When Your Puppy Comes Home....
Congratulations, you have started on a new lifelong journey with a new and dear friend. The first few days at the puppies new home will be very stressful for him. He misses his breeder, his mom and the littermates. He is also in a brand new environment with tons of new smells, sights and sounds, as well as a whole new set of rules to learn. Puppies will need a few days to settle in to the home and your normal family routine. Please limit outside visitors during these precious few days. Also limit trips out as they have so much to process at this point. Socialization is a prime importance in your puppies life and you will have more then enough time to do that. Just take the first few days or so to get to know your puppy and give him time to get to know you. Yes do take your pup to the vet, as soon as you can get them in for the vet to clear him as healthy. Play with him, introduce him to little areas of your home at a time. This is also a great time to set up a housebreaking schedule. Puppies will still need plenty of sleep time as well and most reputable breeders have started puppies on crate training and introducing the crate as a bed. Be sure to feed them a quality food and it is recommended to leave them on the food the breeder was using for at least the first few weeks. Your Puppy will need a puppy formulated food until they are at least 1 year of age or your vet says otherwise. This is a good time to get the entire family together to discuss the new rules for the puppy so everyone understands and is on the same page. If the puppy has a potty accident and you didn't see it, just clean it up and take the pup outside. Don't say anything to them as they will not relate the accident to what you are saying. It is done and over with in his mind. If you do catch him in the act, they carefully swoop him up and take him out saying Outside! Then praise and treat when they do good where they are suppose to go. Don't ever tie them out or leave them alone outside they are so small and have no way of defending themselves. Even if they do think they are 100lbs of pure terror, that attitude can and often does get them in trouble..
Now the first few days are gone by and puppy is use to his new home and family. If your puppy is up to date on his vaccinations then this is a good time to start taking them for walks, rides in the car and other places. The more people and different environments they encounter the more rounded they will be as adults. Make his activities fun, and reward with small amounts of a special treat. Caution to much treats can upset their tummies. If something scares him it is okay to reassure the pup ("It's Okay" and then go on) but don't baby him and don't make a big fuss. You will reinforce the scared reaction, which is something you don't want to do.
Please puppy proof your home before they come and always be aware of dangers to them. Electric cords need to be up and out of reach. Stairs and open foyers will need to be gated off for awhile. No recliners in use while puppy is in the room. String, tiny toys, and other things along those lines need to be put up. If you have a gravel drive or gravel patio area outside be sure to watch them carefully so they don't eat the gravels. This all can cause intestinal blockages.
Enjoy your new puppy!!!!!!!!!
First thing is a vet appointment for you puppy, then......
1. A crate or pet taxi small enough for him to stand up and turn around. Any bigger will leave room for him to mess. Great for bed time, trips to the vet, assisting with housetraining and travel. Excercise Pen is great for if you work a normal work day and can't come home for lunch to let the puppy out for a potty break. Puppies should never be left in a crate longer then 4 -5 hours during the day.
2. Food bowl and water dish. Perferably ceramic or stainless steel. As plastic scratches which can harbor odors and bacteria.
3. Quality food. Be sure to ask your breeder what the puppy was eating.
4. Medical records to take to your vet with your puppy for their check up.
5. Leash, collar, or harness.
6. Toys, chews for play and treats for training.
7. Potty pads, or newspaper for housebreaking, or litter box.
8. Puppy shampoo, conditioner, towels, brush, comb and nail clippers.
9. A first aide kit with your vets number taped or written on cover. Canine Basic First Aide Kit should have these items in it
10. Puppies will need rest ad sleep breaks during the day.
11. Most of all they will need your undivided loving patience as they get to learn you and your home.
12. Baby toothbrush, guaze or finger brush to brush his teeth, Pet toothpaste. DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE!!!!!!!!!!
ThingsYour Puppy Will Need.....
