How to Care for Yorkipoos
Commit to training your Yorkipoo., Socialize your Yorkipoo., Use reward-based training., Teach your dog basic commands., Talk with the breeder about your Yorkipoo's health., Get your dog regular veterinary care., Get your dog used to teeth...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Commit to training your Yorkipoo.
Start training your Yorkipoo as soon as you get your dog.
You'll need to spend the time teaching your Yorkipoo house rules (like where to toilet), as well as any behavioral rules that are important to you (like no jumping on people).
If you don't think you'll have time to train during the first three to six months that you own your Yorkipoo, rethink your decision to adopt one.
One animal shelter study showed that 21% of the people surrendering their dogs gave them up because of the time, money, and effort required.
The biggest reason dogs end up in animal shelters is because of bad behavior. -
Step 2: Socialize your Yorkipoo.
Take your Yorkipoo on car rides, visits to parks, and short walks around the neighborhood.
Just make sure he's had his first set of vaccinations before exposing him to others.
He should interact with men, women and children in a positive way so he isn’t scared of a certain sex or size of people.
You may want to enroll your Yorkipoo in an obedience training or puppy socialization class.
Ask your veterinarian or local pet store to recommend one.
Avoid bringing home a Yorkipoo if you have very young children.
This is more to protect your Yorkipoo, which can be accidentally injured because of his small size., One of the best ways to teach basic commands is to use the reward-based training system.
To do so, reward your dog when he obeys the command or makes a move in the right direction.
Try offering a small food reward for obedience.
Make sure you're consistent in your expectations and rewards.
Never reward bad behavior.
Don't forget that verbal praise is also a reward for your dog., You'll probably want your dog to respond to simple commands like "stay"
"sit"
or "down".
Choose a training time when you have your Yorkipoo's full attention.
Show your dog a treat, work with him while stating the command, and immediately reward obedience or positive efforts.For example, to teach your dog how to sit have him stand in front of you.
Make sure he's paying attention and sees that you have a treat between your fingers.
Once he focuses on the treat, hold it a few inches above his head and slowly move it back between his ears.
He'll naturally follow it back and begin to sit.
Tell him to "sit" as he does this and immediately give him the treat, saying "good, sit" at the same time. , Make sure your Yorkipoo's breeder has had your Yorkipoo examined by a veterinarian at six weeks of age.
Your Yorkipoo should also already have his first distemper shot and a dewormer to kill internal parasites.Ask for a bill or invoice from the veterinarian to ensure these were done and always work with a reputable dog breeder. , Your Yorkipoo will need another dose of dewormer two weeks after his initial treatment.
This will kill any residual worms.
Your Yorkipoo will also need a distemper booster 3 to 4 weeks after the initial distemper shot.
If your dog is over a year old, he'll need an annual exam and vaccine booster.
Once he's 10 years of age, he'll need two exams a year.
If your Yorkipoo is a puppy, make sure to follow this veterinary schedule:8 weeks of age:
Heartworm preventative (then once a month during heartworm season or depending on your veterinarian's recommendation) 9 weeks of age:
Lyme vaccine 12 weeks of age:
Lyme booster, Rabies vaccine 6 months of age:
Spay or neuter , Place a small bit of dog toothpaste on your finger and let him lick it off.
Place a little toothpaste on the toothbrush and wipe it along his gums.
Once he's comfortable with that, place some toothpaste on the brush and rub it along the gums and outer surfaces of the outer teeth.
Work your way up to being able to brush the outer surfaces of all the teeth.You don’t need to try to brush the inner teeth since most plaque attacks the outer teeth. , The veterinarian will check your Yorkipoo's teeth at his annual exam.
Even with daily brushing, your Yorkipoo may need a professional cleaning to remove bacteria and plaque which collects under the gums.
Consider taking your Yorkipoo for a professional cleaning once every year or so.When you brush your Yorkipoo's teeth, always check for any sores, growths in the mouth, or loose teeth.
If you find any, take your dog to the vet for an exam. , Since the Yorkipoo is a mixed breed, he's susceptible to the same health problems which affect Yorkie and Poodle breeds.
Discuss any health concerns with the veterinarian.
Keep in mind that your Yorkipoo may be prone to the following:
Dental problems:
Gum disease and bad breath are common since it's difficult to clean inside the Yorkipoo's tiny mouth.
Injuries:
Mishandling a Yorkipoo can cause injury because the dog is so tiny.
Watch him around small children or larger dogs.
Keep your Yorkipoo on a leash and by your side when you're out.
Patellar (kneecap) luxation:
The kneecap slips out of place in varying degrees.
Some dogs are mildly affected while others are crippled and need surgery.
Collapsing trachea:
The trachea collapses in varying degrees.
