Are Yorkies more high maintenance than other dogs or is it just my dog? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

cinnamonmon · 04-27-2008, 03:28 PM

I adore this dog, really I do, and I think Im a pretty responsible dog owner. I have 3 dogs and I know they require alot of time and effort and it is worth it for the love they give me, but...This Yorkie is a pain in the but. She is more trouble than my Maltese and poodle mix are together. Shes had all sorts of minor health issues, is very picky about what she eats and seems to have a very sensitive stomach. I can give she and my other two the same food and only she has trouble with it. Do you think this is the breed or this particular dog? She did come from a pet store, so probably was born in a puppy mill. (I didnt buy her there, ds and gf did and I ended up with her when they couldnt keep her). Are all Yorkies high maintenance or is it just mine?
The latest thing though that is annoying the heck out of me is I cant get her to go poop when I need her to to. I feed her at the same time most days of the week and keep the same routine with the walk. I work full time so I feed her when I come home and walk her about an hour or more later. I can walk and walk, she sniffs, she turns around, the littlest noise or shadow will disrupt the whole process and she will start all over. Most days I can get her to go, but it takes forever other days. I dont mind walking her, but she is very sensitive to the heat and as the days are getting warmer, the longer we are out, the worse she looks, panting, and looking miserable. Today I walked her twice, trying to get her to go...I was really frustrated because I am just getting over the flu so am not 100% well, and have a sore foot and back (its a long story), and she wouldnt go. I know she will end up going in the house or will wake me in the middle of he night to go, which I really hate. Neither of my other dogs ever did things like this. The Maltese goes out, does her business and comes back in. The Yorkie mix goes everytime I walk her. They are both older than the Yorkie if that matters.
I do adore this dog, as I said, and nothing could make me get rid of her, but I wish she wasnt so much trouble. Does anyone have any suggestions for the pooping problem? Is this common?

winstonw · 04-27-2008, 03:42 PM

Hi Cinnamonmon-sorry you are having problems with your yorkie Baby. I am pretty new to the yorkie world too (I have two shihtzus though), and I can relate exactly to the pooping issue. To be honest, I find little pencil poops quite often in the house ughh, but I would rather find that than pee spots. Winston is 6 months old and uses the pee pad for pee, but not very often for poop. He does go outside too. I have noticed their little tummies are more sensitive too. I totally love this little guy though and we just keep pluggin away. I have never gotten so attached so quickly. By the way, I'm originally from Cincinnati. Also, I too had a foot problem 2 1/2 years ago--toe surgery and am just now getting back to myself. I had back problems from a messed up gait along with it......so I can relate to that too

!! Everything I tried to do was just a pain and so tiring so I can imagine adding a pup to the issue is very hard for you. Hopefully as you start to feel better and the pup gets older things will just work themselves out!! There are 2 meets coming up in your area which would be great to chat with other yorkie owners and get ideas---you can search up above....one is a Cincinnati meetup and I think the ladies name is Janie Doyle. The other one we are trying to do in fall around Fairfield--Tatertot started....try searching Ohio/Indiana/Kentucky . Winston and I would love to meet you in the Fall!! Good luck with everything. Im sure you'll get some great ideas from yt members.

cinnamonmon · 04-27-2008, 05:20 PM

Thanks, its good to know that Im not alone, but it is still annoying, more so today than usual because of not feeling well. When my dh is home he is very kind and will take them for their walk, even though they are usually my responsibility, but he was working tonight. I would love to talk with other Yorkie talkers that are from this area and will search out the areas you talked about. I would still like to know though if Yorkies are considered higher maintenance dogs. As I said I didnt chose this little girl but I sure love her now. When she was younger I used to say if I ever got another dog I would get another Yorkie because this one was so special. I hate to say I have changed my mind...they are the cutest dogs ever, but what a lot of work, at least this one anyways.

mayfateleadyou · 04-27-2008, 05:31 PM

They do require a lot of work. They have a tendency to be picky eaters. Some are sensitive to weather. They need a lot of attention. Even the independent ones lol but in the end they are the cutest most loving loyal dogs if taken care of. It just takes patience hang un there!

Nancy1999 · 04-27-2008, 05:45 PM

Yours sounds to be a handful, with the other problems, and food restrictions. Joey doesn't seem to have any digestive problems, and can eat a rather large variety of foods. I guess some people would consider yorkies to be high maintenance, I know potty training can be difficult and crate training is recommended for them; but the other things that some would consider high maintenance, such as grooming, I enjoy. I think because of their fearless nature they might tend to get hurt more often, so careful attention is needed. I think they also need more human companionship than other dogs I've had, but this is one of the things I love about them.

LoveMyJake · 04-27-2008, 05:49 PM

I do think that yorkies are a little higher maintenance. They seem to require much more human contact than other breeds, but I love that. I'm lucky that my boys have always been healthy and have never had any eating issues. The high maintenance part doesn't bother me. I had done so much research before getting mine, that I knew what to expect. I love taking care of my boys!!!

magsy17 · 04-27-2008, 05:54 PM

I have 2 Malts and my Yorkie and all three are high maintenence they are all picky eaters. Peanut the Yorkie has no choice now because he is on a special diet so it's eat it or starve (he's eating it). My Malts are more time consuming grooming wise but Peanut is more trouble potty training. You just need to look at it as if they were skin kids.

