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Lessons Learned the Hard WAy... We need a "New Puppy Owners" catagory and list the most common causes of accidental deaths. Mocha, Matty and Molly all lost their lifes to accidents that have happened to my Yorkies...but I was so lucky to have reacted, found or seen it before they were injured or died. Perhaps we can each add a potential danger we have encountered raising our babies. Be so careful of leaving collars ot harnesses on a penned pet. In fact I do not allow mine to wear a collar or harness in the house. I found one hanging from a collar many years ago and found her just in time. Put pad locks on your gates..In the past I have had persons open my gate and all my Yorkies went flying in 10 different directions. I got a lock and hung the key on a peg next to the gate inside..Yes, it is a pain..but I no longer had any unwanted guests open my gates. Never allow a Yorkie near a front door that leads to the street..I do not care if they have never run out. My 3rd Yorkie, Candy never left house, hated it outside..one day she bolted out the front door and ran across the street, a car came within inches of hitting her. I put up gates at the family room and a portable gate across the entry..a pain in the neck...I climbed across gates for 25 years, fell across them a few times, but no one ever ran out again. You have to remember I raise pups and someone is always looking for an escape route. Please add anything you think helpful...I am just so sad today for everyone. |
I think another good one would be to ALWAYS watch where you step and make sure others are constantly watching out for you baby so not to step on them. These babies are so small and quick they can get under your feet and you won't even realize it. Also when your holding them make sure you've got a good grip on them because the second your not paying attention they may see something they won't and try to bolt from your arms not realizing how far off the ground the are. Nala has done this many times luckily I've always had a good hold on her. |
And purses! Keep them off of the floor. The little rascals can get into all kinds of trouble chewing what they find in your purse. |
Routinely go through toys and chews...I go through Maximus' s toys once a week...and he is not allowed to have an edible nylabone other then when I am looking...when I have to leave or it is bedtime they are put away...he is ONLY allowed to chew them on my lap or on top of the couch that way I know WHERE it is and he can't hide it on me and find it later if it is chewed down (possibel choking). The crumbs can be easily dirt deviled up. Also don't leave things they can reach to close to the counter where they can climb up and get them and never leave plastic bags around..they can suffocate (I know someone who this happened too). Also read up and know what foods are TOXIC for your dog...ignorance is NO excuse and it only takes a few minutes and it is our responsibility if we are going to give them table food to know what they can or can't eat safely...if you are in doubt DONT' FEED IT....and most of all watch your babies and keep them safe as possible, accidents happen and all we can do is try to be as preventative as possible!! |
If you have pools or ponds, keep an eye glued to your baby. If not, you better have him/her in a life jacket. In the car, secure them to where they won't get slammed into a wind shields or floor boards, should you have to make a quick stop. Carseats go a long way for security. Keep a first aid kit stocked just for them. You never know when you may have to give them emergency treatment for a wasp sting, snake bite, choking, etc. Consider yourself "First Response", before you make that quick trip to the emergency room. These babies are so much like a human child that it's almost scary. |
Know what plants are poisonous and make sure they're not around! Here is a list from my breeder's website: http://yorkiecity1.com/poison.shtml |
Thank you, Pat, for posting this. I think that everyone here at YT have learned something new from loosing these babies. |
Thanks pat this is a good post and reminder. My front gate is wide enough at the bottom for Jewels to get out. Im gonna fix it asap. These recent tragedies have really spooked me. |
Never use a cardboard box to put your puppy in. I had a friend who lost a puppy who was kept in a cardboard box until she could get a crate. The puppy jumped up and was choked to death in a crack of the box. She was devestated as were we all. Always use a crate for your little one. |
This is a good thread and this site has another with many dangers posted and I'll search for it .....this time - I think we can make a New Puppy Owners Guide to Safety for this site...I had offered to do it before after a friend lost her yorkie to a dryer...another to a pond....and I didn't - now I feel like I should have and apologise for that.... Found it - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ht=safety+tips 5+ pages of safety tips from members ....I'll print these out and we can incorporate this thread wilh your thread Pat...good post and we can't be too careful in life with these babies...things you never expect can be a big danger to them |
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Thank you so much everyone for all the tips. :thumbup: |
Training I think training is key.... There is a common misconception that because yorkies are so tiny and have such cute, "strong-willed" personalities that we don't have to train them. We even joke that they have us trained. :D The sooner a dog learns the basic commands the happier and safer that dog is. A dog who responds immediately to come and stay is a safer dog. Thanks for starting the thread Pat! |
