Hello all. I'm new and advise needed please

[yorkieNewbie426]

Hi everyone. I am a mother of four really great kids ages eight, four, three and 17 months. They really are terrific and my oldest son wanted a hamster. Not good pets. We were considering a guinea pig due to being more "doglike". Anyway, we LOVE dogs so much and wish we could have one. We would have alot of love to give to one. BUT we didn't want too much added responsibility of having to walk a dog everyday. We have a big yard, so they will always be able to walk outside. But the yard will not be a bathroom for the puppy. We were also concerned about the smell a large dog can bring. And other negative things that may come with getting a dog. We love Golden Retrievers for the larger dogs and the Yorkshire Terrier for the tiny dogs. I adore their beautiful little faces and love that you can just train them to go on paper or even a litterbox. I have been reading up on them alot. And as far as time. We spend most at home. But I can easily find loving sitters for a small dog anytime. My parents won't sit a big dog. They would, but I know they would prefer a little one.
Anyway, my dilemma is whether this is a good dog for a family with kids. I heard they can be a bit timid and can sometime be snappy at kids. Do you feel this is also true if the kids were always with the dog from the time they are puppies? Would they not become close? Anyway, I totally appreciate any honest advise on this. It will really help me decide on what to do. I know I may want to hear certain things..I'll keep my fingers crossed for positive.But I will totally understand if it is not a good idea.
Thanks so much and sorry for the book..but getting a puppy is a longtime and special commitment.

[Xena'smommy]

I personally think the decision should be based on your kids - not necessarily the type of dog. My kids are 8 and 4 and they all get along well - but it does take work on my part, insuring they are respectful to the puppy and the puppy is respectful of them. On the other hand, my niece and nephew are better suited for a bigger, sturdier dog if you know what I mean. Good luck with your decision.

[natalienicole]

your gonna get conflicting answers from the people hear on yt. I will tell you that i have a going to be 3 in june daughter and one on the way and i have a yorkie who is months old and weighed 1.8 lbs a month ago when we were at the vet last. My daughter has learned to be very careful with my yorkie. But she does need to be watched. im not one to discourage a want to be pet owner and i think every child should have aleast one dog. i have 2. if you are that worried about the small yorkie with your children maybe you could choose a different dog i have a pomeranian who is quite a bit bigger and be can with stand alittle more play from children.

[autumn star]

I agree w/Xena's mommy...........and yorkies like a lot of attention that you might not be able to give w/having a 17 month old. They would rather you hold them and not your child. Good luck w/whatever you decide.

[jrsygal37]

It's generally not a dog that is not good with kids but rather the kids that aren't good with the dog then the dog gets the bad rap because he or she defends himself. You really have to gage it on how your kids are. 17 month old toddlers tend to pull on ears, hair, tails etc. if that's the case then no a Yorkie would not be a good candidate, then you'd be better with a Lab or golden. The other thing is their size. If you have a toddler running around, doors opening and slamming with kids coming in and out and bring home a small Yorkie who only hits 5 pounds that wouldn't be good either. It's a big decision and please don't take me as being negative I'm just trying to give you some of the cons with young children and Yorkies. Best of luck. Elaine

[yorkieNewbie426]

Thank you so much for your suggestions and help.And don't worry about conflicting answers. I love listening to the pros and cons.
Now with that said, We do have lots of love to give this little puppy. My kids are are super friendly and VERY responsible. Even my three year old knows about being gentle and considerate. She learned from my having the baby. But I totally understand the bad rap thing. I totally agree that the kids make a big difference. My kids are definitely not aggresive children. They are very tame by most standards. That is the only reason I would consider a small dog. As far as going for a larger dog. That would be out. I really don't want a larger dog and neither do the kids. Plus, more work...more smell. It would just be too much for me. My 17 month old is a really great baby and of course the puppy would NEVER be left alone unsupervised with the baby.
It's a pretty laid back household here and we do love relaxing and just having a fun time together. This puppy would be extremely loved and would be given so much attention from all of them. I know they would be great with him or her..(which is better?)
So keep the suggestions coming please. It is a very difficult decision.
Also, if we get this dog as a puppy and socialize him around people alot..will they learn to like everyone? or could they still just get attached to their family?
Thanks so much!!!!!!

[yorkieNewbie426]

thanks for the reply. Does your Yorkie like to play with your daughter if she is gentle?
Are they playful that way?

[chachi]

I have yorkies and hamsters. Hamsters actually make very good pets for children. My 6 yr old daughter has 3 and she likes it because they are her pets only. I think larger yorkies make better pets for children. They are just hardier and can play better with a child. I have a 6 lb and a 11 lb and its always the 11 lber that plays with my Daughter

[Amber_lv]

Well here are my 2 cents lol. I have 2 boys in May they will be 2 and 7 i also have 2 yorkies Peeka my male is 11 months and he weighs 4 lbs 4 oz and my girl Daisy is 6 months and weighs 3 lbs 4 ozs. I will be the first to say it is very challenging but it is workable. My 7 yr old is great with them but i always worry about him picking them up be cause they are tiny and a drop could be devastating. My 2 yr old i have to watch at all times he loves my dogs dearly and always wants to love them for the most part it's fine but sometimes he likes to hug a little to hard lol. As far as how my dogs are with them they absolutly love my kids they will lay with them they chase them they just love being with them and my yorkies have never snipped at the kids even when my 2 yr old gives them big squeezes lol. You really have to teach the word "SOFT" to you kids and if your any pet is snippy at kids you must stop it imediatly the dog must learn their place. If you are going to get a small dog and you have small kids they must be watched at all times! I know that under 3 they are still wobbly on their feet and a fall on a puppy could kill it. so as long as you are careful i think you would be ok but i wanted to add that yorkies require a lot of attention on their own so if you are super busy i would think about a breed a little more self dependent. Good luck in whatever you decide and Welcome to YT!!!

[jjl720]

I have a 3 lb Yorkie. My children are grown now(the youngest is 14) and they still get carried away with the dog! They play hard and he just jumps right in. I will say this, though, I would never have gotten a Yorkie when they were small. No matter how vigilant you are, you can't be everywhere at once and accidents happen...as you know since you already have children. After a lot of research, I chose a Westie when my kids were 10, 4, 3, and 1He was the best dog I ever owned. Small, sturdy, hypoallergenic, smart, and tolerant. My youngest used to drag him by the tail if I didn't watch him. In all the 14 years he owned us, he never growled or snapped under any circumstances. He loved us and was the greatest of companions for my kids. I miss him even after 2 years, so much so that I couldn't bear to get another Westie since none could compare to him. Westies are great dogs for children. I chose a Yorkie this time for me because of size...he has won my heart and is now my constant companion. I don't think he would have been right for our family when my kids were small, but now I cannot imagine ourlives without him.

[patty58]

My kids are grown but I have grandchildren..2 live with us. Murfee is 3 now so the kids were 3 and 7 when he came home. We had to have rules about not picking him up and only holding him when they were sitting but both he and the kids did great. He loves to play with them and misses them terribly when we travel. In the last 6 weeks they have moved away from us but he gets soooooo excited when they come several times a week to visit and they call and "talk" to him on the phone frequently.

[yorkieNewbie426]

Wow, I love all the responses! You are all so helpful.

I have been thinking so much about it and I love the wonderful stories. I know my kids and I know they will COMPLETELY listen to all rules. Plus, I would never leave the puppy unsupervised when the kids have him.

I just wanted to make sure that the dog DID in fact like kids. Now, I have a few other questions:

1. Is there a difference in temperment between a female and a male puppy?
2. Can they easily be paper or litter trained?
3. Do they tend to bark alot? I know while playing they would..but what about during the day?
4. I have seen puppies from breeders online going from anywhere between $800-2500..I have a breeder I saw in NY where I can pick it up. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Keep those stories coming.They really are sooooo helpful.

God bless everyone!

[patty58]

I can't answer all those questions but I can say that Murfee is not a yapper. He barks if he hears something strange but always stops when I tell him to. I am partial to males..don't know why..but my last several dogs have been male. Seem to remember hearing that they are more loving but that is probably an old wives tale

[natalienicole]

I think my girl yorkie tends to like my hubby better then the girls in the family. ive heard that holds true but not always of course. and yorkies do tend to bark. mine barks alot when shes playing or at her toys even tho they dont move, when people are at the door when hubby comes home from work etc. The potty training thing in my opinion they are harder to train but maybe its just me. anna doesnt like her leash so its hard to take her outside and get her to go. and she hides her accidents so well. i really have to watch her.
but she plays well with my going to be 3 year old daughter. but my daughter does know shes a baby and not to hurt her. we call her a baby. which you have to watch doing as well when i got pregnant with my second cuz she saw some puppies we called babies she went arround and told everyone mommy was having puppies not a good thing especially when you hadnt told anyone yet you were expecting.
oh and id much rather prefer to see the puppy before i paid for it and brought it home. just me though there are plently of people here on yt who have had their puppies shipped and are happy with them. I just personally would rather go see the puppy before i bought it.