to his new home bf you do something traumatic to him like his first bath. Then bathe him once a week unless he has really dry coat and skin, then I would only do it ever 10-14 days. Make sure you use conditioner! It doesn't really matter what kind.

I don't brush my dogs' teeth, so sorry I can't help you there!

At least the first couple of weeks, I would give him NutriCal every 2-3 hours. These dogs are VERY susceptible to hypoglocemia, so you need to pay close attention to him to make sure that he is eating regularly and eating well. Then supplement his diet with NutriCal. If he won't eat it on his on off your finger, you will need to rub it on his gums or on the roof of his mouth. If you give him NutriCal regularly, he will not have a hypoglocemic attach.

If you have anymore questions, just let me know! :D I know it is such an exciting time and I'm sure you'll have lots of questions! You can do a search for anything here on YT and I am sure it's been discussed. You can find out TONS of info just by doing a search.

GOOD LUCK!

RLC, I'll be home with him all day since I work in the evenings, which works out great. I'll be able to keep a close eye on him and take him out often. How often do you think I should take him out? My hubby and son are home in the evenings, so someone will always be there for him. I don't think he'll have to spend alot of time in the expen, only at night. I'm up late, so I'll be able to take him out during the night too. My shift works out great for having a new puppy!:)

I would take him out every 2 hours at first. I would increase it by 1 hour every week. If he goes potty in between times to go out, then decrease it an hour. Take him out right after he wakes up, right after playing, and about 30-45 minutes after eating and/or drinking. Once you get him, you'll get a general idea of how often and when he needs to go out.

OH, and I forgot to comment on the most important part of your thread...sleeping in the bed with you! :p Both of my yorkies have slept in the bed with us since the day they came home! I think it really helps with potty training, too, bc if he wakes up you'll know and you can immediately take him out to potty! Just make sure you or your husband one are a light sleeper so you'll know when he wakes up. He will go potty on your bed if you don't take him outside if he wakes up. Just be prepared for the first 2 weeks or so to take him out a couple of times every night. My girl, Hootie, is 12 weeks old now and she can hold it until around 5:00 am most nights.

Thanks so much, you've been a big help!! I'm a pretty light sleeper, so I'm sure I'd hear him if he wakes up. The whole house could fall down and hubby would never know lol. Since I don't get home from work until 1:00a.m., I'm usually up until about 3:00 so I'd take him out right before I go to bed and then again when he wakes up. Thanks again!!:)

Sounds perfect! Let me know if you have anymore questions! Just make sure he eats (I would say every 3 hours or so) and give him that Nutrical every 3 hours, too! The first couple of nights you have him, wake up and give him Nutrical throughout the night, too (every 3 hours). It's better to be safe than sorry. Hypoglocemia is just such a huge threat to these little guys when they are so little.

Should he eat every 3 hours through the night too?

I think just giving him NutriCal during the night is enough. That is what I did with both of mine. Make sure he eats before bed and first thing in the AM, though. You should only have give hin NutriCal during the night for the first week...until he gets used to his new home. Stress is one thing that can bring on an attack. Nutrical prevents this.

aww, dontcha just love em all to peices. Congratulations on your little boy. I am not much on giving advice as Kizzy was my first yorkie and I got her in March and got Kacee today so I'm learning as I go also. such a pretty little guy too.

I say let him sleep in your bed... he is so used to snuggling with his mommy that it will make him feel secure, since his is an only child and all. ;) He will come home with a pamplet explaining signs of low glucose levels... but giving it to him every morning and evening would probably be a good idea. Im here for any other questions you have... my little guys stay in their crates when im not at home and they love them (prob cause they get treats when they go in them...lol)! I also keep a blanket in one half and potty pad in the other when they are younger since its kinda hard to "hold it" when they are so young. It seems to help them know to go on it when they are out of their cages as well... for me at least. You will be just fine, ask as many ?s as you need but i think you will be just fine!

Your little guy is adorable!!! I feel your excitment!!!!I have a new furbaby coming in 2 WEEKS!!!!! Words of caution before you let him sleep with you.
1. He will never want to sleep in his own bed again.
2. He could fall off the bed and get injured
3. I know a woman who fell asleep with her 8 week old yorkie by her side on the couch. The pup slid done between her and the couch and suffocated..

Sadie does sleep with us but she is 2 1/2 years old and can get out of the way if she is feeling squashed...MO but, I would have him sleep in a crate until he is older...

Good luck with you new baby....What's his name?

Thanks Brenda! His name is Jake.