Food & Nutrition
Yorkies are a small dog with high nutritional needs and tiny mouths. They need a quality food high in nutrition to support coat growth, skin and pack energy into their little bodies.
We recommend feeding your yorkshire terrier a good premium nutritionally balance dry kibble. The hard kibble will aid in keeping their teeth clean and strong. Foods that are recommended are Nutro natural choice, Natural Balance Ultra Premium, Candidae, Timber Wolf, and Eukanuba Yorkshire Terrier. We do not recommend canned foods.
We recommend it is best not to feed a department store brand of food for your yorkie. Some of those foods are Purina dog chow, and Pedigree to name s few. They are lower in nutrition, and have lower quality ingredients with fillers and additives.
Feeding:
We use Nutro Natural Choice Puppy small bites for our puppies. The puppies are free fed, meaning food is available at all times to them. It is best to keep treats and people food to a minium so the puppy will not become a fussy eater. Keep fresh drinking water available at all times.
Treats:
No table scraps or junk food!!!!!!, and very little treats. We use small milk bones broke in half as a treat once a day. I will also give small pieces of Natural Balance Lamb Food Roll as bait when working with a young pup with grooming, lead training or socializing, this is actually a food item so it is okay. I also will give about a tbsp of plain yogurt twice a day, it is great for helping to keep the tummy calm during transistion into their new home. No natural bones, beef, pork, or chicken especially!!!! They can break teeth, splinter off and cause other problems for your yorkie. Just don't Give them Period!!
Bully sticks are fine as long as you are around to watch them. Throw them away when they get around 2 to 3 inches long. You can get bullysticks at http://www.bullysticks.com
An important thing to consider is adding supplements to your dogs food. My thoughts on that are most quality foods contain all the nutrients and minerals they need, so vitamins and supplements should NOT be unnecessary. I personally only supplement a puppy if the vet tells me I need to. Too much of a good thing can be dangerous.
Fun & Activities with your Yorkie
Most Petsmart Stores have Puppy socialization, and basic obedience Classes, Vet offices should be able to give information on good classes in your area. Look into your area kennel club for activities and training classes offered.
Odedience: Yorkies can compete for a number of titles
CD Companion Dog
CDX Companion Dog Excellent
UD Utility Dog
UDX Utility Dog Excellent
OTCH Odedience Trail Champion
You yorkie will go through a number of exercises, like sit, stay, come, heel on command in the novices classes. Other more advanced classes include jumping, and scenting.
Good Canine Citizen Test
If your yorkie successfully completes this test they will earn their GCC award. These are basic exercises that are a part of everyday living. This is a great way to get out and learn to enjoy activities with your dog. Also some landlords are asking for
these cerificates as it shows them that you have taken a responsible and positive step in creating a home friendly pet.
Pet Therapy
You and your Yorkie may enjoy being a pet therapy dog. Pet therapy dogs visit nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, group homes, counseling centers and schools. Yorkies can be great at this since they can be less intimidating then larger breeds to some people. Most of these facilities require your yorkie to be tested and registered through a Pet Therapy Organization.
Agility
There is nothing more beautiful and entertaining then watching a yorkie go through the agility course. They are so happy and eager, it seems they are custom made for these events.
Conformation
Conformation is actually having your yorkie evaluated by a judge as to which dog that day is closest to the breeds standard. The yorkie ring can be fun, but it is a tough ring to be in. The grooming and competition is intense. It takes years of dedication to grow a show coat and to continue keeping the yorkie in show condition. Lots of socialization and training are also required. Conformation shows are to judge a breeders breeding stock to the breeds standard.
There are many other activities that your yorkie will enjoy, the possiblities are numerous since the yorkie is so big in heart.
Flyball, Rally, Tracking, Agility, earthdog activities are to name a few other.
Yorkie Meetups: Ocassionally there are national and area Yorkie Meetups
YOU Of course - Your yorkie will love anything as long as it has to do with being with you and making you happy.
Having fun is the most important and enjoy each other.
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