Afraid to post but need to...

[deonk1]

It's sad that you were afraid to post on here. While there are many strong minded people on here, at the end of the day, I'd be happy to help you if you get this little guy, as I'm sure many others will.

There are a few positives with the whole situation: (1) you're not purchasing from a pet store which I would agree with the many who believe this is an absolute no no. (2) 8 weeks is the norm for many other breeds, if you said the pup was coming earlier than that, then I'd agree with the huge red flags. If the vet is okaying them to come home that early, then I recommend that you personally find another vet, don't use him because they probably do not specialized in small breeds. My boy came home at 9 weeks and he was fine. NOW not that I completely condone the whole pups coming early thing, I just happened to have a breeder who worked hard to assure the pups were ready. So I recommend you get some books and start researching how you can prepare yourself to deal with your little guy. He will be fragile and will likely start to bite you if you are not prepared to teach him what his mom should have. Also ask your breeder what she does to prepare the pups to come home, maybe it's not as bad as it sounds.

My breeder allows each pup to have some quality one-on-one time each day in the livingroom with momma (one the pups are old enough to play) this way they learn in a group and individual setting. She started potty training them and starts desensitizing them to various things. They've had their first shots, have been bathed and groomed several times up to this point (now of course you can only do so much, but essentially getting them used to their ears and paws and teeth being handled. I would ask your breeder if she does any of these things so that you know exactly what needs to be done when you get your guy home. Any things she doesn't do, you should be prepared to start slowly but immediately so that your little guy gets used to them. (careful when bathing, you don't want to over bathe, or use too strong of products, etc, also watch you don't get waters in their ears it can cause an infection)

When you get your little guy home remember that he's tiny and very fragile. BUT he's not stupid. He's actually going to be REALLY smart, so it's your job to educate him immediately, before he outsmarts you.

At the end of the day, remember these two pieces of advise. (1) now you know the proper information and can be prepared when you get this little guy a sibling some day, you'll know how and where to find a good breeder, and honestly I've heard of much worse breeders out there. (2) Take any and all information on here with a grain of salt. Some people genuinely know what they're talking about, some are know it alls who don't and some are here to support and aid you on your journey. IT IS YOUR DECISION WHAT TYPE OF DOG OWNER YOU WANT TO BE so long as you are loving and not ignorant (which your general concern shows you're not) you fit the bill in my books.

Good luck with your baby. Please keep us posted.

[ASTPhi877]

Awww, honey, don't be so hard on yourself! You seem like such a good person, so there is no need to feel so bad or be afraid to post! This site is all about support and advice... We're not here to judge you (although there is plenty of that, but you know how we women can be, hehehe)

But as to your dilemma... I would speak again with your breeder and let her know that it's not so much for the HEALTH of the puppy that you would like for him to stay a little longer... but for the socialization skills that he learns from the mama pup and his littermates. Sure, as far as the health goes, it def can't hurt to stay a little longer, but as long as he is weened and big enough, that's not really the issue with going home too early. It's more to learn things like bite inhibition and other vital socilization skills.

I brought my youngest home at 6 weeks (got her from a shelter, so it couldn't be helped) so I know first hand how difficult it can be to properly socialize one of these young ones. It is alot more work! That's not to say it can't be done... just that it's unnecessary!

So, I would just speak to your breeder again, and if she is still unwiling to work with you... I would have to say that you are making the right decision in leaving this pup behind. I know that it has to be an extremely difficult decision to make. It's so hard once you've fallen in love with one, AND you've already laid down the deposit... But look at it this way: losing the deposit, however much money it may be, is worth it to eventually buy the best possible breeder you can. Yes, I said buy the best BREEDER, because she's the one crafting this wonderful little companion you'll have with you for years and years to come. And if she is unwilling to listen and learn now... just think of how many corners she may have cut in her breeding program that you DON'T know about! Being a good breeder is more than just having two healthy dogs and throwing them together. Does she do genetic testing? She says she shows... does she have proof of this???

Think about it this way: Many people say that having a yorkie is like having a small child, and I agree. You take these babies into your heart just the way you would a child. Now if you had any doubts about the person you'd choosen to "engineer" your baby, (aka your husband!) would you go through with it? I know I wouldn't! You don't make babies with a guy just because he's cute and you happened to spend alot of money on his Christmas present, and you don't buy a yorkie from a breeder who is throwing up red flags just because the pups are adorable and you put down a deposit!

