Positive Emotional Benefits of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier

It is nice to understand that our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive manner. There are many great emotional benefits of owning a dog. Your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy may look adorable and act so cute.

The emotional bond that develops between a new Yorkshire Terrier puppy and their owner may develop quickly. However, as time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog help to strengthen the bond.

Each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Yorkshire Terrier around the time when your puppy is about one year old or more. Sometimes, children even turn to their pets for comfort if a family member happens to leave the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort and less lonely if they have a pet. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Yorkshire Terrier can be a nice companion.

People that live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they decide to choose a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help make them feel they are needed.

Often times, dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. When we feel sad or stressed just spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat may actually brighten our day.

Our daily lives may include many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Your Yorkshire Terrier may happen to do some cute and funny things, which may help you to relax and laugh a little.

When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is wonderful that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs and cats can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something positive to look forward to every day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us for their lifetime.

Your Yorkshire Terrier can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting fresh air and sunshine. It may be nice to play Frisbee outside with him. The responsibilities of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

The Yorkshire Terrier may have great affection for all the family members. Each family member may also play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog outside for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Yorkshire Terrier a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.

The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection. Your Yorkshire Terrier has probably established great trust in the family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog. As time goes by, you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, such as his strengths, weaknesses, and any fears he may have at times.

The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection, and love. Yorkshire Terriers enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!

Are You Thinking About Getting a New Yorkshire Terrier Puppy or an Adult Yorkshire Terrier?

Photo Credits: By choco@Nerima

You may be trying to decide if you want a new Yorkshire Terrier puppy or adult dog. Maybe you have been thinking about getting a dog for quite awhile, but you finally decided that you now have the required amount of time, necessary patience, and financial resources to get a Yorkshire Terrier.

When choosing a Yorkshire Terrier it is helpful to think of the life-long commitment to your future loyal canine companion.

Listed below are some comparisons between choosing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy or a Yorkshire Terrier adult dog.

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies:

Usually look very adorable

For the first few months of their lives, Yorkshire Terrier puppies usually need to be supervised and trained, including house training (which can take some time).

Puppies can whine, bark, cry and chew.

Sometimes puppies don't sleep through the night very easily.

With a Yorkshire Terrier puppy you can try to train him into the dog that you would like him to be when he grows up. You may have more influence in helping to develop his personality.

Adult Yorkshire Terrier Dog:

May be more clam

May already having more training in place

An adult Yorkshire Terrier may have developed his own personality at this point.

It is your personal choice as to whether you decide to get a new Yorkshire Terrier puppy or an adult Yorkshire Terrier. It is important to understand that it is very possible for an adult Yorkshire Terrier to bond with his new family just as easily as a new Yorkshire Terrier puppy would!

 

Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Dogs

 
Rescue refers to dogs which have come to rescue groups due to a variety of possible reasons. The dogs could have come from dog pounds, dog shelters or puppy mills. They could have been a stray dog.

Perhaps their original owners weren't able or uninterested in caring for them anymore. There could be several reasons why dog owners may give up Yorkshire Terriers of varied ages. The crucial fact is that the rescue dogs are wanting new homes with owners that are planning to care for them and bring them into their family. Some of the reasons Yorkshire Terriers become rescue dogs are the following:

The dog may have deteriorating or chronic health problems and the veterinary expenses required to maintain the dog are too expensive for the owner.

The owner could no longer afford the necessary maintenance expenses required to maintain a Yorkshire Terrier such as general veterinary check-ups, grooming costs, the cost of food or any medication that may be needed for the dog.

Change in household: children may not get along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a new marriage, divorce, or a death or major illness within the family. Possibly the family needs to move and they are not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.

Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may include more traveling away from home or a significant shift change or a great deal of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog, or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their Yorkshire Terrier.

Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

You should note that a rescue dog may or may not come from an environment where he was mistreated or in imminent danger. Any special needs of the rescue Yorkshire Terrier, such as health related issues need to be considered when selecting a new home.

Here is a little list to think about when considering adopting a rescue dog.

The age of the puppy or dog.

How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?

Is the dog successfully house trained?

Has the dog been spayed or neutered?

Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?

Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?

Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?

Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?

Does the dog look properly nourished?

Is the dog accustomed to walking with a leash?

Does the dog have a nice temperament?

