Should I get a dog?

[crawlin]

Hi wondered if u could help me please, I am interested in getting a yorkshire terrier from a puppy, My mother in law had one of these dogs and I loved it. I have 2 children though and live in a town, so would the puppy be ok while I leave it to collect children from school etc? I have to get my little boy from school at different time as he is only doing part time at the moment. Wondered what u all felt? thanks

[Whoops]

Sounds like u have enough time for a dog. Ask yourself can you afford it though? Dog food? Dog Vets? emergency? Lots of expensives.
Just make sure you can afford the proper care not generic treatment for your dog and that you are willing to train this dog too. Check out classes to start you off so you can have a happy healthy puppy.
And dogs can be left alone for a few hours so no problem there.
Good luck

[crawlin]

thanks for the reply, I do have lots of time during the day, but want to make sure that the dog would get on with the kids. Dont want to stress it out by leaving it for school visits though and nipping down town!

[crawlin]

are small dogs ok with children though, as my children are 7 and 4 years old? thanks in advance

[Soleil]

Yorkshire 'Terrors' tend to be excitable, but do not do well with energetic small children. They can bite, and although they are a small dog, do become aggressive if overwhelmed. Also due to thier size, kids may accidentaly hurt the dog. These, of course, are not reasons NOT to get a Yorkie, but must be thought about beforehand. Also smaller breeds tend to live longer, we've had ours for 14 years, and she shows no signs of slowing down!!
Also, because they are terriers, they are bred to bark and have a high prey drive. But with training they do make wonderfull pets.
If you are concerned with leaving the dog for any length of time, there is one simple solution- bring the dog with you!! Not only does this serve to socialize the animal, but due to the terriers small size you can usually bring the dog into buildings that would be off limits to a larger breed.
Good luck with your decision!

Soleil

[crawlin]

Thanks for the reply, would not want the kids to get hurt though! I do understand that u can train a dog to get used to kids and not to bark so much. There are certain places I cant take dog though, such as school playground as not allowed and my children are too small to be picked up at the gate. Thanks for your help.

[brandy pup]

You may want to consider an adult dog since you have small chidren in the house.

CHOOSING A DOG
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/choose.htm

FINDING A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER
http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html

[crawlin]

just wanted to let u all know that we got a 7 week old yorkshire terrier at the weekend. Gets on great with the kids and the breeder said if we bring it up with the kids it will be fine with them. I have also left it to get kids from school and he has slept through. Time for his first jabs tomorrow night. Thanks for all the help.

[Pet Flare]

Terriors are great with children. And they really don't take up alot of room. Quite frankly with 2 children the dog would get enough attention, I feel. And I also think it would be health for the children to take care of another being (a puppy).
Kristina

[crawlin]

thanks for the reply , kids love him and he love them.