Unlike humans, dogs, and therefore Yorkshires Terriers, are considered mature at puberty. At this age, their behavior changes. However, if you have a baby Yorkie, you may be wondering when you can separate him from his mother, and in the meantime, how to look after him. Here’s our advice on how to make the most of this delicate period, and how to care for your little Yorkie properly.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES IN THE GROWTH OF A LITTLE YORKSHIRE TERRIER?
From birth to 7 weeks, Yorkies are still newborns. They can double in weight within 10 days of birth. During these first 7 weeks, Yorkie babies must be breastfed by their mother. However, in some cases, the mother may not be able to feed all her offspring due to weight or health problems. In this case, Yorkies should be bottle-fed.
At 3 weeks of age, puppies become more active and start to explore their environment. Their vision is already developed, but they still need to develop their sense of smell. At this stage, your little Yorkies will start to play and even try barking.
Around the fourth or fifth week of age, puppies will start weaning and move on to more solid foods. Their training should start at this age. In fact, your little Yorkies can know their name by 6 weeks.
Around 8 weeks, a Yorkie becomes a real puppy. This is the ideal age to train him and teach him obedience and the rules you want to impose on him. It’s also the ideal age to separate a Yorkie from its mother.
baby yorkie
HOW TO CARE FOR A YORKIE BABY?
To care for a Yorkie baby, you first need to think about caring for its mother. If the mother is weak or malnourished, she won’t be able to feed her puppies properly. Make sure she drinks plenty of water, so that she gets enough milk. Yorkie puppies can also scratch their mother during feeding. To prevent the mother from being in pain every time her puppies feed, take care to trim the puppies’ nails.
The second thing to watch out for is the weight of your little Yorkies. Keep a close eye on their growth and take them to the vet if they fail to gain weight.
When puppies are 3 weeks old, they will need to be dewormed. The vet will prescribe the right worming medication and dose according to your Yorkies’ weight.
As for the place where your puppies live, whether it’s a box or a crate, it’s important to keep it clean and tidy on a daily basis. Remember to cover the bottom with soft fabrics to make it as comfortable as possible for your puppies. And don’t forget to offer them a place to relieve themselves. It’s important to potty train them from an early age.
At 6 to 7 weeks of age, puppies will receive their first series of vaccinations. These will protect them from diseases such as parvovirus, hepatitis and distemper. Only once these vaccinations have been given can your puppies be put up for adoption.
Finally, don’t forget to give your little Yorkies plenty of affection. Puppies need to be socialized as soon as possible, to get them used to the presence and contact of humans.