Archive | Basic Care

Choosing A Vet For Your Teacup Pup Yorkie

Posted on 08 January 2012 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Next to you, a veterinarian is the most important person in your teacup pup Yorkie’s life and admittedly, he holds quite a bit more power than you, since your vet is the one who knows if your puppy is healthy or not; and is the person to whom you run when you’ve got a doggie emergency.

The two of you should work together closely to ensure that your teacup pup Yorkie is in great health, and since a vet is an important partner when it comes to raising your pet, you have to make certain that you choose the right one: Someone whom you can trust to be knowledgeable and understanding of your teacup pup Yorkie’s needs.

Keep in mind that the best time to choose a vet is before you can even get your dog or right after getting one, not when your teacup pup Yorkie is already having health problems. If you wait until then, the vet won’t have a very clear picture of of your puppy’s medical history and he will have a very hard time pinpointing the indicators that could have signaled any underlying issues.

One of the easiest ways to locate and select a goo veterinarian is by getting referrals from family and friends, or even the breeder where your teacup pup Yorkie came from. Ask them if are happy with the service and attention their pets are receiving from the vet; the costs for checkups and treatments; and if they are comfortable with the vet’s attitude and personality.

The Internet is another useful resource, as it has an extensive list of veterinarians in or near your area. Many blog sites also have recommendations on local vets as well as those who still do house calls.

How much veterinary services and medicines cost is probably one of the factors that you are considering in your search for the right vet. Ask clinics about their respective costs on shots, consultations, medications,and surgeries (that they may be called on to perform). But keep in mind that sometimes, you get what you pay for.

The inexpensive choice may be easier on your pocket, but it might not always provide your teacup pup Yorkie the medical care he needs. At the same time, you shouldn’t decide to go with the most expensive option; high prices aren’t necessarily an indication of quality care and services, so try to be very objective.

Understanding Canine Aggression: Why Some Yorkie Breed Dogs Are Aggressive

Posted on 16 October 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

The drive to defend what he considers his territory is one of the major causes of canine aggression. It is a matter of survival for a wild dog to defend his den or sleeping place against intruders. It is natural for dogs – including Yorkie breed dogs – to defend their home ground against intruders, especially dogs of the same sex.

In nature, animals respect each other’s territory principally through fear. Even a small Yorkie may be able to drive away a Rottweiler if it enters his property. Male dogs are usually the most aggressive about their home territory: This strong protective instinct develops as the dog matures, and is probably related to sexual maturity.

However, you will normally see signs of aggression, perhaps subtle, well before then.

Some especially defensive Yorkie breed dogs develop a resentment toward animal or human visitor. A dog who is constantly restricted to a small area over a long period of time and never allowed freedom an develop abnormally intense territorial instincts. These dogs develop a pattern of noisy barking and aggressiveness. The dog will bark as a stranger approaches but will back away if the visitor gets too close.

If the stranger backs way, the dog will give chase. In this way, a person approaching a chained dog will frequently be met with barking, lunging, and even attempts to bite.

There is no way to prevent this other than not to restrict the dog permanently in close quarters. but never allow any teasing of a chained or penned dog; it will make him more defensively aggressive.

Another dog will pick out specific intruders to react to – a mailman, a delivery person, a passing dog, – perhaps because he knows these are going to enter his personal territory. he will make a big thing out of the intrusion – barking, threatening, sometimes even attacking. If you think this habit is cute or clever, you won’t be able to stop it.

Despite your half hearted commands for him to stop, your dog will sense that he is really pleasing you. if you express real disapproval, these aggressive (but not all of them) Yorkie breed dogs will desist.

If this kind of behavior goes on, a behaviorist can help correct the problem. Negative training won’t do anything good, as it will only erode the dog’s self-confidence, and is most likely to turn out to be a fearful Yorkie.

