Is a Yorkie right for me?

[wantingayorkie]

Ok, for about a month now I have been eyeing Yorkshire Terriers, they are so adorable! I'm like dying to have one, I want to put bows in it's her and dress her up but I don't know if its the right dog for me? My husband who does not really want a dog, but understands that I want one and is willing to get one, he justs thinks at this time in our life were not ready. Were newly weds and one reason I want a puppy is to kinda get a feel for having a "baby". We don't actually plan to have kids until 3-5 more years. I just want our dog to accept our new baby when that time comes. Also, in about 4 more months we are moving and I don't know what type of stress this would had to the puppy. Also, we work and go to school full time and I'm gone 8-9 hours and my hubby would be gone 5-6 hours, would our Yorkie destroy our house while we are gone, I know we would have a crate to put her in put that just seems to long of hours. I've had terror stories about Yorkies not training well, potty training, not getting along with kids and other animals so now I'm scared and I dont want to pay lots of money if it's not going to work. Do any of you have some advice for me?

[Bizzymammabee]

I light of your busy schedules I would rethink it. Yorkies are definitely pets that need lots of attention and love.

[BamaFan121s]

To be perfectly honest...No, I don't think a Yorkie is right for you. And it really seems like maybe you already realize that seeing as you have listed the factors working against you.
I would really wait until you're life becomes a little more stable, you and the new hubby have moved, settled in and you are not away from home so much and can spend more time with the dog. You seem to have enough in your life to easily stress YOU, just imagine how it would be for a wee little one.
If you've only been eyeing them for a month, I would really suggest that you resist that impulse urge to snatch one up. (I know how hard it is. ) Stick around here, learn more about the pros and cons (yes, cons) to this breed and don't rush things. You will learn a million things you never knew you never knew and it will only help you to make a better decision and choice in the future regarding getting a little one.

Welcome to YT!

[ARCHIE]

Owning a pet, of any kind, is a serious committment. It goes far beyond
putting a bow in their hair and carrying them around in a purse. It's not much
different than bringing a skin baby into your home.
I work fulltime and I'm gone for 8-9 hrs Mon-Fri, however, the rest of
my time is all Buddy's. Total commitment. I cancel dinners, vacations etc
because of him. To train a Yorkie can be a real challenge. I went home for
6wks on my lunch hour(I live 14mi from home) to let him relieve himself until he was old enough (It was stressfull) to hold it all day. You will need to play with him at night and in the am
before leaving for school. Weekends should be totally spent with him unless
you take him along. It's hard when they are left alone during the day and it
is so very important to spend the evening with them. Yorkies are hyper,
high maintenance dogs. They require human contact, grooming, health care,
proper food and can get stressed if their needs are not met. It's a total
committment from day one.
It's good that your asking about it before you do make the committment
because it is a very serious one.
Good luck to you,

[hha]

They need to be confined until they are through the chewing stage and housebroken..I have always used an xpen, but, I'm home with my 4 inside dogs all the time..They do get lonely when left all day..There was a lady here in town about 3 years ago that had to sell her yorkie(she sold her for $100)..she of course was already sold when I called, but, I asked her anyway why she had to sell her, she said that she had just had a baby, and the dog just wouldn't accept the little one..So, the dog had to go..that just broke my heart, as the dog was like 2 at the time..

[kaitlyn]

Originally Posted by wantingayorkie

Ok, for about a month now I have been eyeing Yorkshire Terriers, they are so adorable! I'm like dying to have one, I want to put bows in it's her and dress her up but I don't know if its the right dog for me? My husband who does not really want a dog, but understands that I want one and is willing to get one, he justs thinks at this time in our life were not ready. Were newly weds and one reason I want a puppy is to kinda get a feel for having a "baby". We don't actually plan to have kids until 3-5 more years. I just want our dog to accept our new baby when that time comes. Also, in about 4 more months we are moving and I don't know what type of stress this would had to the puppy. Also, we work and go to school full time and I'm gone 8-9 hours and my hubby would be gone 5-6 hours, would our Yorkie destroy our house while we are gone, I know we would have a crate to put her in put that just seems to long of hours. I've had terror stories about Yorkies not training well, potty training, not getting along with kids and other animals so now I'm scared and I dont want to pay lots of money if it's not going to work. Do any of you have some advice for me?

