Help with my new teacup pup.?

Question

Hello everyone.

I am new here.
My mom gave me a teacup pup for my birthday.
She is so tiny and fragile and I just want to make sure I take the absolute best care of her. Could you please give me any advice you have?
I want to make sure she is taken care of REALLY well.

Also I am taking a trip to Amsterdam to visit family soon. At that point she will be a little over 4 months old. How can I make that 7 hour flight as relaxed and comfortable for her as possible?

I don't want to stress her out, break her, hold her too much, make her hate me.
I want her to love me and be happy.

Also I shouldn't spoil her and go easy on her TOO much. I need to discipline her and train her a bit. How do I do that succesfully with such a fragile breed?
How do I make her REALLY social and make her happy to be held by just about anyone?
I don't want her to be stressed out when people ooze over her.

Please TONS of advice would be SUPER appreciated!!!

Thank you in advance!

I know this is alot of questions at once, but really I would love an answer to any of these!
I just want her to be healthy and happy and relaxed and socialable.
Thanks again.

Hey AGAIN.
Just wanted to add one more detail

I am visiting family for the WHOLE summer, so sadly I can't leave her here.
But thanks for that suggestion.

Keep the asnwers coming, I am new to this.

Thank you all for the great answers so far!!!

Haha, sorry.
I have to add one more thing!!

Again, i didn't clarify enough.
I would NEVER put that doggie on a plane as cargo.
She will be with me in the cabin!
I think it's under the front seat if I am right...??
I'm sorry, i should have said this earlier!

Hey

As I got some questions as to what dog it is, I am adding yet another one of these.

My mom actually got me a tiny Papillon.
I think it's rather rare for a teacup, as I was searching for information on a teacup version of this breed and only found those cute yorkies, Maltese, chihuahuas and so on.

Answer 1

Regarding the flight, I don’t believe in using medication for every little thing, but if at that point you believe the flight would stress her out, you may want to think about giving her travel pills. They make them especially for dogs. Of course, talk to your vet first. Such a small dog will need a VERY small dose, or it may even be harmful for her.

I do agree with you that you probably shouldn't leave her for the entire summer. Months 4-7 are very important is forming good habits and behaviors, and well as the bond with you. If you board her or leave her with someone else, who knows what kind of dog you'll come home to?

With training, the size of the dog doesn’t really need to be taken into account. I’m sure you weren’t planning to use any kind of physical punishments, so you just need to use your voice, demeanor, and positive reinforcement to get things across to her. This goes for a giant Great Dane or a tiny Yorkie.

The best way to make a dog social is to socialize it, of course! Take her many places and let her experience many things. Other dogs, loud noises, crowds, everything. Let her meet as many people as possible under your supervision. Make sure they are positive experiences for her.

Some dogs just LOVE being around anybody, but others never quite make it to that point if it goes against their personality. After all, there are people who are the same way. You’re never going to make an introvert into a social butterfly, are you? The best you can do for your dog is try.

One last thing to add, and this is kind of a personal opinion. A big mistake people make with very small dogs is forgetting to let them be dogs. They are afraid of hurting them or getting them dirty or scaring them, but a tiny dog likes to run in the mud and walk through the woods as much as a Lab does. It’s fine to make her life comfortable with lots of luxuries (and I know you will!), but don’t discourage her from indulging in doggy joys while you’re at it.

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EDIT: Some people will tell you that the best way to make your dog happy is to hold her all the time and spoil her rotten. The problem with dogs is, they really WILL turn rotten. If you coddle them, they become snappy little monsters who will throw a fit if they don’t get their way.

Of course, it’s fine to hold her sometimes, but if you do it all the time like some people do, you won’t be making her happy, you’ll be giving her a boring life. Dogs like to walk around by themselves and sniff and investigate. I’m not saying “never hold her!” because I have a Dachshund whom I hold often. She likes being close to me, and I see no reason to discourage that. However, she walks by herself most of the time, usually with her nose to the ground and her tail wagging. I’m careful about how much I hold her. If she hears a scary noise and wants to be picked up, I don’t do it. She needs to handle it by herself. It can be very hard, because I want to comfort her, but I know it is not the best thing to do. Your dog needs to know you are always there for her, but she also needs to know that she is ok on her own, or she will become insecure every time you put her down.

