Newbie here :)

[purplg8r]

Hi! My name is Andrea and I'm so excited! I got my first furbaby today and named her Bella! I've been wanting a yorkie for years and today I got one (well, I put my deposit down on her today. I will pick her up next Saturday. I didn't want to buy her and take her home, only to have to take her to a kennel when I go out of town for Thanksgiving. I am going down to my Uncle's in Miami and they have 4 big dogs and I don't know how she'd do with them.)

Yesterday 2 of my friends and I were going to a local arts and crafts festival when we passed a grooming shop with lots of cute doggie clothes. And as we were walking past, we saw a cute yorkie in the window so we had to go in! The puppy was a boy and I needed a girl since I want to litterbox train the puppy. The boy was absolutely precious. He was adorable and had such a fun and sweet personality. The people who owned the shop said they bought the puppy from an elderly couple to sell and the elderly couple still had one girl left. I told them that I was very interested so they said they would get the girl and bring her in today for me to see her.

So my boyfriend and one of the girls who went with me yesterday went to meet the puppy today. And she's so cute! She was really jittery at first and didn't want me to hold her but then the lady brought out a blanket and I wrapped her in it and held her for about 5 minutes and she was fine. Then I put her back down on the ground and she turned around and crawled right back up on my lap. She had me right then!

My friend is thinking of buying the brother, but she's allergic to dogs. We've read online that yorkies are hypo-allergenic but the girl was definitely shedding a little on me so we're not sure how my friend would do with the boy. But she is going to try to convince her husband. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! It would so fun to have puppies that are brother and sister!

If you guys have any tips, I'd love to hear them. Also, I've made a list of items to buy before I get her on Saturday, but I'd love to see what you guys think I need in case I've missed anything.

Thanks!

[gemy]

Welcome to YT Here is a good read for new yorkie owners
Sticky: YORKIE PUPPY CARE GUIDE - For New Parents!

[Deuce]

Yorkies tend to not shed at all, it's pretty rare to find a shedder as the shedding is usually caused by a double coat... I cant help but question the lineage of the puppy so I wouldn't recommend to your friend getting the puppy, jmo. I would also question purchasing a puppy from a petstore, sure they came from a "breeder" but most, if not all reputable breeders sell from their homes as they care where their puppies are going.
Gemy linked a great list to go through when getting ready for the new puppy. Good luck with your new pup.

[RDB911]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Yorkies tend to not shed at all, it's pretty rare to find a shedder as the shedding is usually caused by a double coat... I cant help but question the lineage of the puppy so I wouldn't recommend to your friend getting the puppy, jmo. I would also question purchasing a puppy from a petstore, sure they came from a "breeder" but most, if not all reputable breeders sell from their homes as they care where their puppies are going.
Gemy linked a great list to go through when getting ready for the new puppy. Good luck with your new pup.

agree

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by purplg8r

The puppy was a boy and I needed a girl since I want to litterbox train the puppy.

Thanks!

Uh my male Schnorkie was litter trained...and people who are truly allergic to dogs are allergic to their saliva, dander-less dogs or hypoallergenic dogs are safe for persons with allergies, dust mites, dander, pollen etc. I'd just hate to see your friend get adog and then be allergic to it, she should test herself on your dog first. Did you get a kennel for the trip...always introduce dogs in a neutral area preferably out doors and keeping your new arrival in a kennel to keep her safe when unattended might be best! I was concerned with my friends American Staff (yes a pit but larger) eating my Yorkie...she just smelled him and he climbed all over her they were fine, even her being 90 some pounds and him being 11 she was so super gentle, but the neighbors French Bull dog whom is only a could pounds larger is extremely aggressive towards my dogs...you just never know.
There are so many people on here with wonderful advice congrats and best of luck!

[RoscoesMommy42]

Hello and welcome to YT!! Congratulations on your new baby. A pet store is not a good place to buy a puppy and the fact that the puppy was obviously shedding concerns me. I probably would not recommend your friend getting the boy. I hope she is very healthy since many times the ones you buy from stores like that aren't. Good luck and this is a great place for lots of information about your new baby. Have fun on your trip.

