Is a yorkie right for me?

[lovestiny]

I literally have never heard of any one who had a well bred Yorkie that was loved and cared for that didn't bond with their owner, I suppose anything is possible but all of my friends who have yorkies have the opposite "problem" lol. Our yorkies are like our children and it's the most incredible bond. I loved my Maltese but the bond is very different with my Yorkie, it feels like something I have never experienced with any other dog. Of course if you buy from a reputable breeder and in some rare occurrence, the dog was incapable of bonding, you could always ask her to take the dog back...but I have never heard of it myself.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

I literally have never heard of any one who had a well bred Yorkie that was loved and cared for that didn't bond with their owner, I suppose anything is possible but all of my friends who have yorkies have the opposite "problem" lol. Our yorkies are like our children and it's the most incredible bond. I loved my Maltese but the bond is very different with my Yorkie, it feels like something I have never experienced with any other dog. Of course if you buy from a reputable breeder and in some rare occurrence, the dog was incapable of bonding, you could always ask her to take the dog back...but I have never heard of it myself.

True.. but then if I ask them to take it back they might not let me buy from them again. ;( Anyways I haven't heard of yorkies per say... but I have heard of other dogs who would just not bond with their owners that was my only worry.

[canana]

Originally Posted by FinnTheHuman

Oh okay, so you're saying that a dog could be trained into bonding with you? (what I mean is that training will make the bonding more possible?) I know what you mean. I'd never want to get rid of a dog just because it doesnt bond with me. It just means Ill be somewhat disappointed.

Okay, that's good to hear I didn't want to sound discouraging, but think that you should keep an open mind and try not to be disappointed. It's possible you'll be frustrated and maybe disappointed at first, but if you're committed to being to patient, persistent, and consistent in the beginning (for the first year or so) it will pay off for your pup's entire lifetime. For example, if your pup seems 'stubborn', you just have to be calm and patient and be more stubborn than them!

I do believe that training = bonding, yes. Obviously everyone has different standards and expectations. Some train more, some spoil more. But generally this is what happens (and I hope this doesn't sound too trivial)...

-Your puppy arrives and it's super excited/nervous to be in a new place.
-Pup doesn't know what's good or bad according to your standards (it might do stuff you don't like, like potty accidents, chew up stuff, bite you etc).
-First thing to start bonding: teach basic commands (come, sit, down, stay) to develop an understanding of how you can communicate with each other. Without basic commands, then the pup is basically running the show and doing whatever the heck she/he wants, most likely leaving you frustrated.
-As pup learns how to learn from you, as Yorkies are really smart if you have enough patience, they'll want to learn more. They really enjoy the mental stimulation and challenges. And the joys of what you'll experience when they 'get it', is not describable in words
-Reinforce good behaviours to prevent bad ones.
-By knowing that you give the commands and he/she is to follow, you develop roles where you are the leader, pup is the follower.

Commands, tricks, grooming, and daily walks all create bonding. Your time and effort spent with the dog will mean the dog will want to spend it with you.

If you're interested, consider reading the following, which I found to be very helpful in building confidence before I became a new dog-mommy:
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/t...g-the-program/
Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States
Nothing in Life is Free
Puppy Training Schedule: What to Teach Puppies, and When

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by canana

Okay, that's good to hear I didn't want to sound discouraging, but think that you should keep an open mind and try not to be disappointed. It's possible you'll be frustrated and maybe disappointed at first, but if you're committed to being to patient, persistent, and consistent in the beginning (for the first year or so) it will pay off for your pup's entire lifetime. For example, if your pup seems 'stubborn', you just have to be calm and patient and be more stubborn than them!

I do believe that training = bonding, yes. Obviously everyone has different standards and expectations. Some train more, some spoil more. But generally this is what happens (and I hope this doesn't sound too trivial)...

