Advices for first time dog-owner

[M&M's Mommy]

Talked to my friend this morning. She said that she took her dogs to the Vet & the yorkie weighed in @ 1 lb & the maltese 2 lbs. It seems incredibly low to me.

Are these normal weights for these dogs at 8 weeks old?

 

[DoggyDaze]

So what should I tell her? What does she needs to know in order to ease herself into her new role as dogs-owner? (I already told her that dogs are not toys to keep when you feel like it, and dump when you loose interests, and that she should socialize the dogs & enroll them in puppy's training session & take them to the vet for vaccination...). I also told her that she needs to LOVE the dogs because they depend on her love to thrive..

What else?

Say tu her tu keep the doggies away from durty Kollee bitches.

 

[Giny]

Talked to my friend this morning. She said that she took her dogs to the Vet & the yorkie weighed in @ 1 lb & the maltese 2 lbs. It seems incredibly low to me.

Are these normal weights for these dogs at 8 weeks old?

It's about the right size for their breed though they should still be with their mother until they reach 12 weeks. Puppies at that size, especially the maltese being only 1 pound, can suffer from hypoglycemia so she needs to make sure that they eat at least 4 meals a day. She should have some Nutracal on hand just in case, it will help bring the pup's blood sugar up just in case one does get hypo.

Kassie was 1 lb 5oz at 12 weeks though she is on the smaller size for her breed. She's now 3 lb 7oz.

 

[M&M's Mommy]

Jasmine & Bamboo

My friend just sent me a new pic of them. Aren't they adorable???

 

[herschelsmom]

as a relatively new dog owner who is learning more everyday, here is what I can suggest...
1. Get enrolled in a puppy class that is reputable and may even be through your veterinarian. Having an expert around is really really nice, especially someone that is willing to get to know both of your dogs as well as take the time to show you how is the best way to interact. It's more about us humans learning!
2. Spend time with the two of them. Learn about their personalities and bond with them so that the two of them can have time to bond with you.
3. Time will heal everything. If she is frustrated because of their accidents, suggest the crates (as previously mentioned). Once they are crate trained, I am sure that she will be much happier. However, they are puppies and they are always going to be creating something... when we got our first dog we kept a log book of when he went to the bathroom the first weeks or so. After a few days we had figured out his "on the 15 and 45" routine and housetraining became a lot easier. I am sure that you can pass along your expertise as well as letting her know that every dog owner has bags in every jacket pocket...
4. Walk them, play with them, interact with them, use toys! It is such a blessing to have a puppy in the house and I am sure that she will realize that her life has been enriched beyond anything that she could have imagined.
5. Take tons of photos. You forget once they are older how tiny they once were.
6. If you show her how to love them, I am sure that she will understand. You sound like a wonderful friend for helping her out and I hope both of her dogs lead long, fulfilling wonderful lives. Best of luck!