puppy toy poodle

Question
My husband just brought me home a toy poodle, the lady he got it from said it is 8 weeks, but I'm not to sure! She has not teeth and is really really little! Any way my question is - She smells really really bad, and her hair is matted in places, I want to give her a bath but I'm alittle worried. I know that you are not supposed to bath them tell they are 8 weeks, so if I'm right and she is not 8 weeks yet will it hurt her? And if I do give her a bath do you have any suggestions on how to do it and what to use?(I was told to use baby shampoo) Thank you very much for your time and any help you can give. Angel

Answer
It is a little odd that she has no teeth.  Before doing anything with her you should take her to a vet and have her checked out.  You should be ok giving her a bath with puppy or baby shampoo just don't get the shampoo in her eyes and comb her out before and after bathing her.  Make sure you keep her warm, even using a blow dryer on low would be ok.  No reputable breeder would sell a puppy before 8 weeks old, a toy poodle should be very small but my concern would be how she is going to eat, considering dry food is best for a dog and if she is too young she may not even be able to eat wet food.  Definitely get her checked out by a vet and get the green light for the bath and any grooming, I don't think it would hurt her but at the same time we don't know how old she really is. If she really is too stinky use a baby wipe to clean her up.  Let me know how it goes, good luck.