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Were you prepared for your first Yorkie/dog? How prepared were you for your first dog? I wouldn't say I was really "prepared." I mean, I was 18, had suddenly said "I want my OWN dog!" We had a family dog living here at the time, my dad also had a dog, we had grown up with two big dogs who had passed on, but I never had a dog that was solely MINE -- that slept in my bed, that I trained, traveled with, paid for, took care of, etc. So I started looking online and literally 2 weeks later, I had Jackson. A few days before I was going to pick him up, shelled out $200 at the pet store for necessities. I did not really do breed research ahead of time, I didn't look at breeders, I didn't know about puppy mills and BYB's. I got him from a chick in Baltimore City whose dog got pregnant. So yeah, in that sense, I was totally unprepared. But for some reason, I took RIGHT to puppy ownership. I think my parents both secretly "knew" or thought that this dog was going to end up becoming theirs but it so never happened. I really loved every minute of it -- I remember us on our little routine every day, potty training, waking up in the middle of the night, having him sleep on my bed for the first time, when he started learning all his tricks, I really became into it and a good 'dog parent' from the start. Maternal instincts, maybe? LOL. :p No, I don't know. Even though I wasn't prepared in a sense (no research, quickly found a dog on the internet, lol) the other part of me was so ready for the responsibility that came along with it and I also made a quick new best friend. The next time I get a dog, I will certainly do things differently in the beginning, but for the most part, I am so happy with Jackson. He turned out nearly exactly how I'd want a dog and he's a special one for sure. Nothing can beat your very first dog, ya know? Maybe I just got lucky and got a great dog to be a first dog. |
I was pretty prepared because I wanted a yorkie but we had cats and my husband said we could get one after some of our cats passed on. So I looked on the internet did research even found this forum waiting for the day I could get my little yorkie. Then a couple of the cats passed on and we only had one cat and my Husband said we could look for one or maybe 2 yorkies. I was so excited. I found a breeder and we got Chachi and a month later got Jewels |
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I would say we were completely unprepared for Ivan and Iris to be part of our family. I had done some breed research and knew that I wanted a Yorkie but that was about it. I'd been nagging BF for about 6 years to get one and he finally agreed that we would look into it during my next summer break when I would be home more to help with training, etc. We hadn't learned anything about how to care for, train, or purchase a puppy yet. I knew nothing about puppy mills or BYB's. We were clueless!! About a month before summer started, we were on our way to lunch and saw a sign for yorkie puppies. We came home with our two puppies. I'm ashamed to admit that this is how we got our pups and I still feel terrible for supporting that BYB but I couldn't love my babies more. Those first few months were a frantic search to learn everything that we could. We didn't even have any supplies at home and had to stop at the store on our way home with them to get what we would need. Definitely not the best way to start. We've learned a lot over the last 2 1/2 years, even more since I found YT! We try everyday to be the best pup parents we can be. |
Brit, you are an amazing dog mommy, and Jackson is so lucky to have you. I think it is very rare for an 18 year old to take on dog ownership as responsibly as you have, and I commend you for that. I can't even imagine you two without each other.... you are two peas in a pod. I had raised Schnauzers for many years, and after one died suddenly, I got my first Yorkie, Tiki. I was totally prepared for "dog" ownership, but not so much for this particular breed. Joining Yorkie Talk showed me how much I did not know, and I am so much better prepared & educated now. What I was unprepared for was how ADDICTING these little pups are..... and before I knew it I ended up with 4. The addiction is under control for now, but I am always on the verge of relapse when I see pictures of new puppies. God forbid if I see any in person... I'd probably cave in and have #5. |
I think that I was pretty prepared. I have always had dogs,one or two that were actually my babys. Trained and groomed mine and other peoples dogs starting when I was a teen. I did NOTHING but read about the breed itself for 3 weeks,while looking for a new baby. Was fully prepared to wait longer but happened to find someone that is a member here on YT that had a little girl that I fell in love with. We started by filling out each others questionairs, hers was 3 pages,mine was 2. We spoke on the phone for about 2hrs,became friends through that and I still email her to let her know how Mina is doing. The one thing that I was not prepared for but was a wonderful surprise is that Mina is soooo much like a little girl that I just treat her like she is my daughters sister,they even think of her as the baby sister. Even my DH refers to her as "our little girl". All of this was just an added bonus to the rest of the joy that she has brought into our home. All of the other dogs (that belong to my children) play with her and let her snuggle close to them at nap time. She usually lays on my couch inbetween one of the poodles and the chi,literally a Mina sandwich. |
I grew up with dogs. My father had a police dog and we always had a family pet. When I moved out on my own, I got cats - not for any particular reason, I'd never had any before and wanted to know what they were like. I had 3 - Smokey, Pokey (Pocahantas), and Einstein. Then the babies started coming - 1, 2, 3, 4. Over the years, my cats passed away and I did not replace them. My kids always wanted a dog but I would not let them have one. A F/T job and 4 kids was all of the responsibility I could handle. I did not dislike dogs, I just couldn't accommodate one at the time, no matter how they pleaded. Two of my children grew up, got an apt and a Yorkie. They bought him over many times and oh what a joy he was!! Kissing and cuddling him and watching the funny little things he did really bought back the memories of all the puppies I had growing up and I got one of my own. I was prepared. I bought everything I needed and being Super Mom and all, I thought I was ready to handle all that came my way. What I was NOT prepared for was how much I would love his little fuzzy butt and how attached I would be!! I realize now that I know absolutely NOTHING about dogs...lol! When I last had one, I was a child and my MOTHER took care of all of the hard stuff - I just played with them. I didn't give them medicine or clean up behind them or train them. It isn't all that different from caring for my babies but I am realizing that he is a FOREVER baby...lol. He will not grow out of it next year. Such a sweetie. I love him so much!! |
