HELP: Training a 4 or 5+ month old?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pamelakay · 05-29-2007, 12:52 AM

Hey everyone! I'm currently in search of a male yorkie to call my own (I am so excited!

) and have a quick question.

I have always known that puppies should not be sold/given to different families and taken away from its mom until they are at least about 2 or even 3 months old (right?)
Anyway, I have found a couple yorkie puppies for decent prices here (and it's pretty difficult finding a decent price here in southern california!!), but they are either 4 months old or 5 months old. I am hesitant to buy a puppy at this age because I have this thing about raising the puppy straight from when he is either 2 or 3 months. That's what I did with my previous dog. I guess I just feel like I can train them "from scratch" if you will, and wont have to try and get rid of any habits they may have picked up from their previous home. I feel like maybe by 4 or 5 months, they have already picked up habits and gotten used to their previous home/owners/habits, and it may be difficult to train them to do differently?

I'm just wondering if any of you feel this is true at this particular age (4-5months) or do I not have much to worry about? I know every puppy is different in training, I just don't know if there's a certain age where they're just used to their daily routine, and if you change it, it can take even a little longer for them to kick any of those "bad habits."

Hope this makes sense and I hope someone can help me out! Thanks so much!

Yorkie3 · 05-29-2007, 03:25 AM

I feel if you're getting a puppy at 3-4-5 months old or older from a good breeder you have nothing to worry about. I know I work with my puppies everyday, just like I would if it was one I was bringing into my home.

If the breeder just keeps them in an x-pen just waiting on them to go to a new home, then that's not a good thing.

Usually by the time they leave my home, they are doing great with pad traning, but are still babies and going to a new home can cause a set back with any puppy, no matter the age.

Ask your breeder if they are taking the time to work with the puppy and letting it become a member of the family instead of just making sure it is clean and fed.

Ashley V · 05-29-2007, 06:29 AM

Chip is 4 1/2 months old now and he picks up to training sooooo quick! It's really not much different... I prefer training him now as compared to when we first brought him home at 8 weeks old. He was totally more dependent on us than he should have been and it's easier to train when he doesn't want to be clung to us all the time.

Brody jones nan · 05-31-2007, 05:14 PM

We got Brody at 4 months from a Vet Tech and he is fine. He's 1 1/2 yrs old now.

my2boyz · 05-31-2007, 05:21 PM

Both of our boyz were 4 months old when we got them and we've had no training issues at all. The only 'issue' we had was that Riley wasn't socialized very well because he was there alone but he's fine now.

cocoa · 06-02-2007, 04:42 PM

I got Jazz at 6 months old, and we had to break alot of bad habits...but he was a team player and always willing to please, we've had him 3 months now and he is PERFECT!!! He even goes to bed at the same time as the boys. We have taught him to sit and lay down and he's just a joy to have.

05-29-2007, 12:52 AM	#1
pamelakay Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: california Posts: 192	HELP: Training a 4 or 5+ month old?? Hey everyone! I'm currently in search of a male yorkie to call my own (I am so excited! ) and have a quick question. I have always known that puppies should not be sold/given to different families and taken away from its mom until they are at least about 2 or even 3 months old (right?) Anyway, I have found a couple yorkie puppies for decent prices here (and it's pretty difficult finding a decent price here in southern california!!), but they are either 4 months old or 5 months old. I am hesitant to buy a puppy at this age because I have this thing about raising the puppy straight from when he is either 2 or 3 months. That's what I did with my previous dog. I guess I just feel like I can train them "from scratch" if you will, and wont have to try and get rid of any habits they may have picked up from their previous home. I feel like maybe by 4 or 5 months, they have already picked up habits and gotten used to their previous home/owners/habits, and it may be difficult to train them to do differently? I'm just wondering if any of you feel this is true at this particular age (4-5months) or do I not have much to worry about? I know every puppy is different in training, I just don't know if there's a certain age where they're just used to their daily routine, and if you change it, it can take even a little longer for them to kick any of those "bad habits." Hope this makes sense and I hope someone can help me out! Thanks so much!

05-29-2007, 03:25 AM	#2
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,372 Blog Entries: 1	I feel if you're getting a puppy at 3-4-5 months old or older from a good breeder you have nothing to worry about. I know I work with my puppies everyday, just like I would if it was one I was bringing into my home. If the breeder just keeps them in an x-pen just waiting on them to go to a new home, then that's not a good thing. Usually by the time they leave my home, they are doing great with pad traning, but are still babies and going to a new home can cause a set back with any puppy, no matter the age. Ask your breeder if they are taking the time to work with the puppy and letting it become a member of the family instead of just making sure it is clean and fed. __________________ Janet Joey, Gidget, Fancy, Emilee My Web-site MySpace Pee Pads Blow Out Sale http://www.pee-pads.com/FreeShipping

05-29-2007, 06:29 AM	#3
Ashley V YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg Posts: 767	Chip is 4 1/2 months old now and he picks up to training sooooo quick! It's really not much different... I prefer training him now as compared to when we first brought him home at 8 weeks old. He was totally more dependent on us than he should have been and it's easier to train when he doesn't want to be clung to us all the time. __________________ I suffer from MYTS

05-31-2007, 05:14 PM	#4
Brody jones nan Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sheffield Lake Posts: 20	We got Brody at 4 months from a Vet Tech and he is fine. He's 1 1/2 yrs old now. __________________ Lynn

05-31-2007, 05:21 PM	#5
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,769	Both of our boyz were 4 months old when we got them and we've had no training issues at all. The only 'issue' we had was that Riley wasn't socialized very well because he was there alone but he's fine now.

06-02-2007, 04:42 PM	#6
cocoa Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: jacksonville,fl Posts: 30	I got Jazz at 6 months old, and we had to break alot of bad habits...but he was a team player and always willing to please, we've had him 3 months now and he is PERFECT!!! He even goes to bed at the same time as the boys. We have taught him to sit and lay down and he's just a joy to have.