Were you prepared for your first Yorkie/dog? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

My lil friend · 07-21-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

I was prepared for puppy ownership, but not really prepared for the breed I guess. We had a number of toy poodles growing up, I was involved with all the training, buying, feeding, vet care, etc. etc. So I knew what kind of responsibility they were. I grew up in a house where when pets came, they came to stay and where pets were an absolute priority. They got the best vet care, lots of attention ,etc. However, I kind of had the idea that all dogs were relatively the same- so when someone we knew said they had a yorkie, I figured it would act the same as a poodle right?! LOL! WRONG! But it all worked out in the end- I did a lot of research about the breed- better late than never I guess- and in the end decided this was really the breed for me anyway.

Am right there with you. Love my poodles,still have 2. But our little yorkie is NOTHING like any dog we have had.

capt_noonie · 07-21-2011, 11:44 AM

Then I also think, why didn't I get a yorkie earlier than I did? Why didn't anyone tell me yorkies are so awesome!!! I was missing out all this time!

Teresa Ford · 07-21-2011, 12:19 PM

We grew up on a farm so we knew how to take care of animals. My husband had hunting dogs that I helped train and care for. We began to breed and train Labs and Bullmastiffs. When my sons were both in school. My husband said get a FOO FOO dog to baby. That is when I got my first Yorkie. I had no idea how different a Yorkie would be. Not just smaller but with a childlike personality and a much higher level of interaction required. I fell in love and will always have my Yorkies.

DJDB · 07-21-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Then I also think, why didn't I get a yorkie earlier than I did? Why didn't anyone tell me yorkies are so awesome!!! I was missing out all this time!

We say that now, too. My b/f says often "why didn't we do this sooner??"

MauiGirl · 07-21-2011, 12:50 PM

Most of the books I read about Yorkies while doing speed research were so overly filled with "Yorkies aren't for everybody" warnings, that I almost didn't get one. I'm so glad I didn't get spooked off, as I would have missed out on this wonderful unique breed. However, I do understand what they were saying.

I'm just lucky that I have the time, energy and money to let them be the center of my universe.

Taryn0405 · 07-21-2011, 01:03 PM

My husband and I (well we were boyfirend and girlfriend) when we first fostered a little girl Yorkie and we fell in love with the breed. I've always had Cairn Terriers and always kenw I'd have a terrier. But, I don't think all of the knowledge or preparing in the world would have made us ready for Giz. Granted, we did get him a week before our wedding, and I was at my wits end with stress (gotta love in laws) so I know I would have handled things a little bit differently (not crying at 2 in the morning to my mom on the phone asking if I could just sleep there so I couldn't hear Gizmo cry at night). But hey! If my husband and I get anotehr furbaby, we'll know at little bit more because of the experience!

Brit I think you're an awesome Momma! I love all of the Jackson movies and seeing what tricks he's doing next. Needless to say, after my husband watched them he's attempting to get Gizmo to do all those tricks as well!

My lil friend · 07-21-2011, 01:12 PM

"child like personality" such a perfect way to describe yorkies. It does set them apart from other dogs. I love the poodles,pom and chi that are in my house,but Mina really is a little girl with a little extra hair.

alaskayorkie · 07-21-2011, 01:18 PM

Good question! And I agree with everyone else, Brit, you rock as a dog owner!

We had lots of family dogs growing up, but in my life I've had four that I would call my own. I was unprepared for my first one, a golden retriever mix. I was doing a pretty good job catching up -- regular leashed walks, socialization, etc. -- but my brother took her on an unleashed walk and she was hit by a car and killed before she was a year old.

I was also unprepared for my second, a Lab mix I got when I was about 25. I made mistakes in everything from potty training to the importance of leashing, but he lived to age 14 and was my best friend.

I was STILL unprepared when my wife brought home Eddie. Didn't know anything about potty training, let alone the breed itself. I caught up pretty fast once I found YT.

The only dog I've truly been prepared for in every sense of the word is Jillie. I knew how to potty train, I knew the best foods, I knew the importance of exercise, socialization, bite inhibition, and I knew the importance of training. Because of that, she is without a doubt the best-adjusted dog I've ever owned.

BLADE · 07-21-2011, 02:02 PM

In one sense I was ready for Kimbo. We didn't have any pets and were clueless about raising a puppy. I rearched Yorkie Talk posts for a year before Kimbo was born--long before I joined up. That helped tremendously. I also waited for a puppy that was born at the right time so I could devote my entire summer vacation to him. Everyone in the family decided to work like a team to raise him, and that's how it happened.

What I wasn't ready for was the depth of the love we would have for Kimbo. He's family, beloved and dear. I never saw that coming. What a wonderful surprise.

MidnightUnicorn · 07-21-2011, 02:04 PM

I was prepared. In fact, Tatiana is my dream dog. She's everything I hoped for.

