Is a Yorkie right for me?

[sarahheartmaddy]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

@buildio: Well, I won't be stupid and let that happen. The doors are the kind you have to fight to open anyway. They slam shut before you're even out, which is how I have stubbed my toe before.

@sarah: I don't knowwww. I'm the kind of person who never quits at anything. If something is broken I'll be trying to fix it all day. I think I am minor OCD.

Oh, and what are some ways I need to doggy proof things? I know there should be no wires on the floor or small objects but what else?

No, I believe you!

[bildio]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

@buildio: Well, I won't be stupid and let that happen. The doors are the kind you have to fight to open anyway. They slam shut before you're even out, which is how I have stubbed my toe before.

@sarah: I don't knowwww. I'm the kind of person who never quits at anything. If something is broken I'll be trying to fix it all day. I think I am minor OCD.

Oh, and what are some ways I need to doggy proof things? I know there should be no wires on the floor or small objects but what else?

Puppies will chew & try to eat most anything. So, all small objects need to be off the floor. Best to lay on the floor, yourself, & survey the room at puppy level.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

@ Britster: Yeah, I wouldn't do anything like that. I know getting a dog is like getting a new brother or something. I'm ready for it, which is why I have waited this long to DEMAND one! lol. Both my parents had ones when they were little but noooo, we could never have one. Now that I'm living by myself (for most of the week) I am more independent and can do more of what I want (no, I'm not a rebel or anything, lol).

@ Bildio: I hope it doesn't try to chew and eat me! I like to lay on the floor all the time.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

Yeah, I wouldn't do anything like that. I know getting a dog is like getting a new brother or something. I'm ready for it, which is why I have waited this long to DEMAND one! lol. Both my parents had ones when they were little but noooo, we could never have one. Now that I'm living by myself (for most of the week) I am more independent and can do more of what I want (no, I'm not a rebel or anything, lol).

I think it's awesome!

People thought I was nuts for getting a dog at my age and in college, but I don't regret it AT ALL. The first few weeks I was kinda like "What did I get myself into?!" LOL. But I think I was lucky because he was never BAD and didn't go through a lot of chewing or biting like most pups, just occasional. I'm just a dog lover, period, so I will always have a dog around. When I move out on my own, I'll be getting another dog. Jackson would NOT be good as an only dog lol. At home, he lives with my moms dog and then when we visit my dad, they have two.

And truly, after you get through those first 6 months, the dog becomes fairly "easy" in my opinion. He's not THAT much work now that he doesn't have to go potty every hour and you can trust him outside a crate/xpen, he's trained now for the most part (begging is a major problem still among a few other small issues lol) but those first few months can seem really hard. It's like having a newborn baby.

Lol, I started watching "The Dog Whisperer" and "It's Me or the Dog" a few times a week when I first got Jackson and they have helped me tremendously. I get compliments that he's a really good dog all the time and I owe it all to those shows!! lol. And myself, I was pretty dedicated in the beginning with him.

[Ellie May]

o Some Yorkies bark a lot and some don't.
They can be very loud. If you can't take the chance on having a loud dog, please don't get a Yorkie.

Potty training can take months and months and Yorkies in general can be strong willed. They aren't the easiest dogs to train.

Vets bills can be very expensive and it is way more than just shots and check ups. You have blood work, teeth, spay/neuter, etc. and hope nothing goes wrong.

Do you know someone who owns a Yorkie that you could "borrow" for a week to see how things go?

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

I guess I knew a good pup would cost $1000+, but wanted to make sure. I'm sure getting an expensive one would equal usually a healthy one, whereas a cheaper unhealthy one would lead to a shorter life and probably more in medical bills than just starting off with the best. Right?

I think this is a common misconception a lot of people have. Please don't assume that if you pay a higher price for a Yorkie that it will be healthier than one that didn't cost as much. Take your time and find a breeder who knows their lines and does health testing on their breeding dogs...you will have a better chance of getting a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy dog. You can buy expensive puppies from bad breeders who are only selling them for the money and don't care about the health or future of that pup and you can buy a reasonably priced, healthy puppy from a small, in home breeder. That also works in the reverse too. And, under no (or most) circumstances, should you ever go into a pet store to buy a puppy...I don't care what they tell you...just stay away!

