[MY OSCAR]

Originally Posted by Stormyw2000

I adopted a sweet little 3 yr old dog from my local shelter. I've had mini schnauzers for 31 yrs and know that breed inside & out. I went to the shelter to consider a schnauzer they had for adoption but I took a darling little mixed breed home. Consensus is that he's a yorkie maltese mix, but seems more yorkie. He looks like a yorkie with floppy ears. He's had a rough start. I think he was kept in a crate most of the time and was the victim of archaic training methods. (afraid of keys, loud voices, newspapers, & looked for a place to hide when he had an accident) He didn't know how to walk on a lead, he doesn't know how to play with toys, doesn't eat treats. In the six weeks I've had him, he's blossomed into a friendly, affectionate little friend. He's tiny - he weighs about 5 lbs. I'm used to rough & rugged 18 lb schnauzers. He has that terrier attitude that I love so much.

I want to give this little guy the best care possible. Does anyone have advice for food (he's on blue buffalo toy breed & my home made recipe developed for the schnauzers' to prevent bladder stones), obedience training, toys, harnesses, etc.? Are there health concerns I should watch for or can prevent? He has long silky hair. What are the best ways to care for it? Any advice will be appreciated.

The first thing I did was get a mesh harness - I know from meeting yorkie's in my travels they have delicate tracheae and collars aren't the best option.

congrats & welcome..
well, it sounds like you are off to a great start.
the food you are feeding sounds perfect and the harness is the right way to go as well.
you already mentioned one serious health concern ,
the trachea. the other is luxating patella, i am sure you have heard of that one anyway. some yorkies are prone to tummy troubles and hypoglycemia/low blood sugar. just make sure he is eating regular meals.
as for the coat , yorkies usually require a bath weekly .
you can also find also this info and more in a good yorkie care book , most pet stores carry them.
you have come to the right place for advice on caring for your precious addition . there are lots of awesome yorkie people here with great advice...

ps, i used to have a mini schnauzer.
she passed away last year at the age of 15 years
due to cancer. i still miss her very much..
believe it or not her name was stormie....