If you are thinking about adopting a Yorkshire Terrier from a rescue group, you may need to fill out an application and also be interviewed. The rescue group may need to assess your ability and time to take care of a dog and provide a secure home.

The wonderful reward of owning a Yorkshire Terrier rescue dog may be that the dog will hopefully provide lots of unconditional love and great companionship in return for the proper care and love that it's going to receive!

Learn More About Doggy Daycare

Maybe you have been recently working long hours away from home, or your Yorkshire Terrier just needs some additional companionship, you may want to learn more about doggy daycare. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where your Yorkshire Terrier dog can play with other dogs that match his similar temperament.

There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. There should be enough humans around to give your dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise.

Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment. Hopefully, Yorkshire Terriers may enjoy the safe and appropriate dog play at doggy daycare.

Video of Tug Of War With Rottweiler Vs Yorkshire Terrier

Doggy Daycare

If you have been recently working long hours away from home or your Yorkshire Terrier just needs some additional companionship, you may want to learn more about doggy daycare. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where your Yorkshire Terrier can play with other dogs that match his similar temperament.

There should be enough humans around to give your dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment. Yorkshire Terriers are usually fun-loving, social dogs and they may enjoy the safe and appropriate dog play at doggy daycare.

Training Tips for When You Bring Your New Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Home

It is such an exciting time for you and your family when you bring your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy or adult dog home for the very first time. Now that you have brought your new puppy home and you are both a little bit adjusted to your new schedule, you may be thinking about some training for your puppy, other than routine house training. Maybe you are wondering where to start with training.

It is important for your dog to trust and respect you and feel secure. A dog should feel that his new home is a safe and dependable place. Dogs enjoy spending time with their families. A dog usually appreciates an owner who will love, lead and protect them.

Now, back to the topic of training. Are you thinking about training your new puppy yourself or taking some dog obedience classes together, when he is at the appropriate age? Maybe you even had thoughts of working with a private, professional dog trainer. Well, no matter which way you decide to begin any training with your Yorkshire Terrier puppy, I can offer you some tips.

Some Helpful Training Tips:

One very important thing in the beginning is to decide on some house rules for your new puppy. You need to decide what he can and can't do.

Dogs like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. Dogs like structure in their life. The puppy's mother is it's very first pack leader. Now that your puppy is home with you, he probably looks to you as the leader. You can decide to set reasonable house rules for your new dog. If the rules are settled in the beginning, you can avoid confusion for both of you later on. If you don't provide your dog with some leadership and direction, he may begin to make his own rules.

For example, if your dog steals a portion of your sandwich and then eats a little bit of it and then tries to hide and bury the rest of it in your living room couch and you happen to laugh and say isn't that cute. Your dog will get the wrong idea and think this type of behavior is acceptable and OK to do. You may have reinforced the fact that he is in charge and you may have reinforced his bad manners. Actually, dogs can become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident with knowing exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. A dog usually looks for their owner's positive approval. Your dog's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your puppy what you want him to do or not do and you can praise him when he obeys and he will very likely a happy companion!

Here are some examples of some common house rules:

Being polite with people: you may want to teach the dog to sit, instead of jumping up on people when greeting them.

Discourage chewing of furniture and other items: As a new owner you may want to provide safe and appropriate chew toys and routinely spend time with your dog so he is not bored.

You may want to discourage excessive barking for attention.

Good house training habits are also very important for your dog.

A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him.

The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.

Spending quality time with your dog is also very important.

Here are a few ideas:

You can enjoy walks together.

You can play in the backyard together. Dogs usually like to play fetch or Frisbee with their owners.

You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.

You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.

You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.

Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.

Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.

Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your dog. Reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat or some nice play time.

Don't forget to help him relax when he first comes home. Whatever you can do to help him get comfortable in his new home will be good for both of you. Set up his private space or den area in the house.

Your dog will probably really appreciate and enjoy a space for himself in the house where he will feel comfortable. You may provide your puppy or dog with his own private sleeping area, where he can routinely relax and get plenty of good rest. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home, so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.

You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.

It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night. He may also enjoy a little time to be left alone at times in the comfort and safety of his den area.

Another helpful thing you can do is to teach your puppy to come to you when you call his name. You can get down on his level and tell him to come to you using his name. For example: You can say come here, Jack. Then, when he does come to you, maybe you want to tell him that he is a good dog! He will be happy if you make a big deal using positive reinforcement. Always remember to reward his good behavior.

