Best Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Yorkshire Terrier
Did you know that the tiny Yorkshire Terrier is just about the most popular toy dog breed in the US?
These little pups are feisty and lively, having once worked as ratters in the textile mills and coal mines of Yorkshire in the UK. If you’re about to welcome one of these tenacious characters into your family, you need to be prepared.
Keep reading to learn the best ways to prepare your home for a Yorkshire Terrier!
Puppy Proofing Your Home
Introducing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy to your home needs as much thought and preparation as welcoming a new baby into your life!
Puppies are curious creatures that love to explore their new surroundings, and that can sometimes get them into trouble. A teething puppy can also be extremely destructive, so you must ensure that your things are safe from those needle-sharp teeth!
Crate Train Your Yorkie
Although you don’t want to shut your new family member away all day, crate training is recommended. Your puppy’s crate is a den-like space where your Yorkie can go when he needs some quiet time. You can also put your puppy in his crate to keep him safe and out of mischief when you’re not around to keep an eye on him.
Be sure to equip the crate with everything your puppy needs, including:
- A good crate water bowl
- A comfy bed
- Safe, chew toys
- A crate cover
Locate the crate somewhere that’s out of drafts and away from direct heat sources so that your puppy isn’t too hot or too cold. Make sure that no electrical appliances or power cords are within reach of the crate. Finally, choose a location where your puppy will have some company but not in a spot that’s too busy or noisy.
Get Into a Routine
All dogs do best on a regular routine, and a schedule for feeding and exercise can help with potty training, too.
- Even pint-sized pups need regular exercise, and your new furry friend should have two short walks every day, as well as some playtime in your backyard or at the dog park.
- House training your puppy is also extremely important, and you’ll need to agree on who will be responsible for taking your pup outside for regular potty breaks.
- Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to hypoglycemia, which is a problem if they don’t eat often enough. So, we recommend that you feed your puppy three or four times every day.
- Yorkies have long, silky coats that will develop tangles and mats if they’re not brushed every day or clipped into a shorter style.
- Puppies can spend up to 18 hours sleeping or napping every day, so get into the habit of putting your furbaby in his crate after playtime so that he can get some valuable shuteye.
- Yorkies are trainable, but they can be stubborn. So, you’ll need to put time aside every day for a training session, as well as take your puppy to an organized socialization and training session once a week.
As well as establishing a routine and crate training your Yorkie puppy, you’ll need to make your home safe for the new arrival.
Keep Poisons Out of Reach
Did you know that your home contains lots of potential poisons that could harm your puppy if he ingested them?
Puppies love to chew and eat anything they can get hold of, so it’s up to you to place anything potentially dangerous well out of your Yorkie’s reach, including:
- Cleaning products
- Personal hygiene products and medicines
- Antifreeze, oil, and other care-care products
- Bleach and laundry detergent
- Pesticide, weed killer, and fertilizer
- Common garden and household plants
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent dogs that are perfectly capable of breaking into low cupboards and shelves. So, use child locks on cupboard doors and put anything hazardous out of reach on a high shelf. Also, make sure that your Yorkie can’t get into your garage or garden shed.
Safety First
Yorkshire Terriers are adept at getting into mischief, and a tiny puppy can easily get trapped in the most unexpected places! Check your home thoroughly for potential danger zones and block up any holes that could be tempting for your puppy to explore.
The following are all potential hazards to be aware of:
- Holes in skirting boards
- Tangles of electrical cords behind furniture
- Wobbly furniture or ornaments that could fall onto your puppy
- Woodpiles, unsecured garden furniture, gaps in your fence
If you have a swimming pool or a garden pond, you’ll need to fence it off securely. Although most dogs can swim, a tiny puppy doesn’t have the stamina or strength to escape from even a shallow pool and can easily drown.
Damage Limitation
Although most adult Yorkies are not especially destructive, puppies can be, especially when they’re teething.
So, you need to be extra tidy once your puppy arrives. Put clothes, shoes, and kids’ toys away, and close the door to any room containing expensive items of furniture that your puppy could damage.
If your puppy takes a fancy to items, such as chair legs, drapes, your leather sofa, etc., consider using a dog repellant spray to keep your Yorkie away and your possessions safe.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best ways to prepare your home for the arrival of a Yorkshire Terrier puppy.
Invest in a crate, bedding, and a crate-safe water bowl, and agree on a regular puppy schedule with your family so that everyone knows what’s happening when and who is responsible for feeding, exercising, grooming, and training your Yorkie puppy.
Check your home for hazardous substances, look out for places where your puppy could get trapped, and make those dangers safe.
_____________________________________________________________________
Some other articles you might find of interest:
See if your dog makes it to the list here:
17 Coolest Looking Dog Breeds that Make Great Pets
Are you thinking about why your Yorkie feels blue lately?
Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Yorkies