Welcoming home a new puppy into our family: advice please - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hotdiggetydog · 02-24-2011, 11:38 AM

A few days ago I introduced myself- now I'm asking for some advice (probably the first of many times!)

We hope to bring our new little dude home in mid-March. My girls have Spring Break then and will have all week to love on him and bond with him. It will probably be really hard for them to return to school! Once we get the puppy I want them to pick out some of his toys, bowls, etc. so they feel ownership right away. (I've already bought food, a crate, a bed, a playpen, and am researching harnesses) My oldest is 9 and my middle daughter is 7- they will (hopefully) feel like this is their shared puppy and each feel a connection to him. I also have an almost 2 yr old. Yes, I am very aware that she will need constant supervision when she's around the puppy. She has actually come w/ us to the breeder's home 2ce, (thank heaven she doesn't talk much or she'd ruin the surprise!) and has done great with the puppies. We are an animal-loving family, and all my girls know they are expected to always be gentle with any animal- but ESPECIALLY the puppy. But, like I said, my toddler won't be allowed to be with or handle the puppy by herself.

We also have a mostly indifferent cat, a guinea pig, and MY dog- a 12 yr old Lhasa. He was my baby before my babies and is spoiled rotten. He loves the girls, but it is clear that he is MY dog. Follows me everywhere and if my lap is empty, he wants in it! LOL! Rosco ignores cats, finds the guinea pig interesting, and has always gotten along great with other dogs. I'm so hoping the new puppy will eventually be like a little brother to him. I'm sure there will be a period of adjustment for him once the little dude comes home...

So now that you know "my story" here on my questions: (sorry it took so long to get to them!)

* Is there anything I'm missing re: supplies for the puppy? Other than the last-minute things we can get after the girls meet him. We've got a Petsmart and Petco in town.

* Any advice on how to help Rosco get used to the new puppy? They also will NEVER be allowed to be together unsupervised and will have separate feeding areas. Rosco sleeps with me, and the pup will sleep in a crate in the girls' room (for now).

* I'm a SAHM. Once the girls are in school, I am fully aware that I will be caring for the puppy. No problem- I'm looking forward to it. But, will the puppy eventually respond more to ME as his master? How can I prevent that? The girls will finish school at the end of May, then they can be more involved in the daily needs of the little dude.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read all this and any advice you can share!

LaurenPatrice · 02-24-2011, 02:37 PM

Hi! How old is the puppy? I would have nutrical on hand. You can get this at petsmart/petco. I think they have an off brand of it, it's a calorie supplement. Sometimes these tiny puppies can get hypoglycemia and it's good to have this on hand. It's also good if your puppy won't eat, keeps their sugar up! Other than that, I think you have it all

. As for meeting Rosco, do it on neutral ground. Rosco can smell the new puppy and it won't be at Rosco's "home" so he won't feel invaded. My two got use to each other very quick but this is not always the case. Sometimes it takes a few months or longer it just depends! I think the puppy will become more attached to you being the care taker. They get attached to whoever is feeding, getting up in the middle of the night with him, etc. I also think it may not be a great idea to have his crate in your girls room. A small puppy will have to go out in the middle of the night to potty. You won't hear him cry, he will wake up your girls, and eventually potty in his crate. Just my opinion! I wish you all the luck and congrats on getting a new pup.. Can't wait to see pics!!

misslissa · 02-24-2011, 02:46 PM

just so you know what you are looking for when you go to get the nutrical
Tomlyn Nutri-Cal Puppy Dietary Supplement at PETCO

and hear is the GNC ultra mega high calorie booster(which is the off brand of nutrical)
GNC Ultra Mega High Calorie Booster for Puppies - Health Care - Dog - PetSmart

I would suggest a tooth brush and some blankets and a coat/sweater.
have something to cover him in on the trip from house to car and car to house.