It may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Yorkshire Terrier to understand what is expected of him. Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior to your Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very intelligent dog. Be consistent when training your dog. Remember to keep your dog's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Yorkshire Terrier when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him.

Reward your puppy or dog's good behavior with positive reinforcement. Use treats, toys, love, or lots of praise. Let your dog know when's he's getting everything right.

You can help your puppy to learn not to jump up when greeting you. Puppies routinely love to jump up in greeting. Don't reprimand your puppy, just ignore his behavior and wait until he calms down before giving positive reinforcement. Don't encourage jumping behavior by praising your dog when he's in a jumping position when he is greeting you. You can praise him when he settles down and he's in the sitting position.

You will want to discourage your puppy from biting or nipping. Instead of scolding your puppy if he is trying to nip, a great way to discourage him from this behavior is to pretend that you're in great pain when he's biting or nipping you. He will probably stop immediately. Another thing you could do is to try giving him a safe chew toy for your hand or pant leg. He will probably like the chew toy better.

Lastly, it is a good practice to end training sessions on a positive note. Again, you can give lots of verbal praise to your dog, maybe his favorite treats, some petting or some fun playtime. Your Yorkshire Terrier has probably worked hard to please you throughout the training. All of the positive reinforcement that you provided him throughout your training session might encourage him to start his training lesson next time with his tail wagging, eager to learn!

Benefits of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier

There are so may wonderful emotional benefits of owning a dog. Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive way. The emotional bond that forms between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. Your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy may look and act so cute. As the time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog, both happy and sad help to strengthen the emotional bond.

When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Yorkshire Terrier. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.

People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Yorkshire Terrier can be a very nice companion.

Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.

Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Often times, our Yorkshire Terrier may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.

Your Yorkshire Terrier can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

Your Yorkshire Terrier may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Yorkshire Terrier a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.

The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.

The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Yorkshire Terriers enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!

Cute Video of a Smiling Yorkie

A Cute Video of Yorkies Doing Tricks

Socializing Your Yorkshire Terrier Puppy

Your goal may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.

A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. I read that the time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. I read that you should consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive). You may wish to introduce your puppy to people wearing glasses or wearing hats or bike helmets, or to people carrying an umbrella, or wearing coats and gloves.

If your puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly, and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.

You may want to get your puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.

It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.

When the puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.

If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.

You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following:

Doorbell ringing

Telephone ringing

TV and radio

Any music playing

Computer noises

Video games

Vacuum cleaner

Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan

Noise from a washing machine or dish washer

Any noise from your childrens toys

Thunderstorms

Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future

After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.

In summary, if you are patient and consistent with social­izing and training your Yorkshire Terrier, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.

Puppy Proofing Your Home for Your Yorkshire Terrier

Puppies are usually very curious and they may have lots of energy. When someone first brings a new puppy home the puppy may want to start checking out many things throughout the house. You will be interested in puppy proofing your home to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy safe. You will want to make sure there is nothing within his reach that could harm him.

You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.

I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.

You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.

Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.

Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.

Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.

Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.

Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.

Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.

Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.

Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.

Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.

Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:

Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts

Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples

Jewelry, hair barrettes

String, ribbons, yarn

Buttons, sewing needles, pins

Coins

Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.

There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.

It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Yorkshire Terrier puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.

If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Yorkshire Terrier puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.

Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy off of freshly treated lawns.

Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.

Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.

For a safety measure, keep your Yorkshire Terrier puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.

Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.

It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.

The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety

Dogs of all ages can experience separation anxiety when separated from their owner. Young dogs and even older dogs that might have some hearing or sight problems may feel anxious when their owners are away from them. You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him.

What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?

The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:

Barking, whining, crying or howling

Destructive chewing or digging

Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained

Scratching at doors or windows

Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing

Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity

The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.

An example: Your dog makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.

What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?

The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.

The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.

Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.

But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.

What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?

A Yorkshire Terrier that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.

A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.

Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.

Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.

When you have to leave your Yorkshire Terrier in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

You may also wish to read The Yorkshire Terrier and Separation Anxiety: "A lot of Yorkie owners know the signs — sticky terriers that follow you everywhere, scratch at the door or window when you leave, and bark non-stop until you reappear. If so, it’s probably just a case of Yorkie separation anxiety."