Basic Rules for the Yorkie Terrier Puppy’s Trainer

When deciding when to begin formal training, let the Yorkie Terrier puppy be your guide. It is useless and frustrating for all involved to begin training a puppy that cannot understand what you want of it.

As a general rule, most Yorkie Terriers can start command training at six to eight months of age, but you can still instill the desire to learn as young as six or eight weeks of age. Reward each simple success – coming toward you when called, stopping an action when asked – with loads of praise and treats.

Concentration is the key. If the Yorkie Terrier puppy consistently wanders off – physically or mentally – he is probably too young, so try again in a few weeks. The first lessons should be short, no more than ten minutes, but they should be held regularly – twice daily if possible. repeat all lessons frequently, but proceed very slowly.

Stop as soon as the Yorkie Terrier puppy shows signs of having trouble concentrating. Boredom in the early stages can cause serious damage to the Yorkie Terrier puppy’s acceptance of future training.

Training should be serious, but not tedious. The more fun it is for the puppy, the more he will benefit from training. Learning can be a stress-producing experience and reassure him frequently. Praise your Yorkie Terrier puppy for each minor success, but don;t go overboard and get him so excited that he forgets what the purpose of the lesson is.

Praise enough to inspire the Yorkie Terrier puppy to do well and earn more praise. And treats.

Commands should be made in an authoritative, but not scolding tone. Never whine or plead with the puppy to get him to comply. Remember: You are the leader here. Issue the same command each time you request a certain action. As a general rule, include the Yorkie terrier puppy’s name  in any command that requires motion (heel, come) but omit it from the commands where he is to remain motionless.

Similarly, give your Yorkie Terrier puppy cues to what his response to a command will be by always stepping off with your left foot when the puppy is to move out with you and your right foot when you move away from the puppy alone.

These are some of the little things that have an unconscious effect on your Yorkie Terrier puppy’s response.

The Healthful Yorkshire Terrier: Keeping Your Yorkie’s Teeth Healthy

Posted on 23 September 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

People are always under the impression that a dog’s teeth take care of themselves and that dogs with bad teeth are unusual. This is wrong. Dogs are prone to gum disease and rotting teeth just like human beings.

Since dogs must use all four legs for locomotion, they use their jaws to carry and hold objects. However, a dog’s jaw has so adapted that it is relatively poor at manipulation. Dogs don’t even chew their food that much; they just break them with their teeth into pieces small enough to swallow.

Therefore, a canine’s teeth are constructed for killing prey and tearing ti apart. The front teeth are for piercing, the back for cutting flesh. Once a Yorkie pup loses his temporary teeth, they are replaced by a single set of forty-two permanent teeth that are typically entirely grown in by the end of the 7th month, most are in by the 5th.

Some toy breeds like Yorkies keep their puppy teeth after their permanent teeth erupt. If this occurs, they should be removed by a veterinarian to prevent premature loss or a faulty bite. In Yorkie Terrier dental care, these dogs develop cavities and perhaps more importantly, form potentially harmful and unsightly tartar buildup which, along with entrapped food particles, can result to bacterial infection.

In turn, this can result to receding gums, loosening and possible loss of otherwise good teeth, and/or foul-smelling breath. The effects of the infection associated with tartar on teeth may stay localized in the gums, but more often, it gets into the bloodstream.

If this occurs, the constant low-grade infection can become a cause of certain kidney and heart diseases. In Yorkie Terrier dental care, dental disease can also cause abscesses and sinusitis in Yorkies, resulting in watery eyes and swelling of the face. Crowded teeth can cause teeth and gum problems, and these dogs should be checked on a regular basis.

Refusal of food, drooling, grinding teeth, pawing, and rubbing at the mouth are all indications of dental disease or gum infections. Check to see that your Yorkie Terrier’s teeth are not becoming covered with tartar deposits. Over a period of months or years, accumulations on and around the teeth can become hard, like cement.