-Your puppy arrives and it's super excited/nervous to be in a new place.
-Pup doesn't know what's good or bad according to your standards (it might do stuff you don't like, like potty accidents, chew up stuff, bite you etc).
-First thing to start bonding: teach basic commands (come, sit, down, stay) to develop an understanding of how you can communicate with each other. Without basic commands, then the pup is basically running the show and doing whatever the heck she/he wants, most likely leaving you frustrated.
-As pup learns how to learn from you, as Yorkies are really smart if you have enough patience, they'll want to learn more. They really enjoy the mental stimulation and challenges. And the joys of what you'll experience when they 'get it', is not describable in words
-Reinforce good behaviours to prevent bad ones.
-By knowing that you give the commands and he/she is to follow, you develop roles where you are the leader, pup is the follower.

Commands, tricks, grooming, and daily walks all create bonding. Your time and effort spent with the dog will mean the dog will want to spend it with you.

If you're interested, consider reading the following, which I found to be very helpful in building confidence before I became a new dog-mommy:
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/t...g-the-program/
Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States
Nothing in Life is Free
Puppy Training Schedule: What to Teach Puppies, and When

Nice thanks! Now if I can only find an appropriate breeder around here. The one I contacted the other day didn't speak english well and while that is not really a bad thing I really just couldn't understand what she was saying.. The only problem I had with her was that she was basically trying to push her dogs onto me, by saying that "you might want to act fast because I have other clients who are looking for a puppy too" which was really off putting.. It shouldn't really be first come, first serve... This is not burger king. And then she said she only breeds once a year.. but then also mentioned she will have another litter in fall? Which means if her pups are 2 months old that means They were either born late january, or early feb.. Which means that basically she's going to have two litters this year.. while that's not necessarily a bad thing(to have two litters a year)... It is however discouraging to basically lie to your customers face when you JUST said 5 minutes ago that you only breed once a year! ;( So that's basically two strikes imho. I am trying to be strict because I don't want to buy from a bad breeder.

Which pretty much makes it nearly impossible to find a <good> breeder. ;(

[canana]

-Yes, definitely avoid pushy breeders. It's a red flag. You should always take your time to ask questions, as should they.
-Breeding no more than once a year can be a good thing. My breeder only breeds once every one or two years, which is better than some backyard breeders who are constantly breeding and pumping out puppies for their 'business'.
-The act of breeding doesn't mean the girl pup definitely gets impregnated right away (like when people want to start trying to conceive). It's possible that a breeder intends to breed once a year. When the pup is in heat, they try. If doesn't work, they try again during the next heatetc. So...maaaybe that person didn't lie to you. But who knows.

Regardless, it's good you're doing your due diligence to find a reputable breeder. Most will have waiting lists. Or, alternatively, you can buy a 1yr or 2yr old puppy from a reputable breeder. Seldom do people have a waiting list of pups older than a few months. Whatever you do, don't rush it. It may take you a few months, maybe more than a year. In the end, it'll be worth the wait.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by canana

-Yes, definitely avoid pushy breeders. It's a red flag. You should always take your time to ask questions, as should they.
-Breeding no more than once a year can be a good thing. My breeder only breeds once every one or two years, which is better than some backyard breeders who are constantly breeding and pumping out puppies for their 'business'.
-The act of breeding doesn't mean the girl pup definitely gets impregnated right away (like when people want to start trying to conceive). It's possible that a breeder intends to breed once a year. When the pup is in heat, they try. If doesn't work, they try again during the next heatetc. So...maaaybe that person didn't lie to you. But who knows.

Regardless, it's good you're doing your due diligence to find a reputable breeder. Most will have waiting lists. Or, alternatively, you can buy a 1yr or 2yr old puppy from a reputable breeder. Seldom do people have a waiting list of pups older than a few months. Whatever you do, don't rush it. It may take you a few months, maybe more than a year. In the end, it'll be worth the wait.

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I don't plan on rushing it either.

[Maximo]

I agree with the person who wrote about not over-analyzing the bonding. It will come naturally, if you let it. The key is to relax and just enjoy.

Don't build up a scenario in your mind about how it should play out. Yorkies, dogs in general, are really perceptive about their humans thoughts and feelings. It would be easy to overwhelm a puppy or dog with expectations to perform or live up to the scenario you envision.

I believe part of the reason my boys are so affectionate is that they know they are not forced into it. I don't hold them against their will (well, maybe jokingly for 5 seconds when I tease them, but they know they are going to be set free immediately, and they come back for more ).

