New Yorkie owner needs advice, please!
 

Hello Yorkie lovers!

I'm new to the boards and have a few questions. Here's my story: I've been wanting a Yorkie for a while, but my hubby has always been adamant about not having an indoor dog. I honestly never in a million years thought he would even consider the possibility. But Christmas morning, he surprised me with an early 15 year anniversary present...a beautiful little boy pup we named Toby. I already love him so much! As you can imagine, I've been researching Yorkies since I got him. And something I keep reading has me very upset.....that is that you should not get a yorkie till around 10-12 weeks. Toby is seven weeks old today. What kind of problems could he possible have from being taken from his mother so young? Is there anything I can do to lessen his chances of these problems? He seems to be doing great so far. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks all!

~Crystal

Welcome to YT someone will be by shortly to answer your question !!

HUGS
Vicki

Hello and Welcome to YT! I have never had any of mine that young so do not have any personal experience regarding age. You sure received a wonderful Christmas gift!

Great christmas present! (I got one too for Christmas and I love him already!) Mine's 18 weeks though.

I'm sure if you look around you will read what issues may pop up. It seems that ive read about hypoglycemia, trouble eating and socialization issues.

Good luck with your new baby and post a few photos!!

Just make sure he eats and dont take hin any where there like a baby and can catch things,also gets so karo syrup its great to give them when they donr eat very well.

We got Maybelline at 6 weeks old; she had a little seperation anxiety from her littermates at night but that was the only thing. She is happy and healthy and turned a year old on December 14th.

It's possible that he will be stubborn with potty training and socialization. However, it's possible he'll be perfectly fine! There are a couple of people here who got their pup at such a young age. I would never, ever suggest this is okay - not only is it unhealthy for the development of the puppy, but it is also unethical. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it now, though! :) I'm sure you will be fine.

Like everyone said, you need to keep an eye out for hypoglycemia. He needs to eat every couple of hours (I would leave food out and make sure he's eating it), especially after playtime. If he ever gets lifeless and unresponsive, check his gums. A healthy pup has night pink gums that turn white to the touch but immediately regain color. If they are pale pink or white, you need to give him some Nutrical or karo syrup and rush him to the vet. This is a very serious thing and young puppies can fade fast.

Also, don't take him anywhere until he has ALL of his shots. All 3 or 4 sets.

Enjoy your new baby!

I got Missy at 7 weeks 3 days of age. She did very well except that her blood sugar levels would drop at times. All I would have to do is give her 2-3 pea sized amounts of Nutrical, 2-3 times per day...and make sure she ate right afterwards. Gradually over the first 3-4 weeks of her being here, I decreased the nutrical, and she's doing great now and hasn't had any since 11 weeks old. Here is a link to some info about hypoglycemia in Yorkies...

Hypoglycemia often seen in tiny or underfed yorkie puppies and Yorkshire Terrier adults

Another issue you *may* have to deal with is biting. This is a habit that your puppies littermates and Mom would have helped to break. Just yelp when she bites you, tell her no, and ignore her (don't continue playing) for a couple of minutes. They learn!

Enjoy your new little one! Can't wait to see pics :)

If he's eating well
and playing like he should He'll be fine
Make sure that he eats at least 3 times a day
don't be surprised how little he eats .... their stomachs are very tiny
and supplement him with a puppy supplement too
at 7 wks he's going to miss his Mom and litter mates so he's going to cry at night for you
But they are a joy

This post may be of interest.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...nt-stages.html

Good luck with your pup.

If you don't have any right now, go to the pet store and buy something called either nutri stat or nutri cal. A small puppy that young has a risk of hypoglycemia. All you do is put a little pea sized amount on your finger and either let him lick it off, or literally put it in his mouth. Signs of hypoglycemia are shaking, walking funny, being lethargic, etc.

Also, there could be some personality problems. We got Chip at 7.5 weeks. He is very attached to us, which you are probably thinking, what's the problem? Well, there are a lot of advantages to him being attached to us, but the problem is, he doesn't trust anyone else. He is somewhat aggressive with people that gets to close to him. It's hit and miss. Sometimes he's great, other times he's not. Other than that he is the sweetest little guy and was very easy to train. I think he literally looks at us like his parents that's how attached to us he is. What scares me is if there was something to happen to us, would he be able to adjust in a new home? The other problem that comes with being too attached is separation anxiety. I would NOT take you're dog with you where ever you go and start teaching him early that you will have to leave him alone sometimes. Obviously, don't leave him for too long, but work with him. Even if it's putting him in his crate and leaving the room. Wait until he quiets down completely, then reward him.

Welcome to YT. It just takes them a little longer to adjust, because their mom was seperated early.

Welcome to yorkie talk - we got Ally at 7 weeks old. She was not eating at all and got hypoglycemia. We took her to the vet after she woke in the morning with no energy at all. The vet gave her some sweet and rich food. He told us to feed her a special food every two hours. We got up in the middle of the night and fed our ally. Also we gave her a little syrup with each feeding. The vet told us that if we had to force feed her with a syringe then do it. But she had to have food in her system. In about a week Ally was just fine and was eating on her own. She is now as healthy as can be and we were glad to go through whatever was needed to make sure she got over the hypoglycemia. She did very well but we worked at it hard.
Just do whatever it takes to make your puppy healthy and happy.

My first one was 1 day shy of 7 weeks, myself, I like getting mine around 6 weeks and teach them myself not to bite, etc, and have always had very good luck. I never had any hypoglycemia problems, just make sure he's eating and drinking plenty and he shouldn't have any problems. States are all different as to what age a puppy can leave, here it's 6 weeks. Would love to see pictures of your new little guy. What did you name him? I also think it's easier to housebreak them the younger you get them.

Just make sure to have dry food out/available all the time--feed the baby wet/dry food mixed three times a day. I would get the nutri-cal and keep some Karo syrup on hand. If you notice he seems tired/laying around more--rub the karo on his gums and give the nutri-cal and it will perk the baby up. I am sure the kiddo will be fine and you have a great support team here to help. Congrats on your new baby!!!!

Actually, there is no need for nutrical, the vet just told me a couple weeks ago, just the karo on the gums(if the gums are white), no need for both things

Also, I wanted to add that Chip was unable to chew on dry food at 7 weeks and became very, very sick and almost died despite the nutri cal. Be sure you're little one is able to eat it.