Going to See a Yorkie Tomorrow

[gallardo]

I'm a Yorkie Virgin So please go easy on me.

I've never had a Yorkie before, but I went to a friends house a few weeks ago and fell in love with his little yorkie (so much that I wanted to sneak him out under my coat). Anyway, I have two dachshunds and two cats now. However, my wife and I are divorcing and she is taking the dachshunds to her new place and I am keeping the cats (and the house). Anyway, so I want to get a dog for myself. I have a 1.5 acre lot and about 1/2 acre of it fenced in. Anyway, now for a few questions please..

- Any other questions I should ask the breeder and/or what do I look for? I've already asked about papers, shots, parents on site, weight of parents, etc. It's a litter of 5 (3 boys, 2 girls). I would prefer a girl, but am open to a boy if I bond with it better.

- Assuming I get one - can I let it outside to do it's thing when it's cold out? It gets in the 30's here now at night and in a month or two will soon be in the teens. Will the puppy be ok? I'll go out with him/her but just wanted to be sure that's even safe for a ~10 week old puppy.

- I looked through the new puppy owner sticky and saw it recommended getting some toys, but it didn't specify any particular ones. Are some better that others for young puppies?

- What about the coat? My neighbor said to get a "silky" coat. How do I tell that...by looking at the parents?

- Should I take him/her to the vet in the first few days?

- For crate training, is a carrier ok; or should it be a crate?

I will probably have other questions too, but these should get me started. Thanks!

[Reese1]

Well first of all, congrats on your decision to get a Yorkie!

Here is the link to a forum on YT, at the top there are "stickies" that have lots of great info on what to look for and stay away from in a breeder, questions, etc..
"Buy your breeder first" is great advice!! You do not want to end up with a puppy mill or BYB puppy. Please google, research, ask questions regarding any breeder you are visiting!!
I would also suggest checking ytca.org for reputable breeders in your area.
Is the breeder you are visiting letting the puppy go at 10 weeks? Most reputable breeders wait until at least 12 weeks.
You should absolutely take the puppy to a vet ASAP. I think when we brought Wrigley home, we took her the next day!
I think if you do a search on YT on crate training, you will find that people do all different things. Some use a crate, ex-pen, etc..
Our girls sleep in a crate at night, which they love!
The breeder you are going to visit. Do they have a contract, a health guarantee, are they AKC registered?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by gallardo

I'm a Yorkie Virgin So please go easy on me.

I've never had a Yorkie before, but I went to a friends house a few weeks ago and fell in love with his little yorkie (so much that I wanted to sneak him out under my coat). Anyway, I have two dachshunds and two cats now. However, my wife and I are divorcing and she is taking the dachshunds to her new place and I am keeping the cats (and the house). Anyway, so I want to get a dog for myself. I have a 1.5 acre lot and about 1/2 acre of it fenced in. Anyway, now for a few questions please..

- Any other questions I should ask the breeder and/or what do I look for? I've already asked about papers, shots, parents on site, weight of parents, etc. It's a litter of 5 (3 boys, 2 girls). I would prefer a girl, but am open to a boy if I bond with it better.

- Assuming I get one - can I let it outside to do it's thing when it's cold out? It gets in the 30's here now at night and in a month or two will soon be in the teens. Will the puppy be ok? I'll go out with him/her but just wanted to be sure that's even safe for a ~10 week old puppy.

- I looked through the new puppy owner sticky and saw it recommended getting some toys, but it didn't specify any particular ones. Are some better that others for young puppies?

- What about the coat? My neighbor said to get a "silky" coat. How do I tell that...by looking at the parents?

- Should I take him/her to the vet in the first few days?

- For crate training, is a carrier ok; or should it be a crate?

I will probably have other questions too, but these should get me started. Thanks!

Sticky: YORKIE PUPPY CARE GUIDE - For New Parents!


This is a good read, also go to the YT library and look up vaccinations and immunization protocols. This small breed has special needs, print out and take to your vet for discussion.

Yes take your new pup within 48 hours to a vet for first health check.

For evaluating your would be breeder, you need to spend some time checking out this breeder. References, any BBB complaints? What kind and type of health testing does she/he do on their breeding dogs? How long have they been breeding? Any health problems in their line? What is the health guarantee offered? Are the dogs AKC champions, is this litter registered with the AKC?

Silky coats - a true silk coat will slip through your fingers like a silk scarf. It will feel cool to the touch. Puppies by the way won't have a silk coat yet, so you want to see both parents if possible.

Carrier for the car, xpen or crate for the house.

