Yorkies and Children - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

chellemabelle · 04-18-2009, 03:25 AM

Thank you to everyone who shared their Yorkie/children experiences with me! I feel much better about bringing a Yorkie into my house with my four kids now, having read all of your feedback. Will update as soon as I bring home my new furbaby!

Michelle

chellemabelle · 04-18-2009, 03:27 AM

Thank you so much for your response! I feel much better now about bringing a Yorkie home to my four kiddos! Will update as soon as I bring my new furbaby home!! Thanks, again!

carlyn6884 · 04-18-2009, 04:12 AM

i just picked up my puppy last monday and i have two kids, one is almost 6 and the other is 20 months. so far things have been great. the kids are not allowed to pick up the puppy but they can play with him on the floor. definately set ground rules for what is and isnt allowed and i think things would be fine. i agree with you that if the puppy is raised with and around kids he should be fine with them in the future. as long as he isnt rough-housed too much and feels defensive around them... good luck and congrats on the new puppy!

Rosiegirl · 04-18-2009, 05:03 AM

We have a 11 week old puppy, 2 adults, and 5- one week old puppies over here. I am most scared by far about the 11 week old pup. He is quick and gets under feet so fast. I have a 4 year old and a 9 year old (boys). The rules are:
No picking up the dogs (big or little ones)
When the puppy is out,they have to sit or lay on the ground to play w/ him
Clean up all toys laying aroung before we let pup out.
And I NEVER let my puppy out anattended, this helps w/ potty training and for his safety.

I do have one story I should share with you of a tragedy: My son, when he was 4, he carried my sisters Maltese and tripped down the stairs. He fell on him at the bottom of the stairs and that was it, he died instantly. He was an extremely special part of our family that we still miss dearly to this day. There is no getting him back. My son knew he wasn't supposed to carry Kilo around, but it still happened.
You have to always be right there and then safetly get the puppy back to his pen or whatever when your done playing. It takes a little while to train the kids and the dog.

yorkie_mama22 · 04-18-2009, 05:09 AM

I have an almost 3 year old daughter and she was just a bit over 2 when we brought our yorkie home who is on the smaller side. They are BEST FRIENDS! Stormy just loves to play and sleep with my daughter. Like others have stated you need to teach and tell your children often that they need to be gentle with the dog, show them how to pet the dog and never pick the dog up without you there. I would recommend getting a yorkie that will be a little bigger, other 5 lbs for sure. The little ones can get hurt very easily. My daughter has grown up around dogs and other animals since she was just a baby so she has learned that you need to be gentle with animals. Of course she is never alone with any animal and theres always supervision. My yorkie like others have mentioned just ADORES children, she is more friendly with kids then adults when it comes to meeting for a first time!.

RoxyLuv · 04-18-2009, 05:28 AM

Roxy loves everybody! Last Sunday was her first experience with a child (3 yo) boy. She was fantastic with him. He has already been taught about handling animals & did very well with her. He hauled her around everywhere with him & she went with him willingly & very well behaved. Better than at home, in fact. I was really pleased. She's 5-1/2 mo old.

If your older children are experienced with puppies already, they can help teach the 15 mo old. The rules are very important, so be vigilant there. Good luck!

LunasMomma · 04-18-2009, 06:46 AM

I think the fact that you are asking about this in advance shows that you are a responsible parent and that they'll do great together. Can't wait to see your new pup

!!!

Welcome, by the way

Fancy_Pants · 04-18-2009, 07:19 AM

You will do fine! I have 4 kids too - ages 10, 6, 4 & 3. You just have to make sure they are gentle and remind them to watch where they step! I have a smaller yorkie, Fancy weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs but she loves to play with the kids. Can't wait for you to get yours and post pictures!

Peters · 04-18-2009, 07:50 AM

you have to watch any dog with kids! espically smaller ones as they could get hurt easier and a kid has to be taught how to treat animals they dont automatically know neither does the dog both have to be taught from the very beginning that being said my daughter and yorkie get along famously! they love each other my yorkie also loves his cat! i adopted a cat that came in the vet i work at to be spayed she was going to be set out with wild colony at humane society but shes not wild they just didnt have room inside for her they are like velcro to each other its all how they are taught when they are young children and pets

Britster · 04-18-2009, 07:55 AM

So, I took Jackson today to the ball park for my little 5 year old cousin's first T-Ball Game and all the little boys on the team just loved him. He was a little nervous at first because they all sort of "charged" him but I just picked him up and let him sit on my lap and had 5 little boys all around me petting him, and he kissed a few of the kids. Then my other cousin who is 12 years old, took the leash from me and took Jackson for a little run around the field and he was in HEAVEN!

kezza · 04-18-2009, 08:30 AM

Hello and welcome to YT!