Now I will explain the (or most) comment. We just moved from a town that had a store in the mall that sold puppies but it wasn't a typical pet shop. These puppies (and kittens) were aquired from homes that would otherwise send them to the pound...they got the puppies to the vet, had all shots done and every one of them was spayed or neutered before a new home was found...they were placed for the cost of shots, deworming and spay/neuter. They took applications and checked on each prospective home...it was like the Humane Society or animal adoption places but it was in the mall...they also took donations for the care of homeless animals in the area. That is the only kind of pet shop I would ever consider going into.

Good luck finding your puppy.

[bdb5853]

I've never heard of a dorm allowing dogs. If you don't mind, what college do you go to? I can't imagine a dorm environment with people constantly running in and out, doors open, music playing and the social aspect of a dorm being a good place to have a dog. Especially a young puppy.

Are you going to leave it in the dorm room when you go to class? Do you have a job? I can't see a college kid, living in a dorm, going to class and possibly a job, not to mention going out with friends (which is a HUGE part of college life) and having time to train and care for a new baby puppy.

Most dorms have pretty strict rules about what they do and don't allow. My daughter's dorm won't even allow you to hang a poster on the wall unless you use double stick tape and even then, if there's any damage to the paint, you pay for it. I have NEVER heard of a college dorm that allows dogs? Can you imagine the chaos of dogs and college kids in a dorm environment, with dogs running all over, barking, pooping and peeing, etc? It just sounds like a disaster to me.

Not to be harsh, I'm just trying to understand.

[jeanm1963]

Originally Posted by Britster

I think it's awesome!

People thought I was nuts for getting a dog at my age and in college, but I don't regret it AT ALL. The first few weeks I was kinda like "What did I get myself into?!" LOL. But I think I was lucky because he was never BAD and didn't go through a lot of chewing or biting like most pups, just occasional. I'm just a dog lover, period, so I will always have a dog around. When I move out on my own, I'll be getting another dog. Jackson would NOT be good as an only dog lol. At home, he lives with my moms dog and then when we visit my dad, they have two.

And truly, after you get through those first 6 months, the dog becomes fairly "easy" in my opinion. He's not THAT much work now that he doesn't have to go potty every hour and you can trust him outside a crate/xpen, he's trained now for the most part (begging is a major problem still among a few other small issues lol) but those first few months can seem really hard. It's like having a newborn baby.

Lol, I started watching "The Dog Whisperer" and "It's Me or the Dog" a few times a week when I first got Jackson and they have helped me tremendously. I get compliments that he's a really good dog all the time and I owe it all to those shows!! lol. And myself, I was pretty dedicated in the beginning with him.

I second this, I bought The Puppy Whisperer: and read it front to back, I watched both shows and learned alot here. I have to say tho I was 100% dedicated, which meant getting up at 12, 2 ,4 and 6 am to teach her to go potty outside... I boiled chix every morning since she didnt care for treats to much, I did not use a crate at all so I watched her constantly, she doesnt chew anything other then toys, she does many many tricks, she can walk with out a leash, she comes when called, I am very very blessed she is such a good puppy!! A good friend told me how important it is to teach her young to come to me when called and stay with me, she is really excellent at it, she is just over 6 months now and it is alot easier but I will say it was no different then having a skinbaby.... alot of work and dedication but I was rewarded with a excellent puppy , I really couldnt ask for better, plus she is cute!!

[mscat]

Originally Posted by bdb5853

I've never heard of a dorm allowing dogs. If you don't mind, what college do you go to? I can't imagine a dorm environment with people constantly running in and out, doors open, music playing and the social aspect of a dorm being a good place to have a dog. Especially a young puppy.

Are you going to leave it in the dorm room when you go to class? Do you have a job? I can't see a college kid, living in a dorm, going to class and possibly a job, not to mention going out with friends (which is a HUGE part of college life) and having time to train and care for a new baby puppy.

Most dorms have pretty strict rules about what they do and don't allow. My daughter's dorm won't even allow you to hang a poster on the wall unless you use double stick tape and even then, if there's any damage to the paint, you pay for it. I have NEVER heard of a college dorm that allows dogs? Can you imagine the chaos of dogs and college kids in a dorm environment, with dogs running all over, barking, pooping and peeing, etc? It just sounds like a disaster to me.

Not to be harsh, I'm just trying to understand.

