When adopting or buying a Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppy, it is important to choose one for a stable temperament and his ability to respond well to you. Either a female or a male Yorkie Terrier teacup will make a good pet in your home as long as you don’t neglect and take them for granted.
When it comes to gender, that is really up to you. Owners of Yorkshire Terrier teacup females state they are better as pets, gentler, and quieter in general. Owners of male Yorkshire Terrier teacup males claim their dogs are livelier and possess outgoing, vivacious personalities. But for a first Yorkie Terrier teacup dog, a female is easiest to handle.
It is best advised to look closely at the Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppies so you can choose which puppy that can match your living needs, lifestyle, even temperament. Actually, the dog’s personality always reflects the owner either because owners choose dogs like themselves, or the animal learns to adapt over time.
In Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppies, no personality trait is inherited as such, but certain genetic factors can dictate susceptibility to some behaviors. A shy, defensive behavior may be inherited, as is fear of touch and noise. Even a difference in sensitivity to pain has genetic origins.
It is risky to place a bunch of Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppies together and try to settle on which is best, even though such comparison is normally the only basis for judgment. If you watch the puppies playing together, you will notice these puppies’ actions that can be linked to temperament. A Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppy who is always mounting his littermates is manifesting signs of over-aggressiveness that could be a problem later in life.
A litter of Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppies all raised under the same environmental premises will end up differently – because every one of them is totally unique at its very conception and preconditioned to be influenced by different stimuli.
But a newborn Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppy will grow properly only if he is being taken care of in the proper environment. A neglected, shy puppy is a sad puppy indeed; when he grows up lacking the care and attention from his owner, it is possible that he will grow up with a confidence that is no better than he was a pup.
Once you have chosen your Yorkshire Terrier teacup puppy, molding him to an obedient, wonderful pet begins the moment you carry him on your way home.
Whimpering Yorkies
Dogs don’t have too many sounds in their vocabulary – there’s growling, barking, howling, whimpering, and that’s about it. The original function of these sounds was fairly straightforward – the growl being a warning; the bark, an exclamation; the howl, a long-distance communication; and whining, a care-soliciting call.
But dogs can employ all of these sounds in different ways. Under different circumstances they use them to express a number of different desires and emotions.
Why do Yorkies wimper? It may not be surprising to learn that there are various kinds of growland whimper – each implying a different level of threat (the mutter or grumble, the throat growl, and the belly growl, for example) or that barking serves more than one purpose – either beckoning, warning, or indicating arousal and excitement. It may not be quite as obvious, however, that wimpering can also be a flexible vocal tool.
Whimpering For Attention
Some owners inadvertently condition whining in their Yorkie as a result of consistently (or later intermittently) supplying their direct attention in the form of eye contact, praise or petting. To break this annoying habit, it is important to avoid giving the dog any whining-solicited attention.
Anxious Whimpering
Some Yorkies whimper when no one is around because they are stressed by their owner’s absence. Such whining may be a component of the separation anxiety syndrome. These dogs whimper when separated from their owner by a barrier (e.g. door) or sometimes even when the owner is asleep.
Excited Whimpering
Sometimes Yorkies whimper, not as a message to some other creature, but in anticipation of some event.
Pain-induced Whimpering
Anyone who has witnessed any number of dogs recovering from surgery or following trauma will probably have noticed whimpering in this context. Whimpering at such time is reflexive and automatic.
Learned Whimpering
Dogs sometimes learn that whimpering produces a favored response from the owner. If whimpering gets the owner to produce a Frisbee, for example, and this is what the dog wants, then he will whine to get it.
All dogs whimper but some are more whiney than others. Whimpering can be almost automatic and may arise in response to certain adverse circumstances or situations, or can be used as a communication device to obtain attention or to achieve some goal. Only excessive, problematic whimpering requires attention. In some respects, whimpering in Yorkies is like crying in children and can be employed in a similar way.
Taping Your Yorkie Puppy’s Ears
Yorkie puppies are born with floppy ears. Generally, puppies do not have the proper muscle strength at the base of the ear in order to hold them erect.
At what age does a Yorkie’s ears stand up? Typically between the age of three to six months, the ears will gradually stand. One ear may stand up before the other. Some Yorkie puppies are what you call late bloomers, and the ears may not stand up until much later.
In some cases, the ears may not stand up at all. Yorkies with ears who do not stand erect, as referred to as having ‘floppy ears’. The only time that this would matter, is in dog show conformance events, such as the AKC events in which judges are looking for ears that are balanced, V-shaped and standing straight up.
