Yorkie Puppy Care

You’re thinking of buying a Yorkie puppy, or you’ve just brought one home.

Well, first and foremost, congratulations! Yorkies are full of remarkable personalities and make great companions. Still, you probably have plenty of questions regarding how best to care for your new Yorkie pup. This comprehensive guide will help you learn how to care for a Yorkie puppy.

As a quick note, if you are yet to purchase a Yorkie, bear in mind that you shouldn’t bring a puppy under 8 weeks old. Selling puppies under eight weeks old in many states and cities is illegal. It should be avoided even when it isn’t, as a 7-week-old Yorkie still needs its mom.

Yorkie Growth Stages

During the first two weeks of a Yorkie’s life, its greatest bond will be that it shares with its mother. Over the next two weeks, his brothers and sisters will become more of an influence, the senses of smell and hearing will increase, and the Yorkie’s eyes will finally open. By five weeks of age, we start to see walking and barking. An eight-week-old Yorkie puppy will be ready to be separated from his mother and siblings.

Thanks to their small size, Yorkies can easily be overwhelmed by intense or loud surroundings. At around 8 to 10 weeks and again at 16 weeks, baby Yorkie puppies will experience fear that can permanently affect them. When you bring your new Yorkie pup home at eight weeks until they reach six months of age, socialization, and training are of the utmost importance. Start by introducing them to new surroundings, situations, and experiences, such as car rides and other outdoor activities. You can also begin with consistent obedience training. Make sure your new yorkie socializes with other dogs, people, and other humans.

Your Yorkie pup should be spayed or neutered by age two but not earlier than one year old, when you’ll start to see increased signs of sexual behavior, along with shows of independence and dominance. Around the age of 2 to 3 years old is when Yorkshire Terriers reach adulthood, and while training will always be important, the personality of your Yorkie will start to become resistant to change.

Despite many living to the ripe old age of 20, Yorkshire Terriers show signs of seniority around 12. You may notice a general decline in the time it takes your Yorkie to do things, and it may take slightly longer for them to get up. Many dog formulas are made specifically for older dogs, incorporating supplements to aid with sore joints and arthritis. You’ll want to switch to one of these and speak to your vet about any dietary changes you might make to help prolong your Yorkie’s health. At this time, you should avoid encouraging them to go up and down stairs so much, and perhaps pick them up instead of asking them to jump up to the couch to join you.

Getting the Essentials

Before bringing your new Yorkie puppy home, you’ll want to stock up on the essentials to help them feel safe, secure, and happy while protecting your home from accidents. Here’s everything you need as you learn how to care for a Yorkie puppy.

Yorkie Puppy Food

What you choose to feed your Yorkie puppy is one of the most significant influences on their current and future health. Many commercial dog food brands offer little proper nutrition and can be packed with preservatives, artificial colors, and flavoring. Additives such as these have been shown to have a direct link to the development of the most common allergies. Also, be wary of foods with a high corn, soy, and grain content. Yorkies can have sensitive stomachs, which makes proper nutrition even more important.

An essential element of Yorkie's care is choosing the proper kibble and avoiding wet food, except as a treat, because it doesn’t support good dental health, an essential concern for Yorkie puppies.

Badlands Ranch or Dr. Marty’s freeze-dried are excellent choices because they are made of pure ingredients and have a low glycemic index. This formula helps support your Yorkie’s joints and bones as they grow.

The nutritional gel Nutrical is most important for miniature puppies to avoid hypoglycemia risks.

Snacks are an important part of your Yorkie pup’s diet too. Be sure to find 100% natural treats, free from all additives, preservatives, by-products, fillers or generic oils and meats. Vitamins are a good treat to make sure your new Yorkie puppy gets enough vitamins and minerals during snack time. When you’re ready to start potty training your new Yorkie, we also like boiled chicken.

It is always recommended to have food available for your Yorkie to keep up blood sugar levels. Additionally, get some treats to reserve specifically to reward good behavior. You’ll want to find something moist and small enough not to interfere with your Yorkie’s appetite.

Puppy Toys

To avoid a huge pile of mostly ignored toys, you’ll want to find a range that will benefit the various needs of your Yorkie puppy.

Toys for keeping busy

The last thing you want is a bored dog. This leads to unhappiness and several other behavioral issues, including stress, destructive behavior, and excessive barking (and remember, your puppy will bark enough as it is). Interactive that will keep your yorkie focused, especially when you’re too busy to play or the pup is home alone.

Toys for playing fetch

Attention is something all dogs crave, and your Yorkie is no exception. Even the world’s most anti-dog human knows the quintessential way to entertain a dog is with a game of fetch. This will be a fun experience and provide both the dog and you with a great bonding session and an excellent light cardio session. You’ll want to find toys that are appropriately sized for such a small dog as a Yorkshire Terrier and find something nice and colorful to make it attractive. Your enthusiasm also plays a significant role. Keeping excited and animated yourself will bring more enthusiasm to your Yorkie.

Small balls are a good choice, and they come in a large pack for the balls that inevitably get lost.

Toys for teething

For teething, you’ll want to find toys of an appropriate size and have a good consistency while chewing.

Toys made of twisted rope or those with small nubs work great for scratching itchy gums, and finding something flavored will keep your pup interested.

This helps ease your puppy's teething pain while supporting good dental health.

Toys for companionship

Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, especially puppies who are unaccustomed to being alone. Having a toy that can work as a de facto companion can be extremely beneficial in this situation.

Part of Yorkie puppy care is managing separation anxiety. If your puppy has severe separation anxiety, it may be worth trying a more costly toy like this Snuggle puppy with a “heartbeat” and heat source, so your pup won’t feel alone.

