Feeding & Caring

Taking care of a Yorkie puppy is not that difficult. Love and attention are the significant needs of a Yorkie puppy. One thing you must consider is that they are not as fragile as they appear. There is a need for special affection and care so that they can grow healthy and happy. If you are thinking about the ways to take proper care of your Yorkie puppy, here are some important points that you must keep in mind:

-Food and Water

Growing Yorkie puppies need a lot of food, or a lot of food when you consider their size. Until your puppy reaches 3 or 4 months old, he should have food available at all times. Water should always be available as well. As the puppy passes his or her  third month, feedings should be scheduled regularly, with at least three small meals per day. Food should be high quality and made especially for puppies. Even though your puppy is tiny, he or she  is growing quickly and needs the right nutrition for muscle and bone development. Dry food is best to help strengthen his teeth and avoid diarrhea, although a small amount of canned food may be given along with dry food.

-Health

Miniature size combined with rapid growth sets Yorkie puppies up for hypoglycemia, or low blood-sugar, one of the biggest dangers for young Yorkies. Frequent feedings help prevent hypoglycemia, but responsible owners will keep Karo syrup or Nutritional on hand to rub on the puppy’s gums in case of an emergency. Vaccinations will help prevent most other common puppy ailments. Yorkie puppies should receive vaccinations between six and eight weeks, again between 11 and 12 weeks, and one more time between 15 and 16 weeks. They should also be immunized against rabies once they are 16 weeks or older.

-Safety

They like to act tough, but Yorkie puppies can be easily injured if left unsupervised. Falls from couches and beds, or even intentional jumps, can hurt growing muscles and tendons. Small children’s toys, rawhide chews and loose buttons or thread on stuffed dog toys can pose a choking hazard. Human food dropped on the kitchen floor can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Electrical cords are a chewing temptation. Yorkie puppies should be treated similar to human babies in regard to safety. They require constant supervision to stay out of trouble. Fortunately, they will eventually grow up and learn to behave, but in the meantime the world is a dangerous place for a puppy.

-Grooming

Loads of fluffy fur makes Yorkie puppies irresistibly cute, but also mean they need extra grooming care. They need to be brushed regularly, and fur around the genitals should be clipped to keep them clean. Toenails need clipped to keep them from getting tangled in the fur and from scratching you. Regular grooming also helps prepare a Yorkie puppy for the grooming he will need for the rest of his life.

-Discipline

While Yorkie puppies thrive on love and attention, it’s important to remember to say “no” to unwanted behaviors right from the start. Young puppies may not understand at first, but they will catch on eventually. Also, you won’t have to undo bad behaviors when they become an adult. It may look cute when they’re little, but jumping on people, chewing on your things, excessive barking and nipping should be stopped right away or it will continue into adulthood and be even more difficult to stop.


 -Toys/Play

We recommend Nylabones, kongs, bully sticks and hooves for chew toys. Beware of toys with loose parts or squeakers. Do not allow chewing on old shoes or clothing because they will not understand the difference between the old and the new. When you catch them chewing on something inappropriate, respond with a sharp ”no” and replace the “bad to chew” item with a “good to chew” one. If you choose to play tug of war games with your pup, realize that in his eyes you will be on the same level as a litter mate. This can make training difficult because the pup needs to view you as the “alpha” in his pack in order to follow your instructions.

-Housebreaking

This is a difficult task with Yorkie’s and requires loads of patience and consistency. Keep strictly to a feeding schedule and remember that food treats are food. Puppies have to go to the bathroom IMMEDIATELY upon waking up; 20 minutes after each meal; whenever playing actively and excited-love, praise, reward. It is essential that the puppy does not have free run of the house during housebreaking. Crate training method is explained further on a separate page. When you go out please be sure you use a well-fit harness and lead (Walmart has these at much lower prices than pet stores). Never put a collar on a Yorkie or tie anything around their neck while unsupervised. Watch out for big dogs and things they might want to nibble that would make them sick. If you have a fenced yard for play, please supervise outside time. Hawks have been known to scoop up Yorkie’s. There is also danger from ticks, fleas and mosquitoes. We recommend Revolution to help protect them against heartworm and fleas.

-Shampoo & Conditioner

Do not use shampoo meant for humans. Use high quality shampoo and conditioner formulated specifically for dogs. Plush puppy and swishy coat available online is one of my favorites.  Also Coat handler shampoo and detangler is what I am using now and highly recommend it.

If you bathe every week, (after bathing and conditioner) every other week mix 2 tsp Neutrogena body oil to 1 quart of warm water then lightly rinse.  This is to protect the hair from breaking on the ends (grass, carpet or rubbing against any surfaces can cause breakage) If you apply too much the coat will dry very oily and stringy so be careful how much you use.  Or when you condition you can leave a bit mixed with water and blow dry right into their coat.

If you have any small mats they’re easily removed by separating the hairs with your fingers, if they are a bit tougher add a tad of conditioner to the dry mat then separate.  If your puppy gets itchy skin from his/her environment bathe in Aveeno Oatmeal baby shampoo (don’t use it on a regular basis, only use for relief, used for an extended period of time will dry the skin and damage the coat).  Finally do not use Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo. It’s very drying and can damage your yorkie’s coat. 