Yorkies are smart, sweet animals that make devoted pets. However, many people also enjoy showing this breed. In taping Yorkie puppy ears, if you are going to show him, then you will need to tape his ears so that they will stand up as he gets older. This is not a painful process for your puppy, although the tape may annoy her. In order to “train” the ears to stand up in a perky fashion, you should do this as early in the puppy’s life as your vet thinks is wise.
Steps In Taping Yorkie Puppy Ears:
1) Cut six pieces of two-inch tape in triangles; you’ll be using three for each ear. The tape should be cut smoothly with scissors rather than ripped to avoid getting your dog’s hair stuck in it. Use high quality medical tape to make sure that it sticks without irritating the skin.
2) Lay three triangles directly on top of each other. This will provide support for the ears.
3) Place the tape on the inside of the ear so that the edges of the triangles line up with the edges of the ear. The adhesive side should be facing the inner ear “leather,” the part of the ear that is not channeled in any way.
4) Lay a strip of tape over the triangles. This strip should wrap around the ear for extra support. Do this for each ear.
5) Leave the tape on for two to three days. Check on it as the dog may bother it with its paws or even scratch it off. Most ears will perk on their own after this period of time, but others will take a week or even longer. Some dogs’ ears just will not respond to taping, and these generally cannot be shown, although they are extremely cute and make excellent pets.
6) Gently remove the tape. You may wish to bathe your dog when you do so to loosen the adhesive. If you do, make sure you do not get water in your Yorkie’s ears.
If you are breeding puppies to be show dogs, work closely with their veterinarian to ensure that all cosmetic procedures are performed in a healthy way.
Toe Care for Miniature Yorkshire Terrier Puppies
Your miniature Yorkshire Terrier puppy‘s’ toenails are to long if they make clicking noises on the floor when he walks on a hard surface. Dogs with very long nails tend to walk on the backs of their feet, leading to splayed toes and unattractive gait.
Not only is this uncomfortable for the miniature Yorkshire Terrier puppy, but it can lead to foot problems. Long nails are also more apt to break or tear during exercise or play. To clip the inature Yorkshire Terrier puppies’ nails, sit on the floor and invite to lie your puppy down in front of you, between your legs, with his head in your lap.
Give him a tummy rub to relax him. Then take one front paw, holding it gently but securely, and isolate one nail so you can hold it between a finger and your thumb. Using a pair of nail clippers made for a dog, trim off the excess nail, making sure you do not hit the quick. If the inature Yorkshire Terrier puppies have white nails, your job is easier than if the nails are dark because the quick is a blood vessel that is clearly seen through white nails.
Trim the nail just beyond the quick. You will not be able to see the quick in dark nails, so make the cut just beyond the hook-like projection on the underside of the nail.
Continue trimming the rest of the nails on that paw. Then let him relax, rub his tummy, and then do the other front paw. To do the back paws, you can have him change position on your lap. if your miniature Yorkshire Terrier puppies are worried, stressed, or are trying to fight you, trim just one paw and stop.
Later, you can do another paw. If your puppy is trying to mouth your hand as you trim, give him a spoonful of peanut butter. He will be thinking about the peanut butter and won’t even know you are touching his paws.
When you cut the nail properly, your inature Yorkshire Terrier puppy will feel nothing more than slight pressure, the same as you feel when cutting your own toenails. If you accidentally cut the quick, your puppy’s nail will hurt and bleed. Stop the bleeding with a styptic pencil made for human use, or use the styptic powder sold at pet supply stores. Cornstarch can be of help, too.
Communicating With Your Baby Teacup Yorkie
Communication with your baby teacup Yorkie is more than verbal exchanges – commands, praise, and corrections. To help mold your baby teacup Yorkie puppy into a well-adjusted adult dog, there are a few basic concepts to bear in mind.
A dog will respond to his master according to how it interprets that person’s vocal tone and body language. This is all they have to work with. The master must, in turn, show the baby teacup Yorkie exactly what is expected of him. Positive experiences teach your puppy what you wish for him to learn; negative experiences teach fear.
A classic example of miscommunication is the following scenario: An owner discovers a housebreaking ‘mistake’ on the carpet, screams in anger, even hits the dog, which is now crouched on the floor and scurrying for safe cover. The owner thinks the dog knows it has done wrong and is showing his guilt. The dog, in fact, is submitting to the master as a means of self-preservation. He hears and sees the anger and reacts in fear.
The dog has not been helped to associate his actions with the master’s reactions. This scenario is totally counterproductive; the dog is left confused and the owner has not taken the proper steps toward eliminating further such incidents.
Your baby teacup Yorkie will learn and retain information gained from positive experiences. In theory, the learning process is quite simple: An effective leader clearly shows what is expected from the dog, and praises when the task is accomplished.