Adopting A Yorkshire Terrier From an Animal Shelter

Animal shelters can be filled with animals that may become cherished pets for my many families. Animal shelters help match the animals to new responsible owners. Most shelters have both dogs and cats, of various ages. Some of the animals in the shelters may be purebred. Maybe, you may happen to find a nice Yorkshire Terrier, if that is the breed you are looking for at this time. Many animals in the shelters may have good behavior and habits. Shelter animals are in need of new homes with owners that want to care for them and bring them into their family.

The staff that work in the shelters are usually very dedicated and they help find good homes for a variety of animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals may be in a shelter.

Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.

Their previous owner could no longer financially afford the basic maintenance required for the dog.

There may have been a change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.

Possibly the family needed to move and they were not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.

Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may have included more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.

Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

Possibly the dog was a homeless stray dog or unfortunately he may have come from an abusive situation.

Some shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.

Before you go to the shelter or anywhere to get a dog, there are some important things to think about when deciding if you should get a dog.

1. Did you do any research on the the type of dog or breed that you would be interested in? When you see all of the animals in need of good homes at the shelter, it may seem a little overwhelming. You should decide on some characteristics you are looking for in a dog, such as the size of the dog, the temperament, age, male or female, and any grooming needs.

2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your dog and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and any necessary grooming?

3. Are you ready and committed to take care of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?

4. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?

5. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?

6. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?

7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?

If you definitely know that you want to adopt a dog from the shelter, then there are a few things you may want to consider when choosing a dog.

The age of the puppy or adult dog.

Does the dog have a nice temperament?

Is the dog successfully house trained?

Has the dog been spayed or neutered?

Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?

Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?

Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?

Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?

How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?

Does the dog look properly nourished?

Next, I will list a few steps that may be part of the adoption process.

Filling out an application

Choosing your pet

Signing a contract (the adoption contract may possibly have provisions such as the following: you will provide good housing, nutrition and health care for your new pet, and also you will return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer take care of him.)

Paying a fee (generally less expensive than buying a pet from a breeder or pet store)

It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt a dog from a shelter. People are so glad they could save a life of an animal by providing them a good, safe home with lots of love. Remember that animals in shelters have had some stress. They may deeply miss their owner who had to give them up and their previous home environment. They more than likely will welcome your patience, affection, guidance and love. Hopefully, you will choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. And maybe you could even find a nice Yorkshire Terrier in the shelter.

If you are bringing a new dog home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your dog in his new home. For example, your dog will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new dog.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe dog toys

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

When you bring your dog home, allow him some time to get familiar with his new home. You can also work on housetraining, if needed.

If your dog is quiet and shy, just allow for some extra time for him to adjust to his new life. If you take good care of him and show him positive attention and love, he will probably be very devoted to you forever!

Choosing a Veterinarian for Your New Yorkshire Terrier Puppy or Adult Dog

Are you looking for a good veterinarian? Maybe you recently adopted a new puppy or an adult dog and you need to find a veterinarian. Or possibly you just moved to a new town because you just got married or you needed to relocate for a new job. A new Yorkshire Terrier puppy will probably need a check up soon after coming into your family. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian before you bring your new puppy home.

Here is a helpful list of some important things to think about when looking for a new veterinarian.

1.You may wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter and ask if they can give you a list of veterinarians in your area.

2.Talk to other dog owners that happen to live in your neighborhood about their veterinarian. You can ask a friend, a dog groomer or even a pet sitter for a good recommendation.

3.The phone book is a good resource of information. You can easily search for Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals.

4.You can also do a search online for local veterinarians in your area.

5.It is important to check if the veterinarian has a membership in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

6.If you happen to be looking for a specialist, you may want to check if the vet is board certified in the specialty you are interested in for your pet's needs.

Once you have narrowed down your search for a veterinarian, there are some questions to think about at this point.

1. Do you have a flexible schedule that would allow you to go to an office appointment during the morning or afternoon hours of the day? What are the veterinarian's regular office hours? Is the office open on Saturdays or open in the evenings a few days a week? It may be very important to know if there are after-hour emergency services available.

2.Do you mind driving a little distance across town to get to a good veterinarian or would you prefer an office nearby?

3.How many veterinarians are actually in the office practice?

4.Do they routinely offer any boarding services?

5.Does the veterinarian have any areas of specialty in his practice?

6.Are services like x-rays, bloodwork or other diagnostics done in their office?

7.What is their normal procedure for scheduling appointments in advance for your pet?