 Commonly Asked Questions 

Q. I work all day. How can I let my Yorkie puppy out every 2 hours for a week?

A. Start on a weekend. That will give you 2 good days to get a head start. Then, seriously consider taking off a personal day or two for house-training – it’s worth it, believe us. Out of the question? Try to get home at least twice during the day, and/or have a friend or Pet sitter drop by a few times. One to two weeks of serious house training now will save you a lot of time and money later. Soon you’ll have a fully house trained puppy, and you won’t have to worry about him while you’re away. (Remember, do not create your pup if someone can’t let him out frequently during the first 7-10 days; use the puppy-proofed kitchen instead, described below, but keep the crate training going when you are home at night)

Q. I’m away from home 9 hours a day, I can’t take time off or afford a pet sitter, and none of my friends or family can help me out. Now what? A. Very frankly, you are asking for trouble in the form of an unhappy puppy with serious behavioral problems. You should seriously consider whether a puppy can really fit into your lifestyle and financial means. If, however, this is a very short-term and temporary situation, and you can vigorously exercise and socialize your pup DAILY during your off-hours, here is your answer: Although difficult on you and your puppy, your mission is not impossible. Bear in mind that housetraining in this way will take longer, and your puppy will probably have more accidents. NEVER LEAVE A PUPPY IN A CRATE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY- he will soil it. Instead, give him a puppy-proofed area like the linoleum-floor kitchen. Make sure there’s nothing he can reach or get into. Line the floor with newspaper for easy cleanup, leave the crate door open and line the crate with, blanket that smells like you, leave the radio on with calm music or a talk show, and give him plenty of durable chew-toys to occupy his time. During your off hours and weekends, do crate train him as directed here. It will take longer, but he still needs to learn how to hold his bladder and bowel.

Q. Why is it important to house train my Yorkie puppy so quickly?

A. Every time your puppy soils inside your house, he learns “this floor is just as good a place to go as any,” and the chances of him going there again will increase. The fewer accidents he has now, the quicker you’ll have him housetrained.

Q. What should I do If my yorkie puppy has an “accident”?

A. Close supervision is key during his free run time, so watch for his “signs” that he has to go (sniffing, panting, circling, staring at you or the door, whining). If you don’t catch him “in the act”, just clean it up with a non-ammonia cleanser and chalk it up to not being there in time. Your pup won’t know what he did wrong! Punishing him is not only a waste of time but confusing to him and completely ineffective (See Step 3 above.) Punishing a pup for an accident also teaches him to sneak off from you when he has to go. He might even become too afraid of you to eliminate you in front of you, even when you take him outside!

If you do happen to catch him “in the act”, in a firm voice “OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE'” and take him outside immediately, praise and treat him outside as he finishes up. Remember: Punishing him is much less effective than simply showing him where you want him to go and properly teaching him how to “hold if’.

Q. What If my yorkie puppy always soils the crate?

A. Are you sure he wasn’t in there for more than an hour or two? Do everything as instructed above, but instead of putting him in the crate, keep him on his leash which is tied to your belt loop (as in Step 3 above). When you have to leave the house, put him in your puppy proofed kitchen, expect a puddle or a pile when you return home, and DON’T punish him for it!

CRATE DO’S AND DON’T 

DO purchase a crate which is only large enough for your pup to stand up, turn around and lie down in.

DO introduce your puppy to his crate gradually, with praise, toys and treats galore.

DON’T slam the crate door and leave the room when first introducing him to his crate.

DO remove the water bottle at about 8pm each evening. This will help him “get through the night”

DO put in a blanket or other bedding.

DON’T put your puppy into his crate in anger, or as a punishment.

DO give him a good chew-toy or two when he’s in his crate.

DO keep in mind: .A new puppy needs to relieve himself several times during the day. In spite of his instinct not to soil his cozy crate, he will be forced by nature do so if you leave him in it for too long, until he gradually learns how to “hold it”

DO leave the crate door open when he’s out; he may just go in there on his own

DO praise your puppy when he enters his crate.

DO “ignore” your puppy when he leaves his crate.

DO bring him outside immediately when he leaves his crate.

DON’T leave him in his crate for longer than he can “hold if’ (1 hour max. for very young pups, 3 hours for 3-4 months old, 4-5 hours for older pups and dogs!

DON’T give him attention for crying when he goes into his crate. Rather, give him a chew toy before he starts crying, and never open the crate door until he has been quiet for a few seconds.

DON’T leave house training or crate training duties to children. Rather, involve them in the process by letting them help you.

DON’T leave your puppy (or adult dog) in a crate all day, if he can hold it in the crate, he can hold it in the rest of the house.

DO praise and treat your pup every time he urinates or defecates outside.

DON’T use ammonia or any cleanser with ammonia in its ingredients to clean a pet accident (ammonia smells like urine to your pup and he’ll be likely to go there again soon )