*Steps off soapbox*

But seriously, I think you know what you need to do, and you seem like such a sweet person. So whatever you decide, please don't leave the community. We need people on here who have big hearts and the desire to do what's right

Best of luck to you!

[concretegurl]

Sounds like you are making a real effort to buy wisely...
I'm not entirely into the whole show thing-but I see why it is important here's my deal on it as an enthusiast not a breeder or show person...

If she lied about that what else is she lying about?
Health is my foremost concern as it seems you are strictly looking for a pets as I was before...does she do genetic testing, health screenings? Did she show you proof of it? Liver shunt, Luxating patellas, etc ?

Furthermore is the pup AKC registered> limited registration or full registration...did she show you the parents pedigrees?

What is your health guarantee sales contract? Do you understand it and agree to it completely? GET A COPY...of everything, don't take the pup without it or in writing you will get it by a specified date (not the health guarantee sales contact you get those prior or at the time of pick up-period, but pedigree copies, AKC registration etc. can be later-I'd not wait but some ppl do.

When in doubt walk away...loosing a deposit stinks (but if she lied about claims seems you should get it back but may need to seek legal advice or go to court-drama) but that may be the most cost effecting on you finances and your emotions in the long term...

[Rhetts_mama]

While 12 weeks is ideal, there are many of us who have brought home puppies before that time for a variety of reasons. You are going to be in for some more work with things like socialization and bite inhibition, so start your research now to help you avoid some frustration. Potty training is going to seem to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r, too, just because he's too young to hold it for more than about an hour at this point.

Remember, too, that because he's going to be younger that he will tire more easily and be more prone to developing hypoglycemia. Short play sessions, food available at all times will help you avoid that, but know the symptoms and have some nutrical/nutristat (ultra mega high calorie booster from Petsmart) handy.

His immune system isn't completely developed yet, so hold off on taking him out in public where he could be potentially exposed to all kinds of dog germs until he's at least 2 weeks out of his last round of puppy shots (those usually finish up at around 16 weeks). I know that one is hard, everyone wants to show them off while they are so small and cute )

Oh, and I have to heartily second the poster who said to ask Mardelin if you run in to problems. Her knowledge is gold! She helped me immensely when I got a rescue puppy who was too young and didn't even have any teeth yet!

[mauirobin]

I brought both my yorkies home at 8 weeks not knowing any better. I purposely avoided the older ones I have seen, as I wanted the puppy factor. I was very lucky in the fact that my dachshund is a natural mom, & took over for their mom, both times...6 months apart. She still treats them like her pups, & the oldest is over 2. She is the last one in the door on potty breaks, cuz she still has to go around the yard & pee on all their potty spots to cover up their scent.

I didn't have YT back then, and would do it all differently if I had the chance, but I was very lucky. Button's breeder told me to pick up "Puppy-Cal" & give her some a few times a day, but didn't tell me why. It wasn't till my Button's was almost 2, that I found YT, & know why now. You are in the right place and already have way more Yorkie info than I did when I brought mine home.

[YorkieRose]

I would not back out now...
The reason I say 12 weeks is..most of mine are quite small...a 1 1/2 to 2 pounder at 8 or 9 weeks will as rule do just fine...it is these little 11 or 12 oz things that I read about here on YT that scare me so much...breeders have no concern for the pet owner and the heartache they can face with tiny one...

I do not start vaccines until 9 weeks..most vets are agreeing it is the best age..so I want several shots in mine and to get them over any bumps in the road....
Best wishes....

[EarthAngel]

I sure hope that you can see everyone here are welcoming you. You sound like a very caring person who will take care of your new little one with all the knowledge our group can support you with.

Oh, and welcome to YT!!

[FlDebra]

You sound like you are going to be a very conscientious puppy momma! I would ask her if she would please let your puppy stay a few more weeks with its momma but if she will not do it, then don't think you are going to be shunned here just for bringing him home sooner than recommended. I wish all breeders would understand that toy puppies do so much better if they can stay with mom & siblings until 12 weeks of age. But -- I have hand raised a litter with no momma around and they did extremely well. I did keep the puppies together until after 12 weeks and kept 2 of them even longer as they were so small. You just do what you have to do to try to help them when they don't get long enough with mom.