In my past, I used to dog-sit my friend's yorkie. I would dog-sit for long weekends, and for an entire week at a time. I cried whenever I returned the dog. I heard that the yorkie missed me, too, as my friend told me he was stand-offish towards her for a week before he bonded with her again (by the way, it was good that he bonded with her, as she was his true owner, not me).

I've had Tatiana for almost a year now. I still pinch myself. She's mine for keeps, and I don't have to return her. LOL

mscat · 07-21-2011, 02:13 PM

I was not prepared.. I grew up with Poms though . I knew that yorkies had a huge personality and are cute, smart, loyal, and sometimes stubborn. Suzi is my first dog I ever had on my own. I got her from a breeder that live a few hours away. I got lost trying to find her. I had to go to Petsmart and buy her food , bed , and all the important things you need to have . I was lucky to have found YT a day later after bringing Suzi home. Everybody helped me through the first week. i had so many helpful , supportive folks helping me. Without that I do not know how i would have made it with a new puppy.
A year later I brought home a tiny Shih Tzu puppy. I felt more prepared then ever after my experiences with Suzi . Now both dogs are healthy and happy .

Roxiesmama · 07-21-2011, 02:22 PM

OMG, unprepared isn't even the word for it.

Roxie was a spur-of-the-moment acquisition, and I had done no research and had no supplies for her at all.

My FSIL had to very suddenly move out of her home and into my brother's apartment, which does not allow dogs. Her mother was moving to Florida, and she didn't want to send the dog so far away. FSIL was really upset, so I said I would take Roxie for a weekend and see if I liked having her. Well, needless to say, almost two years later she's my little princess.

I did lots of research, and of course joined Yorkie Talk, and tried to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could.

Maximo · 07-21-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Then I also think, why didn't I get a yorkie earlier than I did? Why didn't anyone tell me yorkies are so awesome!!! I was missing out all this time!

I agree!

Every day I think, what have I done to myself? But then I think, why didn't I do this sooner?

MaddiesMommie · 07-21-2011, 03:16 PM

I thought I was prepared, however, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was not prepared for how Maddie would completely take over my home, my heart, my life!

I was amazed at how our decisions revolved around her: vaccations, our daily schedules to accomodate her, what type of furniture to buy, finacial decisions to ensure she was taken care of in case of emergency, making special trips at great distances to find certain food or products for her.

Bringing fur-kids into our lives has completely changed the way we live but can not imagine what we would do without them.

backwardsrain · 07-21-2011, 03:21 PM

We prepared for Jax as best we could, but still had to make many trips to various pet stores and bought a ton of stuff on amazon that we hadn't thought of before we got him. It was nice to have his crate set up for him when he came home, because he ran right into it and seemed to love it as a den. Also, setting up the crate was a pain, so its best to have that done BEFORE you get the puppy!

We also brought a small carrier with us to take him home in. The breeder even seemed surprised we were that prepared.

07-21-2011, 11:44 AM	#17
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	Then I also think, why didn't I get a yorkie earlier than I did? Why didn't anyone tell me yorkies are so awesome!!! I was missing out all this time! __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

07-21-2011, 12:50 PM	#20
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Most of the books I read about Yorkies while doing speed research were so overly filled with "Yorkies aren't for everybody" warnings, that I almost didn't get one. I'm so glad I didn't get spooked off, as I would have missed out on this wonderful unique breed. However, I do understand what they were saying. I'm just lucky that I have the time, energy and money to let them be the center of my universe. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

07-21-2011, 01:03 PM	#21
Taryn0405 Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State! Posts: 3,706	My husband and I (well we were boyfirend and girlfriend) when we first fostered a little girl Yorkie and we fell in love with the breed. I've always had Cairn Terriers and always kenw I'd have a terrier. But, I don't think all of the knowledge or preparing in the world would have made us ready for Giz. Granted, we did get him a week before our wedding, and I was at my wits end with stress (gotta love in laws) so I know I would have handled things a little bit differently (not crying at 2 in the morning to my mom on the phone asking if I could just sleep there so I couldn't hear Gizmo cry at night). But hey! If my husband and I get anotehr furbaby, we'll know at little bit more because of the experience! Brit I think you're an awesome Momma! I love all of the Jackson movies and seeing what tricks he's doing next. Needless to say, after my husband watched them he's attempting to get Gizmo to do all those tricks as well! __________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

