Preparing for new arrival... Help!

[sophias mommy]

So, I'm getting really excited for the arrival of Rio (soon to be Brody). I'm just now realizing this is going to be a lot harder than it looks!! I've spent most of the weekend thinking, talking, or shopping about his arrival!!! I'm just now realizing how many questions I have, and I need your help!!!

1. I've already bought several things (toys, car seat, clothes, another food/water bowl set (same as Sophia's but blue. teehee!) But is there anything special that I need for a male yorkie that I wouldn't already have for my female?
2. I live in a 3rd floor apartment.... I'm just now realizing the logistics of carrying two down about 20 stairs (With two doors separating us from the outside!). I tried walking outside with Sophia in one arm and a pillow, to simulate Brody, in the other (I looked crazy!) ... and I could open one door, but not the second! Any suggestions will be appreciated!!!!! Sophia can walk up all the stairs, but i'd rather her not.
3. Walking 2 dogs.... Coupler or two leashes?? I bought a coupler and I bought another leash.. so I plan on trying both.
4. Feeding two dogs! Eek! Right now, he's on a different food than Sophia. Sophia has a sensitive stomach... and I really can't let her get any of his food. But she free feeds, and so does he. So what's the best way to keep them from eating each others food until I can gradually get him switched over?
5. Introducing the two!!! I've already decided we're going to introduce them at the park near my apartment, but my question is... who holds Sophia and who holds Brody?? I'm worried if Sophia sees me walking another dog, she'll instantly get upset. I feel like if it was someone else (like a friend), then she'll be super excited to play with another dog. But I don't really trust any of my friends to hold the leash.

[Carmeow]

I'm sooo happy for you, congrats!! Sadly I can't help much as I still have 12 DAYS until Luma comes home. Hope everything goes lovely for you!!

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by Carmeow

I'm sooo happy for you, congrats!! Sadly I can't help much as I still have 12 DAYS until Luma comes home. Hope everything goes lovely for you!!

Thanks!! I bet your super excited for Luma's arrival! We're still not sure when he's arriving yet.... but I just want to be extra prepared!

[kjc]

1. I've already bought several things (toys, car seat, clothes, another food/water bowl set (same as Sophia's but blue. teehee!) But is there anything special that I need for a male yorkie that I wouldn't already have for my female?
A Belly Band
2. I live in a 3rd floor apartment.... I'm just now realizing the logistics of carrying two down about 20 stairs (With two doors separating us from the outside!). I tried walking outside with Sophia in one arm and a pillow, to simulate Brody, in the other (I looked crazy!) ... and I could open one door, but not the second! Any suggestions will be appreciated!!!!! Sophia can walk up all the stairs, but i'd rather her not.

Puppy proof the balcony and put a potty patch or similar out there, or peepad train them. It will be too risky trying to carry a squirmy puppy much less with Sophia. Or get one of those pouch type carriers that you wear to put one in (there's a strap and snap to secure them with.).

3. Walking 2 dogs.... Coupler or two leashes?? I bought a coupler and I bought another leash.. so I plan on trying both.

I'd use two separate leashes to begin with, until the puppy learns to behave and you are sure they both really get along. Very hard to separate them if needed on a coupler.

4. Feeding two dogs! Eek! Right now, he's on a different food than Sophia. Sophia has a sensitive stomach... and I really can't let her get any of his food. But she free feeds, and so does he. So what's the best way to keep them from eating each others food until I can gradually get him switched over?
I don't think free feeding will work, unless you keep them separated all the time.

5. Introducing the two!!! I've already decided we're going to introduce them at the park near my apartment, but my question is... who holds Sophia and who holds Brody?? I'm worried if Sophia sees me walking another dog, she'll instantly get upset. I feel like if it was someone else (like a friend), then she'll be super excited to play with another dog. But I don't really trust any of my friends to hold the leash.

You can walk both at the same time. They'll be too busy walking to get in any trouble with each other. When they tire out a bit, let them sniff each other, at the first sign of trouble, pull them apart and start walking briskly again.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by kjc

1. I've already bought several things (toys, car seat, clothes, another food/water bowl set (same as Sophia's but blue. teehee!) But is there anything special that I need for a male yorkie that I wouldn't already have for my female?
A Belly Band
2. I live in a 3rd floor apartment.... I'm just now realizing the logistics of carrying two down about 20 stairs (With two doors separating us from the outside!). I tried walking outside with Sophia in one arm and a pillow, to simulate Brody, in the other (I looked crazy!) ... and I could open one door, but not the second! Any suggestions will be appreciated!!!!! Sophia can walk up all the stairs, but i'd rather her not.

Puppy proof the balcony and put a potty patch or similar out there, or peepad train them. It will be too risky trying to carry a squirmy puppy much less with Sophia. Or get one of those pouch type carriers that you wear to put one in (there's a strap and snap to secure them with.).

