We know you love and care about your Yorkie, but are you sure your pet is getting everything he needs to stay happy and healthy?
Even if you’re doing your best to care for your dog, you might often neglect some things that hurt him. Playtime, adequate meals, and grooming are all essential to keep your Yorkie healthy and thriving.
What if you’re accidentally doing something that hurts your fur baby?
Don’t worry; we’re here to help!
We’ve listed ten ways you’re hurting your Yorkie without realizing it. With our tips, you’ll better understand your dog and give him the best care possible.
- You Let Him Jump From Heights.
Yorkies are tiny dogs with fragile bones. They’re also active, curious, and love to jump around furniture. This all seems normal, however, jumping from heights is dangerous for them. That’s because their bones can easily break or fracture.
What’s more, frequent jumping on slippery or hard surfaces can lead to wear and tear in their ankles, knees, and hip joints.
Also, jumping from heights can lead to muscle twisting and strains. Even if your dog doesn’t show signs of pain or discomfort, you should never let them jump from sofas, chairs, or other furniture.
One thing you can do is to train your pet to wait for you to help them get down. If you think it’s too late and your dog is already used to jumping down alone, you might need ramps or pet steps to help them get down safely. - You Connect Your Dog’s Leash to His Collar.
Toy breeds are at risk of developing collapsing trachea, which is a condition that occurs when the tracheal rings collapse inward, causing severe respiratory problems. Yorkies are likely to suffer from this condition due to their fragile neck.
Even though it’s often a congenital disease, sometimes it happens when you consistently apply pressure to your pup’s neck. For example, if you’re attaching a leash to your Yorkie’s collar, you’re applying too much pressure on such a fragile neck when your Yorkie pulls while walking them.
It would be best to use a harness instead, as it distributes the tension across the back, chest, and shoulders. - Not Providing Enough Playtime
Yes, not providing enough playtime for your Yorkie can eventually hurt them. Why? Because it’s when your dog releases their energy, bonds with you, and stays active.
Without enough playtime, your dog might develop behavioral problems or become overweight.
Moreover, your dog might become destructive if they don’t release their energy.
On the bright side, depending on your Yorkie’s age, they usually need between 30-60 minutes of playtime per day, which isn’t that long compared to other dog breeds. - You Skip Veterinary Checkups
Like most breeds, regular vet visits are crucial for your Yorkie to stay healthy. Besides, Yorkies are prone to many health issues that often have silent symptoms. If you don’t regularly take your pup to the vet, these symptoms might progress to severe diseases.
For example, luxating patellas, liver shunts, hypoglycemia, and bladder stones are all common in this breed. That’s why you should never neglect vet visits as they’re an excellent opportunity to detect the early signs of these common conditions. And the earlier you find out about any health issues usually means the easier and more effective the treatment will be.
Vet visits are also handy if you have concerns about your Yorkie’s behavior, diet, or exercise needs. - You’re Not Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Yorkies are notorious for chewing each and everything that comes their way. But it doesn’t matter if your Yorkie is a puppy or an adult dog, there’s always a risk of them chewing something valuable.
There’s also the risk of swallowing small objects that might choke your little fur ball.
To prevent this, you should always provide your dog with soft and natural chew toys. Moreover, ensure you don’t have any small objects all over the floor. At some point, your dog will get bored and try to pick up anything they find on their way. - Poor Socialization
Despite their small size and cute appearance, Yorkies can develop many behavioral problems if they’re not properly socialized. This includes aggression towards strangers, non-stop barking, and separation anxiety.
Hanging around other people and animals is vital for your Yorkie’s development. Without proper socialization, your dog can become anxious and aggressive. And if that’s not enough, they can also become noisy barkers, which can disturb your neighbors.
If your dog isn’t comfortable in different settings, it’ll be challenging to take them anywhere. Thus, you’ll miss out on activities you would like to do as a pet parent. - Inadequate Exercise
These tiny fluffy pups need plenty of exercise to stay active and healthy. And yes, we did mention playtime before but they aren’t always the same thing. A nice half-hour-long walk will give your pup enough exercise (but do add some playtime too!).
With no physical stimulation or regular exercise, your Yorkie will become lethargic and bored, which isn’t good for their overall health.
That being said, you should never forget to give your dog 30-40 minutes of daily exercise. - Not Paying Attention to Dental Care
Yorkies are at risk of developing dental problems such as gingivitis, periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and deterioration of jaw bones.
Dental issues can have serious consequences if you don’t treat them, such as losing teeth and severe bacterial infections.
Ideally, you should brush your Yorkie’s teeth daily with toothpaste made especially for dogs. But if you can’t do it daily, even a few times a week will help. That way, you can minimize the chances of your dog developing dental diseases. - Limited Training Sessions
It’s not uncommon for Yorkie owners to neglect training sessions. Yorkies are independent, stubborn, and have a prey drive. All these traits need to be controlled from a young age to avoid having an aggressive Yorkie. And that can be difficult to do.
Since training a Yorkie is challenging, many Yorkie owners aren’t consistent with their it, which results in behavioral issues. That’s why you need to be firm and consistent while training your pup. Use positive reinforcement and avoid punishment, as it only makes things worse. - Poor Diet
There’s a thing dogs love more than anything: eating! Even though Yorkies are tiny and require small food portions, you should never under-feed or over-feed your dog.
The suitable amount of food depends on your dog’s age, size, activity levels, and other factors.
Keep in mind that Yorkies are prone to becoming overweight due to their compact size. As such, it’s essential to keep an eye on their diet. - Allergies
Yorkies are prone to skin allergies, (my Ziggy deals with these quite a bit) which can cause them to itch and scratch excessively. This can lead to skin infections, hair loss, and discomfort.
To prevent this, you should bathe your Yorkie regularly with a mild, hypoallergenic shampoo, and avoid using harsh chemicals. You should also keep your Yorkie’s coat clean and well-groomed, as mats and tangles can trap dirt and bacteria. Daily brushing can become a bonding time with your dog by brushing him every day. - Temperatures
Yorkies are sensitive to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. They can easily overheat or get chilled, which can be dangerous for them. Therefore, you should never leave your Yorkie outside in extreme weather conditions and always provide them with a comfortable indoor environment. You should also avoid taking your Yorkie for walks during the hottest or coldest parts of the day, and use protective clothing or booties if necessary.
To Sum Up
Sometimes we forget that our pets can be as sensitive and needy as we are. With that in mind, you should try to understand their habits and needs so that you’re able to improve their quality of life.
We hope our list of ways you could be hurting your Yorkie without realizing brings some common mistakes to light.
Cathy Bendzunas
Dog Blogger, Former Dog Groomer
I have adored Yorkies for well over 50 years. As a young adult, I began to show and breed them. Now, I just write about them and have several in my little pack of small dogs.
I have had dogs all my life and have trained as a dog groomer. I also have been a kennel worker, worked in a pet hotel through PetSmart, and still am a pet sitter.
Check out my bio for more information about me.