Toys for dispensing treats

While these toys are designed for larger dogs, some ‘Busy Buddy’ toys are designed for small dogs, like Yorkshire Terriers.

We love a ball-throwing toy for keeping your puppy busy, especially if you’re going to be leaving the house.

Setting Up Your Yorkie’s Area

You should set your Yorkie pup up with a crate or a playpen like the ones I have on my website.  These will provide them with a comfortable, open-air defined space and will assist in the following ways:

• For any potential accidents, your puppy will be confined and limited to one area

• It creates a safe, accessible spot to contain your Yorkie when you don’t want them roaming the house.

• The teething period can cause all kinds of destruction to your furniture. Keeping your pup within a playpen will limit their chewing to the items that are supposed to be chewed.

• Dogs find the idea of a “den,” their own space, comforting. If your pup is suffering from separation anxiety, this will help, and it will also keep all of its items nearby.

Within the pen, you’ll want a good bed, food, water, toys, and washable pee pads . When choosing a bed, ensure it meets the needs for good joint support. Like Yorkie puppies, a snuggler bed is perfect for small dogs that get cold quickly.

Grooming Supplies

Regarding brushing, Yorkshire Terriers can be low-maintenance or very high-maintenance, depending on their coat length. Yorkies with long coats will require a little more upkeep. Most importantly, you’ll have to ensure you have the correct brushes. You don’t want to pull at hairs or damage your pup’s coat. If your Yorkie does have a long coat, you’ll want to remember to keep up with routine brushing. This will help remove debris, get blood flowing to the hair follicles, spread natural body oils, and help keep matted hair at bay. For Yorkies with short hair, you’ll still be required to keep up the brushing for the same reasons.

While your new Yorkie is still young, they will have the “Yorkie puppy coat,” which is soft and easy to maintain. Still, you want to get in the habit of brushing your puppy early in life so they get accustomed to the brush. An essential wire brush is all you’ll need for a 4-month-old Yorkie until they’re a year old.

Yorkie dental items

Many are surprised to find that the Yorkshire Terrier is incredibly prone to tooth decay as a breed. As young as 5 or 6 years old, many Yorkies can experience rot that leads to teeth falling out, along with incredibly bad breath. 

To avoid the build-up of plaque, which would lead to many further problems, you’ll want to brush your Yorkie’s teeth daily, using an appropriately sized canine toothbrush and a good canine toothpaste like an enzymatic toothpaste. Under no circumstances use human toothpaste; this is toxic, and foaming agents can cause your dog to choke.

While brushing daily is the most effective way of keeping your Yorkie’s teeth healthy, the next best option is spraying. Many dogs can resist having their teeth brushed, which will help remove plaque in this instance. Dental chews like Teeny Greenies are highly discouraged for Yorkies to help fight tooth decay, along with additives that can be mixed with your pup’s water that will kill off any unwanted bacteria in the mouth.

Other Basic Puppy Supplies

You may also want to get some or all of the following items:

• Accessories, such as leashes, harnesses, collars, and tags. With Yorkies, a soft no-pull harness is essential instead of a traditional collar, as Yorkies have weak tracheas.

• Body care items, like skin spray, nose balm, or paw wax, for example

• Food and water bowls

• A dog car seat

• Warm clothing, such as winter coats and jackets

• First aid items

• Flea and tick repellents

• Shampoo

• Nail clippers

Your New Yorkie Puppy’s First Week at Home

You’ll want to make sure that you bring your new Yorkie pup home at a time when it is quiet and peaceful. It’ll be best to avoid having friends or family over, especially overnight.  

Before bringing your pup into the house, take them to a spot outside that you’ve designated as their bathroom and spend a few moments there. If your pup goes, great—make sure to praise them! If they do not, don’t worry; bring them into the house and remember to take them to this spot each time they need to go.

The first spot you’ll want to take your Yorkie pup to is their pen. Make sure it has adequate bedding, toys, and washable pee pads.

Be sure to observe and interact with your puppy as it adjusts to its new surroundings. This will help develop a sense of pack and ascertain your status as pack leader.

Veterinary Care for a New Yorkie

Your Yorkie pup should have been given any basic vaccinations necessary before your purchase. If you receive your puppy, you’ll want to visit a vet. Never assume that your puppies have been adequately vaccinated without records.  A Reputable breeder and one that has been certified will always give at least one vaccine before you are handed a puppy to take home.

Your pup must get the following shots to prevent them from contracting potentially fatal diseases. Until they’ve been fully vaccinated, you should not take them for walks or to any area in which other dogs may have been. Regardless, you’ll want to take your puppy to the vet as soon as possible for a check-over. The typical schedule for puppy vaccinations is as follows:

• 7-week-old Yorkie – 1st DHLPP

• 10-week-old Yorkie – 2nd DHLPP

• 13-week-old Yorkie – 3rd DHLPP

• 16 weeks – Rabies

When to Give a Puppy the First Bath

At the time you get your Yorkie will have had their first bath. First, brush them thoroughly before bathing them in the sink in about 4 inches of lukewarm water. Scoop a cup of water from the sink and, starting from the back of the head, work your way down your Yorkie pup’s back until the whole body is wet. Avoid getting water in the eyes or ears.

You’ll want to use DAWN dishwashing soap (the blue kind for dishes). It's a good choice. It kills fleas and is very gentle on their skin and coat. 

While your Yorkie has short puppy coat, you’ll probably want to bathe them once every three weeks. For long-haired Yorkies, you’ll want to wash them every other week.