Presto · 02-24-2011, 06:07 PM

I would also recommend buying his grooming supplies, a hair brush, shampoo, conditioner, some organic treats, pee pee pads if you are going to be pad training.

yorkieusa · 02-24-2011, 07:00 PM

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html

He will be YOUR dog, because you are the adult and because you will be there all day with him. That is only natural. Yorkies, at least most, bond mostly with one person. I would say, for you not to want that to happen, would be unfair to him. It is you who will need to teach him, train him, feed him, and make sure he is safe and happy. He will probably see your daughters as playmates, but will look to you for the safety net. He will love your daughters, though, and he should have a very happy life.

hotdiggetydog · 02-24-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurenPatrice

Hi! How old is the puppy? I would have nutrical on hand. You can get this at petsmart/petco. I think they have an off brand of it, it's a calorie supplement. Sometimes these tiny puppies can get hypoglycemia and it's good to have this on hand. It's also good if your puppy won't eat, keeps their sugar up! Other than that, I think you have it all

. As for meeting Rosco, do it on neutral ground. Rosco can smell the new puppy and it won't be at Rosco's "home" so he won't feel invaded. My two got use to each other very quick but this is not always the case. Sometimes it takes a few months or longer it just depends! I think the puppy will become more attached to you being the care taker. They get attached to whoever is feeding, getting up in the middle of the night with him, etc. I also think it may not be a great idea to have his crate in your girls room. A small puppy will have to go out in the middle of the night to potty. You won't hear him cry, he will wake up your girls, and eventually potty in his crate. Just my opinion! I wish you all the luck and congrats on getting a new pup.. Can't wait to see pics!!

Oops! Forgot about the Nutrical! I'll def. be getting some of that. Rosco has done a thorough sniffing of all of us after we've come back from visiting the puppy. He seems a bit confused, but not really concerned. LOL!
You have a good point re: the puppy being in the girls' room. I'm a natural night-owl, and my husband has to get up really early for work. If I take him out before I go to sleep and he takes him out right when he gets up, the puppy will probably go about 4-5 hours in his crate for the night. Do you think that's appropriate? Or will this be like nursing my babies- every 2 hours?

hotdiggetydog · 02-24-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presto

I would also recommend buying his grooming supplies, a hair brush, shampoo, conditioner, some organic treats, pee pee pads if you are going to be pad training.

Thanks for this reminder. We've got some puppy shampoo/conditioner, and I'm also researching brushes. When is the recommended age for his first bath?

hotdiggetydog · 02-24-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html

He will be YOUR dog, because you are the adult and because you will be there all day with him. That is only natural. Yorkies, at least most, bond mostly with one person. I would say, for you not to want that to happen, would be unfair to him. It is you who will need to teach him, train him, feed him, and make sure he is safe and happy. He will probably see your daughters as playmates, but will look to you for the safety net. He will love your daughters, though, and he should have a very happy life.

I don't want to be unfair to the new puppy, certainly. But, I also don't want to make my Rosco feel unloved, and I don't want my girls to feel like the puppy loves me more than he does them. You are 100% right- I'll be with little dude all day long- of course he will look at me as his master. But I want to see a whole lotta tail waggin' when the girls come home! I guess I want the puppy to be as excited to see my daughters as they are to see their dad when he comes home from work... And when we're all sitting down together to watch a movie or something, I'd like the puppy to snuggle with my girls and Rosco to still have his normal place by my side. As for the cat, he does his own thing!

chachi · 02-24-2011, 10:45 PM

If you want him to take to your girls have them involved with his care like feeding him and giving him treats

hotdiggetydog · 02-24-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

If you want him to take to your girls have them involved with his care like feeding him and giving him treats

I'll probably have to LIMIT the amount of treats they can give him in one day! And- referee over who gets to feed him, carry him, brush him, etc. etc. Between myself, and the girls- this dog will be very, very, loved, and probably just a wee bit spoiled! LOL!

deonk1 · 02-25-2011, 10:02 AM

Don't forget tooth paste! (doggie toothpaste) cause these guys are prone to tooth problems, and the sooner you start the better.

I also commend you on giving your girls the joy of dog care. My mom (after making me pay for it) allowed me to get my own horse at 12, and she used it as a great chance to teach me responsibility. I ended up starting my own business at 14. To get the pup to love your girls, definitely encourage them to help with treats, food, and walks. Also if they get to be part of the training process both the girls and the pup will learn lots. With Harley I'm the master the one who's in control, but he knows "Daddy" the bf by name and sees him as the playmate, he knows that Daddy's the fun one who lets him break all the rules :P.