Im sorry but I have to agree with your husband...it sounds like you would not have enough time to devote to a yorkie at this time. They take alot of work and alot of time. Not saying you would, but yorkies cannot be kept in a cage until someone is ready to use them for "arm candy" and then put back. They need alot of attention and care, and yes, fully potty training them can be very hard. If you are wanting something to pratice taking care of, Ive heard cats do real well alone for long periods of time.

[chachi]

If your Husband is the one gone 5 or 6 hours he would have to be committed to training and caring for the pup and it doesnt sound like he is

[sweetr72]

Although a yorkie might not be right for you...there a few cat breeds that have a "dog" attitude..and cats do fare well on their own...do some research on the devon rex...awesome cat with a dog type personality...that is the cat of my dreams!!

Dawn

[yorkieusa]

No. I don't think so. You shouldn't want a yorkie for the reasons you gave, nor to kinda get a feel for having a "baby". Your schedule wouldn't be fair to a little yorkie, either. They are attention hogs and they have the right to expect that attention. I don't believe you could ever successfully housebreak one, so then you wouldn't be very happy with them.

[yoyo27]

Sounds like you already have the answer. You are young and thinking of a family and these little dogs are cute. But most of us use them as our kids. And little kids you have to watch with these fragile little ones. Plus some of them get very jealous. Not sure if you want to go through that. There are other dogs out there that are small and better built for kids down the road. If you really must have a dog maybe you need to think about something that will fit with you future life with kids. Hope you decide but yorkies are special when the timing is right.

We have this as our 2nd life, all the kids aren't home and now these are our babies.

[celstu1]

I work full time and have 2 yorkies. I have no husband or roomie or anything, just me and them. They do fine when I am not home, but I do contain their area to the kitchen during those hours.

If I were you I'd research, research and research more for the next 6 months. Learn all you can about yorkies, ask questions here, get books on training puppies, on yorkies specifically and read up on them. Then after you are settled from your move, THEN get one. 6 months is not that long of a time to think something this big through. Dogs are a committment. Yorkies can live up to 20 years. Noone wants to ever have to rehome their dog and noone wants to hear about someone irresponsibly getting a dog only to find out it ended up in a rescue or shelter bc the new owner knew NOTHING about dog ownership.

Make sure you find the right breeder (NO PETSTORES!) and ask all the right questions. You don't want a pup with potential major health problems. (luxating patella, collapsed trachia, etc...if you dont know what those are, then you definately are not ready and have lots of research to do!) Also ask yourself if financially you are ready for this. Noone expects a dog to get hit or need major surgery immediately and has up to $5000 on hand for those expenses, but you need to be aware, it CAN happen and what will you do?

As for training, as with any dog and children too, you need to blame yourself if your dog destroys something around the house. YOu left it out for him/her to get at it. So many people get angry at the dog. Its a dog. Its up to you to keep things out of reach, cords, shoes, etc...

All pups go through a chewing stage, I highly recommend an indoor xpen instead of gating them into a room. This will protect your walls and baseboards from being chewed up. (Ive had holes in walls, chewed cabinet corners, chewed baseboards and sliding door molding cuz I didnt know to put them in a indoor pen!) and Ive lost shoes from not shutting my closet doors and my laptop cord from leaving it on the floor, etc...

If you think you can handle it all ... not just a yorkie but any dog will need training and time/attention from you... then Id say after your move go for it! You won't be sorry... the unconditional love of a dog compares to nothing in this world! Its wonderful

Good Luck with your decision and welcome to the board!!!!

[Ellie May]

It could work for you, but I don't think I'd try it. Since you are gone so much during the day, nights and weekends belong to your Yorkie. Is this really how you want to spend most of your spare time? Is your husband willing to help potty train it since he will be gone less? When you have kids, what if they are allergic to the dog (it does happen)? The dog will be rehomed, I'm sure. Yes, that would be the right decision but it is wrong to do that to a dog who has goteen attached to you. If you have small dogs and kids you will have to supervise every minute or the dog could very easily get hurt. It is your decision whether or not you want to make a committment like this. Why not wait til you have kids and maybe get a golden retriever-type dog? Or maybe you can even get one now and hope that your kids won't have allergies. I would also consider getting two dogs if you will be gone that much so they can keep each other company.

