Playmate for my 3yr old Yorkie
 

HELP! I have a 4lb, 3yr old female Yorkie, who I've had since she was 12 weeks old. I work full time and feel horrible every time I leave her because she is home all day by herself. I've been thinking about getting her a playmate (a tiny male chihuahua), but I can't decide if I should or not. She has been an only child and we have a wonderful bond. I don't know if getting her a friend would be better for us or make things worse. Any advice???

I'm interested to see the responses. I would love to get another yorkie, but I'm really afraid that it will affect Oz's behaviour adversely. As of now he's the perfect companion and I don't want that to change, but I feel like maybe he would like a "buddy"?!

Just curious why male?

Go for it if you have the time and finance to support 2.

Worse how? Are you having problems now other than guilt leaving her home alone.

I think dogs do benefit from canine companionship, but introducing a new dog to your house often takes some work. Be prepared for that. Don't panic if things go perfectly.

Eddie was 2 when I introduced a 10-year-old male Yorkie to the house, like you as companionship. It went horribly. Eddie suddenly went from a sweet only child to a jealous toy-hoarder. He would beat up the senior Yorkie, who was quite frail. I was aghast. But I worked at it. I separated when I couldn't supervise, I leashed until they learned how to play nicely. It wasn't easy, but it worked. They were never best friends, but they definitely benefited from the companionship.

When the senior male died, I added a puppy female to the mix with high hopes. Nope. Eddie started beating her up. So we went back to the same processes of separating unless I could supervise. The puppy learned not to be so pushy, and Eddie learned she's no threat. Now they're great together. Jillie knows her limitations, and Eddie lets her get away with more and more playfulness because he's learned that I, not him, am responsible for enforcing the rules.

I recently added a 10-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever to the mix, and I'm going through the same thing to a lesser degree. The Yorkies respect her size and don't push her too far, and the Chessie is learning that they're no threat. But I still have to watch them at toy time.

One last note: The initial meeting is important. Do it in a neutral location, so they learn to play before any turf wars develop.

Good luck!

@ Mike --> The reason for a male is because during my research (which I've been doing a great deal of), almost everything I read says that for the best results, get opposite sex of your current dog. My little girl doesn't have any behavioral issues at all currently. She is pretty much a perfect angel and an AKC Canine Good Citizen. I'm worried that bringing a new one home will cause her to become jealous and end up having the opposite effect of what I'm hoping for.

@ DJDB --> You have the same fears that I do. My girl is the perfect companion and I would feel terrible if I brought a "friend" home and she ends up angry at me because of it.

@ alaskayorkie --> I took her to meet him at their house on Monday. She showed little interest but I think it may have been because the house we were at was very noisy (because there were several other dogs), and unfamiliar.

We recently got an 8 month old female 3 lb. Chorkie named Precious to keep our 3 1/2 yr old 5-6 lb. female Yorkie named Diasy company. Precious has been with us now about two months and it is the best thing we could have done. Even though there is a difference in weight they play together great. I sometimes have to call them down because Precious gets alittle too rough playing. They take turns chasing each other through the house. They are jealous of each other, if they see the other in my lap or my wife's lap, then they have to join the party for a few minutes and get some rubbing and then they seem to be satisfied and will go on to something else.

I rescued a Yorkie that was running down the highway in front of my office. He's PERFECT! He's sweet, doesn't bark unecessarily, loves to meet new people, etc. I thought he needed a companion... I adopted a 4 1/2 # year old male to keep him company. The new little guy is Heck-on-Wheels! He has to have every scrap of attention; food first; petting first; you get the idea. Now my biggin' can't come to the office as much because he has to babysit the little one. Sometimes being an 'only' is not such a bad thing.

Well, I did it, I decided to bring him home! I will be picking him up in the morning. I am a little nervous, but think it will be good for Lulu (Yorkie) to have a playmate while we are at work all day.