If we’re just sitting around the house though, or I’m on the computer, I do let her sleep on my lap if she wants to (and guess where she is right now?). I don't believe it's done her any harm. It’s a nice quiet way for us to be together. We both really enjoy it.

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EDIT2: I might be telling you obvious things, and if so, just ignore me!

Do not tolerate any aggression towards you or others (other than barking at the mailman, etc). This is another HUGE mistake people make with small dogs! A little dog growls at them, and they just laugh. “Oh, how cute! It thinks it’ll scare us!” It isn’t cute, and it isn’t ok behavior. People have a double standard when it comes to little dogs. Would they let a Doberman growl at them?

When dogs do this, they are trying to exert their control over YOU, but that can never be allowed to happen. If they think they are the boss, you will have trouble controlling any of their behavior. You need to start teaching it from now that it isn’t something you’ll allow. If she ever growls at you or bites, give her hard eye contact and a firm “No!” Then ignore her completely for a few minutes. She will realize that aggressive behavior from her means the cold shoulder from you, and it will no longer be something she wants to do.

Also, you may have already found out that small dogs have NO CLUE that they are small. They will try to jump from great heights and take on things ten times their size. Just be cautious in situations where she could be harmed, because she may not be cautious at all. Let her have her little adventures, but if she's in over her head, you've got to be the one to stop her.

Answer 2

They're fragile but not as fragile as they look. First off don't get your feelings hurt (like i did) when she doesn't seem to attach t o you at first haha i know it seems silly but it hurt my feelings when my puppy would rather bite my face than sit in my lap now hes a full of love. also female dogs are more independent than male ones so she's not going to be attached. My biggest pet peeve of people with tiny dogs is that they never let them walk around they always feel compelled to hold and carry them, a dog is a dog no matter what size so let her walk around on a leash (of course a halter not a collar because they have delicate throats) if you want to socialize her have you thought of starting her off as a volunteer animal to visit nursing/retirement homes and hospitals? After she's built up her immunities first, that way she makes someone else smile while benefiting from meeting new and different people and a puppy class would help with it also. As far as discipline goes this sounds mean but not nearly as mean as yelling or hitting a dog - a spray bottle with water, when it does something bad spay it and firmly say NO. You might also add a little bit if vinegar if you want (i don't) but the vet suggested this because dogs don't like the smell of vinegar so if she learns every time she chews up the shoe, or chases a kitty a stinky smell comes around she'll learn NOT to do it. Also as far as plane rides go, there is a certain type of pet bag you can buy so that you can carry her inside the passenger area with you and if you're afraid that she'll be nervous your vet can give her what is pretty much Valium to keep her clam. There is also this stuff in pet stores that is called pet-eeze or calm down that can make dogs calm just make sure you ok it with your vet before you give her anything.
hope that any of this information helps at all!
good luck and have fun!!!

Answer 3

It sounds like you're a great mommy to your baby. Teacups are very fragile, and it's good you're being protective over her. She's still a baby being so young. I had to leave my 5lb Chi for 4 days & he was sad but better off with a sitter he knew well, than if he were with me. I personally wouldn't take your baby so far away. I would worry about 100 things, like will her carrier be shoved on board the plane, will she be scared being in a dark, lonely place for 7 hrs., will it be a hard transition when she gets to Amsterdam. I would let her get used to being without you, that way she can be somewhere that she's familiar with. She'll be sad without her mommy, but if it's with someone you trust she it would seem better than the unknown. Just like a child, she'll be more comfortable if you decide not to take her with own things like her blanket, toys, and something personal of yours with your scent on it. I hope all goes well, and make sure there's no chance that she is accidently fed any brand of possible tainted dog food that they have now found has rat poison.

Answer 4

I can give you one piece of advice, which I see small dog owners ignoring every day, and their dogs suffer for it. DO NOT treat your dog like a child. Do not carry her everywhere, do not buy a purse or belly-carrier for her - put her on the floor, on her own four legs, on a leash, and let her WALK. Walking with their mom/alpha/pack leader is THE most important part of maintaining a stable and healthy dog. In the wild, dogs run in packs, following a single leader. It is their instinct to do so. Your dog wants you to be the leader, and wants to walk with you- not sit in a pouch with her legs sticking out at odd angles. In my opinion, that is animal abuse.

