need advice - want to adopt 3rd one
 

we have talked about getting a 3rd yorkie off and on for a while. This weekend we were picking up dog food and we went to a place we normally dont go to and they had a yorkie rescue group there and they had this little girl who honestly I feel in love with. They had several other yorkies but somehow this little girl just pulled me in. she was extremely shy and had the saddest eyes. they came from a puppy mill and lived in terrible conditions. they said they kept them in cages outside and use to spray them with hoses when they got dirty. it seriously broke my heart. they had all been vet checked and had been with this group a while. they appeared to play well with other yorkies. they think she is around 6 years old. None were house trained. She said we would need to treat her like a 8 week old puppy. I am so torn. We bought both our boys as puppies from breeders. What are the pros and cons of getting a dog that you know is from a puppy mill. these dogs need homes too. How hard is it to house break a 6 year old dog? I keep going back and forth. I don't want to make this decision with my heart only. I want to do what is right for her, she has had such a tough life already. I keep saying that us going to this store was a sign we should get her. any suggestions, any advice??

If you can care for 3 time wise and financially I say it would be a great thing to do. As far as training, since you have 2 that are already trained she should follow their lead. I brought Nikki in who was a rescue 3 years ago and then his rescuer had a stroke. He is estimated to be 16 and he took to the wee pads right away. It's good she has been in a home for a little while and gets along with other dogs. I will say Nikki is my first rescue and he couldn't be sweeter and more devoted to me. Keep us posted.

If you feel you are up for it, I'd say go for it! There is a great sticky in the rescue section of the forum about rehabbing a puppymill rescue: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ll-rescue.html

My little guy is a rescue (an owner surrender, not a puppymill) and he was not potty-trained when he was surrendered. His foster mom worked with him and I worked with him, and he does very well now. So it is definitely possible, it just takes time and patience. Your other dogs will set an example for the new one too. :)

First off, CONGRATULATIONS for considering to adopt a rescue! We had three and adopted two more from a rescue and generally always have a foster rescue. I have uploaded pics of them on the pictures forum. Jack Jack and Zander Mander Salamander, check them out!

Be sure that you keep them separate at first and slowly join them in with the others like you would anytime you introduce a new one.

We use the potty pads and have to "run" grab them if they go to potty somewhere they shouldn't and move them to the potty pad.

The only other issue(s) was the "finding" their place within the pack. They are all doing really well together now.

Don't be surprised or disappointed if at first (and for a while) the rescue Yorkie doesn't immediately seem to bond with you at first, seems skiddish, or on the opposite end has separation anxiety if you ever put her down.

We have had our little Zander for almost a year and he still gets a little skiddish with us. Especially if you reach down to pet him. We generally have to go under the chin and get his chest because he spreads eagle and lays flat if you move too fast towards him. He still won't let you flip him on his back, but will slowly roll over (about 10 minutes) after some constant loving.

We were informed it is most like due to when they are "pulled" from the cages to breed that they are grabbed on top rather forcefully. Also, depending on the mill and who did the breeding, she will bond with either you or your hubby first.

Zander is still nervous of me, but he takes to my wife a lot.

Also, I recommend keeping a crate out that she would have access to at all times, this will be her "safety" zone. Zander runs to his anytime we have company, while the rest of the pack is all up for a new "play person".

Additionally, she may be a poop eater, since they were rarely cared for and cages not cleaned, we use canned pumpkin on the food and it has worked well for us, although I have read on here that it doesn't work for others.

Lastly, get the teeth checked! Mills NEVER provide proper care and considering that Yorkies are prone to teeth issues anyway it can be costly.

About a month after we adopted Zander we took him in for a teeth cleaning and he had to have ALL of his teeth pulled. We feed him dry kibble, but do soak it in water and a splash of chicken broth for about 10-20 mins before we feed him, but even if it is completely dry he will eat it no problem.

I hope these items don't deter you, but I think it best that you know of some of our experiences....these can be some of the most fantastic companions ever and they need so much love since they have never received it before.

Also, be sure to tell your groomer at the first grooming, sometimes they get a little freaked out there too!

I'm just curious, how much does it cost to rescue a Yorkie? I assume there's some fee associated with it, like adopting a dog at the Humane Society.
Thanks
Kendra

We the rescue that my wife and I volunteer the adoption fee is between 100-500 depending on the dog.

The money is used to buy food, meds, pet check ups, surgeries, etc for the other animals in the rescue. A lot of rescue organizations like ours are all volunteer with no paid members and no shelter (all animals are fostered in private homes).

Additionally, if we get a rescue that is a bit "fiesty", we work with a prison in which the inmates work with the animals to assist them with being handled and being around people 24-7.

I will tell you, that from my working with the rescue, I took A LOT for granted when it comes to the cost of maintaining, keeping records, having a website, software (Quickbooks to track expenses), adoption letters, follow up, banners for adoption events, tents, etc.

With our rescue, it takes nearly $1,000 a month just to cover the food expense, so I believe that rescues that charge these fees are completely justified in doing so, but at first, I was like "Whoa, that's almost the price to get one from a breeder (the $500 range)" but I have learned a lot since then. :)

I would adopt. As a matter of fact my house mate and I were talking about adopting another yorkie one day. Right now we have 4 dogs 1 Yorkie 1 Shorkie and 2 Basset Hounds. There's always room for one more though. My family thinks I'm out of my mind to want another dog but who cares what they think. They don't know the feeling of saving an animal from a lousy start in life.

Do it!
 

If you can swing it financially, I think this would be a wonderful thing for you and the little girl. This isn't your first yorkie, so you'll kind of know what to expect. Plus there are lots of great resources on here to assist you with a "rescue"

With enough supervision and TLC you can 90% housebreak any yorkie. It took our rescue about a year to go from 60% housebroken to 95% housebroken. Even now she still poops in her bed once in a while.

But I couldn't imagine life without all 3 of my yorkies!

I think it is an EXCELLENT idea! Go for it!