Being sure to avoid cutting the gums, scrape it off, using an orange stick used for manicuring. If there is an excess, a veterinarian should take care of it.

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Facts About Yorkshire Terrier Feeding: 10 Foods Your Yorkie Should Never Eat

Posted on 28 July 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

The foods in the following list won’t necessarily harm your Yorkshire Terrier pet, but many dogs in general have developed serious illnesses after eating these seemingly harmless people foods. Why take a chance? Many suggest that you never, ever feed your Yorkshire terrier any of these 10 foods.

If you believe your pet has ingested any of them, call your veterinarian immediately.

Chocolate. Both the theobromine and caffeine in chocolate can be very harmful to dogs. Baker’s chocolate is the worst, but even milk chocolate can make a dog sick.

Grapes and raisins. These ‘treats’can cause kidney failure in some dogs – Yorkshire Terriers included – especially if they eat a lot of them. For a small dog like your Yorkie, even a few could cause toxicity.

Macadamia Nuts – As part of the 10 facts about Yorkshire Terrier feeding, Macadamia nuts are yummy but can be very toxic for dogs, causing vomiting, pain, and neurological symptoms.

Onions or garlic – Frequent ingestion of onions can cause severe anemia and even death. Small amounts can cause gastrointestinal distress, because Yorkshire terriers can’t ingest onions very well. Another part of the 10 facts about Yorkshire Terrier feeding guide is that onions may even be dangerous that garlic, perhaps because foods often contain more onions than garlic.

In fact, many natural pet foods, treats, and homemade dog food recipes contain a little garlic. Some people believe garlic can help ward off fleas. However, neither onions nor garlic should be a daily part of your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet.

Coffee and tea – Don’t let your Yorkie Terrier help you drink your coffee, no matter how cute that may be. The caffeine and other acids in coffee are very unhealthy for him. The same goes for your tea; plus dogs that eat coffee beans or coffee grounds can get very ill.

Alcoholic beverages – The same goes for your beer, wine, or martinis.

High-fat foods – Yorkshire Terriers don’t ingest high-fat foods very well, and too many fatty foods can cause pancreatitis – especially in smaller dogs. Also, foods and process ones that are high in fat are dangerous because of the high sodium, and nitrate content.

Xylitol – This artificial sweetener which you find in many sugar-free foods (like sugar-free gum) is very toxic for Yorkshire Terriers. If your pet accidentally ingests something with Xylitol, call your veterinarian at once.

Avocado – Some pet foods contain avocado, but experts – including those at the Animal Poison Control Center – say that avocado is extremely toxic to some animals and its effects are not fully understood in dogs and cats. Avoid avocado just to be safe.
Milk and cheese – Some dogs can eat small amounts of dairy products without a problem, but many can suffer from intestinal distress from dairy products. Avoid the high-fat, hard cheeses .

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What to Feed Teacup Yorkies?

Posted on 06 March 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Feeding your teacup yorkie can be as complex as you choose to make it. Knowing the basics of this breed will help you determine to meet your pet’s needs by giving him good nutrition and that starts with you, his owner.

Just like us, what to feed teacup yorkies can be from the simplest dog food, but is packed with vital nutrients to help him grow, and live longer. They advance through different stages of growth, formation, adulthood, and aging. Every life stage has its health and nutritional needs you must consider for your teacup yorkie.Birth to 8 Weeks. The teacup yorkie puppy should start to nurse from their mother a few hours after birth. In the first few days of life, the mother will give a specifically rich milk otherwise known as colostrum. This birthmilk is especially packed with essential nutrients needed by her newborn puppies, and it also has antibodies which help prevent bacteria-causing infection.

8 Weeks to 12 Months (1 year). Teacup yorkie puppies are in a growth stage and should eat dog food that meets their growing needs. There are plenty of commercially sold puppy dog food that are made to help them grow strong and healthy.