8.What forms of payment are accepted and do their fees fit your financial budget at this time?

Next, you may want to schedule a visit to meet the office staff and learn about their specific policies. You can check to see if the office is clean and if the receptionists and assistants appear caring and knowledgeable. It may be helpful to know if they offer products like specialty dog food or items that are routinely used for grooming purposes, like specific dog shampoos.

Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you when you are looking for a veterinarian to take the very best care of your dog! I will include some additional information about helping a dog stay calm and relaxed when going to the veterinarians.

Your dog’s visits to the vet can be calm and pleasant. There are some helpful ideas to make the experience a positive one. Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest thing to do. A little planning ahead can help to make the trip much easier. You may want to have your Yorkshire Terrier go to the bathroom before getting into the car to go to the vet's office. (Some offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog if he needs to go to the bathroom.)

You may wish to bring a favorite dog toy or your Yorkshire Terrier's favorite blanket for him to have in the car when you are riding to the vet's office. Having something familiar may help to relax him. Many people use a dog leash or dog carrier when they take their dog into the office. It is helpful to give your dog praise for his good behavior while he is in the vet's office.

If you act like you are confident and in control during the visit you will reassure your Yorkshire Terrier that it’s routine and fine and nothing to get worried about. Keeping your Yorkshire Terrier occupied will take some of the attention away from any other pets, owners, receptionists, assistants or technicians that may be in the office area.

Occasional praise for being a well behaved dog helps to make it a positive
experience. In the examining room if you have conversation with the vet or his assistants, the dog will hopefully feel calm and relaxed.

You may decide to stop by with your Yorkshire Terrier and make an informal visit to your vet's office at another time just to say hello or to purchase a dog supply, like dog shampoo, so that your visits can be associated with routine, positive experiences for your dog.

How To Be a Good Dog Owner

Owning a dog is about more than the friendship you share. You are will be responsible for your dog. It's your job as a good owner to make sure he is healthy and happy, and that he stays safe. Good dog ownership starts right in the very beginning. It is so important when you are first thinking about getting a dog to do some valuable research on which breed of dog would fit your lifestyle the best.

When you chose your dog, it may be helpful to think of it as a true commitment for the dog's lifespan, which may be many years to come. You will want to make sure that you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog. You will want to select a dog that will hopefully work out great for you and your family. If you are adopting a dog from an animal shelter, you will want to make a well thought out decision about your selection, so you wouldn't need to unnecessarily bring the dog back to the shelter.

So, you may want to think of some of these helpful ideas when choosing your new dog. For example, maybe you are looking for a small, lap dog like a friendly Bichon Frise or a Yorkshire Terrier or maybe your personal style would be a long haired active breed, like a Golden Labrador. Are the dog's grooming needs a factor for you? Do you live in a small apartment or have a house out in the country with a big backyard for a dog to run?

If you have children, you may be looking for a breed that is known to get along well with kids. After you choose your puppy and bring him home, you may wish to consult the veterinarian about how to introduce the new puppy to children or other animals in a safe manner. If you are thinking about bringing a new Yorkshire Terrier into your family, give some thought to the age and nature of the child or children in the family. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog? It is important to note that infants and also very young children that have not learned how to correctly handle a dog should definitely not be left unsupervised with a Yorkshire Terrier. Also, if a puppy has not seen any children before, the first sight of a child can be a little frightening to an inexperienced puppy. Regardless of how friendly a dog may appear to be, it is good practice for the parent to safely supervise any interaction between the dog and a child.

Parents can teach children some important helpful safety tips such as to never approach a dog while he is eating or sleeping or never try to take the dog's food away while he is still eating. If you are bringing a new puppy home, parents can teach children in a safe way how to handle and play with the dog in a gentle manner that won’t frighten or hurt him. Parents can teach children how to touch and handle dogs, and always safely supervise any interactions between dogs and young children. Many parents believe that having a dog in the family helps to teach their children responsibility. The parent should teach the child just how dependent the dog actually is on the owner and the parent can always be on hand to take care of situations that are too much for the child to handle.

Parents may decide to include children in the appropriate care of their pet. Parents can make a chart for daily care that includes providing fresh water throughout the day, all feedings, walking or exercise and playing.

Having a dog can be a positive, rewarding experience for a child and the whole family. Family pets can prove to be faithful and loyal companions who provide happiness and unconditional love to the family!