I personally..if I was a breeder that is..wouldn't let a Yorkie pup go to families with very young children, for the simple fact that accidents will happen..I know alot will disagree with me, especially those with young children and yorkies...and in some cases it can all work out fine...but only with those who are willing and able to supervise at ALL times and more importantly, educate their children in how to handle animals in a gentle and respectful manner...unfortunatley not enough parents do.
Pixie's breeder wouldn't let her puppies go to homes with very young children..and I can understand that..The child may not intentionally hurt the dog, but even a trip or fall onto the dog or dropping it (you know how they can suddenly try to jump from your arms!) can cause serious injuries..I would suggest you find a larger yorkie pup that might be a little more robust rather than a smaller one...Goodluck in whatever you decide and hope to see you around here..i'm sure you would make a great Yorkie mummy!

kezza · 04-18-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

I think the fact that you are asking about this in advance shows that you are a responsible parent and that they'll do great together. Can't wait to see your new pup

!!!

Welcome, by the way

Yes, I was just thinking the same thing!

Britster · 04-18-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kezza

Hello and welcome to YT!

I personally..if I was a breeder that is..wouldn't let a Yorkie pup go to families with very young children, for the simple fact that accidents will happen..I know alot will disagree with me, especially those with young children and yorkies...and in some cases it can all work out fine...but only with those who are willing and able to supervise at ALL times and more importantly, educate their children in how to handle animals in a gentle and respectful manner...unfortunatley not enough parents do.
Pixie's breeder wouldn't let her puppies go to homes with very young children..and I can understand that..The child may not intentionally hurt the dog, but even a trip or fall onto the dog or dropping it (you know how they can suddenly try to jump from your arms!) can cause serious injuries..I would suggest you find a larger yorkie pup that might be a little more robust rather than a smaller one...Goodluck in whatever you decide and hope to see you around here..i'm sure you would make a great Yorkie mummy!

I do agree with this to a point... and I definitely think it's smarter to try and get the largest of the litter so they can't get hurt as easily.
But I also think this is why Yorkies and other small dogs get a bad rep so many times for being nippy with children, because everyone is too scared to expose them to the little kids so when they do go around them, they are terrified of them. As long as they're supervised (I think no matter what size, how nice, etc, children should always be supervised with any dog)
But I can't speak from experience because I've never had a dog smaller. Jackson, my yorkie, is 13 pounds right now at 6 months old. But when I got him at 9 weeks old, he was pretty small... 4-5 pounds or so and he was fine around the kids.

tskinner · 04-18-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kezza

Hello and welcome to YT!

and in some cases it can all work out fine...but only with those who are willing and able to supervise at ALL times and more importantly, educate their children in how to handle animals in a gentle and respectful manner...unfortunatley not enough parents do.

I agree here! If my children were rotten and I new they were prone to pulling, tugging, etc I would not have gotten a puppy of any kind until I could see that they would not torture the poor thing. Not to brag but my children never did those things and are great, well-behaved kids who listen when they are told (most of the time, lol) Again, you have to teach kids to be gentle just like you would a dog, lol (that sounded bad I know but you get what I mean, right?)

kezza · 04-18-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tskinner

I agree here! If my children were rotten and I new they were prone to pulling, tugging, etc I would not have gotten a puppy of any kind until I could see that they would not torture the poor thing. Not to brag but my children never did those things and are great, well-behaved kids who listen when they are told (most of the time, lol) Again, you have to teach kids to be gentle just like you would a dog, lol (that sounded bad I know but you get what I mean, right?)

Yeah I get ya! lol

I have a young neice that can be a bit on the rough side with Pixie..she just doesn't know how to handle a dog in a gentle way..she treats them rather like one of her own toys..its not her fault..she just needs to be taught properly..and when I ask her to be gentle and show her how to, she's fine. They now have their own dog..which never gets left in peace...and has now become a bit aggressive! Interestingly, it is a King Charles Spaniel..I have not met many of those that were on the aggressive side?...I just think the poor thing gets fed up with being pulled about

04-18-2009, 03:25 AM	#16
chellemabelle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 26	Thank you!!! Thank you to everyone who shared their Yorkie/children experiences with me! I feel much better about bringing a Yorkie into my house with my four kids now, having read all of your feedback. Will update as soon as I bring home my new furbaby! Michelle

04-18-2009, 05:03 AM	#19
Rosiegirl YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 344	We have a 11 week old puppy, 2 adults, and 5- one week old puppies over here. I am most scared by far about the 11 week old pup. He is quick and gets under feet so fast. I have a 4 year old and a 9 year old (boys). The rules are: No picking up the dogs (big or little ones) When the puppy is out,they have to sit or lay on the ground to play w/ him Clean up all toys laying aroung before we let pup out. And I NEVER let my puppy out anattended, this helps w/ potty training and for his safety. I do have one story I should share with you of a tragedy: My son, when he was 4, he carried my sisters Maltese and tripped down the stairs. He fell on him at the bottom of the stairs and that was it, he died instantly. He was an extremely special part of our family that we still miss dearly to this day. There is no getting him back. My son knew he wasn't supposed to carry Kilo around, but it still happened. You have to always be right there and then safetly get the puppy back to his pen or whatever when your done playing. It takes a little while to train the kids and the dog. __________________ Melissa: Alpha female to: Shiva Marley Ranian Rosie and (new boy) Little Rascal

