Need advice for new Yorkie mama. Me!
 

Hi, it is great to read about all of your Yorkies. I have always wanted one, but my husband has always preferred big dogs. (We have 2 border collies who are now senior citizens.) After years of telling the kids 'no' when they asked for a new puppy, we finally bought a Yorkie earlier this week.

Honestly, though, I am having some remorse. Not necessarily about buying him. He has been fantastic. LOVES his crate. Never cries or wimpers in there. Sleeps several hours at night. Loves the kids. Poops and pees on the puppy pad. Etc. Etc.

But, I am grieving the loss of my freedom. Freedom to go to the store or run errands without guilt. Freedom to sleep through the night without worrying about a less than 2 lb. puppy. I am feeling overwhelmed about not being able to sit on my sofa without worrying about what he is getting into.

I am feeling so anxious. Could this be normal? It has been 13 years since I've had a puppy. I love him to pieces, but I feel weird about it.

Any advice? (And, please know that we are a forever home. When we adopt a pet, we take it very seriously, and it is for life. I am mainly looking for adjustment advice and maybe some advice about keeping him occupied while I leave the house.)

welcome!!
 

Welcome to YT! Nice to see another Texan here!! THere are lots of us here! :D
Your adjustment seems normal to me. Puppies do take a lot more of our time and attention just like having a real baby...Can you take him with you?? Yorkies are very social and don't like to be left out.
I had Kissy for 5 years as an only child before i added the 2nd and 3rd and 4th! :D They love having playmates and that has given me time to do other things. I don't worry about leaving them alone as they have each other. Of course, they are never left for more than a few hours at a time since i am home most of the time.
Puppy stage will last for about a year so hang in there...it will be worth it!! Can your DH watch him while you are out and visa versa???
What is your little furboy's name??? We would LOVE to see some pictures of him!!

Sounds like the puppy is doing really well in his new home and that's great! Try your best to enjoy the 'puppy phase' as you may find that you miss it when it's over. What about getting an ex-pen for him to play around in so that you don't have to worry about him 24/7? I didn't give my dogs free run of the house for awhile after I got them - not until they could be 'trusted' ;). You could set up the pen in your living room with toys, chews, etc. in it so he can occupy himself while you go about doing your own thing. Lots of people have these for when they are home but can't necessarily watch the puppy's every move. The pen is less confining than a crate, and you will have some of your freedom back.

Keep in mind, puppies sleep a great deal during the day, so chances are when you step out for a bit, he's sound asleep. It's good for him to get used to you not being there all the time. Don't feel guilty!!! :)

First let me say "Welcome" and congratulations on your new little one! I totally understand your feelings as i had the same ones. I worried about every thing with Oliver as a pup. There is a lot to learn about little dogs and their care. But in time, it will get better. I did the xpen thing and it was wonderful. We are doing it with Brooklyn now. They do fine in there. Try to relax and take lots of pictures because the puppy months go by so quickly. Brook is now 4 mos. and i have to admit that i am much more relaxed with her. (still worry a little....but much better!):)

welcome to the club,, i was very strung out when i got lexi omg!!! i cried
and cried. it will all work out, i promise... now, i wouldnt, couldnt never
ever live with out her.

Welcome fellow Texan!!
 

Welcome to YT. You will find A LOT of info here that will help to ease your mind. I know I did. I found myself in the same place in April. First puppy in almost 20 years. Whew, they are a handful, aren't they. Where do they get all that energy? lol Gracie is 4 mo old now and like jfalz73 said, I'm starting to feel a bit more relaxed with her.

With Gracie the worst is that EVERYTHING goes in the mouth to see if it's any good to eat. Unfortunately, Gracie has deemed nearly anything and everything worthy of eating. So the extra care to be sure the floors are clear of all temptations is about the only thing I'm still stressing over. Outside, sigh, is a different story. lol Do they make muzzles small enough for baby Yorkies. I know I have many new gray hairs because of her 'eating' obsession.

I take Gracie with me nearly everywhere. If there isn't a sign prohibiting dogs or food in the store, she goes with me. I have a small purse style carrier and many people, even checkers, don't realize she's in there. She's a great shopper and usually falls asleep as soon as I put her in the purse. I just take care to have some of her kibble, a few biscuits, bottle of water (I'll pour a little in the cap and she'll lap it right up) and her tube of NutraCal with me if I'm going to be out more than an hour.

What part of Texas are you in? Maybe you could meet up with some "old pros" and get some info and assurance from them that all will be well.

Take lots and lots of pictures, I'm amazed at how much she changes nearly day to day. Would love to see pictures of your boy. Breath, relax, and enjoy him. They do grow up way to quickly.

For a puppy you actually struck gold as he does not seem to be too cumbersome for a normal pup . . . so I know it will just get better in time, once you are so used to him being around knowing he is not a trouble maker like normal puppies are :)

since he is still tiny, why don't you just tag him along. Get a discreet puppy purse and get him used to being with you without having to make any noise at all . .you'd be surprise to find out you can take him anywhere and everywhere. My Annika is very territorial and will bark at anyone who comes to the house . . however, when i take her with me, NO ONE would even know she is with me . . as she is as quiet as a mouse . . when I travel she goes with me to restaurants and groceries with no problems :)

Welcome to YT and look forward to seeing pictures of your little boy.

Welcome to YT. Congrats on your new baby!!
You will not be sorry you got this baby!! Hang in there:D
You have to bear with us aunties though...we dont do well with out pics:D
Also you will have a great time here and learn tons!

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. There are so many nice people here to answer questions.

I just brought Onni home 2 weeks ago (my first Yorkie) and I can totally relate to the anxiety. I was laughing the other day wondering if other Yorkie owners experience separation anxiety from their fur babies. I can't go anywhere without thinking about her the whole time. I almost always have my daughter baby sit when I have to leave except for church. These little dogs are so different than other dogs.

I suspect though it gets easier as they grow.

You all have been so great. I have been feeling overwhelmed, and you guys said exactly what I needed. I put a picture of Max in my profile, if it will show up. He is a doll.

I had to run an errand, and he voluntarily got into his crate. I just left him in there, and I put him by the puppy paper as soon as I returned. He immediately got on the paper and pottied. I do agree that I think I've hit a gold mine....for now anyway. :)

If you are worried about what he is getting into when you are in a different room, you could get a baby gate, and whichever room you are in, block off the doorway/hallway whatever, so that he stays in the same room as you. Or if there are just certain areas you don't want him in, block those ones off. That can work too for if you leave the house for awhile, if he is used to using the potty pads you can keep him in one area where it is safe for him to be and you don't have to feel guilty about him being in the crate or anything.

Welcome to YT! Sounds like you have a smart lil' boy :) I know exactly what you are going through - I went through the same thing the first couple of weeks with Lucy. I had always had big dogs before. I started taking her everywhere possible with me so she got used to being on the go very quickly.

I know how you feel -- though I wanted Archie desperately, it is a little like having a new baby. At one point when he was a young puppy, I definitely was sleep deprived and had moments of "what have I done!" BUT -- that passes. I have a friend who, at one point when her Golden Retriever puppy was young, found herself standing on her back porch at 2 a.m., sobbing because the puppy was just playing around in the snow rather than going to the potty! You're really a new mom -- and it's normal to worry and to feel a little guilty for not being available to him every moment of every day. My little one is 2 and 1/2 and I STILL worry and feel guilty when I leave him alone. The flip side of that is I can't WAIT to get home to him. It's a love thing!