Don't forget, when bringing a new puppy home, you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your puppy in his new home. For example, your Yorkshire Terrier puppy will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. You will want to have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new puppy.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats for puppies

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe and appropriate dog toys (recommended for puppies)

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

Next, when you bring your new puppy or adult dog home, you will more than likely go the veterinarian's office for the dog's check-up. The veterinarian may check to see if the dog is up-to-date with his vaccinations.

A good dog owner will want to obtain and keep accurate health records amd other important documents about their dog. Some animal shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.

It is important that if you decide to buy a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.

The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.

It is very important to provide regular veterinary care for your puppy or adult dog. Vaccinations, check-ups and dental exams are essential to your dog's good health.

Your veterinarian may help educate you about your dog's dietary needs and he may recommend certain healthy dog food to make sure that your dog maintains a healthy, balanced diet. You can talk to your veterinarian about any questions you may have in general about what you are thinking about feeding your Yorkshire Terrier. There are certain human foods that may be toxic to dogs and your veterinarian can explain this to you in detail. You may want to also read the following article: Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog.

Water is so important and essential for your dog. You can make sure that fresh water is always available for your Yorkshire Terrier. Dogs can become dehydrated.

It is always important to keep your Yorkshire Terrier clean and routinely take care of any grooming needs.

It is also important that your dog gets the proper exercise for his well-being. It might be a nice idea to play with your puppy at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. A responsible dog owner will obey leash laws and not let their dog run loose. You will probably need to get a license, and possibly a name tag for identification for your puppy.

It is up to you to teach your dog what he needs to know. Dogs like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. Dogs like structure in their life. You can decide to set reasonable house rules for your Yorkshire Terrier. Actually, dogs can become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident with knowing exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. It may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Yorkshire Terrier to understand what is expected of him.

A Yorkshire Terrier usually looks for their owner's positive approval. Your Yorkshire Terrier's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your Yorkshire Terriers what you want them to do or not do and you can praise them when they obey and they will very likely be happy companions.

A good owner will want to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. You can consult the veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof a home. You may want to read the following article: Puppy Proofing Your Home.

Your may want to have your puppy grow up to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being.

A good way to help your puppy develop an emotional bond with you is to spend time with him, especially during the first few days he is with you. This is an important time for you and your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Remember that when your pup first arrives his new home will be unfamiliar to him, and he will be missing his mom and his littermates. You can help make this time easier for him by spending quality time with him.

A good owner will understand that socialization is so important for a new puppy. You will want your Yorkshire Terrier to feel comfortable in his new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. You may consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner.

Here are some helpful tips about spending your first day and night with your new puppy or adult dog.

It is such an exciting time for you and your family when you bring your new puppy home for the very first time. You need to remember it is probably the first time your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is separated from his mom, the litter family and the breeder and you don't want to overwhelm him. I can just imagine all of the important puppy supplies you now have in your home, such as a feeding dish, maybe a new dog bed and blanket, collar and leash, appropriate puppy food and treats. You must have already picked out an adorable name for your new puppy.

You may want to keep your puppy happy and relaxed when he comes home for the first time. Talking in a calm manner to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy and handling him gently may help him get comfortable with his new family. Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may want to explore some of his new home, with your supervision. Your Yorkshire Terrier will most certainly appreciate all the human attention that he will get from you and your family. You may want to get down on your puppy's level and let him sniff your hands so he can get familiar with you. You may want to pet him gently. This may be comforting to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy and you can start to form an emotional bond. You may wish to read Ask A Vet: How do I ensure my puppy bonds with me?: "By spending time with him". Each person in the family may spend some time with the puppy, so he becomes familiar with them. Your puppy's socialization may have started with the breeder, but now it is your job to continue it.

What a busy day your puppy may have experienced! Maybe, your puppy had his very first car ride home. He probably had a good chance to meet all of the family members and explore his new house with them. Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may have eaten his first meal in his new home already and checked out his backyard with you.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is probably tired and getting ready for some sleep. This may be his first night that he will be without his mom and litter family. He could be a little apprehensive and lonely. You can be reassuring and comforting to your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy.

It may be time to show your puppy where he will sleep. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep. You may want to read Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".

You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.

Your Yorkshire Terrier puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. It is common for most puppies in a new home environment to feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your Yorkshire Terrier puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home.