If mistakes are made, the dog is corrected, shown the proper action, and praised when the action is finally completed. This simple process can be completed by many factors. Some teacup Yorkies are more intelligent, capable learners. Some are quite stubborn and less willing to submit to the will of the master.
Some masters are better trainers. Each – dog and teacher – brings an individual set of strengths and weaknesses to the process, and a balance must be struck.
By being alert to what the baby teacup Yorkie’s body language is telling you, and also to what your body language and vocal tones are telling the dog, communication can be improved. Your baby teacup Yorkie has a limited frame of reference, as he must rely on the signals you give with your vocal tones and physical demeanor. If you encounter problems, try to use these cues to help evaluate what the cause may be.
Easy and Simple Tips on How To Train a 1 Year Old Yorkie
When training toy breeds, particularly the Yorkshire Terrier, you may have to modify some of the basic training techniques to compensate for the extreme difference in height between you and your pet.
A solid lead will aid the task. This is basically a rod with a short expanse of leash at its end. Held near your side it allows you to keep your 1 year old Yorkie in proper position without having to hunch over or clutch the several feet of leash that would otherwise extend above the Yorkie’s head.
In how to train a 1 year old Yorkie, the solid lead is held in your right hand. In your left hand hold a back scratcher or a smiliar aid with which you can reach down and position the Yorkie. With this method you do not need to bend continuously to correct the dog. You can even use the back scratcher gently as a form of praise.
Training small dogs can be complicated. If your Yorkie fails to progress, seek the guidance of a professional trainer who can demonstrate some of the more effective techniques for handling Yorkies. Through experimentation you should be able to work out a method that is effective and comfortable to both you and your Yorkie.
Remember, small or toy Yorkie terriers are not to be treated as fragile objects; they too need manners. reinforce this concept from an early age: Do not carry them all the time and do not pamper them. They will need additional consideration, of course, and some added encouragement.
In the initial stages of training, you could teach the Yorkie the fundamental commands by having him stand at your side on a sturdy crate or other elevated surface. Once the Yorkie is aware of what you want start the process over again with the dog positioned at your feet. Most dogs make the transition very smoothly.
Encourage the Yorkie to look up frequently, as eye contact is a vital part of a training program. You can accomplish this by making a short, staccato sound to get the Yorkie’s attention. If this fails, or if you feel silly making clucking noises, you can gently tap the top of your Yorkie’s head with the training back scratcher or dangle a tempting treat or favorite toy in the air.
Use your imagination and devise a system that works for you.
Bathing Your Yorkie Puppy
Brushing your Yorkie puppy will get a lot of the dirt out of his coat, but dirt and oil can still build up, giving your puppy an unpleasant smell. Regular bathing will keep him clean and smelling sweet.
Years ago, the conventional wisdom was that bathing a dog regularly stripped the natural oils from his coat and skin, thereby making the skin and coat dry and unhealthy. Products available for dogs today have changed. Even though you can still strip the oils from the skin and coat if you use a harsh soap for bathing your Yorkie, puppy, most of the products today are better and gentler than the older ones.
If you use a good-quality dog shampoo, you can bathe your Yorkie puppy regularly without harming his coat. After all, therapy dogs who make weekly visits to nursing homes must be bathed before each visit. Treat your puppy nicely when you give him a bath. If you decide to give your Yorkie, puppy a bath in the driveway with cold water out of the hose, you will have a battle on your hands.
Your puppy will hate baths and will struggle every time you try to get him wet. It is worth your time to pamper and spoil him a little, and make the bath warm and comfortable. In return, he won’t fight you nearly as much. He may even learn to like it.
Take the dog shampoo and couple of towels to your bathroom. Turn the water on in the tub and let it warm up. Then, with a leash on your Yorkie puppy, walk him to the bathroom. Help him into the tub and gently splash him with warm water.
Talk nicely to him as you get him wet. When he’s wet, lather up the shampoo, using your hand to rub it into his coat and skin, making sure to lather his entire body. Be careful you don’t get any soap in his eyes.
When you rinse, start at his head, letting the water run away from his nose, eyes, and ears. Hold each earflap close to his head to close one ear at a time as you rinse. Then rinse down the neck and chest, then back, belly, hips and then finally his legs.
Make sure you rinse thoroughly, getting all the soap off him. Any soap remaining on his body or in his coat could cause him to itch and scratch, thereby creating sores. When your Yorkie puppy is thoroughly rinsed, towel him off using the first towel to blot and get all the excess water and the second towel to dry him.
When he’s completely dry, you can brush him again with the bristle brush to remove any hairs loosened by the bath.