Help! Anyone with kids and a Yorkie puppy?

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by YorkieFamily00

My oldest is 6 and is honestly devastated and now scared to interact too much with the puppy. He was at the appointment, and she went over the rules about holding the puppy, not carrying him, not carrying his crate, etc. My son's attitude now is "what is the purpose in having a puppy if we can't ever get close to him?" And, I would say that is the impression the vet left. She also left the impression that I have made a horrible decision.

We just got the puppy, and I have always provided a one and only home for my pets. But, I have to say that I am afraid I've messed up by getting a Yorkie with very young and very active children. I need to be able to go to the bathroom or answer a telephone call or put on my make-up without fear that the dog is going to be hurt.

I think the vet is considering the fact two accidents that can result in tragedy are dropping or stepping on him.

I understand the need that you can't always supervise them, but during those times I'd put puppy in an x pen.

My niece is 3 1/2...she is only allowed to hold Reggie if she is sitting down. She knows this. Matter of fact....any kid that wants to hold him...has to sit down. If any of mine wants away from a child and goes inside their crate...it's done. They're trying to escape and that's their "safe" house.

Smaller breed puppies are much more fragile than a larger breed.

Good luck...it can be done but you're gonna have to provide rules and supervison.

[pokche]

Originally Posted by Tillys_mom

I have a 16 month old and he has grown up with Tilly. There never has been a problem, ever! It's not so much kids and pets mixed that's bad, it's when parents don't teach them and watch them. Tilly and Chase are best buds!

I Completely agree. I know some think that it is crazy to have Yorkies with kids... Well how about a great Dane with kids? Or a 100 pound dog? I personnally think any dog whatever the size it is has to be supervised around kids. Kids can hurt them as the dog can hurt the kid. Its all up to the adults to make sure everything is ok.


My kids are 4 and 18 months. Bikini is turning one and things are doing great. I'm always close by to supervise when the kids are around. My younger never picks her up but she goes to him and he pets her gently. My 4 year old is a little more active and loves to play with her. But we have rules also. Bikini is 5.5 pounds and I have to admit you have to be careful with kids and adults... Some adults in my surrounding gave her table foods... she got really sick and almost died... so really its all up to the parents to be supervising the Yorkie at all times. Adults and kids can be a threat as they are so small.

I think when you get the Yorkie young, they get use to kids. Bikini knows how to be around my kids now. She knows how to run away and how to play with them (with me around of course) But even with adults, she learned how to remove herself from peoples legs and to protect herself too. That breed is really smart... they are small but... The best

Good luck!

[kezza]

I personally think it is not a good idea to have a tiny fragile yorkie puppy around boisterous young children..I have seen & heard of too many accidents..unless you are able & willing to supervise the puppy & children 24/7 then this breed is maybe not for you. My breeder told me she didn't let her puppies go to people with young children...and i can honestly say i don't blame her. My last Yorkie, Heidi (6lbs) was dropped down some stairs by a friends 8 year old daughter because she wouldn't leave her alone and had been told many times by myself not to keep picking her up..I blame myself for that accident..her parents were too busy drinking in my kitchen to supervise their children properly...needless to say they were never invited round again! Luckily Heidi was ok..after a nights stay at the vets.
My niece is 3 years old..and is very rough with animals...I have to watch her VERY carefully around Pixie who is a delicate 3lbs in weight...My sister recently got a spaniel puppy which has become aggressive...is it any wonder? I thought on my last visit there that my 3 year old niece would be less interested in Pixie now that they have their own dog...No!! she still insisted on holding Pixie with both hands round her neck so she could kiss her on top of her head! and she likes to run and make Pixie chase her...my heart is in my mouth the whole time! Im terrified she will trip and fall on her...it would break every bone in Pixie's tiny little frame I swear!
So...in my opinion...and most would probably disagree...a very small delicate toy breed is a bad idea when the children are small and lively...

[Mayas Mommy]

I made shure EVERYBODY in my house knows the Rules with Maya .... I have a 7 year old and my Yorkie is a tiny one (2.8 lbs.) .... no problems here ... you have to teach the kids to watch out ...

[chachi]

It depends how old your children are. I dont think yorkies are the right pet for people with very young children. We waited to get ours when our daughter was 5. Also she is a very calm child. I have never had an incident wth her but I have with her friends that come over to play and that is something you have to consider also

[Amber_lv]

Well I have 2 boys ages 3 and 8. when i first got Peeka my boys were 1 and 6. I have not had any trouble with kids and yorkies. I have taught my children to respect animals and to Pet soft. I also have rules that they can't carry them around and i have taught them to be aware og the dogs at all times.

I do understand some concern is needed for them to to live together (kids and pets) but if you teach your children it'snot an issue.

I also do not leave my kids unatended with the dogs i know they would be fine but accidents do happen so i take the extra precaution.

