New member who needs alot of help

[Nuriko]

Hi everyone, my name is Ivan and I am very happy to join YT forum. I did not like dogs at all in the past because they have always chased after me when I was a kid and I have grown to fear them. But recently, my friend asked me to find a Yorkie for her and all of a sudden, my life has changed ...

I actually went to a pet store and held a puppy in my hands for the first time in my life. The joy and happiness could not be measured. I did not want to leave the store As a matter of fact, I wanted to buy one at that very moment. So as it turns out, I was suppose to find a Yorkie for my friend, yet I'm looking one for myself and this is where I need help.

I have a million questions and hope to utilize this thread/forum/member's advice and experience in helping me own my first pet which shall be a Yorkie.

The thing is I NEVER owned a pet before. Where should I begin? I actually posted in the Yorkie for sale/wanted section of this forum and realized that there is just too many to choose from that I can't decide which is THE one! Furthemore, I clicked on the Parti Yorkie threads and fell in love with them.

It sounds like, the majority of members here are females/women. Are there any guys out there who loves Yorkies? I figured as a man, I should find a tougher dog, but the pictures I've seen are too cute and simply irresistable. I also do not know if I want a female or male at this point.

I'm actually considering one of the Parti Yorkie puppies from Crowning. Does it matter, or should I start off with another dog? I love the pictures at their site and I think I'm dead set on of those cuties. But I am scared.

I know I am not ready to take a dog home, and since I will be on the waiting list, it will give me 2-3 months to do all my research. I will fly to the site to pick up the puppy, and I would like to be confident when I do.

Where do I being? Start planning on where the dog will sleep? Buy a bed? Water? Food? Find a local VET? How many shots does the pet need?

Now I'm starting to freak out and started to think down the road. I will take off a week from work to pick the dog up and spend a week with him/her. But what happens when I'm at work and no one is home? Does anyone who live by themselves own a dog? How do you deal with this problem? It will be a pain to go to work and leave the pet home alone

Then I read a post by a member saying that she will only sell her puppies 2 at a time so that they will never be alone should the owner is not there or have to leave for short periods of time. It does make sense to me and while I can cover the cost for 2 Parti Yorkies, the responsibilities will be 2X as much. I think it will be overwhelming for a first time pet/dog owner.

I really want one, please help me get started. What I need to know, read, buy, etc. Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm already reading the other threads on training pets and what to give and not to give them.

When I held the Yorkie in my hands, I realized how fragile and delicate they are. I don't want to rush into owning one and make a fatal mistake. Please help educate me so that I can become a responsible and knowledgable future pet owner.

In the meantime, I'll just admire and envy everyone's pictures

Thanks,
Ivan

[JillandJack]

to YT.

You've come to the right place. There is alot of wonderful information on this site.

[Dan & Corinne]

Yippy for you! Ivan, I'm so glad a little bundle of fur brought you so much joy. Many people here is/was a first time dog parent too.

While you are waiting for that special friend. Surf the site! So much information here. If you have specific questions, post it!

Puppies do require patience and a firm dad (especially a Yorkie) since they are like children. But the joy they bring you is priceless.

Hope you find your baby soon.

Congratulations! I couldn't be happier for you!

[JiggityJig]

Hi! I read, read, read about yorkies for nearly a year before I got mine, and I was still terrified when it came time to bring my puppy home! I don't know....they are just so tiny, and the responsibility seems so great. I swear, I was more paranoid about bringing a yorkie baby home than I was my skin babies!

But once you have them, it all starts falling into place. Don't worry....do your research, and you'll be prepared! and after that, your dog and his/her individual quirks and personality will lead the way.

As far as men and yorkies....there ARE boys/men who post here who have and love yorkies. But you're right, they are probably usually considered more of a "woman's" dog. The funny thing is, as many of us have noted....usually "we" get "our" dog, and then it's our husbands and sons who end up falling head over heels in love with them! I'm in a house with three macho guys who were HUGE skeptics about me wanting "one of those hairy rat dogs". And now they are crazy about the yorkies, and I mean, Cra.Zee.

I'm glad you are finally getting to "discover" dogs. They are truly a gift from God to us. There is NOTHING like their unconditional love!

[blondflava]

Hi Ivan, and welcome to YT! Seems to me like you're already doing your homework and you're pretty serious about it. Don't worry though, it all does fall into place after a while... I had a family dog growing up and I thought I knew all before getting a Yorkie on my own -boy was I wrong LOL. I was looking into different breeds when I decided to get a dog, but got my heart set on a Yorkie pretty early on . Pepper is the first pet I have on my own and it's sooooo much different (the dog I grew up with is a large breed one). He was so little and fragile at the beginning, they make your heart melt, literally. Just stick around and read on posts, I did A LOT of search (in the blue bar above ) and soon I found myself replying to "Newbies" and giving advice to them, even though it seems I was one just yesterday . You;ll be very happy with the Yorkie you pick! I'm sure, good luck.
(I took Pepper to work with me everyday for almost 2 months and looking into daycare for 2 days for him now, as my hubby and I both work full time... Ultimately, I'd love to get another one but planning a big trip to Europe next summer and I can take one dog, Pepper will be over a year old and maybe after that...)

