Biggest Yorkie Challenge Raising a Yorkie?

[SophieKatesMom]

I agree all of the above.

In fact she is sitting under my desk chewing on something right now (one of her toys).

[Deuce]

Potty training...over shopping...resisting their cuteness...barking at strangers...barking at motorcycles (parked or not)...barking at anything out of place (no seriously, any kind of change and he has to let me know, i.e. the water bucket is no longer under the spicket, bark bark, he found it two feet away)...grooming, but he's finally getting used to it, have to do it in short 15 minute sessions
Despite all that, I love my little Rizzo, he is such a character

[tigker86]

Originally Posted by tkking17

Hi All,

I was just wondering what your biggest challenge has been in raising a yorkie & how you dealt with it? Was it housebreaking? Barking? Chewing? Introducing them to another pet?

Just curious...

Thanks for sharing!

I'd say Lexi's barking isn't too bad, but it's starting to get a little excess and more often. It's just a cautious bark, so I don't totally mind. Still trying to house break Lexi, she has been doing well...but she had two accidents last night =S
She's totally cool with other people, other dogs her size, she wants to play with our parrot, but our parrot doens't understand she wants to play.

[deonk1]

Well my biggest challenge personally is money... he just "needs too much... lol... ok, he didn't "need" the winter jacket, but you guys all get what I mean.

For actual training, I'm super picky, as I used to be a horse trainer... well still am, so I struggle with making something that small behave, but still being able to love him to death... We're working on that.... we'll update when I figure it out.

[lexi43]

I think it's a combination of everything that was said but the worst for me was the housebreaking.

[cally930]

I must say nothing with Coco. She is perfect in every way. Easily housebroken, never chewed on anything, doesn't bark - except when someone comes to the door, loves, loves, loves people, and welcomed Beckham to the family, without any problems. Now as for Beckham, well that's a different story. Housebreaking is a challenge for sure!!!

[kristalblue74]

Potty training.

And finding quality stuff in the right size--the nearest petsmart/petco are two hours away. I end up doing more online ordering than I like.

[RemydeHaviland]

Getting used to an early riser! We are out to potty no later than 7:30 every day. When he was little, it would sometimes be 5:30!!

Also, ensuring discipline with his diet. That has involved training my friends and relatives NOT to give him anything other than what he is supposed to eat.. And, you'd be surprised how stubborn and sneaky some of them can be... even when you explain it makes him sick!

I had no issues with potty training, barking, or socialization

[shodanusmc]

"That has involved training my friends and relatives NOT to give him anything other than what he is supposed to eat.. And, you'd be surprised how stubborn and sneaky some of them can be... even when you explain it makes him sick!"

Let them know that they are not doing the dog any good, and when they get sick, or worse, they will get the entire medical bill. Some are more prone to illness that others, but all it sometimes takes is a little too much fat and you are on your way to Pancreatitis, etc, or worse. Smack them on the head a few times, and make sure they feel the pain...and then tell them the dog will be feeling it a lot more in the ER.

[RemydeHaviland]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Let them know that they are not doing the dog any good, and when they get sick, or worse, they will get the entire medical bill. Some are more prone to illness that others, but all it sometimes takes is a little too much fat and you are on your way to Pancreatitis, etc, or worse. Smack them on the head a few times, and make sure they feel the pain...and then tell them the dog will be feeling it a lot more in the ER.

Good one with the medical bill! But I think the smack on the head would be more personally gratifying

I don't know what it is with people, but so many feel, well, compelled to FEED an animal that is not theirs. He's clearly not starving, nor does he beg... but if you hold something out to him, obviously he is not going to decline. Thankfully I've finally gotten THEM all trained

[megansmomma]

I am going to be totally honest with my biggest issues~there are TWO.

Pebbles like to steal underwear and well snack on them. She is pretty indiscriminate when it comes to her snacking too. It doesn't matter if they are in the laundry or if the kids leave them on the floor in their bedrooms. She is a thief and always on the hunt!

Speaking of hunt~this is also making me crazy. Pebbles and Doodlebug always want those darn They have chased them, hunted them, stalked them, scared then to death and even killed them. Now that it is getting colder out they both have lost their minds! In the evening they want out to get them every five minutes!

OH maybe three....

Let's not even touch on the occasional accident in the house. Remember my broken arm.

Did anyone notice that I didn't mention Bogey he's my

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I am going to be totally honest with my biggest issues~there are TWO.

Pebbles like to steal underwear and well snack on them. She is pretty indiscriminate when it comes to her snacking too. It doesn't matter if they are in the laundry or if the kids leave them on the floor in their bedrooms. She is a thief and always on the hunt!

Speaking of hunt~this is also making me crazy. Pebbles and Doodlebug always want those darn They have chased them, hunted them, stalked them, scared then to death and even killed them. Now that it is getting colder out they both have lost their minds! In the evening they want out to get them every five minutes!

OH maybe three....

Let's not even touch on the occasional accident in the house. Remember my broken arm.

Did anyone notice that I didn't mention Bogey he's my

Can I borrow them on my next hunting trip. You may have the first pack of Yorkie Catch Dogs.

[Bentleys Momma]

Originally Posted by azureblue54

My biggest challenge has been to force myself to, "Put that dog down!", LOL. I could hold my Riley all day and half the night, he's just so wonderful.

Ditto... That and logging off of YT

Peggy, Monkey & Maddie

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Can I borrow them on my next hunting trip. You may have the first pack of Yorkie Catch Dogs.

They are both FAST too! My husband seriously wanted to take Pebbles with him hunting on the river last year. She once caught a bird in midair. When he told her to drop it she did~like a sweet little lady.

[alaskayorkie]

Excellent question.

Biggest challenge for Eddie has been fear issues. He's terrified of loud noises. Fireworks are the worst. They petrify him. He's also afraid of noises in agility class -- the banging of the teeter especially.

Best solution I've found for the noise issues is a Thundershirt -- it's a snug fitting coat that is supposed to give them a sense of security. For him, it's no magic cureall, but it's helped.

Biggest challenge for Jillie has been teaching her to not to be too pushy with Eddie. His secondary biggest challenge is toy hoarding, and he's been known to attack unpredictably. He's gotten better with a lot of work, but I don't trust him 100 percent.

Best solution I've found is to step in and separate them when I see Eddie's patience is running out with his pushy sister. I'll step in between them and give him some space while also redirecting Jillie's enthusiasm elsewhere.

Potty training wasn't an issue. It took Eddie 9 months and Jillie 8 months, but they are pretty much 100 percent. OK, 99. Both can slip up when we're away from the house and I forget to let them out regularly.