Is a Yorkie right for me?

[mybabe88]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

I'm a college student right now and will be moving in to a 510 square feet dorm in mid-September, which I will be living in for about 2 years. The dorm will be a single (all to myself). I've been in a single for the past 2 years but get a little lonely sometimes, so I figured having a dog can keep me company and I can take good care of it and give it complete attention. I've been reading about Yorkies for the past two weeks and think it's the perfect breed for my situation, since the place I'm staying at only allows very small dogs and cats.

Note that I have never owned a dog before (though both my parents grew up with them). I have salt water fish which I started to keep last summer. People on some fish forum I went to hated that I was being "arrogant" in jumping into their field so quickly (a week after reading all about how to take care of fish and stuff), yet not a single fish has died and I consistently (almost obsessively) take care of them and their enviorment. I would do the same thing with any dog I got, despite the fact that I am inexperienced with owning one.

Questions (in no particular order)...

1. I know Yorkies can be yelpy, but are their barks loud enough for people walking by - outside of your apartment - to hear them? It's hard to tell from the videos on YouTube how loud they are.

2. Would the dog get stressed if it was consistantly living in two different places? On the weekends I always go home to my family, so the dog would be home for about 2.5 days each week and at my dorm the other 4.5.

3. How much do Yorkie puppies typically cost? I feel so uncomfortable looking for one to buy because the prices range anywhere from free, to $200, to $2000.

4. Does anyone know a good place to buy a Yorkie in SoCal, specifically within Orange County?

5. Will the Yorkie get stressed if I have odd hours at times? Sometimes I'm awake at 7 in the morning and go to bed at 1, other times not until 12 PM and staying up until 3 or 4 AM. It varies widly depending on the quarter at school. I would still be at my dorm for hours and hours each day though, so the amount of time isn't an issue, it's the time of the time.

6. Is this the basics of what you do with a Yorkie or any dog for that matter?: feed them, give them water, give them baths, brush and cut their hair, brush their teeth, wipe their eyes, give them shots and take them to the vet 1-2 times a year, pick up their poo until they are potty trained, walk them, play with them, buy them toys. (Yes I know silly to ask, but like I said I've never owned a dog before.)

7. I'm going to Japan in July and won't be back until August 1. Will the month of August and half of September be enough time to train the Yorkie at my home and then take it to my dorm where it can be happy and obedient?

8. What's the youngest I can get a Yorkie? 8 weeks?

9. Frankly I think Yorkies with long coats are ugly (and girlie), lol. Is it normal to have them with short hair?

Thank you in advance for your answers! If you think a Yorkie isn't for me, could you suggest another breed?

I dont think you should get a yorkie just yet. I am in college as well but I live in an 800 sqft apartment, and my hours arent as hectic as they used to to be. Yorkies are hard to train and if you are not very stable in your hours then it will take FOREVER to train him and you will be very frustrated. His first year is very important for the pup to be in the same place why he is being house broken. Most of my friends with yorkies have had to do training with them just so they wont go crazy while they are not at home...

[mybabe88]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

I'm a college student right now and will be moving in to a 510 square feet dorm in mid-September, which I will be living in for about 2 years. The dorm will be a single (all to myself). I've been in a single for the past 2 years but get a little lonely sometimes, so I figured having a dog can keep me company and I can take good care of it and give it complete attention. I've been reading about Yorkies for the past two weeks and think it's the perfect breed for my situation, since the place I'm staying at only allows very small dogs and cats.

Note that I have never owned a dog before (though both my parents grew up with them). I have salt water fish which I started to keep last summer. People on some fish forum I went to hated that I was being "arrogant" in jumping into their field so quickly (a week after reading all about how to take care of fish and stuff), yet not a single fish has died and I consistently (almost obsessively) take care of them and their enviorment. I would do the same thing with any dog I got, despite the fact that I am inexperienced with owning one.

Questions (in no particular order)...

1. I know Yorkies can be yelpy, but are their barks loud enough for people walking by - outside of your apartment - to hear them? It's hard to tell from the videos on YouTube how loud they are.

2. Would the dog get stressed if it was consistantly living in two different places? On the weekends I always go home to my family, so the dog would be home for about 2.5 days each week and at my dorm the other 4.5.

3. How much do Yorkie puppies typically cost? I feel so uncomfortable looking for one to buy because the prices range anywhere from free, to $200, to $2000.

4. Does anyone know a good place to buy a Yorkie in SoCal, specifically within Orange County?

5. Will the Yorkie get stressed if I have odd hours at times? Sometimes I'm awake at 7 in the morning and go to bed at 1, other times not until 12 PM and staying up until 3 or 4 AM. It varies widly depending on the quarter at school. I would still be at my dorm for hours and hours each day though, so the amount of time isn't an issue, it's the time of the time.

