Do Yorkies like being the only dog in the house?

[Peabody]

My 7-year old neutered male Yorkie seems bored lately, and I wonder if he would like another dog as a companion to play with. I had a large dog that he loved and 4 house cats when I adopted him. My large dog died a few years ago, and the last cat passed away over one year ago. The house is very quiet now with just the two of us. I work from home, and we play chase and I take him for walks in a stroller. He has toys, but he mostly sleeps all day. I'd love to get a second dog as a companion for both of us--hoping he would play with the other dog. But I love my little Yorkie dearly, and would hate myself if I got another dog and it made things worse. He barks ferociously at other dogs when we go for a walk, which makes me worry he wouldn't like another dog in the house. I was thinking about a female spayed poodle mix about 1 or 2 years old.

So, do Yorkies prefer being the only dog, or, being pack animals, do they like having another dog in the house?

[Captainzing]

My little boy is so spoiled I doubt he cares.

[maxdog]

Max and Sasha cannot stand to be alone. When one is gone the other paces until he/she comes home. IMO they are pack animals and want to be with each other.

[Peabody]

Originally Posted by maxdog

Max and Sasha cannot stand to be alone. When one is gone the other paces until he/she comes home. IMO they are pack animals and want to be with each other.

Did they grow up together?

[maxdog]

They are brother and sister 8 months apart. We had Max 1st and then Sasha joined us. I still remember their 1st night together. Max was 4x times her size but he was the one walking on pins and needles around her. But before the night was over he was watching over her like a big brother should. They have been inseparable since then.

[matese]

I think it depends on the dog, if your boy is dog friendly he would eventually accept a buddy, it doesn't happen over night tho. It could take a couple of months for your boy to interact with the new kid. I had a pack of 3 females all 3 years apart, all now passed. I didn't get a 2nd one because I felt my 3 yo needed a friend, it was unplanned, I saw the puppy and fell in love and she came home with me at 8 weeks old. My 3 yo stayed on the sofa, away from baby jaws, it took almost 2 months for her to stay on the floor with Miss wild thing. When that kid was 3 yo again, unplanned, another wild child was bought home, now I had a 6 yo and a 3 yo on high grounds (the sofa) they stayed away from the beast for 2 months, when they finally ventured off the sofa, they were inseparable. The 3 musketeers. Years later the 2 older ones went to rainbow bridge 6 months apart, the baby now 6 yo was depressed, not eating, not playing, after 7 months there was no change, so out I went to find her a sister. When I found the perfect companion and bought her home my 6 yo was all over her, there was no getting to know this wild lil stranger, these 2 became way to bonded, the love they had for each other was a beautiful thing to see.

I now have a male rescue, he was 2 1/2 when I got him. We are a team for 3 1/2 years now, he is 6 years old. He demands ALL my attention. I would love to get another baby, my boy is not dog friendly but I know he wouldn't hurt another if I were to get him a buddy. I will not do this because he needs, demands a lot of attention, I know he would not be happy to share me with another.

Some prefer to be the only child, and there are some that love a BFF. You know your boy better then anyone, go with your gut feeling.

[BayleighL]

Our experience with past pets is that pets bond with each other. When our big boy cat (who we cherished) died, our mini-dachshund was very affected. She missed him. And while she liked us, her relationship to the cat was closer.


Our little yorkie girl has only known us and is bonded to us like super glue. We have deliberately caused her to form other close relationships in case we can't be with her. When she's with other dogs she recognizes them as another animal but she doesn't know how to play. I think she would be confused and sad if we brought another dog into the house.


Given those experiences, I think it depends on their personality, their experience, and the skill of the family to bring in other animals in a way that creates a bond. If you're pup seems sad and lonely and you want another pet, I'd say GO FOR IT!

[Lovetodream88]

My older girl Callie was an only dog for a long time when she was 5 my mom and dad adopted a yorkie who was a year older and would bring him over twice a week or more and Callie grew to love him. When Callie was 7 my parents had to move in to help with my grandma because my grandpa was in a hospital for months dying. So they lived together for 2 years and loved each other although Callie was a bit bossy with him. I then a bit over a year ago fell in love with a puppy that someone was trying to get rid of and had already had 3 homes so I went and got him(Joey). Callie was not thrilled but after a month my parents dog was diagnosed with lymphoma and after a few weeks had to be put down. Callie was devistated looking for him for weeks. I think Joey had helped her a bit and eventually loved him and would clean his face and everything. In April I came across another pup who they wanted to get rid of and if they didn't she was headed to the pound. Callie again was not thrilled but Joey loved her and they have become best friends lay and sleep all over each other and everything. Callie has come around and loves her now too. My younger ones are 6 months apart so they both have the same energy. Callie is not aggressive though and was never agressive to them. If your dog is agressive to other dogs it could be a serious issue. If your not sure you might want to take him to play dates and see how he acts with other dogs.

