[Ashley V]

I haven't read all the posts, but let me share my experience after getting Chip at 7 weeks.

All my life, we've gotten puppies at 8 weeks old... but these were BIG dogs (Sharpei and Golden Retrievers). I honestly didn't realize the dangers of getting a yorkie that young and thought 8 weeks was normal. We found a "breeder" and they told us he was 8 weeks and he also was a "vet assistant". They had a family owned kennel in Pennsylvania. I did the math later and Chip was actually only 7 weeks. On the hour long drive home, Chip threw up. We figured he was just nervous and scared so didn't think much of it. We get him home and tried to give him some food that the "breeder" gave us and water. He drank the water but didn't seem interested in the food. Once again, just figured he was stressed and his tummy was upset, so we just left the food out. He tried to pick it up a few times, but it would just fall out of his mouth. Flash forward to the next morning. He still hadn't eaten and I had to go to work. Hubby was home with him. I get a call mid day that Chip threw up 5 more times and still hasn't eaten one bite and Adam was rushing him to the vet, which he was going to do later in the day anyways for a routine wellness puppy check up. The vet immediately said "he's got parvo, ______, _______, or ______ and it will cost $500 for tests". Adam left and was going to take Chip back because he was obviously fatally ill (according to the vet) and we didn't have that kind of money. Adam said on the way back to the "breeders" Chip was laying on the passenger seat with his mouth wide open, tongue sticking out, and was shaking all over. The "breeder" gave him a shot, antibiotics, and wet food and Chip perked up instantly, but we almost lost him. He was practically dead when he got there. He was too young to eat dry food and could only eat wet food because I honestly think he may have even been younger than 7 weeks.

Problem #2. From 8-12 weeks, the puppies learn socialization from the mother. Chip never got that training and is semi aggressive. He has never liked strangers, has always not trusted anyone other than family (or people he knows well), and has snapped at other dogs. We've trained a lot of that out of him and also helped when we got another yorkie who is overly friendly with everyone, but he still has tendencies. He is also VERY attached to my husband and I because we had him so young and because we were the first people he ever could trust. He freaks out if something is unusual and one of us is gone.

I know that is a horror story, but I just want to tell you what happened with us. I have heard of other people getting their yorkies really young and not having any problems, and I hope that is the case with you too. Our situation didn't work out so well, but I wouldn't trade Chip for anything in the world. Just be prepared with Nutri Cal and don't leave her for too long as small dogs in general tend to get hypoglycemic and especially when they are so young and believe me when I say that it is SCARY. She'll need to be fed probably about 3-5 small meals a day.

Once again, I'm just sharing my experience with you.... not trying to scare you or anything, just warning you to be careful and trying to inform you on some dangers involved. I wish you well and if you need anything, you can PM me.