Before achieving full growth, your pet yorkie undergoes several stages of development. Here we will look at the different stages of a yorkie puppy.
The weaning stage of a yorkie puppy is at six to seven weeks. However, at this stage they are also beginning to acquire important skills as their mother slowly leaves them for extended periods of time. The ideal scenario is for the puppies to remain with their littermates for a minimum of 12 weeks.
Early separation from their littermates may lead to failure of the puppy to develop the necessary social skills, such as sending and receiving signals, understanding the meaning of “inhibited bite,” extent of play wrestling and so on. Letting the puppies play is important because it enhances their physical coordination, learning limits, and social skills. Interaction with their mothers and littermates helps your pet yorkie discover the ranking process as well as “how to be a dog.”
Skills which the yorkie fails to acquire during their first eight weeks of development may be gone forever. Although these stages are crucial and fairly consistent, your pet yorkie may still be receptive to fresh experiences and beyond puppyhood. Majority of yorkies retain their puppy status, in mind and body, throughout the first couple of years.
From 7 to 9 weeks, the puppy is still refining their physical skills and coordination and is ready for house training. They are now capable of fully utilizing their senses.
At 8 to 10 weeks, the puppy develops real fear of normal objects and experiences and needs positive training. From 9 to 12 weeks, yorkies are refining their responses, acquiring social skills with their littermates, and already exploring their surroundings and objects. The puppy turns their attention towards the people and is ready for training.
The 3rd to the 6th month is usually the ranking period and derives influence from playmates coming from other species. Ranking within the household commences. At this stage, teething develops.
From the 7th to the 9th month, the puppy undergoes a second chewing phase which is a part of the things they are exploring. At 6 to 18 months, the puppy reaches adolescence and derives their influence from humans and other members of the pack.
At this stage, the puppy has already increased their exploration of dominance and may even challenge humans. This stage may also be the beginning of sexual behaviors on the part of the puppy.

Knowledge of the different stages of a yorkie puppy is important in understanding and appreciating your pets.