As for discipline, I'm partial to the Cesar Milan method- if she misbehaves, make a 'hhsstt!' sound between your teeth, and gently tap the side of her neck with your fingers. Don't jab, just apply light pressure and release. This jolts her out of the mindset of whatever bad thing she was doing and causes her to focus on you. Then you can redirect her mind to doing what you want her to do.

And don't assume she's as 'fragile' as you perceive her- I'm a groomer, but there's a doggie daycare that runs in the same shop. There's a 4 pound maltese in the group, and he gets 75 pound dogs to back down from him! Don't drop or squeeze her, but aside from that, she's tougher than you think.

The best way to socialize her is just to DO stuff with her. Take her for walks. Take her where she'll meet other dogs and people. Have everyone who comes into the house greet her- but make sure you bring THEM to her- don't let her run in and jump all over them. Put up a baby gate to keep her away from the door if you can't teach her to sit down and stay.

Good luck!

PS I own Papillons, and you got fooled. There is no such thing as a teacup Pap, they are all one size. You were sold a runt. Sorry, that's just how it is.

Answer 5

If she tends to be high stress or you think the plane ride will stress her out or cause vomitting or bottom line you just want to be sure to prevent ANY misshaps my suggestion is to ask your vet for a mild sedative, this doesnt knock your pooch out it just sedates them to the point that they do not stress or worry...your vet would be abe to provide you w the correct dose for your pooches size as trying to guess thi on your own could prove to be bad as she is SO small.....likeyou said basi training & not OVERspoiling her & you shoul dbe off to a great start. Just alwasy remember no matter how cute & wonderful she is she IS NOT a baby SHE IS a dog & you have to treat her like one in order to get her to behave like aproperly behaved dog, not a spoiled child. Also I was just wondering as you didnt specify what kind of tea cup pup is she??? there are many, chi's, yorkies, etc etc etc.....

Answer 6

Of course you spoil her like there is no tomorrow. She will love you if you take care of her and she will be happy if she is love and she will become more relaxed as she get to know all your friend that ooze over her she will have to be center of attention soon. Just love her and feed and water her of course and get her puppy shots now she may not like you much then but she will get over if soon after that. She is small just watch out for her and don't let anyone step on her, which my guess is if you love her as much as you say you want to she will be in your arms all the time and yes discipline her usually with a stern command work well with the little guys. You will make her relax on the flight. It is all new to her so she want know the difference. If you want her to relax then you relax you will do fine.!!!!!!!! She don't need any pills she is to small for all that crap. Just hold her close and let her know that it is okay and you are there>

Answer 7

To be honest I would not take her on the trip. That is a tough trip for any dog, let alone a small puppy. Get friends to watch her, or find a good place to board her.


Addendum: You can ask the vet for a light sedative if your puppy is the nervous type. Ask your vet what he thinks. Some nervous pets can actually injure themselves trying to get out of the air kennel, a sedative would prevent this. Its good you will have her with you.

Answer 8

The huge concern men and women could have along with your query is that "the smallest fluffiest puppy" will transform an grownup puppy in a couple of months. Check out Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier,Pomeranians, Havanese, Bolognese, Bichons. Just recollect all puppies, it doesn't matter what measurement, are difficult paintings, primarily whilst dogs.

Answer 9

Chihuahua? I just spoil mine.. they do ok.. mine are about 3 pounds each and do fine.. they learn fast to stay away from my feet and are happy when I come home at night. They seem real fragile, but it won't be long and they will want to play, just be gentle, mine never get spankings, most they ever got was 2 fingers on the butt. Just remember their small dogs and you'll be fine. They are however difficult to potty train. My one dog potty trained fast the other.. just can't go all day without pottying.. so I put a pad down when I go to work. She tries but still misses sometimes. She spins.. when she does her business. I love them both. Good Luck, and enjoy.

Answer 10

Im not an expert on tea cups but my suggestion is not to worry to much, there are tons of books where you can find information on how to care for your dog and if you are traveling check with the airline or the vet in case she needs a tranquilizer to travel. Good luck!

Answer 11

You need to start socializing her right away usually a breeder will have started the process for you. A good idea is to take her to a puppy training class. It will make both of you much more confident. there are also lots of sites on the internet regarding socializing puppies. Best of luck!