Shit, I have somehow acquired a puppy...

[Theoneandonlyitchymcitch]

Help!! She is a teeny tiny baby shitzu crossed with something equally obscure. She is slightly larger than my foot. I have zero experience with puppies. What do j need to do? I've made her up a bed with towels and puppy food in a dish near her. I got her a baby bottle to try and get her to drink milk (kitten milk!) from that. She is ignoring all my efforts and is snoring on my foot...

Thank you all!!! She has taken a great dislike to her collar (in her defence the only ones small enough in the pet shop were bright pink!!!) and it is still too big!!! I have distracted her with a chew toy (aka bit of old rope) ... She seems to be very reluctant to toilet, so that's why I thought the pads might be worth a go. Plus it's bloody horrible outside, even when you are a human and not an 8 week old puppy!!!

dixie yours is gorgeous!!! Just a bit bigger than littley here... Yep, she is definitely called stratters... (Ok maybe that can be her nickname...) seriously really doesn't like her collar, keeps managing to get it in between her teeth... HOW? Plus they don't make them any smaller wails

Take her outside every time she wakes up and 30 mins after food. Pop her on the lawn, and just say the magic words. When she goes, say them again and give LOTS of praise. Like the shit is the best, most magical shit you've ever seen. You're aiming to take her outside every hour.

Consider a cat flap when she's older, Bartymouse has a cat flap, saves a lot of faff.

Here she is again, sulking about her collar

She doesn't need a collar yet, so don't bother with one.

Definitely a Stratters. Only the very best are.

You've got some good advice on here so far. I may have missed it but, if you are going to keep her, please get insurance.

It's not a huge layout and it will save you from very expensive vet's bills if something were to happen. Get a good policy, with decent amount of cover (like 7k), a lifetime policy and dental (if you can). Read the boring small print.

Good luck!

Aw she's gorgeous! I wouldn't bother with a collar if she doesn't like it, a lot of people prefer to get a harness for walking anyway. Well done for getting her out of the bad situation

She's adorable! What a lucky girl to have you for her "mum" - you sound very caring and very smitten! Have a and from me!

Shes a real cutie. Definitely get insurance - if you can, get a policy that covers everything including third party liability.

Thank you! It is going to be a long hard process, I can see that. But hopefully she is happy and has settled a bit. Taken collar off her, and will leave it til she is bigger. Will def get her insured, I would be an absolute idiot not to. Any recommendations for insurance? Ps despite my religious hourly trips outside every hour, she has finally weed... On the floor!!! Grrr.

Sorry meant to say- it's probably only a bit more every month to get a very comprehensive cover so worth it in my opinion.

She will be an honourary stratters so she is sorted, just having her dinner. I am exhausted now and I need to eat!

Should I be worried that she has only done one poo? I will take her outside in the garden again in 15 mins (after her dinner) and see what happens. She doesn't seem to be drinking much either...

I don't know about puppies, but if she struggles with a collar and you want to take her out for walks later on in the process maybe a harness would be better?

Don't worry about the collar - you mustn't walk her or introduce her to other dogs until she's had all her vaccinations so it will be some weeks before you need it yet.

In terms of food and water, make sure you have the little puppy dishes so she can easily access them, and that there's water always available for her. You need to feed her little and often - about 4-5 times a day - and as you now know, no milk. Make sure the treats and toys you give her are puppy ones not adult ones otherwise you may give her an upset stomach.

8 weeks is really very young to be just left - I would try to avoid leaving her alone until you take delivery of the crate, if you can, and you will need to crate train her once it arrives. (Give her food and treats in there repeatedly so she feels it's a happy and safe space)

Do you work? A puppy can't be left all day and most dog walkers/doggy day cares won't take puppies that young so that's something to bear in mind.

She's cute

Why don't you ask this to be moved to the dog section?

I went cold turkey with the collar with my lab. Put it on, left it on and he soon got used to it.

If feeding dry food you can soak it first. I do that. It ensures reasonable fluid intake and also slows down those dogs (like Labradors) who like to bolt it down at warp factor nine.

She has puppy dishes and ive checked all the treats and toys to make sure they are suitable (man in the pet shop def thoughy I was Pfbd.) I do work full time but I have roped in my mother (bless her) to puppy sit in the day, so she won't be left alone at all. Phew. All this drama since yesterday evening? Little did I know something so little would take over my life! (And my finances )

Thing is it's too big for her!!! And it was the smallest they had! She will be fine without one for a while, as obviously not taking her anywhere until she has her jabs. And even then, she is so teeny I would be nervous of taking her out... But she will grow and she will be fine! Just need to make sure she has all she needs and is on the way to learning how to be a dog! Have reported and asked MNHQ to move this over. Although I am a tad nervous that I might get some negative comments from the experts... Eeek

Small dogs are small only in stature.

You know that now though.

She certainly has a big personality! Right then, poo time. Wish me luck!

Our shih tzu cross's first collar was a kitten one so you might get one that fits that way. Would go out with the puppy every 20 to 30 minutes and if she doesn't go pick her up carry her round inside for five minutes and then back outside so you don't give her the opportunity to toilet inside. Shih tzu's have a reputation for being a pain to house train but it took Eric just over a week and we had only two accidents indoors (because I didn't notice his cues to go) She looks very like Eric did as a puppy but he's almost all white now with a grey edge to his ears so she might change too.Lovely puppy

She is too cute! Glad you are giving her a living home rather than whatever the alternative was.