Outside potty training, it's pretty cold in Chicago, what we do here for the winter time is keep an area clear of snow near our garden door for our little man. But his first winter I pee pad trained him, to me he was just too small for all that snow and cold, but now he goes out in the winter time.

Just be careful at their small size they are vulnerable to predatory birds and animals. I live in the city but we have racoons, and coyotes, and birds of prey, so I don';t let him outside alone.

Oh yes get a warm coat for his winter walks. Paw pad protector too

Good luck with your search

[Deuce]

Welcome, and congrats on choosing a Yorkie, they can be a world of fun I would recommend spending just a little more time researching the breed before you do choose to take a little yorkie bundle home, as no two yorkies are the same. They are very unique and highly intelligent little dogs and you need to be prepared for the training obstacles that this breed will present you with. So while you adore your friends yorkie, trust me, another yorkie could make you think twice about them. Take a look through the training section so you can see what you're in for with training
As far as training goes, I tend to think that the dogs they list as the most "intelligent" breeds, like the poodle, german sheppherd, etc. are reactor dogs, they give you a reaction when you give them a command...Terriers (esp. Yorkies) are listed much lower on the intelligence scale, in my opinion, because they are thinkers/analyzers. Every little thing you do they will try to figure out, so standard training methods do not work with them, as you will get quite a few blank stares :P.
Potty training, it is their number one training issue, probably because we as humans like our houses to be fresh and clean. You must, must, must have patience when potty training yorkies. They will be perfect one week, then regress the next, they will test your patience and you must not ever lose your temper with them. They will not forget it.
The above posters listed some pretty good information for when it comes to choosing your breeder, and I don't really have too much to add, other than if they are trying to push you to buying their puppy really think about walking away. Breeders should want you to come to them and show that you are really ready, and willing, to take on the responsibility of a puppy. They wont just give their puppies to anyone.
And, is this the right time for you to be investing time in a puppy? I don't know your situation, but I've been through divorces with friends and the ammount of stress they were under, I couldn't imagine them taking on the stress of a new puppy on top of it all. Of course you may have a totally different situation going but I did want to present it just in case, and for others considering a new puppy.
Other than that, good luck with your search just in case this breeder shows you some red-flags and you wind up having to walk away. If you are patient you will find your "perfect" puppy

[yorkieusa]

Everyone seems to have answered your questions fairly well. You did ask about training it to go outside. Will you be home with your puppy during the day? If not, then your puppy will need to be in an x-pen with piddle pads. I dual-train mine to use pads in the garage when there are thunderstorms or blizzards. She prefers to go outside the rest of the time. Also, your puppy should not go outside until the pup has all required shots.

[gallardo]

Thanks all. Sorry for the delay. I ended up going to the breeder and falling in love with a little yorkie girl so had to get her

She is so adorable and sweet!! I have been taking her out and she gets right down to business and then hops on my feet to stay warm. She's only had a couple accidents inside so far. So proud of her. I even got her a couple shirts to wear when we go out

I took her to the vet the day after I got her and they did a full check up on her, including bloodwork and a stool sample. They gave me some science diet to give her instead of the Eukanuba puppy the breeder gave me (because she was barely eating the Eukanuba). Anyway, she immediately started eating that, but then doesn't seem to like it anymore.

However, she loves cat food and LOVES human food LOL. She goes crazy over it. So she is hungry, just doesn't like her own food. Should I keep trying different foods? Any specific recommendations? I've been giving her nutri cal quite a bit, as the vet said to give her a dab of that every few hours.

Thanks

PS, here's some pics of Hailey

http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...=23741&cat=500
http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...=23740&cat=500

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by gallardo

Thanks all. Sorry for the delay. I ended up going to the breeder and falling in love with a little yorkie girl so had to get her

She is so adorable and sweet!! I have been taking her out and she gets right down to business and then hops on my feet to stay warm. She's only had a couple accidents inside so far. So proud of her. I even got her a couple shirts to wear when we go out

I took her to the vet the day after I got her and they did a full check up on her, including bloodwork and a stool sample. They gave me some science diet to give her instead of the Eukanuba puppy the breeder gave me (because she was barely eating the Eukanuba). Anyway, she immediately started eating that, but then doesn't seem to like it anymore.

However, she loves cat food and LOVES human food LOL. She goes crazy over it. So she is hungry, just doesn't like her own food. Should I keep trying different foods? Any specific recommendations? I've been giving her nutri cal quite a bit, as the vet said to give her a dab of that every few hours.

Thanks

Cat food is a big no, no and people food can cause pancreatitis.

