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This alert, intelligent terrier, like other dog breeds, has special characteristics and do has some special needs when it comes to care and feeding.
The Yorkshire Terrier is high-spirited, confident, feisty and very loyal and affectionate. However, Yorkshire Terriers can be very "assertive" and noisy, so think about your neighbors when considering this breed.
It is vital that you walk your Yorkie very single day - at least once and for at least 30 minutes per time.
Like all dogs, Yorkies have a lot of energy - and this energy has to be used up in exercise before you can train and control your dog. In 99% of cases where I hear the dog is a problem (barking, peeing on the floor, and so on) and I ask the owner: “how many minutes a day do you walk the dog?” I almost always get the answer, “well, I let my Yorkie exercise herself, in our yard (apartment, house, etc.)
While it’s true that Yorkies and many other small breeds do very well in small spaces, they still need a walk with their owner, every single day.
There are many theories about why this is true -- Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, for example, says that this is the way that dogs understand that they are part of a pack, and led by a strong, confident leader (yes, that’s you!) That daily walk is vital in raising a healthy and confident dog.
A second great principle that Cesar talks about - and again it’s something we “know” but don’t always “understand” and that is -- in order to manage your dog -- you need to understand the hierarchy or order of how we interact with them. For maximum benefit for both dog and owner, that order is:
- first, exercise.
- second, discipline
- third, affection.
And by the way, in every "bad behaviour" case I've talked with owners about -- too much barking, peeing inside, disobedient, etc. -- this regime of exercise, discipline and affection -- has solved the problem! back to top
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| Feeding your Yorkshire Terrier |
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Health & Wellbeing
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Grooming
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What is the optimum diet for your Yorkie? Read more here... and in the meantime, here are some pointers:
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What are the most important things you can do as a Yorkie owner, to ensure your pet has a long, healthy life?
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Start slow and grooming can be a great way to bond with your Yorkie. Done right, she’ll see this as a relaxing, one-on-one time with her beloved master.
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Diet Dos and Don’t s
Don’t feed your Yorkie anything dangerous like ...
Chocolate - Poisonous to yorkies and any other dog
Cat Food - too much protein and fat
Sugary foods - Can cause obesity and dental problems
Fat from meat - Can cause obesity and damage the Pancreas
Don’t feed your Yorkie anything but proper dog food
- you’ll encourage a lifetime of begging at the table, plus cause potential health problems by giving him ‘treats’ from your plate
Do choose a good quality dry food and a secondary ‘soft’ food
- Mix these together to keep your Yorkie interested in his own food
- The quality dry food will help keep your Yorkies teeth clean and strong - Yorkies have terrible dental problems as they get older - and it can be used as a ‘treat’ or training food
A quality soft food can be added to the kibble in a smaller proportion,such as 3:1 hard food:soft food, to add variety and increase taste. More>
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Diet and exercise are key
A healthy, happy Yorkie is full of energy, curiosity and affection... to keep your Yorkie this way, find a good veterinarian (more on finding a good vet here); exercise your dog consistently (you’ll benefit too as you see your stress reduce) and be really disciplined about a strict ‘dog diet’ for your Yorkie.
While you’re doing all the good stuff, you also need to watch out for problems -- like the dangers around your household for small dogs.
Read more about puppy-proofing for your Yorkie here... and some of the foods to avoid.
Did you know that 6 common “people foods” can literally kill your Yorkie? And there are dozens of other foods and things around the house that are a real danger too. More>
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The benefits of regular grooming
Regular grooming, bathing and daily brushing will help keep your Yorkie’s hair shiny and in good condition. Combing releases the natural oils in her coat which also condition the skin.
Combing also removes dead hair, encouraging room for growth. And it keeps matts at bay. Daily grooming also helps your dog resist skin problems and it discourages parasites like fleas.
Grooming is also a good way for you to keep an eye on your Yorkie’s overall health: watch for sores, rough spots on the skin and signs of fleas or ticks.
Yorkies in particular have a lot of dandruff, and need regular shampooing with a good quality dog shampoo.
Since Yorkies’ ears stick up, they’re easier to keep clean than dogs with floppy ears, like Maltese, but you still need to check ears for any signs of yeast infections (brown waxy stuff and bad smell!), or everyday dirt and debris. More>
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