6. Is this the basics of what you do with a Yorkie or any dog for that matter?: feed them, give them water, give them baths, brush and cut their hair, brush their teeth, wipe their eyes, give them shots and take them to the vet 1-2 times a year, pick up their poo until they are potty trained, walk them, play with them, buy them toys. (Yes I know silly to ask, but like I said I've never owned a dog before.)

7. I'm going to Japan in July and won't be back until August 1. Will the month of August and half of September be enough time to train the Yorkie at my home and then take it to my dorm where it can be happy and obedient?

8. What's the youngest I can get a Yorkie? 8 weeks?

9. Frankly I think Yorkies with long coats are ugly (and girlie), lol. Is it normal to have them with short hair?

Thank you in advance for your answers! If you think a Yorkie isn't for me, could you suggest another breed?

Oh and Short cuts are normal but the haircut cost money, the vet bills cost money. Yorkies can have health problems and the smaller they are typically the more they have.

[PennysMum]

I don't think it is impossible for the dog-in-college thing to work-- I've seen several people do it and do it well. Heck, I've known of a guy with an Irish Wolfhound that lived with him in a dorm (don't have any idea how he talked them into that!) I've also seen what happens when it doesn't work, unfortunately... my sister adopted a dog for her boyfriend while they were in college. They broke up, he threatened to send the dog to the humane society if she didn't take it, so she did. She had the dog for a year and a half and became very devoted to him, but when she graduated she got a job in a city where she couldn't afford a house and could not find any apartments in her price range that would allow her to keep the dog. She had to re-home him, and it was heart-breaking for her. I suppose if you're graduating in a field that will offer you a lot of options as to where to live and such, it can turn out okay-- but the situation my sister landed herself in was really rough.

[John Stelting]

NO................ NO...................... NO

You shouldn't have any pets in a college dorm.................

Wait until your out of school and can afford the high costs of a pet.......

If you get one now...... I will guarantee you'll be looking for someone to sell it to within a month................

[bdb5853]

As I said earlier, it's not that he's a college student, it's that the apartment lease says NO dogs allowed. There's been discussion that small dogs are allowed "unofficially" but the fact is that he is going to sign a lease that says that dogs are NOT allowed.

I just think that's a recipe for disaster. And the dog will end up the loser.

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by camile

I have read this entire thread with great interest and you have made a few good arguments for getting a puppy and several ppl have, if not made an argument against it, indeed given you great advice and food for thought. This is what I have concluded.

First, and maybe most importantly, you have made several asumptions that you state for a fact. Namely, you give yourself a couple of months to potty train your puppy at home. This process takes months not weeks, somtimes years, so if you get a puppy, please do not assume no matter how diligent you are during those weeks, that it will happen on schedule.

Secondly, you also assume you can shake a can of pennies at your puppy and it will just shut up. I have been trying to use this method and many others on one of mine and she even barks at whatever method I am using to stop her from barking!

Furthermore, you say, due to class schedule, you will be coming in and going out several times during the day, I think you said every hour. I think this will cause great stress on any puppy. It will never know any stability or security. Dogs do not understand real time. You can go get mail and when you come back they behave like you have been on a long voyage. The point I am making is this, your puppy will find it very difficult to "settle", and this causes neurotic behavior, then barking will be the least of your concerns.

Being a student, you will need to study some time. Time will become a top commodity, have you considered that just when you are trying to digest some really important facts and your puppy needs you for whatever, are you going to be able and willing to stop, really stop, and go out with him or clean up a mess or stop to take care of countless other whatevers? Remember, he will not know or care that you have a test in the morning. You will have to give up a lot of time that you would otherwise use to do other things for this puppy. It is a living, breathing being and as such, a big responsibility and commitment, very much like a child would be.

I have only touched on a few of the issues envolved in owning a puppy. Any kind of dog, at any age presents it's own needs and problems. I'm not trying to deter you from getting a dog, even if it sounds that way, I am trying to help you to understand that things don't just take care of themselves or happen the way we plan. You will find this applies to every aspect of life.

You appear to be a bright young man, maybe because I have two sons, I never thought you were a girl, so think about it and stay on this forum. There are many ppl here who have great expertise and very willing to help. Read all you can, keep asking questions. We see many ppl, young and not so young, make terrrible mistakes because they did not think things thru and the dogs are the ones who suffer. Prevention is the best cure. You won't have to be here long to find pple pulling their hair out and ready to throw the dog under the bus because they thought owning a puppy was just soooo cute, then discover it's a lot of work and that cute puppy isn't soooo cute when it just ate your favorite pair of shoes or poo'ed on your bed and kept you up all night crying and aternating with barking and throwing up.

Owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding adventures in life. Whenever you decide to have one, make it a rewarding experience for the dog as well as for you, it is one and the same. Good luck with your decision and if you do get one, good luck with it as well. I look forward to reading your posts and learning more about you, it is a pleasure to have you on the board.

First...what she said above!

Next, you sound like a really nice young man who's thoughtful of his interest and to take the time to research before jumping in head first (like so many of us have...) but, take it from those of us who are keying you into the fact that owning a pet, a Yorkshire Terrier at that...is an undertaking that even some of us have our days where we question our decision.

It's similar to starting a family...let me ask you this, would you be ready to adopt a human baby right now in your life? Because, this is nearly the same scenario & responsibilities that you can expect to have in your life with a new puppy. It's life changing.

As for the financial aspect of just the purchase of a Yorkie, can you realistically afford to spend a minimum $1000 dollars today? It doesn't end there...it's just the beginning, starting with the first Vet appointment within the first week of acquiring your new Yorkie (minimum $100). Then, there's the next few months of Vet appointments for your puppies required vaccinations not to mention by 4-6 mths your puppy will need to be spayed or neutered (another $500 easy).

Have you done your research on the Hereditary Diseases that these little dogs are prone to? Ask around here and see what others have had to spend to care for their Yorkies when they get diagnosed with Liver Shunt, Legg Perthes, Collapsed Trachea...just to name a few...prepare to have put aside in savings at least a "few" thousand dollars. My 3 yr old Yorkie was just diagnosed last week with the latter...very sad!

I'm not trying to rain on your parade...believe me I'm not nor is anyone else here wanting to do that either but, for those of us who do rescue work and see the multitudes of Yorkies that need to be re-homed just because someone didn't take into account everything aside from that little fluff of love...our jobs would be so much easier.

I guess what I'd be asking myself if I were you...and I don't recall if you stated your age but, based on the fact that you're in college I'm guessing very early 20's...why do you think you're in need of a pet such as a Yorkie?

I worry that you might be feeling lonely at school and needing that unconditional love of a puppy. I hope not but, this was the case of my first adopted Yorkie...who actually did come from a college student.

Whatever you decide is what was meant to be (in my belief) but, I hope your education wins out and you find something else to fill that need...have you ever thought of volunteering at an Animal Shelter? There's a place that's always guaranteed to be filled with lonely hearts just waiting to give you love...an endless supply of it!

Good luck with your decision and if you do make the decision of pet ownership, I sense that you will have all your ducks in a row and be a responsible one at that! Just so ya know...we'll all be expecting lot's of pic's, too!

ps. My oldest son graduated UCI w/Bio degree...great school! What's your degree going to be in?

[Buster Bailey]

A lot of people have a lot to say on this thread so I did not read all of the responses...I will say when I read the original post that I thought a cat would be your best option (then I saw the post that said you don't like cats!). I can't imagine having a dog in college (I had a fish). I did not have any type of a "normal" schedule in college and like you mentioned, you have odd hours at times which would not be able to bring consistency for a puppy (which is really what they need). Even now, I'm almost 30 (with no kids) and I have a hard time waking up at the puppies' normal wake-up time (6AM) on the weekends. I can go back to sleep after they've gone potty & had their breakfast, but I still have to get up for them. I can't imagine doing that in college - plus I went out, studied late, stayed over at other people's places, etc, and you can't do that if you have a dog. That said, I saw a post from someone else here who is in college & loves their dog. Just be aware that a dog cannot be left alone for long periods of time, and know that yorkies can be VERY LOUD barkers (not all but I can tell you that mine do!).

[Hollee]

I just wanted to tell you that I am in college and I have a new puppy. I am currently on break and then I have summer school beginning in July- every day from 730 to 1230 (half-day). Then, in August I will be working and going to school full time! So I cannot say whether or not it is working yet, but I am sure it will be alright. I live at home tho, so that is different.

In any case, I think if you dedicate yourself to something, you can make it work. Good luck!

[WaterPKMNMaster]

Originally Posted by camile

I have read this entire thread with great interest and you have made a few good arguments for getting a puppy and several ppl have, if not made an argument against it, indeed given you great advice and food for thought. This is what I have concluded.

