Worried Yorkie Mom
 

Hi everyone, I'm fairly new to this forum and after years of research I was able to adopt a yorkie from a local breeder. Chanel is 7 months now and I've had her since she was 4 1/2 months old. The breeder had her whole family (13 yorkies in all!!!) and I selected Chanel because she was small, so sweet, and so cute. The first few weeks were easier than I expected, she was somewhat house broken, she had a good appetite by the second day, she was ssooo clam, and she quickly learnt that I was her new mom and followed me EVERYWHERE. I know we are both still in adjustment stage, but I'm beginning to worry about her. She is does not play with her toys at all, she does not bark, she is deadly afraid of people, and what concerns me the most is her energy level. She is ALWAYS sleeping or laying down, she follows me everywhere, but when I get to where I'm going, she automatically lays down and falls asleep. For a puppy I think she is too sluggish. The vet said it is normal, but I don't think he understands the extent to which she does this. Has any yorkie parents experienced this??? Is it normal?? I make sure she eats regularly and I even give her Nutri Cal as a boost, I walk her 20 per day, but it does not work. Suggestions please


Thanks for taking the time to read and thanks in advance for advice/ suggestions

Chanel's mom

Some dogs have different energy levels, but to make sure maybe your vet could do blood work to ease your mind.

Just wanted to say hello and welcome you to YT!!

If you think she is too sluggish, please have your vet do a bile acid test for liver shunt. You never know with these Yorkies...

I would definitely let your vet know. As puppies mine always played hard and then slept well and as they got older the playtime increased. Try to get different toys and see which ones she likes. Some of mine like a squeeky ball and others like a tug toy. Go with your instint if you think something is wrong you are probably right.
Good luck and welcome.

As long as she's eating, I wouldn't be giving her nutrical everyday..that's not good..it's for when they're not eating drinking and are lethargic

:wavey: Hi welcome to yt. Maybe she get enough with the walk 20minutes is pretty good for a yorkie.Or maybe she is just bored. But if you want a peace of mind I would just have a blood work done just like the other member said.

thanks everyone!! She had a blood test done last week so I will call the vet to get the results on Monday. Hypoglycemia first came to mind when I evaluated her, but liver shunt is also potential. I really hope she is just lazy or bored.

Thanks again

Hello and Welcome to YT. I have found with my puppies that they sorta follow my lead. If I'm sitting at the PC all day, they will lay around a lot. If I'm up and going or spending time with them on the floor playing well they are more active.

My schnauzer is 10 months old and can sleep a lot. LOL I wish I could sleep that much.

Some don't even know what a toy is and you have to teach them how to play...I got a dog long time ago from the local pound and she didn't even know how to play she was 5 months old. Was very uneasy around people. After a few months she learnt how to play and obey commands....and loved people.

Get some yummy jerky cut them into tiny pieces and I do mean tiny as they don't chew it anyway and see if you can liven herb y making her jump for the jerky.
Best wishes.

Actually mine all (even the little one) are in their beds most of the day..I read once where they sleep about 20 hours a day..

sleeping dogs lie
 

You know they say let sleeping dogs lie... lol

I have noticed that some dogs just aren't toy people. My Chloe has only one to... a pink diamond ring from target. She just carries it... never plays w/ it. She is not lathargic... more princessy...lol BUT... the first year... she slept a lot! But so do human babies... they just cry more so you notice they are awake more than you do w/ puppies. I read the 18-20hr a day sleeping too. My mom's dogs will play w/ my dad only... with my mom... they follow her and sleep in her lap or on her bed... but w/ my dad... who gets home late.. they play about an hour a night... real hard... sleep the rest of the day away!

Good Morning!

And...:welcome4: to YT!! If all checked out well I wouldn't worry too much about it. Like HHA said..I wouldn't be giving nutrical everyday unless she needs it. I have 2 yorkie girls. When I got Lillie (who is now 18months old) she would run and play like the wind and then just lay down where ever she was and sleep! She has a very different personality than Sadi (my 3 yr old). If I scold both of them for doing something bad, Sadie will just stand there and look and me and Lillie will cower like I hit her...I NEVER hit my girls! She isn't skiddish around people but, if she gets scared or starts with reverse sneezing she will run to me and bury her little face in my neck...she feels very safe in my arms..They are 2 totally different little girls but, I love them both for who they are.
I wouldn't worry too much unless she stops eating and drinking.

If nutri-cal doesn't boost her, then it's not likely to be hypoglycemia. I would have a bile acid test done on her. I recommend this for all people who get a yorkie, but especially one who is abnormally sluggish.

Welcome to YT. I would have blood work done just to make sure nothing is wrong with her. It could just be normal, but I'd rather check on it.

yea..
 

There are so many reasons this could happen

1. she is a baby still and even adult yorkies love their sleep time.

2. she could have some sort of health problem. liver shunts, low blood sugar caused by a bad diet or lack of eating. tape worms could do it, i know dogs are different than humans but a friend of mine had tape worms and he couldnt stay awake to save his life, always tired and grouchy. once he got them removed he felt like he was 12 again.

3. my boy would never play at that age unless i got him excited to play. i couldnt just throw a ball at him and expect him to play. id have to sit down and actually play with him. now at 10 months he just grabs a toy out of his toy box and goes to town alone.

also if you dont pay too much attention your yorkie for all you know could be staying awake all night and sleeping during the day. due to adjustment problems or whatnot. try not letting yur pup sleep during the day but maybe a small nap and go for a longer walk and see how that goes. it may seem a little mean not to let your yorky sleep but if thats the problem then it could save you green at the vets office.

im no expert but i just like to extinguish all my options before going to the vet.

i wish you and your yorkie luck and hope everything is all better soon