Science Diet is not the best. But, find a good quality puppy food, entice her with Parmsean cheese, cheese or a bit of boiled, skinless chicken breast.

10 weeks she shouldn't even be going outside until she's had her full compliment of vaccinations. I see you live in Chicago, winter is coming on and I'd piddle pad train her. Put her in an x-pen, don't give her full access to the house if you can't watch her.

Don't over do the Nutri Cal it can cause diabitis and can actuallly do what you are trying to prevent, bring on a hyperglycemic attack, Make sure she's eating 4 meals at the minimum and you aren't over handling her and make sure she's getting plenty of rest.

[gallardo]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Cat food is a big no, no and people food can cause pancreatitis.

Science Diet is not the best. But, find a good quality puppy food, entice her with Parmsean cheese, cheese or a bit of boiled, skinless chicken breast.

10 weeks she shouldn't even be going outside until she's had her full compliment of vaccinations. I see you live in Chicago, winter is coming on and I'd piddle pad train her. Put her in an x-pen, don't give her full access to the house if you can't watch her.

Don't over do the Nutri Cal it can cause diabitis and can actuallly do what you are trying to prevent, bring on a hyperglycemic attack, Make sure she's eating 4 meals at the minimum and you aren't over handling her and make sure she's getting plenty of rest.

Well she's actually only 9 weeks, the breeder said I must have misunderstood her when she said 10 weeks (maybe she said 10 weeks next ___). I don't give her cat food or human food - I know it's not good for her. I just wish she would like her own! Any recommendations a quality food? When you say entice her, you mean put the cheese etc on top of the food or? She's definitely not eating 4 meals a day. She usually eats a few pieces of food and then stops. Could be that she's full from all the nutri cal. I'll use less and see how she does and if she eats more.

As for outside, it's in my own fenced in back yard - should I still not let her out?

[Donnainohio63]

Congrats on your new puppy, she is beautiful. You should never give her cat food , very fattening and not good for her at all. I would not let her outside until she has had all of her shots. Buy some puppy pads. Saddie was puppy pad trianed in one day. Good luck with your new furbaby

[jltwigg10]

Congrats on your new addition. She is beautiful and I love her name.

Staty connected to the YT forum. People on here are a wealth of knowledge.

[yorkieusa]

She is precious and I love the name you chose, too.

Here is a list you can refer to so you know what is really bad for her.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...oods-dogs.html

[Jennxling]

Originally Posted by gallardo

Thanks all. Sorry for the delay. I ended up going to the breeder and falling in love with a little yorkie girl so had to get her

She is so adorable and sweet!! I have been taking her out and she gets right down to business and then hops on my feet to stay warm. She's only had a couple accidents inside so far. So proud of her. I even got her a couple shirts to wear when we go out

I took her to the vet the day after I got her and they did a full check up on her, including bloodwork and a stool sample. They gave me some science diet to give her instead of the Eukanuba puppy the breeder gave me (because she was barely eating the Eukanuba). Anyway, she immediately started eating that, but then doesn't seem to like it anymore.

However, she loves cat food and LOVES human food LOL. She goes crazy over it. So she is hungry, just doesn't like her own food. Should I keep trying different foods? Any specific recommendations? I've been giving her nutri cal quite a bit, as the vet said to give her a dab of that every few hours.

Thanks

PS, here's some pics of Hailey

YorkieTalk.com Photo Gallery - Hailey on Day 1 - Powered by PhotoPost
YorkieTalk.com Photo Gallery - Hailey All Dressed Up - Powered by PhotoPost

She's SUPER CUTE!!! You're so brave!! Most guys I know won't dress their dogs up. My bf gets embarrassed.


Some really good toys for Hailey would be puppy kong and Kong brand toys. They are durable and it helps them when they start teething. Also, nylabone and kyjen is also good. Kyjen toys that we have are the bee and the squirrel, Emma LOVES it.

You should puppy pad train your baby because it's not safe for her to go out at such a young age. She is still living off her mom's immunity, which is not too strong. Wait until she completes all her shots and rabies before you take her out. If you want to take her out to places with other dogs, make sure you give her the bordetella vaccine.

I'd try not to give her human food because it will lead to begging in the future and the food is not good for them. However, there are some foods you can give, such as certain fruits and vegetables. Just don't overdue it. Science Diet is not a really good brand so consider switching to a premium brand.

Oh, Emma has been a picky eater since she was a baby. I suspect that it's a prominent trait with female yorkies. My baby is currently eating nutro and she's been fine with it. I switched from Orijen, Wellness, and Flint River.