Your puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of security. If you want your Yorkshire Terrier puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if your Yorkshire Terrier puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When your Yorkshire Terrier puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So your Yorkshire Terrier puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate exercise for your puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. Your puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm your puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If your Yorkshire Terrier puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get adequate sleep every night and be happy!

It might take at least two weeks or more for your Yorkshire Terrier puppy to get accustomed to his new home environment. With lots of love and positive attention he will soon learn that his new home is a very safe place. You are his leader and his provider of food, water, shelter and security and your puppy will want to stay close to you!

As your puppy grows and he begins to learn commands, and when he is the appropriate age you may want to learn more about "The Canine Good Citizen" program. It is an American Kennel Club program to recognize dogs who demonstrate good behavior at home and in public. The Canine Good Citizen program is based on a test administered by certified evaluators. Basic obedience training may help your Yorkshire Terrier prepare for the Canine Good Citizen test. It is helpful if your Yorkshire Terrier is well socialized.

Dogs who pass the test may receive a Canine Good Citizen certificate recorded with the American Kennel Club (AKC). You may check the American Kennel Club website to find an evaluator or an upcoming test near your area.

A few things that are evaluated during the test are appearance and grooming, accepting a friendly stranger and some commands, such as sit, down, stay and come. You can read the following article to learn more about the 10-part Canine Good Citizen test: Who’s A Canine Good Citizen?Dog Information, Dog Behavior, Dog Diseases - I-Love-Dogs.com.

Spending lots of quality time with your Yorkshire Terrier and teaching him the things you want him to learn will help to keep him happy and healthy throughout his lifetime!

Why Dogs Chew and Some Helpful Tips About Chewing and the Yorkshire Terrier

There are some basic reasons that dogs chew. Puppies may check out some of the new things in their environment by putting objects in their mouths. Puppies may also chew to relieve pressure of their new little teeth erupting through their gums. They may teethe for about 6 months, which usually causes some discomfort. Chewing can make the sore gums feel better.

Some dogs chew out of boredom. It may be helpful to keep your dog appropriately occupied and give him enough daily attention. Safely taking him with you when you do errands, if possible, may give him a change of scenery and some variety.

Dogs chew to relieve anxiety and stress. Maybe the dog is experiencing separation anxiety. Dogs that don't get enough exercise use up some energy by chewing. Another reason why dogs may chew is because as a puppy, they were not taught what to chew and what not to chew. For example, chewing can be done on a safe bone or safe chew toy.

A Few Helpful Tips About Chewing and the Yorkshire Terrier:

If you don't want your dog to chew certain things in your home, don't make them available. You can keep clothing, hair supplies like hair curlers, shoes, books, trash, television remote control devices, and children's toys out of your dog's reach.

You may decide to use a safe place that's dog-proof in your home and provide fresh water and safe and appropriate dog toys.

It is helpful for your dog to have enough attention and exercise each day. When you are deciding on the amount of exercise, keep in mind his age and health.

If you happen to see your Yorkshire Terrier chewing on something he shouldn't, you can offer him an acceptable, safe chew toy instead. You may also wish to offer your dog a treat in exchange for the item in his mouth.

Your dog will need time to learn the rules about chewing and remember to take precautions and keep things out of his reach that you don't want him to get.

Housetraining Tips for Your Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are very intelligent dogs, but you may need to be patient and consistent when you are housetraining them. It is helpful to teach them routine housetraining rules to follow. A well-known method of housetraining is the crate method. The idea behind using the crate method is based on the theory that dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep or eat. The crate used for your puppy should be big enough for your puppy to be able to easily stand up and lie down and get comfortable. You may decide to place a comfortable and safe, washable dog blanket in the crate. You may wish to take your puppy's collar off while he is in the crate for safety reasons. It is helpful for your puppy if you keep the crate in the room where you are going to be in so that your puppy will still have your company and not be lonely, if at all possible. Your puppy will hopefully learn to think of his crate as his very own special place, almost like his own doghouse or den to go where he can relax and rest.

A nice feature is that the crate is very portable. You can easily take it from room to room with you. Puppies need love and attention from their owner, so it may be a good idea not to leave your Yorkshire Terrier puppy inside the crate for longer than one hour at a time during the day, if possible. Crate training should be a positive experience. It is very important that at night you can have the crate near your bed where your puppy can definitely see you and let you know when he may need to go outside to go to the bathroom.