[chachi]

Your story of how you came to want a yorkie is heartwarming. My Husband just loves our yorkies they are his babies so I think they are a guys dog. I love the look of Partis but I also like the look of regular yorkies so if I could have two I would have one of each. I had two yorkie puppies at the same time and it was not much harder than just having one. Good luck with your decision

[FlDebra]

Sounds like you will be a great Yorkie dad. Too many jump into ownership without considering all the responsibility. You are going about this the right way -- read, learn, and then act. They are certainly little heart-stealers. My husband originally wanted more of a "tough dog." I remember him saying, "you can't even call that a dog!" Then he held one, and he was won over. Now, I would say he does way over half the spoiling around here. When I mentioned another one, he jumped on the idea and said -- yes, I think another Yorkie would be great!

If you can get two, I think I might do that. Sure it is twice the responsibility but it is not really twice the work and they do love to play with each other. To see two puppies run through your house like the wind, roll over each other and cuddle together at sleep time.... well, it is heart warming. I have a dachshund, a Jack Russell, and Ben, the Yorkie. We are waiting to bring his new sweetheart Yorkie, Sadie, home in 10 days. I know it is a menagerie, but they really enjoy each other. And we sure enjoy each of them!

Here is a checklist of "stuff" you will need:
-Crate and/or X-pen
-bed, blanket
-Food and water dish (make sure it is low -- I use cat bowls)
-Premium puppy food (start with what the breeder is using)
-Treats
-Toys (just a couple to start with cause you will finding yourself buying them at every store stop you make)
-Pee pads (disposable or reusable)
-Good puppy shampoo and conditioner, detangler is also nice
-Comb and brush
-Harness and leash
First vet visit will also add Frontline (flea and tick med) Heartguard (heartworm med) or the newer Sentinel (a combo heartworm and flea med)

Some optional or "as you go" items:
-They make a little stuffed dog pillow now that has the "heartbeat sound" to help new puppies transition to new home.
-Carrier
-Car seat
-Hair Clippers, nail clippers, small hair trimmers
-Clothes, hoodies, sweaters, coats, even shoes
-Bows, hair rubber bands, clips
-Ramps or steps for them to reach sofa, bed, windowseat, etc.
-Vitamins, supplements -- very individualized

These are the basics but we can all find a dozen different things to spend our money on when it comes to pet supplies!

Most of all relax -- your new puppy will need to feel you are solid and in control. You will be its rock. If you get nervous, the puppy will be nervous. They are fragile but they are also resilient and have an amazing way of letting us know what they need. Ben was only 12 weeks old when he "told" my husband to move his little ramp from our bedroom to the kitchen window seat so he could get up there with the Jack Russell. It was hilarious. He got my husband to follow him, whimpered at the window making little jumping motions, then ran to the bedroom, where he jumped at his ramp and then stared at my husband. Then he started for the kitchen again. DH got it and moved the ramp. Ben gave him lots of kisses and settled down in the window seat next to our JR, Candy. So, listen as your puppy tells you what it needs.

[Nuriko]

Thanks for all the encouraging words. Although it gives me more confidence, I know I can't skimp out on the research/homework. I know that there is simply no shortcuts to becoming a experienced dog owner over night and it is a learn as you go sort of thing depending on each Yorkie.

I know it's not going to be as easy and I am up to the challenge with everyone's support. The checklist that FIDebra posted is a great way for me to start planning. Is there a thread for a checklist of what to prepare before bring a pet/puppy/dog home?

2 dogs at once will probably make the transition better, but I think I'll just start off with 1 to see how it goes, plus my place is roughly 850 sq ft, not sure if it has room for 2 dogs. Just like kids, if you have only 1, you will spoil them to death and it will get your 100% attention. Sometimes I think with 2 dogs, they can play with each other without me. Sure they are cute rolling next to each other, but I think that the time I would of spent with them will be reduced. It's great when I'm not there to keep 1 of them company, though.

I also want my dog to be independent. Raising both dogs at puppy age, they will develop a tight bond, and I can't imagine if one of them being missing down the road. One of the reasons why I never bothered with pets is because their life expectancy is alot shorter than ours. The pain of seeing them go as a owner is heartbreaking, imagine how the other dog would feel? But I'm sure there are ways to cope with it since there are so many owners with more than 1 dog.

I have a few more questions, but gotta run out now, bbl with more!