Getting Your First Dog

Hi there!

I'm a professional dog trainer in the area and have a lot of experience with toy breeds such as Yorkies. I started behavior work when I was at a vet clinic in Chelsea, Manhattan, so a very large part of our clientele had Yorkies.

If you are getting puppies, one of the best, and least expensive, resources is a book called "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Dr. Ian Dunbar. He is so passionate about getting new dog owners off to a good start that he has decided to provide it free for download here:
http://dogstardaily.com/free-downloads

This website is a fantastic resource with training articles, blogs written by leading dog experts, and videos.

A private consult can be very helpful when deciding which dog(s) to get, or for the adjustment period right after you bring them home. Nothing beats personalized training advice. If you are interested, or find yourself in need in the future, please feel free to contact me. I'd be more than happy to discuss your needs and set something up.

All the best,

S. Walker
Side by Side Dog Training
www.sidebysidetraining.com
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1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,
My parents currently have 2 yorkies. They are neat little dogs, but very hyper.

They are eager to please, fairly easy to train and to teach tricks, friendly to most everyone, and love to run and play.

Their first yorky, they got a couple months before my son turned 1, so they are very close in age, they grew up together, my son is now 8. Even though Spike is close to being an "old man" in dog years, he acts just like my son.

The dog was bought for my dad who was driving truck at the time, but the dog didn't like riding - he got car sick! So he stayed home and whenever my son is there, he follows him like a shadow.

We have a joke around the house there. Usually kids or parents have dogs, but this dog has a kid! My son drives the riding mower, that little dog runs behind the mower where my son goes! He doesn't like to ride with him, just to run behind him is fine. My son also likes to go to the neighbors house, and the dog follows him. When my son comes home, the dog will go check out the neighbors to see if he is there. He is a faithful little guy.

The other yorky they got a couple years ago, but was adult when they got him. He is a bit more calm, still very friendly, and faithful, but has yet to find his kid, he was trying to hang with my son, but Spike wouldnt let him. They have alot of other dogs, I think they are up to 12, so he gets lost in the mix.

Yorkies, in my opinion, are a good dog for an active family, just don't forget to include them in activities.

Definitely enroll in an obedience training class and take the family along or teach them at home what you did in class. 15 minutes of training every day for the dogs will be the best thing you can do, trust me!

If the puppies are littermates, then you only need 1 crate, because dogs are also pack animals. Littermates sleep together, because they find comfort in each other just like babies do. You might even want to ask the person you got them from if they shared a crate, so you know what the dogs are used to. If they are male and female, you might want to check with your vet about how soon you can have them neutered so there are no "accidents." (You don't want brother and sister bred that close together.) Realize that eventhough they are house and crate trained, there will be accidents until they get used to the house and you have a potty schedule set up for them. You'll also need to set up training sessions. Start off with one person doing the training until they fully understand the commands first, then have them train again with each member of the family. You will want them to learn to come when they are called by everyone, so play a game of "doggie tennis." "Doggie tennis" is when you have the dog on a VERY long leash/tether....Your family stands in a large circle formation or just 2 of you stand far apart from each other with the dog in the middle....You each take random turns calling the dog's name....When they come to the person who called them, they get a treat.

I have 2 yorkies. One is very small and the other is 12 lbs.
They are the cutest dogs and our guests always love to see them.

I did not crate them. They sleep together on the couch. So, I'm not much help there.

As far as the teeth...they must be brushed once a week for gd health. Check w/ the vet to see when to start.

My yorkies will chase any little animal they see (yorkies were raised to catch rodents in England, I believe). Therefore, I can't let them in the backyard w/out a leash because they will take off and try to chase the chipmunks and squirrels, etc. So, we put up a dog pen. I open the side dr and they run out together and I don't have to go out on the freezing cold nights. I have to watch them when we open the front door, too.

I do not give them chewy bones anymore. One of my dogs almost choked. They both carry little stuffed squirrels around (dogs toys). It's very cute.

As far as Frontline goes,(my husband insists on it)I split the dose in half. A breeder I know says that they are too small to get the full dose. Plus, it saves money.

I bathe them once a week in the tub. Less often in the winter because they get cold easily.

My big yorkie got ahold of a plate of eggplant last yr (a guest dropped it) and she ate it all. She now has pancreatitis. Therefore, if she eats anything off the table she gets sick w/ bloody stools and it was a $200 dollar bill each visit.

We feed them California Natural Chix and Rice. I do not buy food from the grocery store because the little one had a series of ear infections because of either the soy, wheat or corn in the "cheap" food.

The groomer comes to my house because 1 of my dogs gets "very" car sick. It's so easy this way, too !

Yet, they are great and oh so cute !!!!!!

Let me know if I can help answering any more questions you have.