Hopefully both yours and mine will get better as they get older.

slahey2000 · 04-28-2008, 04:03 PM

Linus has all the same problems. He is a picky eater, but I think it's kind of funny, and I like that he isn't crazy about food, jumping on people for it, etc. He also has a sensitive stomach, he tends to get colitis if he eats fatty foods. And getting him to poop on his pad has been a long (and ongoing process!). Just be patient with the potty training, I've heard that yorkies don't like to pee and poop on the same pad sometimes. I got Linus from a great, reputable breeder, so it might just be breed-related because they are so little.

All in all though, the frustration is worth it. Potty training will eventually happen if you keep at it. And I do think that yorkies are the most loving, hysterical, tricky, and fun dogs every (but I'm biased because Linus is my first dog!). Good luck!

Go4HelloKitty · 04-28-2008, 10:37 PM

My boy Kimchee (2 1/2 years old) has a sensitive stomach. Whenever I ingtroduce new food or treat, if I give too much, his poop will become soft. One time I gave him too much zucchini, he had runny poop for days, he also pooped in his bed (could not hold), poor guy!

On the other hand, my girl Mochi (8 months) has a iron stomach. She can eat whatever new without taking time to adjust to it. I knew it because when she was 4 months old, she got tired of her food in 3 days, so every 3 days we had to give her new brand of food, and the sudden change of food did not seem to bother her little stomach. She was a picky eater, she was not interested in any treat. Now she loves to eat whatever Kimchee has.

MissLizzie · 04-29-2008, 03:24 AM

I was actually wondering about this too. About yorkies being high maintenance that is. My yorkipoo isn't picky about her food and hasn't had a lot of problems with me switching it but it seems like there are SO many posts with people complaining about digestive problems, liver shunts, collapsed tracheas, potty training issues...I would love to have a full yorkie someday but all these problems make me think twice.

slahey2000 · 04-29-2008, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissLizzie

I was actually wondering about this too. About yorkies being high maintenance that is. My yorkipoo isn't picky about her food and hasn't had a lot of problems with me switching it but it seems like there are SO many posts with people complaining about digestive problems, liver shunts, collapsed tracheas, potty training issues...I would love to have a full yorkie someday but all these problems make me think twice.

Don't think twice about getting a full yorkie!! Linus doesn't have any real health problems and he is the BEST dog ever!

04-27-2008, 03:28 PM	#1
cinnamonmon Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: cincinnati Posts: 194	Are Yorkies more high maintenance than other dogs or is it just my dog? I adore this dog, really I do, and I think Im a pretty responsible dog owner. I have 3 dogs and I know they require alot of time and effort and it is worth it for the love they give me, but...This Yorkie is a pain in the but. She is more trouble than my Maltese and poodle mix are together. Shes had all sorts of minor health issues, is very picky about what she eats and seems to have a very sensitive stomach. I can give she and my other two the same food and only she has trouble with it. Do you think this is the breed or this particular dog? She did come from a pet store, so probably was born in a puppy mill. (I didnt buy her there, ds and gf did and I ended up with her when they couldnt keep her). Are all Yorkies high maintenance or is it just mine? The latest thing though that is annoying the heck out of me is I cant get her to go poop when I need her to to. I feed her at the same time most days of the week and keep the same routine with the walk. I work full time so I feed her when I come home and walk her about an hour or more later. I can walk and walk, she sniffs, she turns around, the littlest noise or shadow will disrupt the whole process and she will start all over. Most days I can get her to go, but it takes forever other days. I dont mind walking her, but she is very sensitive to the heat and as the days are getting warmer, the longer we are out, the worse she looks, panting, and looking miserable. Today I walked her twice, trying to get her to go...I was really frustrated because I am just getting over the flu so am not 100% well, and have a sore foot and back (its a long story), and she wouldnt go. I know she will end up going in the house or will wake me in the middle of he night to go, which I really hate. Neither of my other dogs ever did things like this. The Maltese goes out, does her business and comes back in. The Yorkie mix goes everytime I walk her. They are both older than the Yorkie if that matters. I do adore this dog, as I said, and nothing could make me get rid of her, but I wish she wasnt so much trouble. Does anyone have any suggestions for the pooping problem? Is this common?