I have a Jack Russell that we bought way too early. She is a WONDERFUL pet but she is very nervous! She is afraid of everything but once you get her fears soothed, she is a dynamite dog. Some problems you may also see from bringing them home too early are biting too hard. Momma dogs train them not to bear down when they play bite by nipping at their neck and sharp barks if she needs to. You can imitiate a momma dog by gently pinching some skin at the neckline with your fingers. Don't hurt, just accompany the pinch with a sharp NO and the tone will get across your message better than anything. The ones leaving mom too early are often less confident and more needy than the ones who get plenty of time. To help alleviate that, show them lots of attention but also encourage them to have some alone time so they can build a little self-confidence. Play tug-of-war and let them win at least half the time. This keeps them trying harder (from the losses) but gives them a sense of accomplishment (from the wins). I know it sounds silly but these are the little games momma would play if she had more time with the puppy. You want to help build their confidence.

Since the puppy will also be smaller and less developed, you will need to be extra vigilant and take the utmost care for their health & safety. Make an appointment to take the puppy straight to a vet on your way home from picking him up if you can. Tell the vet of your concern with him being younger than this breed should be when they come home and ask that he give a thorough evaluation/exam. Don't let him jump off furniture. I would immediately invest in some puppy steps. Don't take him in public until he can get all of his immunizations. I would even be careful about taking him out to potty. I did not let my puppies go outside on the ground before they were 12 weeks old and had their first shots.

I would also try to get one of the Snuggle Puppies Brown Mutt Snuggle Puppy - Prices, Reviews, & Product Specs | 208285380 -- They have a little battery operated heart beat that the puppy can feel when he lays on it. They also come with a rice bag you heat in the microwave & it keeps the puppy extra warm since he will miss cuddling in a puppy pile. I actually had a cat one for my puppies as that was what I found at Petsmart. It won't matter what -- just the heart beat & warmth factor helps.

Depending on how young the puppy is, I might even get some goat's milk to supplement the kibble. If they were allowed to stay with momma, most continue to nurse as much as the mom will allow. So, giving a little goat's milk (dilute 1/2 & 1/2 with water) helps too.

Be especially vigilant to signs of a cough, fever, or low blood sugar. The last is a big danger to these little ones taken too soon from mom. I recommend free-feeding (food out 24/7) so they can nibble a little all day. Keep some Nutrical on hand to rub on his gums if you ever notice signs of low sugar. (Acting really tired, sometimes can't hold head up or even stand, disorientation, can even have a seizure -- if a seizure, also get to vet asap while rubbing Nutrical on gums). Too much exercise can trigger low blood sugar too so watch them when they have really played hard. Don't want to keep them from it, just watch and make sure they also eat well.

Ask as many questions as you need. There will be someone with the answer! I would definately still ask the breeder to keep the puppy with mom for a couple more weeks at least. You might tell her you read on ytca.org that breeders should keep them with their mom & siblings until 12 weeks old. ytca is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America -- the breed's parent club. She really should appreciate it as a valid reference. But if she will not, no one is going to turn you away if you follow through on the deal you have already made. I know how you bond with these little ones as soon as you see them! Sometimes you just know that is your dog!

[chachi]

Dont be afraid to post. I got both of mine before 12 weeks but I know better now and you know for any yorkies you get later in the future

[Buster Brown]

Welcome to YT. Many of us have made mistakes before we started learning from the members of YT. You sound like a loving and caring person who is willing to make the effort on research and to ponder those hard questions. If you have fallen in love and the breeder is unwilling to keep the puppy longer then I say bring it home and be prepared to work harder to teach your puppy socialization skills. I suggest reading the YT archives and getting a trainer to help teach your puppy. Since your puppy will be so young it will not be wise to take him out in public. I would avoid pet stores, grass areas where a lot of dogs frequent, as they can pick up Parvo and other issues easily. I had a trainer come to my house to help me learn and socialize Buster. I worked with him on fear issues as well as basic training. I would also suggest getting pet insurance early before any condition could be considered preexisting. I went with Petplan and they covered Buster's LP (luxating patella common in Yorkies) surgery. Also remember to have extra cash on hand for emergencies because insurance will reimburse you but you have to pay up front. Best wishes to you and your new Yorkie! And just remember the people here respond emotionally because of their love and concern for the breed and for animals. They bark but they don't bite.