04-18-2009, 05:28 AM	#21
RoxyLuv Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 982 Blog Entries: 1	Roxy loves everybody! Last Sunday was her first experience with a child (3 yo) boy. She was fantastic with him. He has already been taught about handling animals & did very well with her. He hauled her around everywhere with him & she went with him willingly & very well behaved. Better than at home, in fact. I was really pleased. She's 5-1/2 mo old. If your older children are experienced with puppies already, they can help teach the 15 mo old. The rules are very important, so be vigilant there. Good luck! __________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV

04-18-2009, 06:46 AM	#22
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	I think the fact that you are asking about this in advance shows that you are a responsible parent and that they'll do great together. Can't wait to see your new pup!!! Welcome, by the way __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna

04-18-2009, 07:19 AM	#23
Fancy_Pants YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 972	You will do fine! I have 4 kids too - ages 10, 6, 4 & 3. You just have to make sure they are gentle and remind them to watch where they step! I have a smaller yorkie, Fancy weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs but she loves to play with the kids. Can't wait for you to get yours and post pictures! __________________ Shelly & Fancy♥

04-18-2009, 03:27 AM	#17
chellemabelle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 26	Thank you so much for your response! I feel much better now about bringing a Yorkie home to my four kiddos! Will update as soon as I bring my new furbaby home!! Thanks, again!

04-18-2009, 04:12 AM	#18
carlyn6884 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: buffalo ny usa Posts: 125	i just picked up my puppy last monday and i have two kids, one is almost 6 and the other is 20 months. so far things have been great. the kids are not allowed to pick up the puppy but they can play with him on the floor. definately set ground rules for what is and isnt allowed and i think things would be fine. i agree with you that if the puppy is raised with and around kids he should be fine with them in the future. as long as he isnt rough-housed too much and feels defensive around them... good luck and congrats on the new puppy!

04-18-2009, 05:09 AM	#20
yorkie_mama22 Currently Suspended! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,275	I have an almost 3 year old daughter and she was just a bit over 2 when we brought our yorkie home who is on the smaller side. They are BEST FRIENDS! Stormy just loves to play and sleep with my daughter. Like others have stated you need to teach and tell your children often that they need to be gentle with the dog, show them how to pet the dog and never pick the dog up without you there. I would recommend getting a yorkie that will be a little bigger, other 5 lbs for sure. The little ones can get hurt very easily. My daughter has grown up around dogs and other animals since she was just a baby so she has learned that you need to be gentle with animals. Of course she is never alone with any animal and theres always supervision. My yorkie like others have mentioned just ADORES children, she is more friendly with kids then adults when it comes to meeting for a first time!.

04-18-2009, 07:50 AM	#24
Peters YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,225	you have to watch any dog with kids! espically smaller ones as they could get hurt easier and a kid has to be taught how to treat animals they dont automatically know neither does the dog both have to be taught from the very beginning that being said my daughter and yorkie get along famously! they love each other my yorkie also loves his cat! i adopted a cat that came in the vet i work at to be spayed she was going to be set out with wild colony at humane society but shes not wild they just didnt have room inside for her they are like velcro to each other its all how they are taught when they are young children and pets __________________ A pet's love is true right from the start, through good times and bad, like sharing one heart. Last edited by Peters; 04-18-2009 at 07:51 AM. Reason: spell

04-18-2009, 07:55 AM	#25
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,815	So, I took Jackson today to the ball park for my little 5 year old cousin's first T-Ball Game and all the little boys on the team just loved him. He was a little nervous at first because they all sort of "charged" him but I just picked him up and let him sit on my lap and had 5 little boys all around me petting him, and he kissed a few of the kids. Then my other cousin who is 12 years old, took the leash from me and took Jackson for a little run around the field and he was in HEAVEN! __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

04-18-2009, 08:30 AM	#26
kezza Lovin my Pixie Pooh Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Posts: 3,510	Hello and welcome to YT! I personally..if I was a breeder that is..wouldn't let a Yorkie pup go to families with very young children, for the simple fact that accidents will happen..I know alot will disagree with me, especially those with young children and yorkies...and in some cases it can all work out fine...but only with those who are willing and able to supervise at ALL times and more importantly, educate their children in how to handle animals in a gentle and respectful manner...unfortunatley not enough parents do. Pixie's breeder wouldn't let her puppies go to homes with very young children..and I can understand that..The child may not intentionally hurt the dog, but even a trip or fall onto the dog or dropping it (you know how they can suddenly try to jump from your arms!) can cause serious injuries..I would suggest you find a larger yorkie pup that might be a little more robust rather than a smaller one...Goodluck in whatever you decide and hope to see you around here..i'm sure you would make a great Yorkie mummy! __________________ This Little Girl Has Stolen My Heart! Every Dog Should Have a Tail To Tell.. "I'm a Yorkiestalker"!