Pup being weaned to puppy chow soaked in whole milk?
 

I am getting my yorkie in 2 weeks. She will be 8 weeks old. I know there are a lot of differences in opnion of being let go at 8 weeks, however, the reason I have chosen this breeder is because I am close with two seperate individuals that got their yorkies from her and have had great success with health and temperment. They are 6 weeks old tomorrow and she told me she was starting to wean them this week and that she weans them to dry puppy food soaked in whole milk. I was kind of hoping they would be on straight dry, is this normal and does this mean I am going to have a hard time getting her off the milk mixed in?

THANKS!!!

Please please let your yorkie stay with there mom until 12 weeks it is best for the puppy. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America says 12 weeks as well.

welcome & congrats

well , when you bring them home make sure you feed the same brand of dry food. you do not want to change foods ,it could cause serious digestive issues. i would just slowly wean them off the milk mixed with it if the breeder hasn't already done so.

This may not be a matter of "let your Yorkie stay with the breeder"....the "BREEDER" may NOT want to keep the Yorkie that long...$$$$ the longer you keep them...vaccinations, well baby checks, etc...plus the hassle of doing all that weaning stuff...better to send it off to a novice new owner and let HER deal with it......:mad::mad::thumbdown UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! REPUTABLE?????? NOT!!!

Weaning Pup on Whole Milk
 

Please dont give them whole milk. They need a formula or goat's milk. Whole milk will give them diarrhea and strip their little intestines. You dont want to start off like that.

Yeah I have a feeling this person knows she's getting her pup from a bad breeder.

I agree not whole milk. When I was weaning my pups I crushed the kibble and mixed with warm water. I know some use puppy formula or goats milk.

Dogs are not suppose to have cow's milk. It is not good for them and can make them sick. I hope you heard her wrong and that she is using a suitable puppy milk replacement to mix in with the dry dog food.

Also, toy breeds should stay with their mother and siblings for 12 weeks for their own benefit. They learn proper doggie manners and socialization from them, not to mention the health benefits from staying with their mother for a few weeks longer.

I have a feeling you know this but are just going to ignore it because you want a puppy so bad. Be prepared for lots of behavioral problems if you get a yorkie puppy at 8 weeks old as well as possible health problems like hypoglycemia. Tiny puppies can die if left alone for hours while your at work if no one is around to monitor their food/sugar intake.

Whole milk?? That seems so odd =/ It's hard when you want a puppy so badly, I would know, but please think twice before working with this breeder. It seems very, very shady.

I am sorry....I had a rush of RAGE, not directed to you the eager, innocent, taken advantage of, thrilled with her new baby Yorkie buyer, but the "breeder" that is doing this not only to YOU, but to that baby she is responsible for bringing into this world and now, putting her in an unsafe environment....that gets on the fighting side of me instantaneously.
Do NOT use whole milk, or cows milk!!! Use puppy formula or goats milk, as already said. Make CERTAIN this baby is eating...you may very well encounter hypoglycemia issues if the baby is not eating around the clock. Have Nutra-Cal on hand...what SHOTS has this "breeder" started the baby on, or is she coming to you with only one set of shots....what about worming program??...she will be very susceptable to PARVO, AND PARVO IS RAMPANT HERE IN HOUSTON...DO NOT TAKE THAT BABY ANYWHERE IN PUBLIC UNTIL SHE IS COMPLETELY VACCINATED!!! When you go to the vet....do NOT allow that baby to walk around on the floor...do NOT allow other people to walk over and touch and hold and pet your completely vulnerable enfant!!! I am sorry....I have to stop and breathe now....

So who is the breeder you are getting your pup from?

Thats not rage, its the truth, great post(s)...ITS ALL ABOUT THE PUPS!!

I just feel its important to mention that because this breeder is not doing what is best for the pups she probably doesn't do genetic testing on the parents, breed to standard or really care what happens to these pups which could cause you to end up with a sick pup, a lot of expenses and much heartbreak.

Wow!

I see the people on this forum are quite abrasive.

It's not that I am in a huge hurry to get a puppy. In fact, I have been waiting two months for this litter, and I'm sure as you all know, I could go online right now and find a Yorkie for sell in Houston, that I could pick up today if I wanted. Who I have chosen to get a puppy from happens to let her pups go at 8 weeks, so that is why I am getting one at 8 weeks.

The reason I chose this individual to get a puppy from is because I am FRIENDS with several people that have gotten their Yorkies from her and have had GREAT luck with temperment, health, training- the whole 9 yards. Infact, one of them is getting another one out of the same litter I am. I happen to feel more comfortable getting a dog from someone I know has had success with getting theirs from the same place.

She is not a mass production breeder. She is more of an individual that has bred her family pets a couple of times. I know people slam this as well- but I don't, as I bred my German Shepherds in the same manner, once, and placed 8 puppies in great homes of owners that I still keep in touch with, 4 years later- who tell me him/her is the healthiest dog they have ever had.

As far as the 8 weeks of age is concerned, I don't see a problem with this. I know plenty of people with small dogs, that got their dogs at 8 weeks. My mother got her Maltese at 8 weeks- had not issues. My cousin got her Shorkie at 8 weeks, also no issues. I have another friend who got her Yorkie at 8 weeks (from a different breeder than I) that had no issues, and the list goes on and on- so I have a hard time making THAT big of a deal over it.

I appreciate all the responses that actually addressed the whole milk question. I will be double checking with the breeder, and do not intend to continue the milk mixing once I get her.

I agree with the others about the milk. It tends to upset dogs' intestinal tracts. Yorkies tend to have sensitive digestive tracts anyway so if the breeder does have the pup on cow's milk, you will want to stop that right away. If pup needs the food moistened, use warm water. Then gradually lessen the amount of water until pup is eating dry food. Definitely make sure the little one is eating often. These little guys' blood sugar dropping can be a serious problem. I would not change foods until your baby is used to dry only and has settled into his new home. Then, choose a high quality food and make the switch very slowly.

Are you getting a male or female? Any name picked out yet?