What age should I get my yorkie
 

I am searching for a yorkie, I dont know which one to get. The 8 week old one or the 16 week old one? I dont know if the older one will be able to be trained or if the youner one is too young to be away from its mother. HELP! :confused:

My puppies don't leave me until they are at least 12 wks.
IMO breeders who let them go that young (8wks or younger) are just wanting to get rid of them.

I think you have better chances with a well adjusted 16 week pup than an 8 week pup. :thumbup:

16 wk....no earlier than 12 like the others said. This is when they learn how to play with thier silblings. Your pup will be a little more ready for the wolrd.

I would say get the 16 week old pup also.

:yeahthat: :D

Welcome to YT by the way :D Good luck with your new puppy :)

The way you worded your question - I woundered if you meant how old you you be or how old should the puppy be when you got him. Just had to laugh a little.

I think most of us agree that 10 to 12 weeks is an appropriate age to take a little pup away from its mother....better than 8 weeks.

However, mine was 8 weeks old when I got him -- but he wasn't real small and he ate like there was no tomorrow. He did very well and at six months is still very healthy and doing great!

Carol Jean

:cool: I spoke with the breeder and I expressed my concern about the puppy and she said if I put the deposit down on the 8 week old puppy she will keep her at her house until she is 11 1/2 weeks and then I can pick her up. Thanks for the advice!

I am going to take myne this week he will be 7 weeks old, and the breeder told me taht its all bul**** about 3 month...
will see.
:)

When I got my two girls, from different breeders, neither one would let them go earlier than 12 weeks,unless their vet allowed it and put it in writing. I'm with the folks who believe it is much better to wait until the weight is good and the puppy socialized.

The longer you wait, the better it is for the pup. There are breeders out there that will say different. Lots of times, these breeders are in a hurry to let the pup go because: 1) they are making room for others 2) they are tired of taking care of them. We aren't talking about Labs or Beagles. We are talking about toy dogs and they will be more adjusted if taken at a later age. JMO

But many people take yorkies on 7--8 weeks and the grow to be very friendly, socialized dogs.
So how you will explane that?

I belive its more care and more time to spend when the pupy is under 12 weeks, but i am not sure that it will be bad for him to get to the new owner sooner.

this should help you understand how important it is to the pups development...breeders that place earlier are tired of the pee and poop, not looking out for the best interest of the pup IMHO!


The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, especially for dogs. The fact is, well-socialized dogs are more likely to have well-socialized puppies. Pups often mirror their mothers' calm or fearful attitude toward people; this is a normal part of their socialization. But you can play a vital role, too, by petting, talking, and playing with puppy to help him develop good "people skills."

Puppies are usually weaned at six to seven weeks, but are still learning important skills as their mother gradually leaves them for longer periods of time. Ideally, puppies should stay with their littermates (or other "role-model" dogs) for at least 12 weeks.

Puppies separated from their littermates too early often fail to develop appropriate "social skills," such as learning how to send and receive signals, what an "inhibited bite" (acceptable mouthing pressure) means, how far to go in play-wrestling, and so forth. Play is important for puppies because it increases their physical coordination, social skills, and learning limits. By interacting with their mother and littermates, puppies explore the ranking process ("who's in charge") and also learn "how to be a dog."

Skills not acquired during the first eight weeks may be lost forever. While these stages are important and fairly consistent, a dog's mind remains receptive to new experiences and lessons well beyond puppyhood. Most dogs are still puppies, in mind and body, through the first two years of life.

Here are general guidelines for puppies' stages of development

Birth to 2 weeks: Neonatal Period
Puppy is most influenced by his mother.
Senses of touch and taste are present at birth.

2 to 4 weeks: Transitional Period
Puppy is most influenced by his mother and littermates.
Eyes open, teeth begin to come in, and senses of hearing and smell develop.
Puppy begins to stand, walk a little, wag tail, and bark.
By the fourth or fifth week, eyesight is well-developed.

3 to 12 weeks: Socialization Period
During this period, puppy needs opportunities to meet other dogs and people.

3 to 5 weeks: puppy becomes aware of his surroundings, companions (both canine and human), and relationships, including play.

4 to 6 weeks: puppy is most influenced by littermates and is learning about being a dog.

4 to 12 weeks: puppy remains influenced by littermates and is also influenced by people. Puppy learns to play, develops social skills, learns the inhibited bite, explores social structure/ranking, and improves physical coordination.

5 to 7 weeks: puppy develops curiosity and explores new experiences. Puppy needs positive "people" experiences during this time.

7 to 9 weeks: puppy is refining his physical skills and coordination, and can begin to be housetrained. Puppy has full use of senses.

8 to 10 weeks: puppy experiences real fear involving normal objects and experiences; puppy needs positive training during this time.

9 to 12 weeks: puppy is refining reactions, developing social skills with littermates (appropriate interactions), and exploring the environment and objects. Puppy begins to focus on people; this is a good time to begin training.

3 to 6 Months: Ranking Period
Puppy is most influenced by "playmates," which may now include those of other species.

Puppy begins to see and use ranking (dominance and submission) within the household (the puppy's "pack"), including humans.

Puppy begins teething (and associated chewing).

4 months: puppy experiences another fear stage.

6 to 18 Months: Adolescence
Puppy is most influenced by human and dog "pack" members.

7 to 9 months: puppy goes through a second chewing phase, part of exploring territory.

Puppy increases exploration of dominance, including challenging humans.

If not spayed or neutered, puppy experiences beginnings of sexual behavior.

Kimberly, thank you very much.
It was an interesting read.

I work from home, so i will be 99% of the time with my puppy and i also have onather dog that he will play with, so i hope in my case it will be not that bad.

