One thing you would do differently...?

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by Judy in Waco

Thank you so much for your honesty! I think all of this information is important for us to hear.

You're welcome. I think it's important to hear the truth too. For a long time I really thought we had done the right thing by getting a second Yorkie but now that they are adults and I can see their full personalities and each of their needs I'm not so sure. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my Riley but...even after much consideration before getting him...I feel I may have done Jo a big injustice and I should have done a couple of things differently. I know new owners are quick to want another Yorkie...after all, they are addictive ...but I just want people to consider the whole picture before rushing out to buy another 'baby'.

[SophieRose]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I would have socialized them more and done more training also.

Also...and some may or may not be honest enough to agree with this one...I would not have gotten a second Yorkie. I thought Jo needed a playpal...Riley doesn't play very often at all...I thought Jo was independant and didn't want to sit with me...in reality Riley is usually on my lap or snuggled up next to me and Jo looks at me with a sad face like that's where he would like to be. Riley is a great companion for Jo, he loves to snuggle...they're great buddies...but...it's a year now after adding Riley and I can see where it may have actually 'hurt' Jo in some ways rather than help him.

I totally agree, although I did come home at lunch time until she (Sophie) was 8, she would have been happier with another pup to snuggle, play with when I wasn't home during those work hours.

When Charlie and I return from our holiday in early July, my goal is to find an older sister for him. Again, this is a great thread. -Deborah

[SophieRose]

I failed to read your post completely, and thank you for expressing your feelings. Honestly, that is my only concern because he has lived a very tough life, and never want him to feel left out again. Perhaps I just need at this time to have play dates with the neighborhood small dogs.

He is the most wonderful senior male and wouldn't want anything to spoil his life experience with me.

[ARCHIE]

I read a book about new pups before getting Buddy and it stated that whatever room you bring you new puppy home to for the first time
that is where he should sleep at night.
I have always felt guilty that I did not put Buddy's crate in my bedroom instead of leaving him all alone in the kitchen, of course with many nightlights on. He never complained which only made me feel worse. Like raising a child
you have to do what YOU want to do. I would never do that again if I were to get another one. Poor thing all alone by himself in a strange house.
How dumb was I? This has and still does bother me that I listened to that dumb book.

[Judy in Waco]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I read a book about new pups before getting Buddy and it stated that whatever room you bring you new puppy home to for the first time
that is where he should sleep at night.
I have always felt guilty that I did not put Buddy's crate in my bedroom instead of leaving him all alone in the kitchen, of course with many nightlights on. He never complained which only made me feel worse. Like raising a child
you have to do what YOU want to do. I would never do that again if I were to get another one. Poor thing all alone by himself in a strange house.
How dumb was I? This has and still does bother me that I listened to that dumb book.

OMG, I want to hug you right now! It's okay...it's obvious you two love each other. Thanks for the honesty, my husband says I pay too much attention to books...I think I'll listen now!

[diggy4]

I regret not taking Bella on more cars rides...not sure if it would have helped but she gets so stressed int he car now. SHe went bye bye about 2 times a week...I guess I would have made a daily car ride with her maybe that would have her more used to the car.?

[littlewhip]

I agree with you diggy, I would have taken them for more car rides, my kids stress out in the car also, and in all honesty i might have stoped at 2, but these little stinkers are so addicting, i fall in love every time i see one, of course im not complaning, i love them all very much

[RLC12345678]

When we first got Hobbs, we thought that hearing him bark was SO CUTE! We would knock on tables and on the walls and stuff and act like someone was knocking at the door and entice Hobbs to bark at it..because it was cute...NOW, however, it sux. I regret that we provoked him to bark as a puppy because now when someone comes to the door, Hobbs won't stop barking. We never did that to Hootie and she hardly EVER barks. She is a year old and I think I've only heard her bark once or twice.

I think socialization is SO IMPORTANT with yorkies. I had a yorkie growing up that was never socialized and she was/is so nervous. I vowed when I got Hootie & hobbs that they would be properly socialized. Even though I never took them to puppy class, I did (and still do) leave them overnight with my sister and parents and have always taken them to different places and let them meet all types of people and other dogs.

[Willow]

I would take more pictures and be more consistant with the potty training!!! LOL

And I wouldn't say boogers when they barked....now they bark anytime someone walks to the door!

[Jenn218]

I wish I hadn't fed Mojo human food or greenies/rawhide. We learned the hard way about complications due to this. And Lily Grace's first owners said they same thing...they learned the hard way about these things.

Also, I wish that I had Mojo around little children more often. He is okay around kids now, but before, I think he was jealous. Lily Grace will be the same way and we wil have to work with her on that.

AND, I wish I had kept nagging my DH to STOP rough housing w/ the dogs. They get soooo hyper and like to play rough sometimes. This is a very hard habbit to break!

I never crated Mojo and we have always had him sleep with us...I have never regretted those choices.

[cheeselover8481]

Like everyone else said, pictures and socialization with dogs (she's real good with people) are the biggest changes I would make. I also wish I took more video tape too.

[TinyBit]

More Pictures, More Pictures, More pictures.
I can't help thinking I don't have enough of them now that he's gone.
Take more than you think you will ever want. and don't care what other people think about, Everyone doesn't understand the love we feel for these little guys.

[Ozzie'sperson]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I would start training earlier and be more consistent!

I think that's the thing for me, too. As my boy is getting up in years, i realize now that if I had done this, I could have enjoyed him more a lot sooner!

[mistyinca]

I feel pretty good about the choices I made with crating and training Chloe. The one thing I wish I had done, however, is get Chloe in with more playgroups before now. She loves big dogs, but is afraid of other yorkies. We just started a so cal meet up group, and it is going to really help her with yorkie socialization, but it will take some time for her to come out of her shell with them.

Oh...and I wish I hadn't had her puppy coat cut off when she started breaking color. I'd have left it there to grow on. Next time...

[Ellie May]

I would have started brushing Ellie's teeth when she was very young. She has periodontal disease now and had to have oral surgery which is very expensive. I would also socialize her more and start vacuuming around her all the time (she barks at it and bites it now).