3. Walking 2 dogs.... Coupler or two leashes?? I bought a coupler and I bought another leash.. so I plan on trying both.

I'd use two separate leashes to begin with, until the puppy learns to behave and you are sure they both really get along. Very hard to separate them if needed on a coupler.

4. Feeding two dogs! Eek! Right now, he's on a different food than Sophia. Sophia has a sensitive stomach... and I really can't let her get any of his food. But she free feeds, and so does he. So what's the best way to keep them from eating each others food until I can gradually get him switched over?
I don't think free feeding will work, unless you keep them separated all the time.

5. Introducing the two!!! I've already decided we're going to introduce them at the park near my apartment, but my question is... who holds Sophia and who holds Brody?? I'm worried if Sophia sees me walking another dog, she'll instantly get upset. I feel like if it was someone else (like a friend), then she'll be super excited to play with another dog. But I don't really trust any of my friends to hold the leash.

You can walk both at the same time. They'll be too busy walking to get in any trouble with each other. When they tire out a bit, let them sniff each other, at the first sign of trouble, pull them apart and start walking briskly again.

Thank you!

[MY OSCAR]

Well i have a suggestion for carrying up and down the stairs.
Get a small front pet carrier and you can use this to transport the smallest one when you need a free hand....

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by MY OSCAR

Well i have a suggestion for carrying up and down the stairs.
Get a small front pet carrier and you can use this to transport the smallest one when you need a free hand....

yes! that's a good idea too!

bf and I agreed to take them out together for awhile. I was just making sure if one of us was gone we had an action plan!

[gryhndnut]

Here is my 2 cents as far as feeding. It will be best if you feed them regularly instead of free feeding them. Even if you eventually get them on the same food, you won't know who is eating and who is not.

I have an 9 month old boy who I was free feeding and he was not a great eater. I just got a retired show girl who was being fed twice a day. Upon her arrival, I changed my boy to two feedings and now he eats his food down like a champ. It may be that he thinks she will eat his food, which she would if I let her! Anyway, I feed them both at the same time and I sit between them. She snarfs her food down and then comes and sits on my lap. He nows finishes his bowl within a minute or two.

Best of luck with your new boy. He is adorable!

[kjc]

Also make a plan as to how you will handle any loose dogs that may come charging at you. I used to walk my four all together, but now, after a couple incidents, I have to take them one at a time. That way I can hold my pup and still have a free arm to try to protect us.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by kjc

Also make a plan as to how you will handle any loose dogs that may come charging at you. I used to walk my four all together, but now, after a couple incidents, I have to take them one at a time. That way I can hold my pup and still have a free arm to try to protect us.

How did I not think of that?!?! Thank you!!!!!! I love YT.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by gryhndnut

Here is my 2 cents as far as feeding. It will be best if you feed them regularly instead of free feeding them. Even if you eventually get them on the same food, you won't know who is eating and who is not.

I have an 9 month old boy who I was free feeding and he was not a great eater. I just got a retired show girl who was being fed twice a day. Upon her arrival, I changed my boy to two feedings and now he eats his food down like a champ. It may be that he thinks she will eat his food, which she would if I let her! Anyway, I feed them both at the same time and I sit between them. She snarfs her food down and then comes and sits on my lap. He nows finishes his bowl within a minute or two.

Best of luck with your new boy. He is adorable!

I tried putting Sophia on a schedule... I think I just gave up too soon. She gets hungry at night and it was frustrating, so I'd always cave. Boy can she eat . I might consider giving it another shot, if it makes things with Brody easier.

[Baby Teddy]

Congrats!!! So happy you were able to convice your bf to get a second dog

When does Brody arrive? Could you ask the breeder to send a blanket and a toy of his in advance? That will help Sophia get used to his smell and will make Brody feel at home when he arrives.

I would walk them on separate leashes for now. Until they have the same walking pace.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by Baby Teddy

Congrats!!! So happy you were able to convice your bf to get a second dog

When does Brody arrive? Could you ask the breeder to send a blanket and a toy of his in advance? That will help Sophia get used to his smell and will make Brody feel at home when he arrives.

I would walk them on separate leashes for now. Until they have the same walking pace.

The courier is on vacation until the 1st. So we won't know until then!! But hopefully soon That's a good idea about the blanket, I'll ask!!

[Baby Teddy]

Originally Posted by sophias mommy

The courier is on vacation until the 1st. So we won't know until then!! But hopefully soon That's a good idea about the blanket, I'll ask!!

Yes it should help them both.

Do you have pictures of your new boy?!!

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by Baby Teddy

Yes it should help them both.

Do you have pictures of your new boy?!!

YOU BET!! I probably look at these pictures way too much

The last one is the most recent