07-21-2011, 01:18 PM	#23
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	Good question! And I agree with everyone else, Brit, you rock as a dog owner! We had lots of family dogs growing up, but in my life I've had four that I would call my own. I was unprepared for my first one, a golden retriever mix. I was doing a pretty good job catching up -- regular leashed walks, socialization, etc. -- but my brother took her on an unleashed walk and she was hit by a car and killed before she was a year old. I was also unprepared for my second, a Lab mix I got when I was about 25. I made mistakes in everything from potty training to the importance of leashing, but he lived to age 14 and was my best friend. I was STILL unprepared when my wife brought home Eddie. Didn't know anything about potty training, let alone the breed itself. I caught up pretty fast once I found YT. The only dog I've truly been prepared for in every sense of the word is Jillie. I knew how to potty train, I knew the best foods, I knew the importance of exercise, socialization, bite inhibition, and I knew the importance of training. Because of that, she is without a doubt the best-adjusted dog I've ever owned. __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

07-21-2011, 02:02 PM	#24
BLADE YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 251	In one sense I was ready for Kimbo. We didn't have any pets and were clueless about raising a puppy. I rearched Yorkie Talk posts for a year before Kimbo was born--long before I joined up. That helped tremendously. I also waited for a puppy that was born at the right time so I could devote my entire summer vacation to him. Everyone in the family decided to work like a team to raise him, and that's how it happened. What I wasn't ready for was the depth of the love we would have for Kimbo. He's family, beloved and dear. I never saw that coming. What a wonderful surprise. __________________ Team Kimbo

07-21-2011, 12:19 PM	#18
Teresa Ford Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida Posts: 3,863	We grew up on a farm so we knew how to take care of animals. My husband had hunting dogs that I helped train and care for. We began to breed and train Labs and Bullmastiffs. When my sons were both in school. My husband said get a FOO FOO dog to baby. That is when I got my first Yorkie. I had no idea how different a Yorkie would be. Not just smaller but with a childlike personality and a much higher level of interaction required. I fell in love and will always have my Yorkies.

07-21-2011, 01:12 PM	#22
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	"child like personality" such a perfect way to describe yorkies. It does set them apart from other dogs. I love the poodles,pom and chi that are in my house,but Mina really is a little girl with a little extra hair.

07-21-2011, 02:04 PM	#25
MidnightUnicorn YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 443	I was prepared. In fact, Tatiana is my dream dog. She's everything I hoped for. In my past, I used to dog-sit my friend's yorkie. I would dog-sit for long weekends, and for an entire week at a time. I cried whenever I returned the dog. I heard that the yorkie missed me, too, as my friend told me he was stand-offish towards her for a week before he bonded with her again (by the way, it was good that he bonded with her, as she was his true owner, not me). I've had Tatiana for almost a year now. I still pinch myself. She's mine for keeps, and I don't have to return her. LOL

07-21-2011, 02:13 PM	#26
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	I was not prepared.. I grew up with Poms though . I knew that yorkies had a huge personality and are cute, smart, loyal, and sometimes stubborn. Suzi is my first dog I ever had on my own. I got her from a breeder that live a few hours away. I got lost trying to find her. I had to go to Petsmart and buy her food , bed , and all the important things you need to have . I was lucky to have found YT a day later after bringing Suzi home. Everybody helped me through the first week. i had so many helpful , supportive folks helping me. Without that I do not know how i would have made it with a new puppy. A year later I brought home a tiny Shih Tzu puppy. I felt more prepared then ever after my experiences with Suzi . Now both dogs are healthy and happy . __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

07-21-2011, 02:22 PM	#27
Roxiesmama Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY Posts: 849	OMG, unprepared isn't even the word for it. Roxie was a spur-of-the-moment acquisition, and I had done no research and had no supplies for her at all. My FSIL had to very suddenly move out of her home and into my brother's apartment, which does not allow dogs. Her mother was moving to Florida, and she didn't want to send the dog so far away. FSIL was really upset, so I said I would take Roxie for a weekend and see if I liked having her. Well, needless to say, almost two years later she's my little princess. I did lots of research, and of course joined Yorkie Talk, and tried to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could. __________________ Roxie

07-21-2011, 03:16 PM	#29
MaddiesMommie LoveMy2 Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 4,060	I thought I was prepared, however, I had no idea what I was getting into. I was not prepared for how Maddie would completely take over my home, my heart, my life! I was amazed at how our decisions revolved around her: vaccations, our daily schedules to accomodate her, what type of furniture to buy, finacial decisions to ensure she was taken care of in case of emergency, making special trips at great distances to find certain food or products for her. Bringing fur-kids into our lives has completely changed the way we live but can not imagine what we would do without them.

07-21-2011, 03:21 PM	#30
backwardsrain YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 290	We prepared for Jax as best we could, but still had to make many trips to various pet stores and bought a ton of stuff on amazon that we hadn't thought of before we got him. It was nice to have his crate set up for him when he came home, because he ran right into it and seemed to love it as a den. Also, setting up the crate was a pain, so its best to have that done BEFORE you get the puppy! We also brought a small carrier with us to take him home in. The breeder even seemed surprised we were that prepared.