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. |
We were definately not prepared! In fact, 3 weeks before we got Toby, my other dog of 18 years passed away. We were not looking for a dog or another animal or anything like that. We just kind of fell into Toby. His previous owner couldn't take care of him any longer, but he did come with all of his shots/neuturing/all that stuff and all of his toys and crate etc. So that was nice. So he came prepared for us lol! But he has been such a great and loving dog, I would never trade him for the world! :) |
P.S. I had no idea anything about yorkies...infact it's like we learn something new everyday! |
I grew up w pets in the house - dogs, cats. Also, on my step-father's side of the family are cattle farmers - lots of animals. So, I thought I was prepared. I had owned a dog and cat before as an adult. I was not prepared for the breed, though, as Armaniman said. My first, Cricket, was very hard to potty train. They are definitely a more "child-like" breed than some others. It also surprised me how "delicate" they were as a breed. I love them, though, and could not imagine owning a different breed now. I'm hooked.:) My husband grew up with labs and thought he was a lab guy. He fell in love w my Cricket (and feelings were mutual). He now loves this breed, especially the little girls. He loves to look at everyone's pics here on YT as much as I do (he'll probably kill me for telling you all that!). :eek: Britster - I think you did an awesome job w Jackson. On the pics you posted w you and him together, you can just see the love on his face for his mom! I think it was "meant to be". ;) |
I think I was just like you Brit. I was completely unprepared. Actually it was bf who wanted a yorkie "bc they are expensive, so we can breed it" :eek: Well thankfully that thinking turned around as soon as we got her. He saw an ad in the pennysaver, another :eek: ! He said one day, let's get a yorkie, and a few days later we had Uni. I did not know anything about dogs, or yorkies in particular bc I grew up with cats which are practically no maintenance, and to jump into yorkies, which are super high maintenance, all I knew about yorkies was they are "old lady dogs" LOL And I felt the same as you, that I wanted to learn everything yorkie after we got her, and I had heard these dogs are notoriously hard to train. I read books, watched you tube, and searched a lot online. But for some reason did not find YT until I stumbled upon Joey's barking spider video on UT about 2 yrs into it, that I met Nancy and she told be about YT. How funny huh? Since then I've learned about brokers, mills, rescues, and try to educate others if they are new to yorkies. Sometimes still falls on deaf ears though. :( |
I was prepared. I knew I wanted my own dog when I graduated college, so I spent most of my time obsessing and researching. I was dead-set on getting a puppy, and I was pretty sold on getting a Maltese. But then I met Levi and my entire thought process changed. He was this feisty two-year-old bundle of energy and fun. Our personalities matched up very well and I was in love immediately. I spent the next few weeks intensively researching Yorkies. :) I was still in undergrad at the time I met Levi (knew his foster mom through a friend), so I didn't apply to adopt him from rescue right away. But I became a little concerned that someone would come along for MY dog, so I applied and got him a few weeks before my graduation. I went through a pretty intensive adoption process, and I knew my little guy's temperament well before bringing him home, so I definitely felt prepared. There was, of course, a bit of a transitional period, but it was pretty effortless to integrate his life with mine. Now I wake up every morning at 6AM to sweet Yorkie kisses and I laugh every single day at his crazy, wild antics. I can't imagine my life with a different dog. :D |
I thought I was prepared after spending several years researching different terriers and applying to rescue groups. The first 24 hours Max was home, I realized that all of the books in the world can't prepare anyone for a Yorkie. The last couple years have confirmed that for me. If I had known beforehand what I know now, I don't think I would have had the courage to commit to a Yorkie. Of course, they are so wonderful that I had to have a second. :) |
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Yes and no. Both my b/f and I have had pets (he still has a cockatiel). I've always had cats. My sweet cat baby Simone, who I had for 7 years, indoors only, somehow escaped a couple of months ago, never to be seen again. I was so heartbroken. After a few weeks we decided to get a puppy, since we had been talking about getting one after Simone had had her full life - little did we know it would be cut short. We weren't really prepared for Ozzy in particular, as we'd just started looking for a puppy and he was the first one we met. His temperament and that of his parents was perfect. He was too adorable and he looked smart and very happy. We ended up putting a deposit on him, then had to go get the necessities the next day before we picked him up. We love Ozzy to pieces and we couldn't have asked for a better "baby". I sometimes feel bad that I didn't wait a little longer, but I couldn't get through a day without crying about Simone, looking for her, and obsessing about finding her, which I know in my heart will never happen. I still can't look at pictures of her without sobbing. |
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Am right there with you. Love my poodles,still have 2. But our little yorkie is NOTHING like any dog we have had. |
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 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. |
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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.:D |
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!:p |
"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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
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 . |
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. |
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Every day I think, what have I done to myself? But then I think, why didn't I do this sooner? :) |
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. |
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. |
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