[Peabody]

Thank you for your replies. They helped me decide.

After a lot of research, I adopted a 1-2 year-old poodle mix (maybe with shih tzu, maybe terrier) that is affectionate, playful, and calm and weighs 10-15 pounds (I haven't weighed her yet). I hope she will be a good companion for him (I'm already getting attached to her).

She is a shelter dog from the Humane Society, and even though she was vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, etc., I'm being very careful not to let them interact yet. I'll take her to the vet next week for a checkup and a flu shot (she was given the other routine shots when she was spayed). The Humane Society has a good website on how to introduce a new dog--very slowly. So for now she'll be in another room or outside while my Yorkie boy is inside. He'll be able to smell her and get used to the idea.

The deciding factors were that he loved my big female dog before she passed and wanted to play with her. And, I think his life will be better with a friend to play with instead of just sleeping most of the time.

I've never re-homed a dog, but if I made a horrible mistake they said they will take her back.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Peabody

Thank you for your replies. They helped me decide.

After a lot of research, I adopted a 1-2 year-old poodle mix (maybe with shih tzu, maybe terrier) that is affectionate, playful, and calm and weighs 10-15 pounds (I haven't weighed her yet). I hope she will be a good companion for him (I'm already getting attached to her).

She is a shelter dog from the Humane Society, and even though she was vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, etc., I'm being very careful not to let them interact yet. I'll take her to the vet next week for a checkup and a flu shot (she was given the other routine shots when she was spayed). The Humane Society has a good website on how to introduce a new dog--very slowly. So for now she'll be in another room or outside while my Yorkie boy is inside. He'll be able to smell her and get used to the idea.

The deciding factors were that he loved my big female dog before she passed and wanted to play with her. And, I think his life will be better with a friend to play with instead of just sleeping most of the time.

I've never re-homed a dog, but if I made a horrible mistake they said they will take her back.

As long as he has all his shots there really is no reason to keep them separated. Plus it you were worried about the new dog having an illness or something then you could easily carry to your yorkie. I have never done slow interactions with my dogs or the ones I grew up with and never had issues. Just to keep in mind it normal for a dog to sleep 16 hours a day.

[matese]

Congratulations and thank you for rescuing.

I have to agree with lovetodream, I wouldn't keep them in separate rooms, your boy is curious, wants to know who is in his home, you say this girl is calm, I would let the two of them meet with you supervising of course, I would not let them be together unsupervised until you know your boy has accepted her. If you're unsure how your boy will react you can put him on his leash and do a nose to nose, nose to tail intro. Do not make any decisions right away, it takes time for an only dog to accept a new comer. If he loved your passed dog, he will love this little girl, he just at needs some time. Please keep us update on his progress.

[BayleighL]

We have used the separate room method of introduction with cats and dogs. It worked well. The main thing is not, when the existing pet become curious, to shoo them away. As soon as possible let them go nose to nose with lots of love for the existing pet. With a cat and dog it was important that the dog quit "tracking" on the cat smell. Not sure that's as important with same species.

[Jkpal]

Let them get together, take them out for a walk...or just let 'em bounce around in yard! Just be sure you're nearby in case there are any misunderstandings while they're getting to know one another. I think you made a hugely right decision in adopting your little girl and I think you'll all make a wonderful, fun family!!

[matese]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Let them get together, take them out for a walk...or just let 'em bounce around in yard! Just be sure you're nearby in case there are any misunderstandings while they're getting to know one another. I think you made a hugely right decision in adopting your little girl and I think you'll all make a wonderful, fun family!!

A walk together, fantastic, now why did I not think to suggest this lol.

Yes walking them on leash together is a fantastic way to get them close together, yet distracted from one another. Since little girl has had all her shots she is safe to go out. Be sure to make your male # 1 in everything, first to get his food, first to be handed a treat, first to be greeted when you go out and return home. This way he won't feel he is being replaced.

[canana]

I brought home Casie because I think a second dog does add value to Scottie's life. Even if he seemed to hate her a lot at first. Dogs love company and I just couldn't stand leaving him home alone every day when I went to work.

When they're home now, all they do is sleep. But just knowing someone else is around is comforting. I didn't want Scottie to be home alone and depressed. Hehe..
Not to mention, Casie has the energy to play chase and steal toys with Scottie a lot better than I can.

I do think the older they get, the harder it may be to become accustomed to a new pet at home. I would assume it's just a matter of time though. With your case, it seems your Yorkie has always been in the company of other pets, so it shouldn't be a problem!

**So excited for you that you adopted your new baby! I would also take them out for a first walk together. I also did the slow transition when bringing Casie home. I monitored them a lot before letting them spend time together under my supervision. Enjoy this fun time!!