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by celstu1

I work full time and have 2 yorkies. I have no husband or roomie or anything, just me and them. They do fine when I am not home, but I do contain their area to the kitchen during those hours.

If I were you I'd research, research and research more for the next 6 months. Learn all you can about yorkies, ask questions here, get books on training puppies, on yorkies specifically and read up on them. Then after you are settled from your move, THEN get one. 6 months is not that long of a time to think something this big through. Dogs are a committment. Yorkies can live up to 20 years. Noone wants to ever have to rehome their dog and noone wants to hear about someone irresponsibly getting a dog only to find out it ended up in a rescue or shelter bc the new owner knew NOTHING about dog ownership.

Make sure you find the right breeder (NO PETSTORES!) and ask all the right questions. You don't want a pup with potential major health problems. (luxating patella, collapsed trachia, etc...if you dont know what those are, then you definately are not ready and have lots of research to do!) Also ask yourself if financially you are ready for this. Noone expects a dog to get hit or need major surgery immediately and has up to $5000 on hand for those expenses, but you need to be aware, it CAN happen and what will you do?

As for training, as with any dog and children too, you need to blame yourself if your dog destroys something around the house. YOu left it out for him/her to get at it. So many people get angry at the dog. Its a dog. Its up to you to keep things out of reach, cords, shoes, etc...

All pups go through a chewing stage, I highly recommend an indoor xpen instead of gating them into a room. This will protect your walls and baseboards from being chewed up. (Ive had holes in walls, chewed cabinet corners, chewed baseboards and sliding door molding cuz I didnt know to put them in a indoor pen!) and Ive lost shoes from not shutting my closet doors and my laptop cord from leaving it on the floor, etc...

If you think you can handle it all ... not just a yorkie but any dog will need training and time/attention from you... then Id say after your move go for it! You won't be sorry... the unconditional love of a dog compares to nothing in this world! Its wonderful

Good Luck with your decision and welcome to the board!!!!

Welcome to YT - do your research - this is a good place to start. I would wait at least until you've moved & settled in at your new home. Then reassess & reassess as you learn more about the breed.

If your hubby is gone fewer hrs in the day than you, does that mean he might be available to spend time with the pup while you're gone? As students you also should consider, not just the time you are away from home, but how disruptive would a puppy be to the time you need to be studying?

Also, I know as a newlywed, it is impossible for you to foresee what will happen when you have a yorkie & then have a baby. But you need to think about this. I owned 2 bichons, & then I had my daughter, it was hard - and even though I hated reducing the time with my dogs, it has to happen with a baby. I think I made it work well. But we frequently see families looking to rehome their yorkies because of new babies, more babies in the home.

So ask yourself, can I get a yorkie & provide a forever home? I have 2 yorkies - and I adopted them from a gal who chose to rehome them because she was too busy with the new baby & didn't have the time needed to give the yorkies.

Yorkies can be wonderful. YT is wonderful too. I hope that you won't run off when you may not be getting the response you want.

A yorkie may be right for you, but is the time to get a yorkie right?

[akcyorkies4u]

welcome..This is the best place for info and you will find something soon that fits your needs

[stedmansmommy]

Hmmm. It sounds as though bringing a Yorkie into your home maybe isn't the best thing - at least for right now. You guys just got married, and you both work and go to school full time, plus it sounds like hubby isn't too keen on the idea. If I were you, I definitely wouldn't rush into anything. Give yourself time to REALLY think things over. Yorkies are a HIGH MATIENCE breed. They demand LOTS of attention, DAILY brushing, constant grooming, teeth cleaning, walks every day, etc., etc. And I'm not speaking for all Yorkies here, but my female Yorkie (I have both a male, and a female) does NOT like being left alone for long periods of time. Yorkies are very cute and cuddly, but they are more than just a pretty face and a dress up doll. They are REAL animals and they require alot of time, patience and love (as does any animal).

I say if you are already questioning whether or not getting a dog would be the right choice for you to make, then chances are it probably isn't.

Just my two cents worth, but I do wish you the best of luck in whatever decision you make