Preparing for Your New Puppy

Starting Your Puppy on Solid Food

When it comes to puppy care tips, I begin my puppies on Royal Canin Puppy Starter Mousse and gradually transition them to puppy kibble as they grow. When you pick up your puppy from the litter, I’ll inform you whether you need to purchase the mousse and goat milk or if your puppy has already transitioned completely to kibble.

Royal Canin Puppy Starter Mousse is available at Petco and other pet-supply stores, while goat milk can usually be found at Fred Meyer and many grocery stores. Additionally, I’ve discovered that some of my Yorkie puppies enjoy Freshpet rolls as an alternative food option.

For the young puppies still eating the mousse, I thin the mixture with one can of water and one can of goat milk. Sometimes, I add a small spoonful of cottage cheese or an egg yolk to their food. Because puppies need the proper balance of calcium and other nutrients while they are growing, always check with your veterinarian before regularly adding supplements or making significant changes to your puppy’s diet. This is especially important for those following a puppy preparation checklist.

What I Feed My Puppies

For my puppy care tips, I recommend feeding my puppies Royal Canin Puppy Food, as I have seen great results with it. As they grow older, I gradually mix in some adult kibble to help with the transition. This also makes it easier for new owners to follow a puppy preparation checklist if they decide to switch to another quality food, especially since Royal Canin can be a more expensive kibble.

When changing foods, I suggest doing so gradually to help avoid an upset tummy. Sometimes, puppies, particularly Yorkie puppies, may not tolerate change well.

A Little Help for an Upset Tummy

If your puppy experiences mild digestive upset or loose stool, a small amount of plain 100% pumpkin can be beneficial. Just be sure to use plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added ingredients.

Due to their small size, Yorkie puppies require special attention; persistent diarrhea or vomiting should always be taken seriously. If these symptoms continue or if your puppy isn’t acting normally, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.

Royal Canin Puppy Kibble

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Food & Water Dishes

When caring for Yorkie puppies, I recommend using ceramic food and water dishes. These dishes are easy to clean and hefty enough that even the smallest puppies can't easily tip them over. As part of your puppy preparation checklist, choose shallow dishes to ensure your puppy can easily access their food and water. Given the tiny size of Yorkie puppies, especially when they first go home, they shouldn't have to stretch or reach deeply into a bowl. A shallow dish also prevents a very small puppy from climbing or falling into it.

Always keep fresh water available and make it a daily routine to wash and refill the water dish. If it gets dirty throughout the day, don't hesitate to give it a quick wash and refresh it with clean water. These simple puppy care tips will help ensure your Yorkie stays hydrated and healthy.

Setting Up a Puppy Playpen

When it comes to puppy care tips, establishing a small playpen is an effective way to assist with potty training. I keep the setup simple with four basic essentials:

- A small bed

- A pee pad tray with a disposable pad underneath the grate

- Food and water

- A few small, safe toys

For young Yorkie puppies, I use an IRIS plastic playpen that measures about 36 inches square. I place a cozy small bed on one side and a grated pee pad tray on the other. The grate protects the disposable pad, preventing the puppy from easily tearing it up or chewing on it. 

In one tricky potty-training situation, I covered most of the playpen floor with two grated pee pad trays, limiting the puppy's options to only potty on the trays. Additionally, I included a small cat bed, approximately 12 x 12 inches, to ensure there wasn’t extra room for the puppy to potty. This strategy worked exceptionally well.

Consistency Is the Key

When preparing for a new puppy, remember that potty training relies heavily on consistency. Keeping your puppy's area relatively small at first helps them understand that the bed is for sleeping and the tray is for pottying. Most puppies, including Yorkie puppies, instinctively prefer not to soil their sleeping area.

Your puppy can definitely come out for playtime, cuddling, and exploring, but keep those sessions brief initially. After playtime, return the puppy to the playpen and give them another chance to use their potty tray. It's important to avoid giving a young puppy free run of the house until their potty habits are well-established.

A Note About Wire Playpens

As puppies mature, I also appreciate using wire playpens, as they allow for better visibility of their surroundings. I utilize them for older puppies and adult dogs that are unlikely to climb or jump out.

A word of caution: be vigilant about chewing. I once had a puppy get a tooth caught on a wire playpen. If you notice your puppy starting to chew on the wire, I recommend switching back to the plastic playpen.

There’s always something new that these little Yorkies can teach us!

Complete grated pee pad with a disposable liner inside, essential for your puppy care tips and perfect for your puppy preparation checklist, especially when caring for Yorkie puppies.

Layout for a disposable pee pad tray is an essential part of puppy care tips, especially when preparing for Yorkie puppies. Use this puppy preparation checklist to ensure you have everything set up correctly.

Disposable pee pad liners are essential for every puppy care checklist, especially when welcoming Yorkie puppies into your home. These liners are a valuable addition to your puppy preparation checklist, ensuring a clean and convenient potty training experience.

Flea & Tick Care and Bathing

I use Wondercide flea and tick products on my dogs, and I have been pleased with their effectiveness. When it comes to puppy care tips, I always opt for products made with ingredients I feel comfortable using around my Yorkie puppies. It’s crucial to follow the directions on the product, especially when treating young puppies.

After treating Ebony for fleas and ticks, I noticed what appeared to be ticks on her legs, but they disappeared within a couple of days. However, any unexplained lump or bump that remains should be checked by your veterinarian.

Bath Time

For bathing my Yorkie puppies, I use a gentle, tear-free shampoo around the face and eyes, along with a good-quality dog shampoo for the body. It’s essential to be especially careful around your Yorkie's eyes, ears, and nose, and to rinse the coat thoroughly after shampooing. This is all part of a solid puppy preparation checklist to ensure the best care for your pets.

Nail and trimming tools are essential for proper puppy care, especially when preparing your Yorkie puppies. It's important to include these tools in your puppy preparation checklist to ensure your new furry friend is well-groomed and healthy.

When considering puppy care tips, don't forget to include essential tools like brushes and combs in your puppy preparation checklist, especially for breeds such as Yorkie puppies.

When it comes to caring for your Yorkie puppies, having the right clippers is essential. To ensure you’re fully prepared for puppy care, consider following a puppy preparation checklist that includes grooming tools necessary for your furry friend.