This is usually caused by pressure from pulling on collars.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease:
A problem with blood supply to the thigh bone where it meets the pelvis can cause limping and muscle atrophy.
Surgery can treat this disease. , Purchase a commercial dog food that lists meat as one of the first two ingredients on the nutrition label.
Avoid products that are full of meat by-products or filler.
Since Yorkipoo's are known for having dental problems, look for a food that's formulated to grind plaque and bacteria off the teeth.
You can also ask your veterinarian to recommend the right food for your Yorkipoo.
Always offer your dog fresh, clean water throughout the day.
If you'd like to make your own dog food, consider developing a diet with an animal nutrition professional.
This ensures that your dog is getting a balanced diet with all the nutrients he needs., To keep your Yorkipoo a healthy weight, keep snacks to a minimum.
When you do want to reward your dog, give him a few pieces of his normal dog food (especially dental foods), low-calorie dog treats, baby carrots, or a few low-sodium canned green beans.
Keep in mind there are some human foods that you should never your Yorkipoo since they can make your dog sick or can kill him.
Avoid giving your dog:
Alcohol Avocados Chocolate Grapes and raisins Macadamia nuts Fatty meat scraps Cooked bones or chicken bones in general Onions, garlic and chives Yeast dough Xylitol (found in sugar-free foods, including some peanut butters) , Your Yorkipoo's coat will depend on whether he takes after his Poodle or Yorkie parent.
Brush your dog's coat at least once a week to keep his fur clear of tangles and mats.If he takes after his poodle parent, you'll probably need to take him to a professional groomer every 4 to 6 weeks for a proper trim.
Don't forget to check your dog's coat for fleas, ticks, lumps, bumps, cysts, scabs, scratches, or redness.
Treat your dog for any fleas or ticks.
Monitor any skin irritation and contact the vet if you're concerned. , Look at your dog's nails every week to see if they're getting long.
You'll probably only need to clip them once or twice a month.If they need trimming, clip just the tips.
Take care to avoid cutting the quick (the part of the nail where blood vessels and sensitive nerves grow).
The quick appears as a pink triangle on white nails.
It may be harder to find on dark nails, so ask a veterinary technician to show you how to trim dark nails. -
Step 3: Use reward-based training.
-
Step 4: Teach your dog basic commands.
-
Step 5: Talk with the breeder about your Yorkipoo's health.
-
Step 6: Get your dog regular veterinary care.
-
Step 7: Get your dog used to teeth brushing.
-
Step 8: Get professional dental care.
-
Step 9: Be aware of potential health problems.
-
Step 10: Choose a high-quality food.
-
Step 11: Offer treats sparingly.
-
Step 12: Groom your dog's coat.
-
Step 13: Trim your Yorkipoo's nails.
Detailed Guide
Start training your Yorkipoo as soon as you get your dog.
You'll need to spend the time teaching your Yorkipoo house rules (like where to toilet), as well as any behavioral rules that are important to you (like no jumping on people).
If you don't think you'll have time to train during the first three to six months that you own your Yorkipoo, rethink your decision to adopt one.
One animal shelter study showed that 21% of the people surrendering their dogs gave them up because of the time, money, and effort required.
The biggest reason dogs end up in animal shelters is because of bad behavior.
Take your Yorkipoo on car rides, visits to parks, and short walks around the neighborhood.
Just make sure he's had his first set of vaccinations before exposing him to others.
He should interact with men, women and children in a positive way so he isn’t scared of a certain sex or size of people.
You may want to enroll your Yorkipoo in an obedience training or puppy socialization class.
Ask your veterinarian or local pet store to recommend one.
Avoid bringing home a Yorkipoo if you have very young children.
This is more to protect your Yorkipoo, which can be accidentally injured because of his small size., One of the best ways to teach basic commands is to use the reward-based training system.
To do so, reward your dog when he obeys the command or makes a move in the right direction.
Try offering a small food reward for obedience.
Make sure you're consistent in your expectations and rewards.
Never reward bad behavior.
Don't forget that verbal praise is also a reward for your dog., You'll probably want your dog to respond to simple commands like "stay"
"sit"
or "down".
Choose a training time when you have your Yorkipoo's full attention.
Show your dog a treat, work with him while stating the command, and immediately reward obedience or positive efforts.For example, to teach your dog how to sit have him stand in front of you.
Make sure he's paying attention and sees that you have a treat between your fingers.
Once he focuses on the treat, hold it a few inches above his head and slowly move it back between his ears.
He'll naturally follow it back and begin to sit.
Tell him to "sit" as he does this and immediately give him the treat, saying "good, sit" at the same time. , Make sure your Yorkipoo's breeder has had your Yorkipoo examined by a veterinarian at six weeks of age.
