Yorkshire Terrier General Care:

Yorkie Temperament:
The Yorkshire Terrier requires a great deal of care. Yorkie's are known to require more human contact than any other dog. In addition to being extremely dependent, they also have "Terrier Attitude", which means they will continuously be testing you to see how far they can go, and what they can get away with. Yorkie's aren't really well suited for households with children, first off due to their small size and fragility (not to mention resemblance to a stuffed animal) but also because of their temperaments.

It is highly recommended that you set up ground rules early in the puppy's life, so that you will not end up with a problem dog. What may seem like cute behavior at first can end up being real trouble, such as chewing on an old slipper will teach the dog that chewing on any slipper is ok. In the event that you come home and find one of your personal possessions has been torn apart by your Yorkie, it could also be because it had your scent on it. Yorkie's are not malicious creatures, but they have been know to misbehave with their owner's personal items when left alone in the house.

Yorkie Diet:
Yorkie's have very beautiful hair, and apart from proper grooming, it requires you feed your dog a balanced diet in order to maintain its luster. As a general rule, do not feed your dog only one kind of dog food. Find a dry food that it likes and has no trouble digesting, and then find a wet food that isn't too rich. The wet food will help maintain the dog's natural oils, keeping the coat soft and shiny. Some people with toy dogs sometimes feed them cat food. This is wrong, and could upset your pets digestive system. While dogs may be extremely attracted to the scent of cat food, it is too rich. Dogs are also lactose intolerant, so beware of cheese and milk. One only has to be on the receiving end of Fifi's flatulence following a her eating cheese to know what I mean.

Treats should only be given as rewards, and not to gain a dog's affection. Practice obedience exercises with your dog, and then feed him/her a treat if he/she is successful. Do not delay rewards, nor punishment, as dogs have a short term memory.

Hypoglycemia:
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar which is a concern for most toy breeds and in very young pups the concern is due to the limited reserves of glycogen and the fact that the dogs liver enzymes are not yet functioning fully . For this reason][ supplemental feedings are needed. Hypoglycemia can be expressed in shaking,tremors and nervousness. Discuss the condition with your vet so you are prepared to treat any incidence in a young pup. That's why at TBY we keep our babies longer than many breeders to insure you don't have to experience this condition which can be fatal.

Crate Training:
To someone unfamiliar with the use of crates in dog training it may seem like punishment to shut a dog in a crate: this is not the case at all. Crates are not cruel, crates have many humane and highly effective uses in care and training. For example crate training is very popular and very successful housebreaking method, a crate can keep your dog safe during travel and perhaps most importantly, a crate provides your dog with a place of its own in your home, it serves as a doggie bedroom of sorts, your Yorkie baby can curl up in his crate when he wants to sleep or when he needs a break. Many dogs sleep in their crates over night With a plush pad made for crates and a favorite toy a crate becomes very cozy. As far as purchasing a crate the type you buy is up to you. There are wire and fiberglass. A wire crate is more open where a fiberglass is studier and can double as a travel crate.

Toys:
With a big variety of toys available, and so many that look like they would be fun be Careful of your selection. It is amazing what a set of puppy teeth can do. Be sure to buy the most durable products you can find. Hard nylon bones are safe bet and many offered in different scents and flavors that will be sure to capture your new Yorkie baby. There are many balls and dics that are specially made to withstand dog teeth.

Bathing:
Dogs don't need to be bathed as much as humans, but bathing as needed is essential for healthy, shiny coat, Again like most anything if you accustom your pup to being bathed as a puppy it will be second nature as an adult. Brush your Yorkie before wetting his coat. This will get rid of most mats and tangles . Wash the head first and watch their eyes while you are washing the rest of the body. Make sure you have a non slip area. While you are washing the body you can take this time to check for any bumps bites or any other abnormalities, don not neglect any area of the body and be sure to get all the hard to reach areas. Once the dog has been completely bathed he requires thorough rinsing Shampoo left can be irritating. Avoid getting water in the ear canal as well as the eyes.

Vaccination:
Scheduling most vaccinations are given by injection. 1st vaccination should start when the puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old then 15 days later when he is 10 to12 weeks old and later when he is14 to 16 weeks old they should NEVER be given within a 15 day lapse between injections.. Most vaccinations immunize your puppy against viruses. The usual vaccines contain immunizing doses of several different viruses such as distemper, parvo virus, para influenza, and hepatitis. There are other vaccines available when your puppy is at risk. You should rely on a professional advice. This is especially true for the booster shot program. Most programs require a booster when the puppy is a year old and once a year there after.

Dental Health:
A dental exam is in order when the dog is 6 months old and 1 year old. so that any permanent teeth that have erupted incorrectly can be corrected. it is important to begin a brushing routine at home, using dental care products made for dogs such as a small toothbrush and specially formulated toothpaste. Durable nylon chew bones and safe edible chews should be a part of your Yorkie's arsenal for good health, good teeth and good breath. The vast majority of dogs 3 to 5years old and older has diseases of the gums from lack of dental attention. Using various types of dental chews can be effective in controlling dental plaque.

Above Information Provided by:
a kennel club book, Yorkshire Terrier

Pet Health, Food & Care Products:

For some of your Pet Health Care and Pet Care products, we recommend the following online businesses. They carry a diverse line of products and services to accommodate most everyone's needs.

Revival Animal Health:
http://www.revivalanimal.com

Pet Edge:
http://www.petedge.com

Eukanuba:
http://www.eukanuba.com

Pet Smart:
http://www.petsmart.com

Dr's, Foster & Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com

Merrick Pet Care
http://www.merrickpetcare.com/

Royal Canin
http://www.royalcanin.us/

Dr. Larry McDaniel - Veterinarian (Ask pet questions online)
http://www.purinaone.com/Experts/ExpertQuestionSubmit.aspx

The Pet Center - The Internet Animal Hospital Dog and Cat Health Care
http://www.thepetcenter.com/