Valid points! the thing is that if this person is NOT allowed to have a dog and brings one into the a dorm, chances are high that it is not going to turn out well for the dog.
My Suzi is not much of a barker, however, she does BARK when she hears strange noises and alerts us to anyone who is walking near our apartment complex no matter what time it is. If you are not suppose to have a dog, and get one anyway, and then the dog does bark too much , what will happen to your precious Yorkie?
IMO, it would be wise for you to wait until after you are done with college, or when you are not living in a dorm. I think it it too risky to bring in a puppy to a dorm life.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by mscat

Valid points! the thing is that if this person is NOT allowed to have a dog and brings one into the a dorm, chances are high that it is not going to turn out well for the dog.
My Suzi is not much of a barker, however, she does BARK when she hears strange noises and alerts us to anyone who is walking near our apartment complex no matter what time it is. If you are not suppose to have a dog, and get one anyway, and then the dog does bark too much , what will happen to your precious Yorkie?
IMO, it would be wise for you to wait until after you are done with college, or when you are not living in a dorm. I think it it too risky to bring in a puppy to a dorm life.

If you read some of her previous posts, she states that she is the only one living in the dorm, nobody else. And I think she said small dogs ARE allowed.

[bdb5853]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

Yeah, the loud barking seems to be my only concern right now. I am actually only going to have people above me, not to my sides, so they would only be able to hear it. When I signed the lease the other day the manager said dogs aren't allowed, but he said unofficially they are as long as they don't cause any trouble like constant barking. I guess it depends on the dog then.

I just re-read your notes to see if I could find where you said that dogs are allowed in the dorm. Now I see that you have said that dogs are NOT allowed in the dorm, but as long as they aren't constantly barking, they unofficially allow it.

I have to be a party pooper and say... PLEASE wait and do NOT get a yorkie. Or any dog right now. Of course they bark. And they bark LOUD. They bark at strange noises, they bark when it's too quiet, they bark when they play, when they want attention... they bark a LOT. And any dog will bark. It's what dogs do.

How are you going to keep the dog from barking it's lung out when you leave to go to class? Or if you want to go out at night with friends? Do you think a puppy or young dog is just going to wait quietly until you return? In a dorm? With doors slamming, people talking, and the chaos of that environment of people going in and out all the time?

I'm sorry. But I don't think a yorkie, or any other dog, is a good match for you right now. Please wait until you move into an apartment that ALLOWS dogs (as they will be a little more lenient with barking). You are entering into a lease knowing that you will be doing something against the rules. I just don't think that's a good way to start a relationship with a dog.

I'm afraid that if you do get a yorkie, you will be back on here after you get him asking how to get him to stop barking and then in a few more days, you will be asking how to re-home or that he's now for sale as it didn't work out. I've seen it happen and would like to prevent it.

Please Please wait until you can get a puppy and do it right, following the rules, and doing everything the correct way so that you're not starting out trying to hide a dog in a dorm where they aren't allowed.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Britster

If you read some of her previous posts, she states that she is the only one living in the dorm, nobody else. And I think she said small dogs ARE allowed.

I read all of her posts, thanks !

[Britster]

Originally Posted by mscat

I read all of her posts, thanks !

Uh, no need for the rolly eyes. Seriously. I wasn't being rude in my post, I just wasn't sure if you saw that she said dogs were allowed. But now that I'm reading even more of her posts, she's saying dogs aren't allowed. I wasn't saying you didn't read her posts, just letting you know what was said previously. Sometimes posts get over-looked.

Jeez, no need to get snarky with me. I don't appreciate it.

[yorkie mad]

the best way to puppy proof your room is to get on all fours and crawl around, just make sure no one is looking lol

[mscat]

Originally Posted by Britster

Uh, no need for the rolly eyes. Seriously. I wasn't being rude in my post, I just wasn't sure if you saw that she said dogs were allowed. But now that I'm reading even more of her posts, she's saying dogs aren't allowed. I wasn't saying you didn't read her posts, just letting you know what was said previously. Sometimes posts get over-looked.

Jeez, no need to get snarky with me. I don't appreciate it.

no need to try and give someone direction who did not need it. If you do not want to have a snarky me, then do not try and tangle , cause I am much older, and a lot more cynical . As well as disabled, single parent, with a kid who is disabled.
In other words , I have been around the block a few times and back, with gray hairs to show for. (yawns)
As you have finally caught on for yourself dogs are NOT allowed in the dorm. My whole point!
Then you decided to try and let me know that I had not read everything correctly. let's get down and snarky