This may not work for everyone but for some it might. I watched a program on doggy daycare and at their door they had white picket fencing on the inside so the dogs couldn't get out. I guess it enclosed an area of 4 or 5 feet square and it had a gate so a human could go through to get to the door but dogs couldn't...it just gives that 'safe zone' between them and the front door. Also, be careful about the raised dog dishes. Boog had the stainless steel ones that sat in a frame and somehow his name tag got stuck between the frame and the dish and he couldn't get loose. I never kept his collar on him after that unless we were going for a walk. Tags can also get caught in registers and air vents. |
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Another GREAT post - I'm going to print and add your posts of the dangers to small breed in one GREAT Safety Tip Document - Way to share and good tips ...these weren't in the other thread ! |
When walking your Yorkie , take them in your arms when a big dog is approaching . Yesterday I almost lost Zsa Zsa and Jade when a guy said attack to his big dog . |
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Thanks Pat! And all the others who have contributed. I am a new Yorkie mom again(I had a Yorkie for 17 years before she died). As many of you know, I got General Patton a little over a week ago. I have just read this thread, along with the previous post earlier this month that Villette just put forth. This is so helpful! I will re-read it b/c there is so much information. I just want to THANK YOU for all your love and contributions to each of us in being as prepared as we can know to be. Thanks again, ~Bella, General Patton, & Maria~ |
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This morning little Zsa Zsa was afraid of going out , The minute I went outside , she start shaking and peed on me , Jade was just like " ok , lets go for another adventure ". I stopped her in her track . |
Lets not forget keeping electrical cords covered or out of reach. I have one area that Mignon can get to and I have caught her a couple of times going for the cords. Also open lofts and stairs. if you cant block them Plexi glass works very well. And rawhide, pigs ears and all those chewies that can get lodged in a puppies or small dogs throat. |
That's a good point too diva pup and don't forget phone wires too. Jo is bad about getting behind my desk and there are so many cables and wires back there but when we move I'll set things up differently. Jo is so tiny that he can get into just about anything...people come in my house and probably think I'm a nut or something because I have towels and baby blankets stuffed in some strange places! I guess I look at it like this...if you think it can't happen it probably can so be prepared just in case. I do plan to do the picket fence area at my front door...too many little ones getting out or stolen to take the chance. Oh and Villette...thank you...I hope all this information can be posted in a prominant place on YT so it's easy to find for everyone...even us 'seasoned' Yorkie owners because I think reminders are good for everyone. |
Thank you all for the safety information... also make sure your cords for any blinds you have are in a child safety roll up deal... my son decided to take ours off to open the blind up and forgot to reroll it up... my puppy and cat were right there tugging on it in a blink of an eye. They could easily get choked from that. |
When u take ur yorkie/s near water or on a boat, put life jackets on them, a few weeks ago Chelsey followed Dounia our ( lab ) and jumped in the water after her, at first we didnt even see her until Dounia got out and kept looking in the water and made us wonder why?! there we found Chelsey battling to keep her nose above water! When ur baby is in a purse, make sure he/she is leashed up to the harness, they can jump out the purse or some sicko can pull them out while u doing ur shopping! When ur baby/s are out in the garden, keep a close eye on them, Chanel found a way through to the neighbours garden last week ( she decided to explore the world ) i was running around franticly calling her knowing they have a huge pond in their garden, thank god my neighbour was home and shouted to me that she was there! Teach ur baby NOT to accept any treat from a stranger, like we teach our children ( we never know what they give them ) there are some screwed up ppl out there, also teach them NOT to pick up anything off the ground! With small pups and hot weather, be careful with hot tar roads and pavements, they can burn their little feet! Same goes for cold weather, these little ones can freeze their little feet in snow and ice! Check toys regularly and it cant harm to disinfect them from time to time, specially if theres been other puppies at ur house to play, soft toys can easly be washed in the washing machine! Dont leave ur pup unattended on the couch or beds these babies are fragile, if they jump off they can easly break something and get hurt badly! Same goes for stair climbing! I DONT let any children under the age of 12 handle my babies, when my 13 year old holds one, i ask him to hold them with both hands! I might be obsessed, but i do know that accidents hide in little corners!! |
safety If I was a newbie getting a puppy I would be scared silly reading these posts...truly you do not have to be paranoid, just cautious the first 6 months or so. Knowledge is power to prevent sorrow for us. RECLINERS are another problem for puppies..has anyone mentioned them? A few have had their necks broken when the person did not realize they were under the foot rest. I had a pup crawl inside and I hunted for that stinky for a hour..at one point I about decided to wait until it grew up and would be easier to find. |
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Thank you for this post and everyone's input. I think we can save some lives this way. |
Also be sure not to leave plastic bags on the floor. They can choke on them just like kids (and many dogs stick their head in plastic bags looking for treats). |
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