[Teegy]

Well I'm just going to rave over the advise you have been given by some amazing people.
unfortunately when we fall in love we often don't know all the pitfalls, but at least you can get some amazing advise. I was very lucky when I got Teegy because I had discovered this site before I got him and my best friends are seasoned Yorkie owners. Perhaps there is a YT member in your area that you can meet up with and get some pointers.
I recently joined a little Yorkie meetup group and the information that flows back and forth is amazing.
If your heart is set on the little monkey and you prepare yourself and get in touch with the bonbon or mardelin, they will give you some great help.
There was a post on here the other day about an emergency puppy pack. You may want to stock up on those supplies too before bringing anyone home.
I do home the breeder sees and respects your concerns and keeps the pup for a few more weeks.
All the best

[RachelandSadie]

don't ever be afraid to say ANYTHING you need to on here. you might catch some flack for it, but in the long run most of us are kind hearted and can tell when you are a genuine and kind new person or someone that doesn't seem to care about the wellbeing of the dogs and makes quick decisions without any thought.

you seem very sweet and like you are trying the best to make the right choices for you. this breeder may not be the best you can find, but i understand that fallen in love feeling. i did that with Sadie. i then came back here and took a LOT of heat for it, but i was also defensive and hateful right back about the whole situation. you are coming at this knowning it's not an ideal choice, but knowing your heart is already lost on that little puppy face. lots and lots of us have done that exact same thing and totally know and understand your feelings. sure it's not prob. the best situation, but it's your situation and you sound like you will make an excellent doggie mama reguardless of how your pup comes to you.

be ready for some biting issues. start right away not allowing him to nip or play bite your fingers and hands.

be ready for just about anything health wise. you just never really know unless you have the health testing to prove things are going to be fine. just be prepared financially and emotionally that it might be a rocky road. doesn't mean it will be and not trying to scare you at all, just be kinda ready in case you do have a health issue come up. with our Sadie we were not expecting anything and we got a LP issue at 10 months that the breeder did not cover or help with.

good luck. God Bless...and if you just can't leave that pup there then by all means just go get that little boy and love him to pieces!!

[lexi43]

If you love this dog then go for it. The people on the forum are great and you don't have to go to another forum no matter what you decide to do. I have 5 dogs and being impulsive I never really did any research on any of them even though only one of my dogs is a yorkie. Anyway the point is these people are here to help you and even though you might find some strong willed people here when you need them they are here for you.

[mileydog]

Go for it!!!

This forum has great info but realize that much of the great knowledge is based on ideal conditions.

You will be presented with ideas about what is considered the "best", "highest quality" foods out there? Does that mean that the cheap grocery store foods are going o kill your dog? probably not but most people ask "what is the best food for my dog"...obviously nobody would recommend the walmart food.

So when responding to when is the best time for a new puppy to leave it's mates? probably 12 weeks. Would 8 weeks be okay? Sure but 12 is generally the better answer.

In any case, the real question is...can you commit the time and attention demands of these animals. You will quickly find out (maybe you are know) that these little ones become you kids. You will talk, scold, play, and most importantly love them like a kid.

I began my search for a dog, and in the end got a little furbaby.

[EsmeeKimme]

Thank you all so much for the love and advice here. So many of you posted and took the time to read and try to help me through your extensive experience and knowledge.

I know I will be a better fur momma because of knowing all of you and just thank you from the bottom of my heart for your reactions.

I am currently putting together the emergency pack that a few of you suggested along with planning to give the Nutrical everyday.

Also, I am a stay at home mom whose kids are 16, 14 and 10 so I will be able to watch him and be with him 24/7.

I am currently going through some early menopausal (only 35) issues and have an overwhelming need to be a momma again. The cat only lets me do it for so long lol. So please be assured he will get that intensive supervision of things like his blood sugar and such. I am lucky to be in a situation that allows me to stay home with him.

As far as the health testing, I was told it was all done but I will ask to see it now that I know what it is and as far as her show dog thing is concerned I will pm the forum person that pmed me back to give them her information to see if they can help me find out if that was a lie.

I have still got a lot of learning to do and I will continue to pour over the wealth of knowledge on this site to get ready for him and be what he needs me to be. I am thrilled that I have all of you to laugh, cry and learn with along the way.

Thank you all so much.