Good luck.. can't wait to see pics

Dzbabykel · 02-25-2011, 10:13 AM

Everyone gave you really great advice on what to get for your new pup! I just want to add in regards to you being his "master", yes he will definitely be super attached to you, BUT I started dating my boyfriend when Oliver was around 5 months old. He comes over pretty much everyday and, even though I'm his caregiver, Ollie is SOOO attached to my BF...sometimes more than myself!! So with your girls being around him a lot he will become just as attached to them, don't you worry! Yorkies crave human contact and love to be close to the people they see on a daily basis, I don't think you'll have a problem at all

Good luck and can't wait to see pics!!

jojomima · 02-25-2011, 10:51 AM

We have an 11 yr old Black Lab and a 3yr old Viszla (kinda like a chestnut colored Wiermeraner, if that helps) We have to watch Shadow (girl yorkie, 9 mos) with the Viszla because they can get too rough. The Lab? Pretty much ignores her, it took all of 3 days for Shadow to learn that she CANNOT jump on Sadie, our Lab. All SAdie does is get up and walk away and Shadow is much more respectful to her than she is to Brandi (Viszla).

Anyway, my granddaughter comes over every afternoon after school, she's 8, and Shadow gets very excited to see her. In fact she gets excited to see anyone that comes in the house. Your girls will get affection from him, especially if the pup knows that the girls' arrival means playtime.

Best of Luck. Keep us posted.

Oh, Shadow sleeps in her crate at night, always has. If I get up during the night, I usually bring her into bed with me, otherwise she's in her crate.

02-24-2011, 11:38 AM	#1
hotdiggetydog Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: west texas Posts: 32	Welcoming home a new puppy into our family: advice please A few days ago I introduced myself- now I'm asking for some advice (probably the first of many times!) We hope to bring our new little dude home in mid-March. My girls have Spring Break then and will have all week to love on him and bond with him. It will probably be really hard for them to return to school! Once we get the puppy I want them to pick out some of his toys, bowls, etc. so they feel ownership right away. (I've already bought food, a crate, a bed, a playpen, and am researching harnesses) My oldest is 9 and my middle daughter is 7- they will (hopefully) feel like this is their shared puppy and each feel a connection to him. I also have an almost 2 yr old. Yes, I am very aware that she will need constant supervision when she's around the puppy. She has actually come w/ us to the breeder's home 2ce, (thank heaven she doesn't talk much or she'd ruin the surprise!) and has done great with the puppies. We are an animal-loving family, and all my girls know they are expected to always be gentle with any animal- but ESPECIALLY the puppy. But, like I said, my toddler won't be allowed to be with or handle the puppy by herself. We also have a mostly indifferent cat, a guinea pig, and MY dog- a 12 yr old Lhasa. He was my baby before my babies and is spoiled rotten. He loves the girls, but it is clear that he is MY dog. Follows me everywhere and if my lap is empty, he wants in it! LOL! Rosco ignores cats, finds the guinea pig interesting, and has always gotten along great with other dogs. I'm so hoping the new puppy will eventually be like a little brother to him. I'm sure there will be a period of adjustment for him once the little dude comes home... So now that you know "my story" here on my questions: (sorry it took so long to get to them!) * Is there anything I'm missing re: supplies for the puppy? Other than the last-minute things we can get after the girls meet him. We've got a Petsmart and Petco in town. * Any advice on how to help Rosco get used to the new puppy? They also will NEVER be allowed to be together unsupervised and will have separate feeding areas. Rosco sleeps with me, and the pup will sleep in a crate in the girls' room (for now). * I'm a SAHM. Once the girls are in school, I am fully aware that I will be caring for the puppy. No problem- I'm looking forward to it. But, will the puppy eventually respond more to ME as his master? How can I prevent that? The girls will finish school at the end of May, then they can be more involved in the daily needs of the little dude. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read all this and any advice you can share!