Lastly, take her to dog parks after she is done with her vaccines so she can socialize with other dogs. It will take awhile for her to socialize, but definitely start at a young age.

Congrats on your new puppy and hope she's adjusting well!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by gallardo

Well she's actually only 9 weeks, the breeder said I must have misunderstood her when she said 10 weeks (maybe she said 10 weeks next ___). I don't give her cat food or human food - I know it's not good for her. I just wish she would like her own! Any recommendations a quality food? When you say entice her, you mean put the cheese etc on top of the food or? She's definitely not eating 4 meals a day. She usually eats a few pieces of food and then stops. Could be that she's full from all the nutri cal. I'll use less and see how she does and if she eats more.

As for outside, it's in my own fenced in back yard - should I still not let her out?

No,you shouldn't let her out until she's had all her shots. Cats,rodents, birds, etc are in your backyard....dropping their feces. There's a YT library lots of info on vaccination.

You said in your post that she loved cat food and human food. Yes put the cheese on top of her her food. Stay away from the NutriCal unless absolutely necessary. It's not suppose to be used as food supplement.

Start researching food. You can ask manufacturers for samples. Don't be changing her food around quickly as this can cause diarreah.

Nine weeks of age this wee one should still be with her mother and litter mates.

[deonk1]

Welcome and Congrats!

I just wanted to let you know that some of the previous posters are right in a sense about the 12 week time when pups are supposed to come home, that being said mine came home at 9 weeks too and he's fine. BUT that's because of a few things.
My breeder assured that they were socialized with the other litters at the same time (she had 3 in total), and she gave each pup one-on-one time with momma every day to learn how to play and bitting is a no no.

If you're breeder didn't have such a socialization ritual, you need to create that for your baby. There are some posts on here, as well as great books I recommend "My Smart Puppy" as a good place to start, also I'm reading some books by Jean Donaldson who is pretty good too.

Socialization is also the key, but until the second set of shots comes in you shouldn't do too much. If you know for certain you have a doggie friend who has not been exposed to parvo or other contageous diseases and is UTD on shots, then you may be able to let them play, but avoid high traffic areas like pet stores you never know what germs are there. As soon as all the shots are done, and the vet ok's socialization make sure she meets lots of dogs.

I also recommend having a look at health and diet forum, there is a sticky on premium foods, science diet does not fall into that category, and your baby will be a lot healthier if you find a food on that list.
If she likes cat food, (which she can't have), first try getting her on a quality kibble (I use Now!) then supplement with something called Trippet, google it... it's wet food, it's not meant to be fed alone, only as a supplement. it smells disgusting but boy they eat it up.... it gives them just that extra bit of meat in thier diet, and it's super healthy.

Best of luck, keep up posted.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by deonk1

Welcome and Congrats!

I just wanted to let you know that some of the previous posters are right in a sense about the 12 week time when pups are supposed to come home, that being said mine came home at 9 weeks too and he's fine. BUT that's because of a few things.
My breeder assured that they were socialized with the other litters at the same time (she had 3 in total), and she gave each pup one-on-one time with momma every day to learn how to play and bitting is a no no. If you're breeder didn't have such a socialization ritual, you need to create that for your baby. There are some posts on here, as well as great books I recommend "My Smart Puppy" as a good place to start, also I'm reading some books by Jean Donaldson who is pretty good too.

Socialization is also the key, but until the second set of shots comes in you shouldn't do too much. If you know for certain you have a doggie friend who has not been exposed to parvo or other contageous diseases and is UTD on shots, then you may be able to let them play, but avoid high traffic areas like pet stores you never know what germs are there. As soon as all the shots are done, and the vet ok's socialization make sure she meets lots of dogs.

I also recommend having a look at health and diet forum, there is a sticky on premium foods, science diet does not fall into that category, and your baby will be a lot healthier if you find a food on that list.
If she likes cat food, (which she can't have), first try getting her on a quality kibble (I use Now!) then supplement with something called Trippet, google it... it's wet food, it's not meant to be fed alone, only as a supplement. it smells disgusting but boy they eat it up.... it gives them just that extra bit of meat in thier diet, and it's super healthy.

Best of luck, keep up posted.

There is more to socialization and the dam is the one that does it. We as humans, unless we are versed in canine behavior can't.

No reputable breeder will allow a pup to go home until a minimum of 12 weeks, a minimum of 2 innoculations. There is a reason for this. We want to insure that everything is stable and we make the transition to the new family without any problems.

In addition if a pup is to be bile acid tested for LS it should not go home until 16 weeks. As Bile Acid testing is done at 16 weeks and again at 6 months of age.