[purplg8r]

Thank you guys for the advice so far. I didn't buy it from a puppy store. It's a grooming botique and the owners have elderly neighbors that love their yorkies and breed them (so I guess it's considered a BYB). But the owners of the botique sell the two puppies so that the elderly couple didn't have to have strangers in their house. I saw pictures of the parents and of the elderly couple (I know that can always be deceiving and I went back and forth a bunch about whether or not to get her but after seeing her, I fell in love). And she wasn't shedding a bunch but when we left there were about 3 hairs on my shirt.

This site is great!

I have a couple of more questions if thats okay..I read the new puppy sticky note and I didn't see this in there. (Yeah, I am totally going to be one of THOSE moms)

1) I've seen a bunch of Nutri-Cal. Should I be feeding this to my puppy every day (she's 11 weeks yesterday) or just keep it on hand?

2)For crate training...when I am gone at work, I was thinking of having a gate put up in the guest bathroom. She'll have her food/water, litter box, bed, blankets and toys in there. But I want to have her crate with me in the bedroom at night so she can sleep near me. Should I put her crate in the guest bathroom during the day with her?

3) I read that Yorkies need to be put under anesthesia and have their teeth cleaned. How often do I need to have that done?

4) What dog food do you guys suggest? Right now she is on Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food. Is that a good one?

5) What treats are best for yorkie puppies?

Thanks guys!

[RoscoesMommy42]

I would just keep Nutrical on hand as long as she is eating good. I've o ly had to use mine twice in a year and a half when I had one sick.
I have heard Eukanoba is not the best food. There is a lot of great ones out there. I have been extremely happy with Natural Balance. It is all life stages and they have small breed with a couple flavors so the pieces are small. My dogs love dried chicken and banana treats...but just give treats in moderation since yorkies are so small. Hopefully someone will answer the rest of your questions.

Oh and the teeth cleaning most recommend once a year. Brush often and maybe wouldn't have to do that much.

[snoopymom]

When Snoopy was a puppy, if you had on a white shirt and held him, you would see a little bit of hair on your shirt, but I wouldn't consider that to be shedding.

[YorkieZoo]

Welcome to YT!

I have a couple of more questions if thats okay..I read the new puppy sticky note and I didn't see this in there. (Yeah, I am totally going to be one of THOSE moms)

1) I've seen a bunch of Nutri-Cal. Should I be feeding this to my puppy every day (she's 11 weeks yesterday) or just keep it on hand?

If the puppy is eating okay, then I would just keep it on hand!

2)For crate training...when I am gone at work, I was thinking of having a gate put up in the guest bathroom. She'll have her food/water, litter box, bed, blankets and toys in there. But I want to have her crate with me in the bedroom at night so she can sleep near me. Should I put her crate in the guest bathroom during the day with her?

Be sure to keep the toilet paper, magazines, anything down, put up (plunger and cleaner scrubby too!) You might consider the crating still...ours scratched the heck out of the door when we left.

We also didn't do the litter box...our little guy just chewed on the litter and pooped and pee'd beside it. We use the washable pee pads.

3) I read that Yorkies need to be put under anesthesia and have their teeth cleaned. How often do I need to have that done?

Yes, there are a some places in CA, FL, and GA that have a non-anesthesia technique, but I know we don't have it here in IN yet. Generally a teeth cleaning is once a year, but you generally don't have to do those until they are nearly 3 years old. Start getting her used to your brushing them...will be very beneficial in the long run!

4) What dog food do you guys suggest? Right now she is on Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food. Is that a good one?

I recommend the Health and Nutrition section...there are lots of recommendations, but each Yorkie is different and will tolerate the protein content a little different. Orijen and Arcana seem to be highly recommended.

5) What treats are best for yorkie puppies?

NEVER any RAWHIDE. Bully sticks are good for giving the puppies something to chew on. We also give Charlie Bears.

Welcome to YT! and Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy!