Choose pupy food for your teacup yorkie that has been appraised and passed through feeding trials for the growth phase of puppies. However, avoid over-feeding your teacup yorkie as it may cause serious indigestion problems in the future.

1 Year to 7 Year. The adult stage in dogs. The growth stage is over and one could feed the teacup yorkie for ‘maintenance’. Choose a dog food that not only suits his everyday needs, but one that has been assessed and tested to conform with this stage of development.

Many owners, though, choose to serve their teacup yorkies by giving them a mixed ration of cooked food and commercial dog food and this method serves the dog really well.

7 years and Above. These are considered the geriatric or matured years for the teacup yorkie. Like any other life transitions, adjusting their diet is required to fit his changing needs. Like humans, a teacup yorkie’s metabolism decreases as he ages. In this case, the older dog does not have to eat the same amount of food as he used to.

Feeding them just the same as you used to when he was younger will result to weight gain, which should be avoided especially in older dogs as this can cause serious medical problems.

Cleaning Your Yorkshire Terrier’s Teeth

Posted on 16 February 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Your Yorkshire Terriers teeth are naturally handsome – bright white and nicely in proportion to his head. When a dog’s adult teeth come in (after losing the puppy teeth), they are strong and white. He will need your help to keep those teeth white; dirty or broken teeth can significantly affect your pet’s health.

When teeth have accumulated plaque or are broken and infected, they harbor bacteria that can affect the body in many areas including the heart and kidneys. In addition, when you clean the teeth often, you can spot problems, including gum problems, teeth that need to be professionally cleaned, and chipped or broken teeth that might need to be extracted.

There are many ways to keep your Yorkshire Terrier’s teeth clean. Feeding dry dog food and biscuits can help scrape the teeth as he eats; hard chew toys can also scrape some plaque of the teeth. But to keep them really clean you will need to get more actively involved.

Even though toothbrushes and toothpastes are available for dogs, the easiest way to clean your Yorkshire Terriers teeth is to use some gauze and baking soda. Take a piece of gauze and wrap it around your index finger. Wet it, dip it in a little baking soda.

Invite your pet to lie down in your lap. Steadying your Yorkshire Terrier’s head with one hand, rub that baking soda and gauze against the outside of a couple of teeth. Praise him as you’re working on him, then rub the gauze against the inside of those same teeth. As you work, change the gauze and add more baking soda.

If your Yorkshire Terrier really doesn’t like this – and many do not in the beginning – just do a few teeth then give him a break and play with him. later, you can clean a couple more teeth. As he gets used to it, he will be more accepting.

As you clean, look for any problems in your pet’s mouth: Broken teeth or red, swollen gums, as well as sores in the mouth. If you find anything out of the ordinary, call your veterinarian.

Tip: Never ever use toothpaste for humans on your Yorkshire Terriers – he can’t rinse and spit the way you can.

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Important Considerations When Caring For Yorkie Puppies

Posted on 03 December 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

Taking home a new puppy can be a wonderful experience. Having these adorable and cuddly pets around your house can be fun and enjoyable. However, raising yorkie puppies can be difficult especially if you do not know how to go about with the process. To make sure that you do it right, here are some guidelines you need to bear in mind when caring for yorkie puppies. (more…)

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Teaching your Yorkie Pup to Accept New Places

Posted on 20 November 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Start bringing your yorkie puppy to new places at an early age so that he gets used to seeing his environment vary and won’t become upset when it does. When in crowded places with him, firmly insist that he move briskly while at the same time reassuring him that he is secure.

Your yorkie puppy will soon understand there is nothing to fear. Upon entering a new place, always make your puppy sit for a few minutes so he can survey the situation calmly. Then take him around to investigate under your supervision so he can be sure everything is ok. (more…)

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Bathing a Yorkie

Posted on 19 November 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Bathing dogs is not something that needs to be done too often. In fact, too-frequent bathing may be harmful because it removes the natural oils and encourages a variety of skin problems.