04-27-2008, 03:42 PM	#2
winstonw Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boonville, IN Posts: 2,018	Hi Cinnamonmon-sorry you are having problems with your yorkie Baby. I am pretty new to the yorkie world too (I have two shihtzus though), and I can relate exactly to the pooping issue. To be honest, I find little pencil poops quite often in the house ughh, but I would rather find that than pee spots. Winston is 6 months old and uses the pee pad for pee, but not very often for poop. He does go outside too. I have noticed their little tummies are more sensitive too. I totally love this little guy though and we just keep pluggin away. I have never gotten so attached so quickly. By the way, I'm originally from Cincinnati. Also, I too had a foot problem 2 1/2 years ago--toe surgery and am just now getting back to myself. I had back problems from a messed up gait along with it......so I can relate to that too!! Everything I tried to do was just a pain and so tiring so I can imagine adding a pup to the issue is very hard for you. Hopefully as you start to feel better and the pup gets older things will just work themselves out!! There are 2 meets coming up in your area which would be great to chat with other yorkie owners and get ideas---you can search up above....one is a Cincinnati meetup and I think the ladies name is Janie Doyle. The other one we are trying to do in fall around Fairfield--Tatertot started....try searching Ohio/Indiana/Kentucky . Winston and I would love to meet you in the Fall!! Good luck with everything. Im sure you'll get some great ideas from yt members. __________________ Winston Packer & Pokey Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Winston Abby

04-27-2008, 05:45 PM	#5
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Yours sounds to be a handful, with the other problems, and food restrictions. Joey doesn't seem to have any digestive problems, and can eat a rather large variety of foods. I guess some people would consider yorkies to be high maintenance, I know potty training can be difficult and crate training is recommended for them; but the other things that some would consider high maintenance, such as grooming, I enjoy. I think because of their fearless nature they might tend to get hurt more often, so careful attention is needed. I think they also need more human companionship than other dogs I've had, but this is one of the things I love about them. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

04-27-2008, 05:49 PM	#6
LoveMyJake I love Jackson too! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,905	I do think that yorkies are a little higher maintenance. They seem to require much more human contact than other breeds, but I love that. I'm lucky that my boys have always been healthy and have never had any eating issues. The high maintenance part doesn't bother me. I had done so much research before getting mine, that I knew what to expect. I love taking care of my boys!!! __________________ Selina, mommy to Jake and Jackson. RIP baby Lily Coming soon: Gracie

04-27-2008, 05:54 PM	#7
magsy17 LuvMyFurbaby Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 700	I have 2 Malts and my Yorkie and all three are high maintenence they are all picky eaters. Peanut the Yorkie has no choice now because he is on a special diet so it's eat it or starve (he's eating it). My Malts are more time consuming grooming wise but Peanut is more trouble potty training. You just need to look at it as if they were skin kids. Hopefully both yours and mine will get better as they get older. __________________ Bella KCee Mia Cody

04-27-2008, 05:20 PM	#3
cinnamonmon Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: cincinnati Posts: 194	Thanks, its good to know that Im not alone, but it is still annoying, more so today than usual because of not feeling well. When my dh is home he is very kind and will take them for their walk, even though they are usually my responsibility, but he was working tonight. I would love to talk with other Yorkie talkers that are from this area and will search out the areas you talked about. I would still like to know though if Yorkies are considered higher maintenance dogs. As I said I didnt chose this little girl but I sure love her now. When she was younger I used to say if I ever got another dog I would get another Yorkie because this one was so special. I hate to say I have changed my mind...they are the cutest dogs ever, but what a lot of work, at least this one anyways.

04-27-2008, 05:31 PM	#4
mayfateleadyou No Longer a Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: tuscaloosa Posts: 779	They do require a lot of work. They have a tendency to be picky eaters. Some are sensitive to weather. They need a lot of attention. Even the independent ones lol but in the end they are the cutest most loving loyal dogs if taken care of. It just takes patience hang un there!

04-28-2008, 04:03 PM	#8
slahey2000 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 158	Linus has all the same problems. He is a picky eater, but I think it's kind of funny, and I like that he isn't crazy about food, jumping on people for it, etc. He also has a sensitive stomach, he tends to get colitis if he eats fatty foods. And getting him to poop on his pad has been a long (and ongoing process!). Just be patient with the potty training, I've heard that yorkies don't like to pee and poop on the same pad sometimes. I got Linus from a great, reputable breeder, so it might just be breed-related because they are so little. All in all though, the frustration is worth it. Potty training will eventually happen if you keep at it. And I do think that yorkies are the most loving, hysterical, tricky, and fun dogs every (but I'm biased because Linus is my first dog!). Good luck!

04-28-2008, 10:37 PM	#9
Go4HelloKitty Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 379	My boy Kimchee (2 1/2 years old) has a sensitive stomach. Whenever I ingtroduce new food or treat, if I give too much, his poop will become soft. One time I gave him too much zucchini, he had runny poop for days, he also pooped in his bed (could not hold), poor guy! On the other hand, my girl Mochi (8 months) has a iron stomach. She can eat whatever new without taking time to adjust to it. I knew it because when she was 4 months old, she got tired of her food in 3 days, so every 3 days we had to give her new brand of food, and the sudden change of food did not seem to bother her little stomach. She was a picky eater, she was not interested in any treat. Now she loves to eat whatever Kimchee has. __________________ I my little stinkers: Kimchee & Mochi

04-29-2008, 03:24 AM	#10
MissLizzie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 75	I was actually wondering about this too. About yorkies being high maintenance that is. My yorkipoo isn't picky about her food and hasn't had a lot of problems with me switching it but it seems like there are SO many posts with people complaining about digestive problems, liver shunts, collapsed tracheas, potty training issues...I would love to have a full yorkie someday but all these problems make me think twice.