Questions about walking our Tiny Yorkies.

[Her Name Is Rio]

Rio is just 3 lbs but I walk her all the time, at least 3 times a day. I do worry about other big dogs but I am very aware and alert as we walk, always looking ahead and around. We do come across big dogs during our walks, but I always ask their owner from a safe distance if they are good with little dogs. You can usually tell the ones that are good, as the owners are smiling and making eye contact even from far away. Stray dogs are not too much of a problem, as we live in a gated community. We also go to PetSmart 3-4 times a week and Rio loves to walk up and down the aisles. I'm actually more concerned there, since we often see big dogs (rotts, pitts, etc) that don't seem very well-behaved. But for the most part, we've been fortunate to have good experiences, as it has definitely made Rio a very well-socialized dog.

[noisinka]

Sandy is almost 3lbs and I walk him a few times a week. Last weekend I took him out to play in the snow. A neighbour's dog (off-leash) came to play with him. The dog was so much bigger and I quickly picked Sandy up when the play became a bit too rough. I was afraid the dog might hurt him. After a few mins, the dog came back with a new friend (another off-leash dog!). I've no choice but to bring Sandy home in my arms.

He is tiny compares to the dogs in our neighbourhood.

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by Britster

Walking around the house is not the same because it's nothing new. Walking is as mental as it is physical. New sights, new smells, etc are all primal instincts of a dog. They were born to walk and follow. Many people will say "he has this huge backyard - he doesn't need walks!" but it's simply not true. Sure, they may get a lot of exercise but it doesn't fulfill their needs. That's just my take on it!

Great points!! Dogs need mental stimulation, just like us.

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by Britster

Dogs, no matter what their size, have a natural instinct to walk. I think all dogs need daily, or at least weekly walks. My friend (who is here on yt) has two 5 lb yorkies who walk with her for over 4 miles. So they can definitely keep up. Just be alert. Walking around the house is not the same because it's nothing new. Walking is as mental as it is physical. New sights, new smells, etc are all primal instincts of a dog. They were born to walk and follow. Many people will say "he has this huge backyard - he doesn't need walks!" but it's simply not true. Sure, they may get a lot of exercise but it doesn't fulfill their needs. That's just my take on it!

take them out but be alert , dogs need to smell and explore after all thats the best thing about a dog I think it gets you out and your babies. make sure your babies are wearing harnesses , that way its easier to grab them and pull them up. Just a couple of days ago i was walking my Tia (5.5lbs) and my mums poodle (15lbs) when this staff came bolting towards me, believe me in one swift movement I had both dogs in my arms and left the staff growling at my feet.Not sure who was shaking more , me or the dogs lol

[emmyran]

Ok, ok I just took Annie & Greta for a walk around our neighborhood block!

We were about halfway and I had them both on one side of me so I could swoop them both in my arms if I had to. I looked down at them...looked ahead of me...felt my leash tugging...looked down and saw a huge brown, lab right at my babies butt!! I LOUDLY said "NO, GO HOME" The lab stopped and we kept walking. Labs are usually pretty nice, but the fact that it came upon us that fast, scared me to death (it had to be lying between their two parked cars because I didn't see it) and my youngest (Greta) started hiding behind my legs. (hard to walk like that). My Annie didn't seem afraid, just a little nervous.

That was my whole point in asking about this walking thing....it seems there should be more places you can take these tiny dogs for a nice, friendly, peaceful walk!

[LuvMy5Yorkies]

I now have a real problem with letting ours out into the yard since racoons have taken up under our sunporch. Our Luca who is 4 pounds thinks they are hers. We tried relocation the racoons, but they came back. We found babies under last time and had to take them to the wild life center, but the adult came back later. Luca even stuck her head inside the board while I was getting one of the babies and started an argument with it. What hissing and growing I heard. The big ones can kill her so we keep her in. Our really big yorkie goes out during the day only. It's so good the other three are under 4 pounds and pad trained. The big one goes for walks...the little ones poop out and don't like the snow.

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

Just to add...my girls are out of the house alot. I bring them everywhere with me. They go to and from my kids school three times a day on weekdays, and they come with me everywhere else I go too (except grocery shopping).

I had a bad experience with Missy last summer. A boxer broke away from it's owner and went after Missy. Missy was scampering around like crazy just barely escaping the Boxers teeth when I thought to quickly jerk her up into my arms by her harness. I wouldn't have had as much control with 2 of them. So now that we have Dora too, I feel they are much safer in their stroller. Missy doesn't really enjoy going for walks anyways, she'll last about 15 mins tops then just stand and stare at me until I pick her up. Alot of people around here just let their big dogs roam free (no leash), it drives me nuts! My 3 kids and my yorkies girls in their stroller were approached by a HUGE dog today while walking. It was scarey! I can't imagine how I would have controlled the situation if Missy and Dora were out of the stroller.