The thing is, that the breeder have realy good reputaion, and she well known worldwide. (i don't want to name, but that the fact).
She just think that 7 weeks it's a good age, so i have no other chouse ...
I don't want him to be to much friendly with other people, only with the family...so maybe it's even beter..:)

seven weeks is just way too young, I would request for her to keep him/her longer if she will....It is in the pups best interest.

Imposiblle :(
I am going to take him this week (grr, even not 7 week..a bit less).
I hope he will be fine.

Sweetie, I agree with the others, but since you are determined to get him so young, please be aware that young yorkies tend to get hypoglycemia and can die from it very quickly. Put karo syrup or honey in his water, and watch to see that he eats. I put chicken broth on Ollie's food to entice her to eat. They have to have food available to them at all times.

I got Ollie at 8 weeks, only because I was afraid that she was not being socialized because they were not kept inside the house with the people. I have had her for 2 weeks and she is doing fine but I still monitor her eating very closely.

All of us want to see you have a happy experience with your new baby, that is why everyone has expressed their concern.

God luck, I hope to see pictures soon.

I agree with the others that said that seven weeks is too young. I just got my male on Thursday night and is just turned four months. I understand that you are anxious but just be careful. It's great that you will be home with him. How much does he weigh now? I also agree that the breeder just wants to get rid of them. Again good luck and stock up on nutristat and honey nut cheerios and keep a good eye on his eating habits.

Puppy hugs to him. Have you selected a name for him yet?

wai..i didn't knew about that stuf, now i am scared :(
I hope he will be fine.
Thank you for telling me !
Now i will be aware much more.

And i am deffently will post pics as soon as i will get him :)

four months is much safer i gues.
and more easy to potty trane, but here we don't have pups in 4 month :)
I don't know how much he weigh now because i never saw him.
But he will be standart for sure..his father is a big yorkie, but he is a chempion of germany and Israel.
so this is deffently no mini.
and i will chose from 3 males , ebcause i was the first one who payed :)

i will name him "Toy" :p

Just some advice for anyone who wants a puppy so young as 8 week or less. I dont know alot about yorkies but did alot of research before I got Zoey. I saw several situations I did not like so I didn;t buy them. I finally found Zoey in Ma and paid waaaay too much for her but fell in love with her. She was a few days short of 11 weeks and the breeder was very very nervous of letting her go, even tho she a healthy cert from vet. She is/was very small and the risk of hypoglycemia is so high. 2 days after we got her I rushed her to the vet since she was getting sick and I wasn't taking any chances. They put fluid under her skin and we had to watch her. SHe is doing well now tho !! All I can say is before careful taking them so young I am very surprised everytime I hear someone say they got a puppy at 7 or 8 weeks. All the best of luck.

Age For Placement
 

I never place a puppy until they are at least 12 weeks of age and sometimes older! Sometimes my puppies do not finish weaning until they are between 6-7 weeks old.. In my personal opinion placing a puppy younger than 12 weeks of age is NOT in the best interest of the puppy!

Also welcome to YT and keep us updated!

What age should I get my yorkie?
 

I think you should hold off as long as possible in the best interest of your puppy. Have you found a local vet to take him to as soon as you get him for a check up. I stress finding a vet locally that is of your choosing. Not sure what sort of health guarantee the breeder has given you but it's in your best interest to see a vet ASAP for you piece of mind and protection as far as the purchase aspect of it all. I wouldn't use the breeder's vet because I want someone working on my behalf and not trying to keep her happy because she as a breeder gives him a ton of business.

I would try to see the pup before I paid and see what sort of personality he has. Seeing as you have no knowledge of the temperment of the parents this is a good move for you. You will be able to see if he is well socialized or if you will run into behaviour problems later on. Not sure if you have children or younger siblings that will be around but it's definitely a must for any purchase.

In the interim hit your local library or book store and check out a book or two on the breed. It will give you a good idea in addition to the knowledge that the ladies and gents on this forum can give you.

I am totally in love with my new puppy Lex. I learned hard the first time when I bought my Shih Tzu four years ago and it cost me a pretty penny in vet bills. So this time I was prepared and I read several books on the breed to see what I should be looking for and what to expect. I even got a book geared to a younger audience for my girls to read.

Good luck with the puppy and even though you are anxious to get your hands on your little love muffin heed the advice that the folks here have given you..it's very sound advice. You will have this puppy to love for a very long time and you want to be sure that you and he will both be ok for the long haul. Vets bills can add up quickly.

Payment
 

Hold up I just caught this. Did you pay in full to the breeder?

shots in my program start at 8 weeks, next 11-12 weeks and final should be no later than 16 weeks. Mine leave with two shots and if placed local they come back for the third at no charge.

hope this helps

Irresponsible breeders will place pups far too early since they couldn't be bothered to clean up poop for an extra month if they don't have to. The question is, what else couldn't they be bothered to do. My guess would be, proper screening of the breeding pair for starters, not to mention the time and effort required to raise well adjusted pups.
Good advice has been given...but you need common sense to take it.

What age should I get my yorkie
 

I got Lex right as he turned 16 weeks. He was given all his puppy shots and only needed his rabies vaccine when I got him. I am not sure how many they are supposed to have at the earlier intervals. I do think that it varies on the time line depending on the breeder and the care they put into it.

yep, i payed everythig so i will be the first one to chouse (there is 3 puppyes out the litter).

i already got him for a week :)

This is one little terorist, he make soooo much trabels...oh, i am so sory that i dodn't got him at 12 weeks, i feel it will be very hard time for me.
I can't sleap already 6 nights, and he is super hyper.
He was the most active , ful anergy puppy from the 3 , and it was onather one , but i took the hyper one.
I didn't knew that he have so much energy....even way to much.

i will post pics tomorow :)

Thanks fro all the responces, if i am going to get onather yorkie, its for sure going to be in 12 weeks.