Soon to be Yorkie owner
 

Hi Everyone,

I currently reside in California and I have been wanting a yorkie ever since childhood. Because of school and other changes, I waited until I finished graduate school and had a stable job to get a yorkie puppy as they are a lot of work! but so worth it!

I just came back from a breeder (many Californians) and even out of staters may know, Cynthia Landry (scruffy yorkies/maltese). I heard so many good things about her as a show breeder and how much she cares for the breed and her puppies. I went to visit a male puppy today and just fell in love and put a deposit on him. After careful thought, I knew I had to make the decision and right now wouldn't be better! He is almost 9 weeks old and she doesn't let them go until 12 weeks. However, since I am going on a vacation, I am getting him after at 15 weeks of age.

I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone on the forum and I'm sure I will be asking a lot of questions! So I would appreciate everyone's help and expertise.

MY FIRST QUESTION

I do work full-time and live by myself. I work 4 days out of the week and they are full 9-10 hour days. I plan to utilize daycare two days of the week. The daycare in my area is really renowned, with both indoor and outdoor facilities and separates breeds by size. I want to take him there ASAP so he can get socialization and gets to play with other dogs while I am at work. They also have stringent vaccination requirements and requires an interview before utilizing daycare. The other two days I plan to leave him in a gated area in my bathroom with bed, toys, food, water, and wee wee pads. The breeder will train him onto wee wee pads so he will be very well accustomed to it. I will of course walk him and exercise him before and after work. So he will be alone only 2 days of the week even though they are full days, but all other days, he will be in daycare or I will take him everywhere with me :) Does this sound like a good schedule? The breeder said it should work out, especially since the puppy is older at 15-16 weeks.

Anyways, thanks everyone for reading my very first post and I will post pictures!!!

-Sherwin

Welcome to Yt and congrats on your new puppy! It's great that the breeder is keeping him till he's 15 weeks! My advice is do not start the daycare until he is fully immunized. Also, it may not be a good idea to leave him alone 10 hours while you work while he is young... Yorkie puppies can quickly become low on sugar when they are still little. Good luck to you and can't wait to see pics of the little guy!

well welcome and congrats on your pending bundle of love! another suggestion if he has to be alone that long for two days and there is no one that can check on him or you cannot come home say for a lunch break maybe set up a cam so you can see what hes doing and such. just a thought as i agree. or maybe add on some days at the daycare. i never leave my babies more than a couple of hours. i wish you much luck and it does sound as though your working on being fully prepared.

Hello and welcome. It is very difficult to know what to do with a young puppy. I would be very cautious about daycare. He should have all of his shots before being put in with other dogs and I would only allow him with other small puppies at that.

Being left alone is another problem. If he is a good size and eating well he may be OK but should be checked on at least once or twice during the day.

House training can get complicated when you are gone so many hours a day. Pee pad training usually works best in these cases. Once he is old enough to go to daycare it would be great if the owner actually has the time to train your puppy. I would have my doubts about that though. If they can actually potty train your dog for you they would certainly be worth the money.

Hello and welcome, I see you have been given some good advice, also they need lots of love and praise.

You know, a lot of high school kids enjoy some part time work. I might advertise with a local H.S. for a student to come after school and play with the pup. The student can do homework and watch tv and such and your pup will have lots of company. You can probably get someone from 3 to 5:30 or or 6 pm. A student babysitter is probably cheaper than the daycare. And it would be temporary - until your baby's a little older.

My daughter - who is 12 - is a primary caretaker of Lucy. She loves to take care of our puppy. She wants to be a vet.

It might be a good after school job for a serious student. Also check with your vet's office. My vet has lots of postings for people/sitters all the time.

Good luck.

Tracey