Thank you Canana, I had no clue they could lose their teeth like that! AHHH!

No probs. It was something I didn't know before either and thought you might wanna know too. :) I previously had a Maltese that was 7 lbs. I brushed her teeth, not religiously, and her teeth were fine.

But apparently with Yorkies, because their mouth is so small, their teeth get more gunk/tartar/plaque buildup and faster. Not necessarily saying all yorkie lose their teeth, but I got enough warnings from people I didn't even know to just err on the side of caution. It's just better safe than sorry. Can't imagine Scottie having no teeth at a young age - how would he eat?! Not to mention, teeth issues also cause other diseases as well (sorry for the preaching :p).

And FYI, I personally brush Scottie's teeth either every day or every other day. I also started using this pet dental product (comes in a spray or a gel) called Petz Life a few months ago. I tried it out because even with brushing his teeth regularly with dog toothpaste, Scottie's mouth was still stinky. Petz Life is quite amazing - think it helps to break down the stuff that sticks onto the teeth. I can actually do a deep inhale at his mouth and it doesn't stink!! So anyway, I use both now. :)

Another side note: make sure you get a good vet who knows yorkie teeth. You'll want to have the vet remove the baby teeth when you get them neutered/spayed (to minimize the number of times they go under). My vet, very unfortunately for Scottie, removed most of the baby teeth, missed a couple baby teeth, and took out an adult tooth! I was very upset to learn this...after a year when I took him to get his teeth cleaned.

Canana- Oh man! That is so good to know! I have narrowed it down to two Vets, and I know they have other Yorkie patients I was going to go tour their facilities, so I will have to ask them about how familiar they are with Yorkie teeth when I am there! Thank you so much for that info!!! I am going to look into the Petz Life gel now!!

Yes, if you want to use pads and outdoors, make the pad available 24 hours a day. Not just night.

You can start with pads and choose to strictly outdoor train later. But I wouldn't have the pads appear and disappear. That would cause confusion.

My boys prefer to go outdoors, but they appreciate having their pad 24 hours a day.

Here is my blog about potty training: Potty Training Small Dogs - Dog Life and Style

Thank you so much for sharing your blog! I trained Scottie to strictly potty outdoors because my home is quite small. But he's getting a baby sister in three weeks and I've been reconsidering your suggestion to do both outdoors and indoor pee pads. I do feel the same that it's probably healthier to allow them potty access when they need to go, while I'm away from home. Would you happen to know if there's a higher risk of kidney disease in their senior years if I continue with just outdoor potty and they have to hold it in all day? I just have fear of it being more difficult... Or that it might confuse Scottie who is used to knowing that any potty indoors is no good. In addition, Scottie has been used to 10-15 minute potty walks. He needs to walk the distance before going. I'm not sure he'll be able to keep spinning around on a small pad to pee or poop at this point lol.. Not to mention he's a big marker... :confused:

Will be reading more of your articles :)

Maximo- Thank you so much for sharing your blog, I love it! So informative and oh my I am excited about the new colors of BB's LOL!

I haven't seen any studies to say there is an increased risk. There is quite a bit of medical evidence relative to humans though about kidney problems and not drinking enough, not eliminating enough. That is why I assume that there would be similar impact on dogs, whose kidneys seem more prone to problems.

Canine kidney function decline in old age is something I would like to learn a lot more about.

Since Scottie is reliably outdoor trained, it is a big decision to introduce pads. I opted to do it with Teddy because his older brother was already pad trained, and our yard/neighborhood isn't conducive to safely going after dark, and lastly, it's easier on my senior citizen dad who lives with us, helps take care of the doggies.

My boys are big time markers outdoors, but not indoors. Marking indoors probably wouldn't happen for you if you introduced pads. Spinning around on a little pad -- LOL! yes, believe it or not, most dogs figure out how to hit the target. My boys walk a path in the house before doing tight spins on the pad. I have a larger rubber mat under the pad and the boys still hit the pad itself. :)