02-24-2011, 02:37 PM	#2
LaurenPatrice YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 555	Hi! How old is the puppy? I would have nutrical on hand. You can get this at petsmart/petco. I think they have an off brand of it, it's a calorie supplement. Sometimes these tiny puppies can get hypoglycemia and it's good to have this on hand. It's also good if your puppy won't eat, keeps their sugar up! Other than that, I think you have it all . As for meeting Rosco, do it on neutral ground. Rosco can smell the new puppy and it won't be at Rosco's "home" so he won't feel invaded. My two got use to each other very quick but this is not always the case. Sometimes it takes a few months or longer it just depends! I think the puppy will become more attached to you being the care taker. They get attached to whoever is feeding, getting up in the middle of the night with him, etc. I also think it may not be a great idea to have his crate in your girls room. A small puppy will have to go out in the middle of the night to potty. You won't hear him cry, he will wake up your girls, and eventually potty in his crate. Just my opinion! I wish you all the luck and congrats on getting a new pup.. Can't wait to see pics!! __________________ Mommy to Remy and Winston

02-24-2011, 02:46 PM	#3
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	just so you know what you are looking for when you go to get the nutrical Tomlyn Nutri-Cal Puppy Dietary Supplement at PETCO and hear is the GNC ultra mega high calorie booster(which is the off brand of nutrical) GNC Ultra Mega High Calorie Booster for Puppies - Health Care - Dog - PetSmart I would suggest a tooth brush and some blankets and a coat/sweater. have something to cover him in on the trip from house to car and car to house. __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget. Last edited by misslissa; 02-24-2011 at 02:48 PM.

02-24-2011, 07:00 PM	#5
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html He will be YOUR dog, because you are the adult and because you will be there all day with him. That is only natural. Yorkies, at least most, bond mostly with one person. I would say, for you not to want that to happen, would be unfair to him. It is you who will need to teach him, train him, feed him, and make sure he is safe and happy. He will probably see your daughters as playmates, but will look to you for the safety net. He will love your daughters, though, and he should have a very happy life. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

02-24-2011, 10:45 PM	#9
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	If you want him to take to your girls have them involved with his care like feeding him and giving him treats __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

02-24-2011, 06:07 PM	#4
Presto Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wilmington, MA Posts: 370	I would also recommend buying his grooming supplies, a hair brush, shampoo, conditioner, some organic treats, pee pee pads if you are going to be pad training.

02-25-2011, 10:02 AM	#11
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	Don't forget tooth paste! (doggie toothpaste) cause these guys are prone to tooth problems, and the sooner you start the better. I also commend you on giving your girls the joy of dog care. My mom (after making me pay for it) allowed me to get my own horse at 12, and she used it as a great chance to teach me responsibility. I ended up starting my own business at 14. To get the pup to love your girls, definitely encourage them to help with treats, food, and walks. Also if they get to be part of the training process both the girls and the pup will learn lots. With Harley I'm the master the one who's in control, but he knows "Daddy" the bf by name and sees him as the playmate, he knows that Daddy's the fun one who lets him break all the rules :P. Good luck.. can't wait to see pics __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

02-25-2011, 10:13 AM	#12
Dzbabykel Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Gainesville, VA Posts: 1,173	Everyone gave you really great advice on what to get for your new pup! I just want to add in regards to you being his "master", yes he will definitely be super attached to you, BUT I started dating my boyfriend when Oliver was around 5 months old. He comes over pretty much everyday and, even though I'm his caregiver, Ollie is SOOO attached to my BF...sometimes more than myself!! So with your girls being around him a lot he will become just as attached to them, don't you worry! Yorkies crave human contact and love to be close to the people they see on a daily basis, I don't think you'll have a problem at all Good luck and can't wait to see pics!! __________________ Kelly, mommy to little Oliver *"The more boys I meet, the more I love my dog."* http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/

02-25-2011, 10:51 AM	#13
jojomima Owned by Shadow Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medford, NJ, USA Posts: 576	We have an 11 yr old Black Lab and a 3yr old Viszla (kinda like a chestnut colored Wiermeraner, if that helps) We have to watch Shadow (girl yorkie, 9 mos) with the Viszla because they can get too rough. The Lab? Pretty much ignores her, it took all of 3 days for Shadow to learn that she CANNOT jump on Sadie, our Lab. All SAdie does is get up and walk away and Shadow is much more respectful to her than she is to Brandi (Viszla). Anyway, my granddaughter comes over every afternoon after school, she's 8, and Shadow gets very excited to see her. In fact she gets excited to see anyone that comes in the house. Your girls will get affection from him, especially if the pup knows that the girls' arrival means playtime. Best of Luck. Keep us posted. Oh, Shadow sleeps in her crate at night, always has. If I get up during the night, I usually bring her into bed with me, otherwise she's in her crate.