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by purplg8r

1) I've seen a bunch of Nutri-Cal. Should I be feeding this to my puppy every day (she's 11 weeks yesterday) or just keep it on hand?
2)For crate training...when I am gone at work, I was thinking of having a gate put up in the guest bathroom. She'll have her food/water, litter box, bed, blankets and toys in there. But I want to have her crate with me in the bedroom at night so she can sleep near me. Should I put her crate in the guest bathroom during the day with her?
3) I read that Yorkies need to be put under anesthesia and have their teeth cleaned. How often do I need to have that done?
4) What dog food do you guys suggest? Right now she is on Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food. Is that a good one?
5) What treats are best for yorkie puppies?

1)Nutri-Cal is a high-calorie palatable dietary supplement used for stressed or debilitated pets, pets suffering from illness, surgery or whelping, aging pets or picky eaters, who need increased caloric and nutritional intake. HUH if they don't need it try a regular daily vitamin but you should be asking a vet this
2)YES! Sounds like you have an awesome plan! Leave the crate open so she can use it during the day as she chooses this makes it a den for her and not a cage-be sure it is large enough-even too large-and has a super comfy bed in it. Also if you use a crate daily you need to clean it daily, then every other day etc-our furbabies are messier than us so if you wash your sheet weekly and you shower daily imagine how dirt her bed gets-I use a scentless hypoallergenic detergent for my dogs items-any detergent with scent will be so irritating for them!
3) I heard the same thing but none of mine ever have been only my Elvis had an issue and he had a deep scraping that is supposed to be done only every 5 years. WHY WOULD YOU BE GETTING AN 11WEEK OLD A TEETH CLEANING THOUGH? Her teeth should be new and healthy-use Greenies for small dogs and break it in half anyways. Other than that you can brush her teeth regularly and have your vet or groomer (both) monitor them in the years to come-this shouldn't be a concern anytime in the near future for you!
4) Innova! Especially for pups and dogs whom are left at home for several hours-the brown rice in it well they pooh less often as they absorb more of the nutrients so smaller and less piles! I'm switching to Taste of the Wild as I do a half raw diet here-I'm not that motivated so I give Stella and Chewy's Duck duck dinner patties. Kibble is better than wet food! Wet food is a rare treat it causes tooth decay!
5) small soft ones! I prefer Zukes Mini Naturals they are organic, etc. But by and large as long as it's soft and small you're good. Dogswell brand makes a treat like this, again Stella and Chewy's treat but I'm heard a lot of people like to cut up chicken squares and use chicken they make themselves-I did it for a bit you just do a large breast and keep it refrigerated in a zip-lock like you would regular store bought treats.

[concretegurl]

I forgot you are litter training! Be careful with corn litter! I used corn litter because it is AWESOME and found out he was allergic to corn! So careful and best of luck! Remember the best way to keep potty where it belongs is (yucky) put it in the box if its on the floor...I know but it works-and clean clean clean anywhere it may have soaked on or through if they can smell potty there its the potty spot!
WOW I'm shocked at how many places do put dogs under for teeth cleaning! I'm in CA and its almost unheard of here! I wonder why? In fact most groomers would throw you out (my groomers here are veterinary technicians) if you brought a sedated dog or want your dog sedated in any way for any service...maybe its a culture thing more than medical I don't know but ye its extremely unusual here, couldn't say why or what's better.

[boopster]

Welcome and congrats on your new puppy. It sounds like you've really started doing your research -- keep it up! There is a wealth of information from experienced Yorkie owners and breeders to be found here. I certainly have been helped tremendously by this group.

One thing I would absolutely recommend is that you take the puppy to the vet for a check-up and to discuss puppy care within a day or two of getting the little one. And before you go, read up on immunizations for small breeds and discuss this with the vet. You will find some good resources here.

And, of course, YT'ers love to see photos of everybody's Yorkies -- so I hope you will post some pics as soon as you can!

[Vinniedoggy]

Originally Posted by purplg8r

Thank you guys for the advice so far. I didn't buy it from a puppy store. It's a grooming botique and the owners have elderly neighbors that love their yorkies and breed them (so I guess it's considered a BYB).