First, and maybe most importantly, you have made several asumptions that you state for a fact. Namely, you give yourself a couple of months to potty train your puppy at home. This process takes months not weeks, somtimes years, so if you get a puppy, please do not assume no matter how diligent you are during those weeks, that it will happen on schedule.
I'm sure that's the case, but I don't think I was ever under the assumption it would take only a month or two to potty train it. I said earlier I didn't mind picking up its poo or cleaning the carpet until it was potty trained. I practically vacuum everyday anyway, so taking out a stain or two isn't going to kill me.

Secondly, you also assume you can shake a can of pennies at your puppy and it will just shut up. I have been trying to use this method and many others on one of mine and she even barks at whatever method I am using to stop her from barking!
I was just posting that as one of the methods I have read about. I'm sure there are other ways to quiet it down. But yeah, this could be a problem if the dog keeps barking all the time.

Furthermore, you say, due to class schedule, you will be coming in and going out several times during the day, I think you said every hour. I think this will cause great stress on any puppy. It will never know any stability or security. Dogs do not understand real time. You can go get mail and when you come back they behave like you have been on a long voyage. The point I am making is this, your puppy will find it very difficult to "settle", and this causes neurotic behavior, then barking will be the least of your concerns.
I just looked at my schedule for next quarter and it turns out I have very little holes in it...

/// MONDAY (01:00-05:50)=================
11:00-11:50: Literary Journalism
12:00-12:50: English 28A

/// TUESDAY (09:30-01:50)================
11:00-01:50: Film 101C
06:00-08:50: Film 139W

/// WEDNESDAY (01:00-05:50)==============
11:00-11:50: Literary Journalism
12:00-12:50: English 28A

/// THURSDAY (09:30-01:50)===============
11:00-01:50: Film 101C
03:30-06:20: Film 117A

/// FRIDAY (12:00-02:50)=================
11:00-11:50: Literary Journalism
12:00-12:50: English 28A
01:00-01:50: Film 85C Discussion


Being a student, you will need to study some time.
Lol.

Time will become a top commodity, have you considered that just when you are trying to digest some really important facts and your puppy needs you for whatever, are you going to be able and willing to stop, really stop, and go out with him or clean up a mess or stop to take care of countless other whatevers? Remember, he will not know or care that you have a test in the morning. You will have to give up a lot of time that you would otherwise use to do other things for this puppy. It is a living, breathing being and as such, a big responsibility and commitment, very much like a child would be.
I also juggle a very large Pokemon website, PokeBeach.com, and school. I have become very adept at juggling 10 different things at once. You should see how last week I had to study for finals and update my website with a whole bunch of news that was coming in. It wasn't easy, but I balanced out both just fine. Sometimes it does get hectic but I always have time for both, especially since I'm not really doing anything else.

I have only touched on a few of the issues envolved in owning a puppy. Any kind of dog, at any age presents it's own needs and problems. I'm not trying to deter you from getting a dog, even if it sounds that way, I am trying to help you to understand that things don't just take care of themselves or happen the way we plan. You will find this applies to every aspect of life.
Thank you for that.

Originally Posted by John Stelting

Wait until your out of school and can afford the high costs of a pet.......


If you get one now...... I will guarantee you'll be looking for someone to sell it to within a month................

Who says I can't afford one now?

And no offense but that last line is a little rude. I'm not a heartless idiot. I don't know what kind of people you've encountered, and I'm sure you've encountered a lot of colorful characters, but when I commit to something I commit to it.

Originally Posted by bdb

As I said earlier, it's not that he's a college student, it's that the apartment lease says NO dogs allowed. There's been discussion that small dogs are allowed "unofficially" but the fact is that he is going to sign a lease that says that dogs are NOT allowed.

I just think that's a recipe for disaster. And the dog will end up the loser.

Yeah, this is my concern right now. Don't worry though, I won't buy it if I don't get triple confirmation I can have one.

Originally Posted by miabella

It's similar to starting a family...let me ask you this, would you be ready to adopt a human baby right now in your life? Because, this is nearly the same scenario & responsibilities that you can expect to have in your life with a new puppy. It's life changing.
Actually yes, I would be, other than the fact that I would never leave a baby alone by itself in a room for a few hours a day. With dogs you can do that though.

As for the financial aspect of just the purchase of a Yorkie, can you realistically afford to spend a minimum $1000 dollars today? It doesn't end there...it's just the beginning, starting with the first Vet appointment within the first week of acquiring your new Yorkie (minimum $100). Then, there's the next few months of Vet appointments for your puppies required vaccinations not to mention by 4-6 mths your puppy will need to be spayed or neutered (another $500 easy).
Money isn't an issue with me.