They are also affectionate because we, the humans, are silly with them, and we take care of all of their needs. As I wrote before, the boys also learned how to use affection to butter us up to beg for their favorite things.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I agree with the person who wrote about not over-analyzing the bonding. It will come naturally, if you let it. The key is to relax and just enjoy.

Don't build up a scenario in your mind about how it should play out. Yorkies, dogs in general, are really perceptive about their humans thoughts and feelings. It would be easy to overwhelm a puppy or dog with expectations to perform or live up to the scenario you envision.

I believe part of the reason my boys are so affectionate is that they know they are not forced into it. I don't hold them against their will (well, maybe jokingly for 5 seconds when I tease them, but they know they are going to be set free immediately, and they come back for more ).

They are also affectionate because we, the humans, are silly with them, and we take care of all of their needs. As I wrote before, the boys also learned how to use affection to butter us up to beg for their favorite things.

Thanks. I am seriously considering one. Though most of you won't be happy with my decision! xD I sort of want either a parti yorkie or a solid colored yorkie.

[lovestiny]

I don't think it is fair to say "we won't be happy with you", but if you thought it was hard to find a reputable regular Yorkie breeder, it's even harder to find reputable parti or Biewer breeders I think? Just stick with the guidelines recommended here to be safe. I think you mistake concern with judgement. Many of us here, have actually bought from sub par breeders the first time and decided next time to do things differently

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

I don't think it is fair to say "we won't be happy with you", but if you thought it was hard to find a reputable regular Yorkie breeder, it's even harder to find reputable parti or Biewer breeders I think? Just stick with the guidelines recommended here to be safe. I think you mistake concern with judgement. Many of us here, have actually bought from sub par breeders the first time and decided next time to do things differently

What do you mean about the first sentence?(the we wont be happy with you) I know it's probably going to be tough to find one I just really would have liked one since I feel they're beautiful dogs. I would prefer a biewer over a parti though.

[lovestiny]

You wrote-
Most of you wont be happy with my decision-

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

You wrote-
Most of you wont be happy with my decision-

Oh I apologize on both counts. I just honestly thought from the threads I started reading AT that point about parti's and biewers that a lot of you wouldn't be happy about it.. Because I thought biewers and partis are not -as- welcomed here. It was because I was reading some heated threads at the time I posted that. Also sorry that I forgot that I even posted that. I am sort of a forgetful person. ;c

But you're right it's not fair of me to say that. I'm sorry about that, I am sure you guys will love whatever dog I get.

[lovestiny]

Oh! Time to time people get heated yes, but hopefully not those of us who are trying to hold your hand virtually through this journey

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

Oh! Time to time people get heated yes, but hopefully not those of us who are trying to hold your hand virtually through this journey

Thank you! I really love yorkies overall, but now I also love biewers! To be honest IF I could manage to get a biewer AND a yorkie (and a few other dogs XD!) I would be in bliss! Trust me when I say this I am a crazy dog person! I am the type of guy who likes to pamper and spoil their pets rotten. I already even got an idea of how I Am going to feed them, while still making it somewhat easy on me AND still give them a variety of meals and flavors! So they'll never get bored of the same thing in and out. I mean I know dogs probably don't get bored of their foods, but you know part of me thinks they might(because I sure as heck would).

I am already thinking of buying them that black kong toy that's supposed to be 2x as strong as the original kong. I am already thinking of what snacks/treats to get for them that are healthy and won't affect their diet(weight) but STILL be yummy for them. APPARENTLY dogs REALLY like things like PB, and animal organs. I was reading this in another forum made for dog nutrition and I was just amazed at how many things they like.

P.s. I would never give my dog a bully stick. I actually found out what they REALLY are and it's pretty nasty-- however apparently it's a high quality item to a dog! Still can't just give that to them, especially since a lot of them aren't even safe for them(or so I read from many articles). I will however give them antlers to chew on because apparently those are safer and also considered high quality by them.

I don't know I am just overwhelmed, long before I even came on here by a lot of information that I found out and it's wonderful. I just want to be like that extremely loving parent that always spoil their kids.

[lovestiny]

I get it! Before we found Ella, my hubs wanted a parti and we couldn't find a good breeder, but if we get a third, he would like a biewer !