I have a couple of more questions if thats okay..I read the new puppy sticky note and I didn't see this in there. (Yeah, I am totally going to be one of THOSE moms)

1) I've seen a bunch of Nutri-Cal. Should I be feeding this to my puppy every day (she's 11 weeks yesterday) or just keep it on hand?

2)For crate training...when I am gone at work, I was thinking of having a gate put up in the guest bathroom. She'll have her food/water, litter box, bed, blankets and toys in there. But I want to have her crate with me in the bedroom at night so she can sleep near me. Should I put her crate in the guest bathroom during the day with her?

3) I read that Yorkies need to be put under anesthesia and have their teeth cleaned. How often do I need to have that done?

4) What dog food do you guys suggest? Right now she is on Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food. Is that a good one?

5) What treats are best for yorkie puppies?

Thanks guys!

A couple of points. First, unless you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, you need to be prepared for potential health issues or genetic conditions. I'm not trying to scare you, but it's a reality, and a particularly possible reality when you are not buying from a reputable breeder. Personally, I have only adopted adult yorkies from rescues or the pound. The good thing about adopting adults is that 1) they are generally already potty trained and 2) they are past that annoying, needy puppy stage. Yes puppies are cute, but they are like having infants. With an adult dog, you know what you're getting and generally any health issues have been identified. But if you are really intent on having a puppy, just be prepared for some long nights and potty training fun. It's not horrible, but I hate it when people get puppies, realize they are hard work, and then dump them off at the pound. It happens more than people realize.

That all said, regarding your questions:

1) Unless there is some specific reason, you should just have NutriCal on hand for any hypoglycemic episodes (common in Yorkie puppies, I believe). But you would want to consult with your vet to see if this is necessary.

2) I have never crate trained, but I hear that this is a good thing to do. Be sure that there is nothing in the bathroom that she can get into. Also, they sell doggie playpens that you can set up in your living room (which might give her more access to daylight instead of being stuck in a bathroom). But I definitely agree that you want to keep her contained during the day.

3) Yes, for a professional teeth cleaning (the kind you and I go to the dentist and get every 6 months or so), dogs do generally have to be put under anesthesia. It's a risk, but a relatively small one. There is one GREAT way to mitigate this risk however - BRUSH YOUR DOG'S TEETH. EVERY DAY. I cannot emphasize this enough. Terriers tend to have bad teeth (in fact, many small dogs are prone to bite issues, which leads to tooth decay). Tooth decay affects not just the mouth, but also internal organs. In addition, dealing with tooth decay is EXPENSIVE and PAINFUL for your little girl. So, start with a puppy kit and get her into the routine of having her teeth brushed EVERY NIGHT. Make it part of your daily routine. I have had Vinnie for about 7 years and he's about 8 or 9 years of age. He has had his teeth professionally cleaning only twice in his life and has not a speck of tartar anywhere because every night, no matter where we are, we brush his teeth. It takes 30 seconds out of my evening. A small effort for a HUGE reward. I cannot emphasize this enough.

4) I have not had a puppy in years, so I don't know about special puppy requirements. That said, I am very into the raw/home prepared school of thought. I feed both my guys either home-prepared food or Nature's Variety medallions. Feeding a raw, grain-free diet has so many benefits.

5) Avoid raw hides. I use bully sticks for my guys. Also, you should really try to find a natural pet food store in your area. They can provide a wealth of information about appropriate treats. Also, a good vet can help you tremendously as you navigate the puppy stage. Puppies are like babies and often pick up viruses or have diet/gastrointestinal issues. Having a vet you can call for advice or get in to see quickly can be a lifesaver.

Hope all this helps!!

[deonk1]

Welcome,
Yorkies are fairly hypoallergenic, but it depends on what part of dogs you are allergic to. Three of our friends are allergic to dog saliva and thus will be allergic to any dog whether they shed or not. She should get tested to know for sure.

I wouldnt' do litter box training, but I recommend the grid system. In the training thread there is a post called "Grid System as I promised earlier...) or something like that, where I've outlined how it works.

good luck with your baby.