[nikkinack]

Lily is around a 4 and 5 year old every day and they are just fine, and when I got her she was barely 1LB

[pokche]

I don't want to sound rude or anything but with yorkies so many things can happen....

They can be:

Attack by big dogs (very common too)
Fall off a funiture
Get stolen easily in your hands or in your car
People can come in your house to steal it
They can be eaten by birds and animals outside
Be hurt by children or and adults (mine got hurt by adults and not my kids)
They can hurt themselves because they think they are a big dog
They can run away really fast
They can drown if you have a pool

So basically you can start being paranoia about everything.... I personnally thinks that my yorkie could be hurt as much by other things than my kids... You have to be careful without being paranoia about everything....

I think go with your heart and please have some judment. Do some research before getting one... Maybe get a bigger Yorkie... they come in different size

[nikkinack]

I agree Lily has been hurt more by adults than children. When ever children are around her keeping in mind never unsupervised they are very gentil.

[cooperk]

I think you can definately teach your kids to be careful with your puppy and be just fine. I would watch them very carefully tho'. More importantly, I would watch other people's kids. My kids are 9 and 15 and they are fantastic with our Yorkie pup, but when my daughter's friends come over I have to watch them like a hawk. They think Trixie's a toy. I have had one kid drop her on her head and they another day the same girl was running with her thru the yard. I gave her a stern talk about only being allowed to hold Trixie if she was sitting. Since that girl is not too obedient (my dogs mind better than she does) I keep Trixie with me when she's over.

The 9 yr old neighborhood kids are even worrysome...

[AmeliaBadelia]

PFFFT.

I have 2 children. One is 7 the other is 2. They get along just fine, but then 1) my kids have been taught since they were babies crawling around on the floor to be gentle with animals (we've had our eldest cat 9 years so this was necessary) & 2) both of my girls are teapots. I specifically wanted bigger Yorkies as they aren't as delicate just in case (God forbid) something bad happened. I think the most important thing is to teach the children in the first place to always be gentle with animals & you'll will be fine. If you've already done so, I wouldn't sweat it.

[tr_farmer]

Our children are 8, 6, and 2 and Daisy is 3 1/2 months old. We have had no problems up until last Fri. Our 6 year old was playing with Daisy with a stuffed animal, playing fetch and my daughter stepped on Daisy's right hind leg. We took her to the animal hospital and they xrayed it and it wasn't broken. They think that her knee came out of socket and then popped back in or in other words luxating patella. But, don't let the vet talk you out of having a yorkie because you have young children. Daisy is a great pup for our family. Just teach your children to be gentle with your pup and remember accidents do happen.

[LeosMama]

My puppy is just under 1 year old. I got him when he was 2 months and about 2.5 lbs. My kids are 10, 8, and 7 years old. I agree it is how you teach the children that will best kep the dog safe. My children understand our puppy goes in his x pen when we can not watch him. I don't want him chewing on cords, jumping off furniture, or things that may cause harm. So we provide and protect him. However, my puppy enjoys swimming with my children. He wears his life jaket and they are all supervised.

As with any pet you choose be a responsible owner and supervise the children with the pet. I gave my children small tasks - putting down the water and food dish. Involve them so they know proper care and handling.

[ladybugg74]

We have two yorkies and a baby due any day. I am worried about our yorkies especially when the baby starts learing to walk. When our nephews come over I have strict rules for them. First of all we have baby gates everywhere so we can restrict our furbabies to a few rooms at a time. We go over the rules with the nephews many many times and also have them repeat them back to me and they have been good so far. They are not allowed to feed them, they are not allowed to pick them up, they are not allowed to go after them, the only time they can hold or pet them is when our furbabies come up to them. They are closely supervised if in the same room together.

We are in the process of changing out our regular baby gates to the ones that are fixed to the wall so baby/toddler can not push the gate down. I read where a small child fell on the baby gate and knocked it down and it fell on a yorkie causing death due to internal injuries. Can't be too careful.

[BethPurk]

I have 3 boys, ages 12, 7 and 11 months old. We have had Sadie for a month now and she is 3 1/2 lbs at 12 weeks old. The boys play with her under my supervision and are not allowed to be with her outside alone, except for my 12 year old. He is 12 going on 35 and I trust him with her alone. Sadie loves to play and chases the boys around the backyard. They are not allowed to pick her up unless they are sitting down. There just have to be set rules and when the rules arent abided by, there are punishments in place. Sadie is little and her safety is important and that is taught to my boys. Of course, my baby is crawling and doesnt understand all the rules, but he does understand "No" and we use it when we feel its appropriate. Yorkies are wonderful family pets but you have to have common sense about their care and safety. As long as thats being considered at all times, I dont see why your family shouldnt be fine.