K.
kristenshealthylife.blogspot

I agree with the crate, but don't get it too large, because they may start peeing in it. I am also getting a puppy in a couple of months. I've been rading Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete, which I've enjoyed and recommend. You don't mention how old your kids are, but around here I've been playing puppy with my 7 and 3 yo girls. We take turns pretending we are the puppy, and training it. It gives me a chance to teach them what is ok and what is not acceptable around our new pup, like no screaming, no chasing the pup, how to be calm and gentle while it is still so young, etc. Anyway, go to the library and get lots of books on puppy raising and training, so you can know what to expect.

I have two cats and may be getting a yorkie as well please let me know the advice you get

One thing we did when we got our dachshund pup was to take food and toys away from him (while he was eating or playing) so he would learn not be territorial. Our son has taken the dog's toys, pulled his tail, pet him too hard, etc. but the dog never shows any sign of aggression. You can snatch a dog treat away from him and all he does is look at you like "Why?"

I haven't read you other responses, but in a nutshell i'd recommend:

* obedience classes! a dog who comes when he's called and will sit on command is so much easier to have in your home. Work at it daily, even if its just a short session or a command here and there. they'll learn quick - yorkies are hyperactive, eager dogs :)

* crate training!! dogs love crates. it's like their own personal den. (so make sure the whole family knows not to bother them if they go in there, and leave the doors open so they can go in/out as they please) we always had a crate for each dog - with a small dog the size doesn't matter much. we always trained them to go in the crate when we were away during the day and sleeping at night (treats are good motivation!) - just had a cozy fleece and a bowl of water than hangs on the door and a toy/bone to keep them occupied. you have to use tough love sometimes at first, they'll probably cry when left alone in the crate, but they grow to really love it! it also makes housebreaking easier because accidents when you're not home are contained.

* find a good vet! and even if they're not due for vaccines or testing when they come to you, at least take them in for one visit so the vet has a relationship with you and knows them. they can answer any questions you have once you get them in your home and guide you to a good quality food (which is really important!!).

ENJOY THEM!! :)

Definitely get two separate crates, so that they each have their own space. A dog's crate is the civilized equivalent of a den in the wild for members of the canine family. Also, don't buy a huge crate for a small dog. A dog will not go to the bathroom where they sleep, so if you buy one that is too large, you'll be washing a lot of whatever you're using for them to sleep on in their crates (i.e. blankets, a crate pad, towels, etc.)

Be sure to take them outside first thing in the morning when they wake up, and when they go, praise them for it. Also, take them outsite right after they eat, and right after they wake up from napping. This will make housebreaking much easier. If they should have an accident in the house, never rub their nose in it. Show them where they dirtied, and scold them for it, then take them outside, so that they know that outside is where they're supposed to go. For any bathroom accidents in the house, blot it up with paper towels, and then use a product called "Nature's Miracle" on the spot where they dirtied. This product will not only remove the stain, but, once it dries, any odor caused by the urine or feces will be gone too, so that they aren't drawn back to the same spot to go again. You can buy Nature's Miracle in any pet store for about $10 a bottle, and it will be one of the best tools you can have for housebreaking!

Also, the puppies will probably be teething, so make sure that you provide plenty of chew toys for them, such as bones, booda ropes, and things like that. If they begin to chew your things (i.e. chair legs, shoes, or your carpet), you can buy a product called Bitter Apple Spray at any Pet Store. This spray tastes really awful, so if you spray it on anything that you don't want them to chew, they will generally leave it alone from that point forward.

Also, be sure to have them spayed or neutered at 6 months of age, as it makes them less independent, and more likely to be obedient to you and your family.

Other than that, just give them lots of attention, and love and enjoy them because they aren't puppies for long.
And the best advice of all that I can give you is for you to remember that puppies don't become good and obedient dogs all by themselves...they need to be trained with a loving hand, and by you're showing them what is expected of them, with patience and love....no hitting! Without consistant training, any dog, even a tiny one, can grow up to be a problem dog.

In my opinion, there isn't any such thing as a stupid dog, just irresponsible owners who don't expend the time and effort necessary to train them and show them what's expected of them!

If you have any other questions, or need any help with problem behavior as you go....please feel free to send me a Private Message on MamaSource, and I will be happy to give you my personal E-Mail address. I have had dogs my entire life, and am very knowledgeable about all aspects of training them, and I'll be happy to help you, if I can!

D.
("Mom" to 1 Golden Retriever and 2
Boxers, one of which is a "Special
Needs" dog)

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One thing I suggest is to get a large crate for the dogs. This is not only for protection for your kids from the dogs if needed, but for protection for the dogs from the kids. And to give the dogs a little privacy. Put a snuggly blanket and a couple doggie toys in the crate. Teach the kids that when the dogs are in their crate they are to be left alone. You do not need to crate them all the time but there will be times they need it. Yorkies can get very nervous and sometimes "nippy" when around a lot of people and having a "safe" place to go to that is quiet and no one will bother them, helps them to calm down.

Dear S., Yorkies can be a little slow in house breaking or training but they are smart and sweet and make great pets. Be patient with them. I wish you much happiness. Grandma Mary

If you have small children, just make sure they are safe to be around. Smaller dogs like that are often the worse pets with small children, they can be very dangerous so just be cautious.
L.