Your Yorkipoo should also already have his first distemper shot and a dewormer to kill internal parasites.Ask for a bill or invoice from the veterinarian to ensure these were done and always work with a reputable dog breeder. , Your Yorkipoo will need another dose of dewormer two weeks after his initial treatment.
This will kill any residual worms.
Your Yorkipoo will also need a distemper booster 3 to 4 weeks after the initial distemper shot.
If your dog is over a year old, he'll need an annual exam and vaccine booster.
Once he's 10 years of age, he'll need two exams a year.
If your Yorkipoo is a puppy, make sure to follow this veterinary schedule:8 weeks of age:
Heartworm preventative (then once a month during heartworm season or depending on your veterinarian's recommendation) 9 weeks of age:
Lyme vaccine 12 weeks of age:
Lyme booster, Rabies vaccine 6 months of age:
Spay or neuter , Place a small bit of dog toothpaste on your finger and let him lick it off.
Place a little toothpaste on the toothbrush and wipe it along his gums.
Once he's comfortable with that, place some toothpaste on the brush and rub it along the gums and outer surfaces of the outer teeth.
Work your way up to being able to brush the outer surfaces of all the teeth.You don’t need to try to brush the inner teeth since most plaque attacks the outer teeth. , The veterinarian will check your Yorkipoo's teeth at his annual exam.
Even with daily brushing, your Yorkipoo may need a professional cleaning to remove bacteria and plaque which collects under the gums.
Consider taking your Yorkipoo for a professional cleaning once every year or so.When you brush your Yorkipoo's teeth, always check for any sores, growths in the mouth, or loose teeth.
If you find any, take your dog to the vet for an exam. , Since the Yorkipoo is a mixed breed, he's susceptible to the same health problems which affect Yorkie and Poodle breeds.
Discuss any health concerns with the veterinarian.
Keep in mind that your Yorkipoo may be prone to the following:
Dental problems:
Gum disease and bad breath are common since it's difficult to clean inside the Yorkipoo's tiny mouth.
Injuries:
Mishandling a Yorkipoo can cause injury because the dog is so tiny.
Watch him around small children or larger dogs.
Keep your Yorkipoo on a leash and by your side when you're out.
Patellar (kneecap) luxation:
The kneecap slips out of place in varying degrees.
Some dogs are mildly affected while others are crippled and need surgery.
Collapsing trachea:
The trachea collapses in varying degrees.
This is usually caused by pressure from pulling on collars.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease:
A problem with blood supply to the thigh bone where it meets the pelvis can cause limping and muscle atrophy.
Surgery can treat this disease. , Purchase a commercial dog food that lists meat as one of the first two ingredients on the nutrition label.
Avoid products that are full of meat by-products or filler.
Since Yorkipoo's are known for having dental problems, look for a food that's formulated to grind plaque and bacteria off the teeth.
You can also ask your veterinarian to recommend the right food for your Yorkipoo.
Always offer your dog fresh, clean water throughout the day.
If you'd like to make your own dog food, consider developing a diet with an animal nutrition professional.
This ensures that your dog is getting a balanced diet with all the nutrients he needs., To keep your Yorkipoo a healthy weight, keep snacks to a minimum.
When you do want to reward your dog, give him a few pieces of his normal dog food (especially dental foods), low-calorie dog treats, baby carrots, or a few low-sodium canned green beans.
Keep in mind there are some human foods that you should never your Yorkipoo since they can make your dog sick or can kill him.
Avoid giving your dog:
Alcohol Avocados Chocolate Grapes and raisins Macadamia nuts Fatty meat scraps Cooked bones or chicken bones in general Onions, garlic and chives Yeast dough Xylitol (found in sugar-free foods, including some peanut butters) , Your Yorkipoo's coat will depend on whether he takes after his Poodle or Yorkie parent.
Brush your dog's coat at least once a week to keep his fur clear of tangles and mats.If he takes after his poodle parent, you'll probably need to take him to a professional groomer every 4 to 6 weeks for a proper trim.
Don't forget to check your dog's coat for fleas, ticks, lumps, bumps, cysts, scabs, scratches, or redness.
Treat your dog for any fleas or ticks.
Monitor any skin irritation and contact the vet if you're concerned. , Look at your dog's nails every week to see if they're getting long.
You'll probably only need to clip them once or twice a month.If they need trimming, clip just the tips.
Take care to avoid cutting the quick (the part of the nail where blood vessels and sensitive nerves grow).
The quick appears as a pink triangle on white nails.
It may be harder to find on dark nails, so ask a veterinary technician to show you how to trim dark nails.
About the Author
Steven Allen
Writer and educator with a focus on practical practical skills knowledge.
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