Yes it IS scary! I was wondering...when you take your yorkies with you everywhere (except grocery store) do you leave them in the car, or take them inside with the stroller, or what? I'm just asking because I'd love to take mine with me everywhere but I'm not sure which stores would frown upon it.

[morgan111]

do you have any freinds around with a yard? mine love to go out in the back yard where nit is 100%yorkie proof they wiilchase each other of ever out there .

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by morgan111

do you have any freinds around with a yard? mine love to go out in the back yard where nit is 100%yorkie proof they wiilchase each other of ever out there .

Not around my neighborhood. They all have yards, but nobody else has tiny yorkies, they just have HUGE guard dogs. My mom & sister both have fenced yards (mine isn't fenced) but they live in another town.

I've even been desperate before and taken them to Pet Smart just to let them walk around. lol But that's across town. Tomorrow I'm going to try walking the opposite way than I did today with my yorkies and hope there aren't any hidden surprises! I don't like throwing caution to the wind, when it comes to my babies.

[BanditSocks2]

I'm all for walking dogs, no matter how small. I think with any small dog you need to be more cognizant of those dogs around you, but that's no reason to not walk them. The LOVE walking. Mine are 4.5 pounds (should be more, just skinny) and almost 6 and can walk 4 miles at a time. They LOVE their walks

[LilMissy]

Originally Posted by emmyran

Yes it IS scary! I was wondering...when you take your yorkies with you everywhere (except grocery store) do you leave them in the car, or take them inside with the stroller, or what? I'm just asking because I'd love to take mine with me everywhere but I'm not sure which stores would frown upon it.

No way, I would never leave them in the car. It depends on what I'm doing. If I'm going to a friends, or just poppin' in somewhere quickly, then I just carry them. If I'm going to be wandering around, I use the stroller. Before I got Dora, I would just take Missy in her Petfly's carrier. They are both very social and like to get out and about. Missy just really doesn't enjoy walking, Dora we will see...she's still a puppy and does seem a little more adventurous.

[laci32]

Originally Posted by emmyran

Ha ha "boots and snowsuit", "rain coat"! Too cute! We have lots of hooded sweaters, but no rain coat or snow suit. I thought they would be too confining for them to walk. I'll have to look for some because it rains here a lot and we recently had a big snow (and they wouldn't even step in it! LOL)
Where do you take your walks? Neighborhood or park or....?

I take him in the neighborhood ,He does look very cute ,His snow suit the legs and the hood zip off so that he has a regular coat .The snow suit it self is velcro very cozy and warm .He runs and jumps and plays in it doesn't seem to confine him at all .

We have a green belt behind the house and although I have to be cautious . Other dogs,coyotes ,foxes. There are some dogs that walk at the same time that are his friends it is very good for him .The nap he has after although it is a short period of time (The walk) he has a good nap after and I can get things done or step out to store for awhile .

Some neighbors know and love him and always run out with treats when they see him coming . I ordered his snow suit online I will see if I can find that for you to check out .

[laci32]

I'm in Canada and although the poop and no pick up is a problem as well .I also know it's a bilaw to pick it up and if caught not doing so you recieve a fine .I got so mad that yes I called the bi law office and made a formal complaint .After all if they are going make it a law INFORCE it . Some people have been caught for off leash and not picking up poop .Good maybe some will learn something from it .

Bi law office is now watching the green belt off and on .Off leash dogs is a problem to .We do have a place thats for offleash (Dog park) but they put it in the most stupid place not fenced in and beside a busy road .

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

No way, I would never leave them in the car. It depends on what I'm doing. If I'm going to a friends, or just poppin' in somewhere quickly, then I just carry them. If I'm going to be wandering around, I use the stroller. Before I got Dora, I would just take Missy in her Petfly's carrier. They are both very social and like to get out and about. Missy just really doesn't enjoy walking, Dora we will see...she's still a puppy and does seem a little more adventurous.

Oh, I didn't mean to sound like you're leaving them in the car, but I have left mine in the car before (I don't anymore though), with all 4 windows cracked, ONLY while I ran into a Quik Trip for a gallon of milk.

What kind of stroller do you use? I need one that's pretty easy to pop in and out of the car.

[spiritwings1202]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

As a small dog owner, you have to always be on your toes when you are walking your dogs. I make sure I am always alert to ensure that I am not snuck up on by strange dogs. Any dog that comes running towards Couver and me-- Couver is picked up. I feel it is safer to have him in my arms where I can assess the dog and then make the decision if I allow them to meet. So far, I haven't had an aggressive dog approach me, but I'm not taking any chances.

So my advices is to take them on walks, but make sure you are alert while doing so.

I agree with this as well. Even when I walk daisy who is 20 lbs if a large dog approaches I always pick her up. Daisy has been attacked before. Luckily I was able to save her with a minor wound. So now I pick her up when I see a large dog approaching and I am always on a look out for lose dogs.