Please don't forget that puppies may need to go to the bathroom every two to three hours or more during the day when they are young. The time span will increase as they get a little older. Puppies will usually be ready to go to the bathroom when they first wake up in the morning, after eating and drinking, and also after playing.

You may feed your puppy inside the crate. When he is done eating, carry your puppy outside close to the area where you want him to go to the bathroom. Try to use the same approximate area every time, so your Yorkshire Terrier puppy gets into a familiar routine. After your puppy goes to the bathroom outside you may want to praise him for doing good. Then, when you go back inside you may want to offer him a treat, while having him walk back into his crate. It is so important to establish a daily time schedule for your puppy to eat his meals and also his routine schedule to go outside.

After your Yorkshire Terrier puppy is housetrained, he may use his crate to sleep in at night or to take some naps in during the day. Hopefully, some of these housetraining tips will be very helpful!

Are You Thinking About Buying a Yorkshire Terrier Puppy from a Breeder?

There are so many important things to think about when deciding to add a new puppy to your family. You may have been doing a lot of research about the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Now, you might have come to the conclusion that the time is right for you to get a puppy. Where are you planning to get your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy? If you are thinking about buying a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a breeder, you will probably want them to be a legitimate and respected breeder.

One nice place where you may find some breeders is actually at a dog show. After the breeders show their dogs sometimes they have a little time to answer some of your questions about the Yorkshire Terrier breed. The breeder could tell you if they currently have any puppies or upcoming Yorkshire Terrier litters in the near future. Good breeders are usually very knowledgeable about their dogs and they are known to breed the Yorkshire Terrier dogs for the actual betterment of the breed.

Some example questions that people ask the breeders:

1. If the breeder would happen to live close to you, you may decide to ask if you would be allowed to see the puppies in their home environment where they were born and are currently being raised. You would hopefully see if the mother and the litter family appear healthy.

2. How many puppies are in the litter?

3. Are the puppies up-to-date with their exams and vaccinations by the veterinarian? Which vaccinations have the puppies received and do they have any specific health certifications or documentation from the veterinarian?

4. Are there any known health problems with the puppies or in the pup's family background?

5. Are the puppies registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)?

6. What type of food do the puppies eat and how often?

7. Did the puppies have any housetraining or crate training?

8. If at any time in the future something would happen and you were unable to keep the dog, will the breeder take the dog back?

9. Does the breeder provide any type of health guarantee?

Breeders may interview you to evaluate whether you would make a good owner for their Yorkshire Terrier puppies. Now, these are some example questions the breeder may ask the potential owner:

1. Do you have the necessary time that is needed to care for a Yorkshire Terrier each day? Will anyone routinely be at home during the daytime hours to care for the puppy?

2. Do you have children or other pets?

3. Do you have general knowledge about the Yorkshire Terrier breed?

4. Do you enjoy grooming or do you plan on hiring a professional on a routine basis?

5. Will you contact the breeder if something would ever happen and you would not be able to keep your Yorkshire Terrier?

6. Do you have a good, reputable veterinarian to continue regular health exams and future vaccinations for your new Yorkshire Terrier?

The breeder may keep the Yorkshire Terrier puppies with their mom for about 8 to 10 weeks or even 12 weeks of age to make sure the puppies get proper nourishment and socialization with the litter family.

It is important that when you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.

The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.

It may also be helpful if the breeder shares a feeding chart or schedule including information, such as how much food is being fed to the puppy and how often. Hopefully, all of this information will help you get off to a great start with taking wonderful care of your new Yorkshire Terrier puppy!

How to Get A Yorkshire Terrier Puppy To Sleep Through the Night

If you are bringing home a new Yorkshire Terrier puppy or a new adult dog into your family, you may need some patience and planning to come up with a daily routine for your puppy to help him sleep throughout the night, so that you will both feel rested and happy. Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.

This may be a very exciting time if you are bringing home a new puppy or new adult dog into your family! You may have decided already on exactly what dog supplies you want to have on hand, like feeding dishes, appropriate puppy or dog food and treats, collar and leash and maybe a very nice dog bed. You may wish to read Dogs & Dog Beds. Another helpful article to read is the following: Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort.
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".

You may want to have the puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a nice, safe, cozy dog bed for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise that would disturb him.

The puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.

The Yorkshire Terrier puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the Yorkshire Terrier puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So the Yorkshire Terrier puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Yorkshire Terrier puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy.