I just got a Yorkie puppy...do you have any advice?

Question

like grooming, training, or feeding?

Answer 1

Very important, and I'm suprised that with all these so-called Yorkie owners no one has metioned this yet. They are diabetic. They will get a little down and lathargic at times, if this happens give them a small dime sized drop of honey to eat. They will enjoy it and it will boost their sugar right up. They will feel great.

As far a tricks, I've found that they are very smart dogs, but very finacky. House breaking is fairly easy; use a small pet carrier at the beginning (they don't need much room and actually enjoy the privacy) take them out only to go outside to potty then you can play with them, but then put them back in the carrier. If you stick with this they will learn. Dogs will not go in their beds if they can help it, but you must stick to it or they won't associate where they are to potty.

Grooming, well with my yorkie I've found that is just easier to keep the hair short, but that's not to say that you should. These dogs have a beautiful coat, it just needs a lot of attention. I'm not kidding, if you want to keep their hair long than you must brush it daily. At first they won't like it, but they will get used to it and eventually it will be bonding time between you and your dog. They also need baths pretty often, it's odd, but these dogs get oily hair just like humans. So baths weekly.

Feeding, that's really up to you. Expensive dog food isn't always better. I would say that I wouldn't start a puppy with wet dog food, they already don't have solid feces, and with wet food it would make it more liquid. Start them with DRY puppy food, and maybe after a year than they could have wet food once their digestive system has fully developed

Hope this helps. You have picked a great dog and friend!
Give lots of love and keep a watchful eye. They think they are BIG dogs

Answer 2

I had a Yorkie for 17 years and he passed away this may, I still have another one at age 5.
grooming -- I know many said I got them to take way too many baths, but I seriously think they need a bath at least once a month, or maybe even twice during the summer. Their fur tend to get oily over 2 weeks or so, and I like their coat nice and soft.

training -- they are REALLY smart animal. My family have many others over the years (chihuahua, maltese, pom, cocker-poo..etc) and I found yorkies are the smartest of them all. But since they get bored of one trick too fast, you gotta find more tricks to keep them occupied.

feeding -- There is a brand call 'Royal canin' have specifically for 'yorkies'. Mine loves it.

There are few things that you might have to be aware of:
1. Their teeth (small dog tend to have similar problem)
2. regular diet (my 17th year old got really sick because of kidney failure, try not to feed them our food *my parents love that)
3. glue around the eye (keep clean it up because they won't like gluey eye)
4. be very careful when you cut their nails, black nails is harder to cut then white nails (such as maltese, chihuahua..etc)

You will be fine and I am sure your Yorkie is happy to have you as a owner.

Answer 3

Congratulations :0)

When teaching him/her her name always call her and talk to her with her new name. I just got my pup Sunday and she already comes running to her new name.
Pay attention to your puppy, soon you will notice when pup has to go poddy. If you hurry you can get her outside before any real damage on carpet or where ever. They cant hold there poddie to well being young.
We had to go out and get puppy food for her. Our other dogs eat big boy stuff... Don't play ruff with her. I am training a man at the moment not to do this with my pup. No is a very good first word other then her name to teach her! She gets a hold of something you do not want her to have trade her for something she can. I also use the word "hand it to me" and thank you. This will come in later when I am training her to pick up things for me (when my legs are not working well this comes in handy) and bring them to me. The thank you is like saying good girl. Praise lots of praise!
When feeding get in her face and play with her as she is eating. Don't tease her but this will come in handy later in life. If a small child or anyone who doesn't know any better puts there hands near her while eating they wont get bit. Also if she has something she should not have it wont get them bit.
If you do not know what you want your pup for, or if she is just going to be a companion think a head as to what you want from her and start now. They are quick learners at such a young age. Think of what kind of discipline you are going to use (verbal is good. I can not do the cursing thing for the parrot will copy me lol). Very hard to change your mind in the middle of things....Desinate one person in the family to be the head dog trainer until your pup knows her commands!
Bonding is so important right now, feeding your pup by hand is a real good way of doing this if you feel the bonding is not going well.
Your pup might cry for a couple days. Mine has not so hopefully yous isn't either? Get ready to go out side in the middle of the night and almost every hour or so (or where ever she goes poddy).
Anyhoo this is a start :0) My dog have always been trained as service dogs. One went to a lady with children who wanted a good kids dog but one who would not let strangers approach. First job I ever got paid for and I was 17 or so at the time....
Good luck and most of all just love your puppy!

BTW mine is Australian Shepherd

Answer 4

For training enroll the pup in a puppy kindergarten. This will teach basic obedience as well as socialization with other dogs and with people. It will also teach you how to work with your dog. For housetraining use a crate for sleeping and when you are not home or cannot watch the pup. To make grooming easier on the pup get him/her use to being brushed every day. Also while he/she still has it's puppy teeth start brushing them with dog toothpaste and a brush designed for dogs. Follow feeding instructions on the dog food bag. I feed my small dog (Bichonpoo) Eukanuba for Small Breed Puppies and mix it with Cesar Select for Puppies. Spread the food out over 4 meals in one day.

Answer 5

iv had yorkies for 15years they get a bit tempremental with their feeding as they get older and tend to get sensitive digestions brush them on a daily basis so they get used to it they are pretty difficult to train..my yorkie has only just learnt to walk off his lead safely and hes 10 and a half tho saying that we lost our eldest one 2yrs back and she walked off the lead as soon as she was old enuff to go out they make excellent guard dogs coz some are quite yappy,i have 1 yorkie left and we got him a greyhound as a companion coz we sadly lost his mum last yr(i had 5 yorkies living together..all related)they get on great tho he can b bad tempered toward my greyhound but hes a joy to have just give them love cuddles dinner and a warm bed ul do just fine but plz dnt dress the poor thing up that is my 1 pet h8 that sum people do with yorkies.. have fun xx

Answer 6

Please try to brush as much as you can. If he/she has long hair. Find a good groomer. They can be cut short or kept long. It is up to you. They do and will act as if they are the biggest dog on earth. WATCH THEM.