Have you done your research on the Hereditary Diseases that these little dogs are prone to? Ask around here and see what others have had to spend to care for their Yorkies when they get diagnosed with Liver Shunt, Legg Perthes, Collapsed Trachea...just to name a few...prepare to have put aside in savings at least a "few" thousand dollars. My 3 yr old Yorkie was just diagnosed last week with the latter...very sad!
Aw, I'm sorry. Did you get it from a good breeder though? And I have only briefly read about the diseases they can get. One of the reasons we were never allowed to have one was because my mom's dog died of cancer and she has been afraid to get one ever since.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade...believe me I'm not nor is anyone else here wanting to do that either but, for those of us who do rescue work and see the multitudes of Yorkies that need to be re-homed just because someone didn't take into account everything aside from that little fluff of love...our jobs would be so much easier.
UGHHHHH!!! I'm not going to abandon it or sell it or anything! Like I said, if worst came to worst, which it would not, the dog would simply go home to my parents and brothers.

I guess what I'd be asking myself if I were you...and I don't recall if you stated your age but, based on the fact that you're in college I'm guessing very early 20's...why do you think you're in need of a pet such as a Yorkie?

I worry that you might be feeling lonely at school and needing that unconditional love of a puppy. I hope not but, this was the case of my first adopted Yorkie...who actually did come from a college student.
[b]I'm 20 turning 21 in October. Yes, I do want a Yorkie as a sort of companion. I don't see much wrong with that.

ps. My oldest son graduated UCI w/Bio degree...great school! What's your degree going to be in?
Film and Media and Literary Journalism. I hate bio, lol.
[/quote]

Originally Posted by Buster

Just be aware that a dog cannot be left alone for long periods of time, and know that yorkies can be VERY LOUD barkers (not all but I can tell you that mine do!).

Just looking at my schedule above it doesn't look like it will be alone for more than 3 hours at a time.

[Conjure_Girl]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

<snip> 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. <snip>

Be very careful about such assumptions. If you signed a lease that specifically states that dogs aren't allowed, your landlords do have the right to ask you to get rid of the dog or leave within 3 days. Yorkies can be trained not to bark excessively. It will also largely depend on the genetics / character of your puppy — so pay very good attention to the parents of the puppy you're buying. However, even the most well-behaved pup will still bark...

Also, if you were at all considering adopting a puppy from a rescue, they will want to check your lease for a "pet clause." Even some breeders would want to see such documentation.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

I think the lease thing has been driven into the ground at this point.

[capt_noonie]

Your schedule seems like it offers way more free time than a regular 9 to 5 job could offer. Especially with summer vaca coming up where you have nothing? I say go for it.

[Ice Lady]

You seem to have all your bases covered. I'm sure if you do get a little Yorkie, it will have a wonderful life with you. Yorkies are wonderful loving little fur kids.

There has been a lot of concern about your schedule. A Yorkie will adapt. I am a long haul trucker with about the most erratic sschedule you can imagine and my two Yorkies and my Lhasa Apso do just fine. There are hundreds of Yorkies that are companions for truckers. The only time you need to be rigid about a schedule is if, God Forbid, your baby has to be on medication. The key to the erratic schedule is to always make your Yorkie feel secure and that is achieved through patience and love. You will figure out what your little one's needs are and meet them. For example, my Lhasa and my little Yorkie male are satisfied if I just tell them I am going to be gone and what I am going to do. My little female Yorkie requires a good bye kiss and a hello kiss in addition to being told what I am doing. She cries and works herself into a state without the extra bit of attention. It doesn't matter if I am gone 2 minutes to open the trailer doors or 4 hours on a dock counting freight she has to have her kisses.

Good Luck and enjoy your little one.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

Alright, so problems right now...

1. Lease saying you can't have dogs even though you can but you can't but unofficially officially you can.

2. My parents letting me buy one! I'll show my mom this thread since a lot of you think I'd be fine with a dog. My mom unconsciously doesn't want us to have one because her dog died of cancer before I was born and my dad's was kidnapped.

3. Learning more about dogs and Yorkies in general.

4. Finding a breeder! This is my biggest concern right now. I've looked online for hours and hours and you just can't tell who's good and who's not, especially since I can't buy one until the beginning of August and most people are selling their puppies for right now.

Can anyone help with advice for #4?

[Princessangela3]

How far away are you willing to drive and what EXACTLY are you looking for? I will look in Northern/Central CA for you if you would like. I know a breeder in Reno, Nevada who is willing to bring her puppies to CA. She does not ship puppies I dont know if she has any coming up but I can ask.
Good luck I hope this works out for you. You seem very determined