Yorkie Rescue and Adoption Tips

Have you been dreaming of doing a Yorkie rescue? The great thing is that there are lots of shelters and rescue groups out there that are filled with dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. These animals are in need of loving homes including a Yorkie rescue. In fact, the Humane Society of the United States estimates that around 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds.  In this article, you’ll learn some tips about adopting a dog or doing a Yorkie rescue.

Yorkie Rescue: Is Adoption for You?

Tip #1: Consider your lifestyle.

One of the most important things you need to consider before making a decision to adopt a Yorkie or any kind of dog breed for this matter is the kind of lifestyle you have. You have to determine how much time can you spend with a Yorkie rescue dog. Are you a busy, single person with an active social life? Or perhaps you are a mom with kids and errands?

All kinds of lifestyles can surely accommodate any dog, however, there’s definitely a big difference between adopting a pup who’s not yet housetrained, and an adult dog that’s more disciplined and just willing to hang out or sleep whenever you’re out of the house.

You need to also consider the energy level of the dog, its size and all the expenses that comes along with it such as food, shelter, vet care, emergency care, grooming needs and other necessities.

It’s also important to note that there are Yorkie rescue dogs that are much easier to train than others. Keep in mind that the terrier breed are generally stubborn and tenacious which can be quite challenging and intimidating for a first – time owners especially those who absolutely don’t have any prior experience. You might want to stick to a dog that doesn’t have as challenging a temperament.

Tip #2: Consider your children

If you happen to have children who are still a toddler, or perhaps under seven years of age, then it’s best that you seek help from a professional trainer to accompany you when it comes to picking out the right Yorkie rescue dog. You would want to choose a pup that has the right temperament because according to statistics, the ages of two and seven are the largest populations to suffer dog bites.

Tip #3: Choose a shelter wisely

Ideally, you want to rescue a Yorkie from a legit local shelter or animal rescue group that’s well – maintained. However, try not to judge a facility from its exterior or discriminate between a no – kill shelter that doesn’t euthanize any dogs, and a city shelter with a euthanasia policy. Be sure to walk around and look in every kennel so you can choose the best possible option.

Tip #4: Assess the Yorkie rescue dog’s temperament and sociability

A Yorkie rescue dog who looks back at you with soft, blinking eyes, low, wagging tail, a relaxed forehead, ears back and a spine that is not rigid can be considered a friendly dog.

Another test you can do is by simply closing your hand into a loose fist; you can then offer the back of your knuckles to the pup you’re eyeing, and make sure that it is at the height of his head. Once you do, you can then move your fist and turn it into a little square just around four inches in each direction. Hold your fist for about two seconds at each point.

Usually, the friendliest Yorkie rescue dogs will nuzzle or lick your knuckles at three out of the four corners of the square. You can easily identify a problematic dog because they won’t usually come to your fist, and most likely will sniff and jump away if you offer your close knuckles to them. Still, be sure to ask about the dog’s history and behavior.

Tip #5: Dog proof your home

You need to look at your space from a dog’s eye or point of view. You need to remove hazardous items such as wires, electrical cords, toys, shoes, bags or anything that you think the puppy can grab or chew on. Otherwise your Yorkie will most likely destroy anything that it comes across. If you plan to let your Yorkie out in the yard, make sure it’s fully enclosed and that your dog can’t dig his way out.

Tip #6: Stock up on basic supplies.

Make sure to provide your pet with food and water bowls, leash and collar as well as a travel carrier shelter as these things will come in handy when you bring your Yorkie rescue dog to other places. It’s also very important to have an ID tag on your new pet’s collar with your information.

You have to include your name and phone number in the ID tag so that he/ she can easily be brought back to you if you lost him/ her.

Also, you want to find out what your dog was fed at the shelter or rescue home. And this is because it’s best to start with a food they’re familiar with before making the transition to another food. If you do need to change your pet’s diet, do it gradually in order to avoid any stomach upset.

In addition to all these, make to provide toys and treats on hand as well as cleaning supplies. Nature’s Miracle is an example of a great odor – neutralizing cleanser that will remove the smell from any accidents the dog has in the house.

Tip #7: Adopt your dog at the beginning of a weekend and start to bond with it.

You need to spend time with your new Yorkie rescue dog when you first bring him home. If you’re going to be a working pet parent, try to at least take a day off. During those first few days, make sure to put your Yorkie in the part of the house where he will stay while you are at work and as a test, you can practice leaving him for a short period. This will help get your dog get accustomed to seeing you go and knowing that you will always come back.