Advice about the Yorkie Pup

Dr. Dawn McKenzie, with Chesapeake Mobile Veterinary Services, comes to the aid of the owner of the 10-month-old yorkie who is dealing with house training issues. Here is Dr. McKenzie's advice:

It is not too late to start house training, but yorkies can be stubborn. First, the crate should only be big enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around. Puppies do not like to mess where they sleep. Unless the puppy is spending a large amount of time in the crate, bedding and padding should be at a minimum.

Also carry the puppy outside immediately upon taking it from the crate, every time it comes out. Never let her out of the crate to run around the house without taking her outside first. Keep the puppy on a leash while outside, go to the same place in the yard, and stand still. If the puppy refuses to urinate, place the puppy back in the crate. Wait about 10-15 minutes and try again. The reward is getting out of the crate.

In addition, the puppy should never be out unsupervised. Baby gates are great to limit access to the entire house. The key is repetition and patience.

Young Yorkie Needs Expert Help

I received this e-mail from a Delaware Pets reader who sounds eager for help. I have a couple of calls into vets, but I wondered if anyone else out there might have some legit advice.

Here's the plea:

Is it too late to housebreak a 10-month old yorkie? I have a pen set up for her with pee pads and thought she was doing really well, that is until I lifted up my area rug and found several spots on it. I am home with her most of the day and keep an eye on her as much as possible and put her in the pen every so often, and thought this was working. She sleeps through the night and first thing in the morning goes in her pen where she urinates and has a bowel movement. Then I let her out of the pen, and she'll go again right beside the pen. Is it too late to crate her? What can I do?

High Paws for the People

I spent a few minutes last night checking out the PAWS for People -- R.E.A.D. program for young readers at the Kirkwood Highway Library. (Above, Tariq Nour, 8, reads to Radar.)

How great it was to see a girl curled up with a favorite book in one hand, petting Radar the greyhound with the other and reading out loud about cats (of all things) as Radar and his handler listened.

Elisabeth Simmons, the youth services librarian, is so passionate about the twice-a-month program. She has name tags for the kids, a sign-up sheet, paw prints on the floor that lead to the room where in the four corners kids can read for 15 minutes each to a pet and his or her companion. (Luke the cat wasn't there last night, so they had four dogs.) Elisabeth also had a full house -- more kids who wanted to read than slots for them to do so -- for the 7-8 p.m. session.

Elisabeth has teamed up with Paws for People, which provides the pet teams, to make this program go. Paws for People's Lynne Robinson told me this morning that she has 14 pet teams certified for R.E.A.D. and attributes its start to board member and pet team member Gail Rys. "Gail said 'I found this great reading program. I think we should do this,' " Lynne says. And they have.

You can read more about R.E.A.D in the next issue of Delaware Pets, which hits pet-related businesses around June 9.

For more about Paws for People, go to: http://pawsforpeople.org/index.html The program is in other libraries in New Castle County, including Newark, Brandywine Hundred and Appoquinimink. Call to see whether your local library has the Paws for People -- R.E.A.D. program.

For information and to pre-register for April's sessions at Kirkwood Highway Library, call
995-7663. Or visit the library's Web site (click on children's programs) for more information: http://www.co.new-castle.de.us/libraries/kirkwood/library1.asp

"Marley & Me" -- and You

Tonight, I'm cracking open "Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog," -- you can find it for $13-$14 at most stores or online retailers -- written by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Grogan (shameless plug for fellow journalist).

Has anyone read it? What did you think?

I've heard it's funny and warm and a grab-the-tissues-at-the-end kind of book.

Share your reviews here.

Do you think your dog would make a good book? Let me know and share photos of your pooches.

I received a letter from a Middletown reader this morning who needs to get licenses for her two dogs. She doesn't drive and her vet doesn't license dogs. A colleague thought Concord Pet handles licenses, but I called and it doesn't.

Any other ideas for her in or near Middletown?

Pets: Let's Start the Discussion

The new issue of Delaware Pets -- with Wendy Rockle nuzzling one of her rescued horses at her Harbeson shelter -- is in pet-related businesses across the state. Now, the next step ... a blog about pets. A place for pet lovers to exchange ideas, to rant, to brag, to connect.

Let's talk ... about pet sitters. We're working on a story about them for our next issue. If you've had a good experience with one, let me know. If you're a pet sitter and you want to tout your business, let me know.

And here's a question for dog owners and vets: Greenies -- yes or no? One of my co-workers isn't sure what to do anymore. Her vet says they're safe and good for her two dogs, but she's been reading the stories about how the company is going to change its label after a number of dogs reportedly have died after eating them. The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine is investigating nearly 30 complaints about the product.

Come back for regular posts from me, and pass the word about this blog -- and its Web address -- to other pet lovers.