Three or four baths a year are probably more than sufficient, depending on the kind of life your yorkie lives. Frequent brushing is more important. (more…)

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How to Prevent Accidents Caused by Chewing in Yorkies

Posted on 15 November 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Certain basic dos and don’ts can make your home and surroundings far more amiable for your yorkie. Your world is full of potential hazards for an animal. Simply taking a few protective measures can help ensure your yorkie’s safety.

Many an emergency veterinary visit arose because of an accident that a little simple forethought could have avoided. A fishbone in the throat, a tennis ball or corn cob lodged in the stomach, a needle stuck in the skin, or paint on the pads of the feet are all common. (more…)

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The Lost Yorkie

Posted on 04 November 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Make a comprehensive list containing your yorkie’s date of birth, sex, breed, coat, length, hair texture, unusual aspects, color, eyes, ears, marking, tail length, height, license number and renewal date, and inoculations.

This will be an easy reference guide to the essential descriptive information about your yorkie. It is also a great help not to have to solely rely on memory, so keep a good photograph in addition to your list and keep them together. (more…)

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Paper and Housetraining Combined for the Teacup Yorkie

Posted on 28 October 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Don’t expect your teacup yorkie to control him if your schedule is really erratic. Additionally, a dog with a bladder infection or an older dog with kidney problems shouldn’t be kept away from a toilet area.

Under these conditions, give in a little and train your teacup yorkie to go both inside on paper or outside when walked. The only problem with this type is that when paper if left down in the house, a dog will generally use it if he feels even the slightest urge. (more…)

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Care for a Yorkie: Good Life Starts with Having A Good Life

Posted on 05 September 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

It should go without saying that a yorkie should have access to clean, fresh, pure drinking water at all times of which he should be permitted to drink as much or as little as he wants. (more…)

What to Feed Yorkie Dogs?

Posted on 30 May 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Eating is certainly for yorkie dogs which they need no training and will do soon as often as possible if you let him. The yorkie dog’s only requirement is that the food both smells and tastes good. (more…)

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Housing for Yorkies

Posted on 26 April 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Every owner will have, and will have to solve his own problems about providing his yorkie or yorkies with quarters best suited to the dog’s convenience.

The special circumstances of each particular owner will determine what kind of home he will provide for his yorkie. Here, it is impossible to provide more than a few generalities upon the subject. (more…)

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Taking care of a teacup yorkie

Posted on 18 March 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

Pet yorkies require an extensive amount of care. It starts with body care, hair care, and oral care.

Dogs in general emit a distinct odor, the odor of dogs. There is no way to mask this with shampoos and disinfectants. One thing you must consider is the proper food. Some of the premium brands do give optimal nutrition to your pups but not the same food may cause dogs to stink. I had this problem before. (more…)

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Basic Care for Teacup Yorkies

Posted on 16 March 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

Thinking of getting a teacup Yorkie? If you are, think very well on what you are planning to do. Do some research on dogs and specifically the breed. All owners and breeders can tell you that a responsible owner gives total care for teacup Yorkies. (more…)

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Coming home to a Yorkie with a hurt leg.

Posted on 16 March 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

It happens. Whether one likes it or not, I did come home to a tiny Yorkie hurt leg. All I can say is that it was very alarming and I could have hit the roof if that expression was real. (more…)

Pet Care involves treating sores

Posted on 04 March 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

This one I picked up from a friend who didn’t know what to do anymore. (more…)

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Simple knowledge in the care of a Yorkshire terrier.

Posted on 23 February 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

A Yorkshire terrier is more than a pet; it’s a part of the family. Reason enough why your dog deserves the kind of care that you lovingly provide to all family members. (more…)

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That’s not Guacamole, it’s Pet Care!

Posted on 23 February 2009 by Francis - Kennel Owner

“No, that is not Guacamole!!!” I shouted as a friend of mine placed the spoonful of Millettia Luzoniensis inside his mouth. (more…)