He is 3 1/2 years old. He has had all shots and has been neutered. I will be able to take him home to see if he is adjustable to me and my home. Is there anything I should know about this type of dog – other than them having dental issues.
He’s a terrier 
They’re very loyal little dogs. Let him come to you and set the tone initially. They can be hard to house train. Take him out every hour, out the same door and tell him what you’re doing – going potty, let’s go outside, whatever you will use each and every time you want him to know why he’s going out. When he does potty, praise him – good boy! Little boys always pee more than once! Give him a little time to take care of business. Keep him within eyesight. Try to baby gate off other areas of the house so that he can’t sneak off and do his business. He needs to get used to you and the house and your routine. After you see if he’s house trained and is paying attention at your house, you can relax the area to which he is allowed. After a few days you can length the time between potty breaks too. You’re trying to develop a habit. He really doesn’t have to go that often
If you’re going out, put him in a comfortable kennel. We use wire kennels because they can see their surroundings. Find a place for his kennel in your living area. Don’t stuff him off in the garage or area which makes him feel apart from what has become ‘normal’ for him. Don’t apologize for putting him in a kennel. Give him something good to chew on while you’re gone, smile, tell him he’s a good boy, close the kennel and tell him you’ll be back soon. When you get home, don’t make a fuss. Get him out to potty first. Then you can play with him. Don’t use a kennel as punishment for anything. Don’t hit/yell. These are very sensitive dogs. And, they’re smart!
Little dogs also need good nutrition. If you can find Innova, it’s small enough and very nutritious. It’s expensive, but heck, for a little dog – he’s not going to each much anyway. He’ll stay healthier and you’ll be much happier with a well nourished dog. If you’re changing food, many dogs develop a short period of gastric distress (they get the runs). All you have to do is give him a few tablespoons of pure canned pumpkin (no spices) with each meal. Feed him morning and evening. If you’re changing to a holistic food like Innova (which contains no corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives) I allow them to eat as much as they want at the beginning. They look like they’re going to over-eat for about three days, and then all of a sudden, food isn’t as important anymore and they hardly eat much at all! The high nutrition they receive slows them down on their own. There are, however, a few dogs that will eat till they spit whole kibble 
If he’s one of them, you’ll have to portion his food, even from the beginning.
Rescues from a puppy mill may have some issues. House training is probably one of the biggest hurdles. If he starts lifting his leg in the house, you can get a ‘belly band’ http://www.dog-breeds.net/dog_diaper_belly_band.htm That’s only one of the many links. You can search for ‘dog belly band’ and come up with more. This is temporary. It keeps your house clean while you’re teaching him the habit of going outside. It works!
Another issue may be that he’s not well socialized. Again, just be patient. Gentle, loving touch. Any strangers should do the same. Let him come up to them. Please don’t let people corner him. He’s a little guy and will probably scare easily.
If you’re working with a rescue, call them if you have questions about issues. I’m sure they’ll be more willing to help. If he has issues and you need a little longer for your trial period, ask the rescue if they’ll allow that. That you’d like to continue, with their help. Most good rescues are more than happy to be a little flexible with an adoption of this type.
Bless your heart for taking in a puppy mill dog. With your patience and love, I’m sure you’ll have a great companion for many years.
p.s. Stay away – far away – from the heavy-handed alpha training techniques you may find on TV!! This dog will need positive training when you’re ready. For some very good information go to http://www.patriciamcconnell.com
Tags: puppy, Yorkie, yorkshire terrier yorkie
Give them plenty of space but still give them love. They love to chew on everything, even at adult age.
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So, got papers, and not inbred, causing health issues.
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biology
They break easily. We were at the emergency vets one night a woman came in with one in her hands and said it fell off the back of the couch and they thought it’s back was broken
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They tend to have a lot of heart issues as they age. Some of that is related to their terrible dental issues, just like it can be in humans.
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well you say in your question he is from a puppy mill so that would mean he’s not very use to people, so make sure as soon as he adjusts you get him use to people, get people to give him treats and such. good luck.
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don’t get a dog from the puppy mill it supports that!!!!!!
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good stir-fry with rice yummmm
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Best ask the rescue. Be sure and give him a couple weeks to adjust, especially with him, being he’s been in a puppy mill. It may take a month or so.
Edit: The rescue has probably worked on the behavior issues, and has deemed this dog to be adoptable. We had a Beagle that was rescued from a puppy mill, and haven’t had any problems with her at all. We got her when she was 10 years old, and had her until 14, when she needed to be put to sleep. She was in good health..surprisingly.
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Lots of issues.
You will have to teach him everything. How to walk up stairs, walk on linoleum/wood floors, etc. Potty training, too. This will be very hard, as by now they are used to defecating in their crates and crating probably will not help.
Maybe proper etiquette with other dogs? He may not have learned that because he might have been taken away from his mother too early…
People etiquette, too. No jumping on them, etc.
Getting him used to a leash, collar, and more.
And lots of psychological problems, too.
Puppy mill dogs are messes. They are just sad. I’m glad you’re fostering one(as I think that may be the term you’re looking for), thank you for making a difference in the life of a dog.
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I heard they are very yappy and you wont get any sleep the first night xD Lots of sass and power in a little dog, and a little slow on learning. also not really a lap dog, they are like roomates lol
I would research the mill(most suck), because a lot of times they advertise that a dog is healthy or nice but has issues. they dont shed much but have soft lovely coats =3 GL~
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Dogs from puppy mills often have special behavioral needs – growing up in a wire cage doesn’t give them great social skills. Here are some articles from the ASPCA on working with puppy mill dogs:
http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/185/Adopting-a-Puppy-Mill-Dog.aspx
http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/184/House-Training-Your-Puppy-Mill-Dog.aspx
Good luck with your new little guy! Be patient, most of these dogs will come around with time and love.
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Virtual Pet Behaviorist
http://www.aspcabehavior.org
be careful around it. don’t test its limits until you know what it doesn’t like and does like. i saved my dog from a puppy mill and i figured out that she has some food aggression and have a territorial issue over her one toy. i learned to avoid those anger problems.
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experience
They are incredibly difficult to potty train… at ANY age! Watch out for your little guy lifting his leg. Yorkies are normally a one owner dog. They choose a certain owner and stick to him/her. You will absolutely fall in love with him.
In addition, he needs to be brushed at least a couple of times a week. They get tiny snarles that end up pulling from their skin and causing pain.
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Grooming is also a concern. With long coats they need daily brushing. If he has been stripped and you like that it requires professional grooming about every 6-12 weeks. Good luck
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As a puppy mill dog, he’s probably going to have all sorts of behavioural/socialising issues; he will probably be shy (or aggressive, though if he’s been looked at by a shelter they wouldn’t have rehomed him if his behaviour was a problem) and might be afraid of people. I am glad that you’ve saved him from being in that place, but unfortunately there are probably millions of other poor dogs being bred in tiny, dark spaces like that
However, since he’s going to a proper home, hopefully the loving and nurturing environment will help to make him more confident and welcoming to people.
Also, as a result of being bred in a mill, there is a good chance that he will develop health problems, as dogs in puppy mills are sometimes interbred, and at the very least, being kept in such tight conditions so close to other dogs isn’t good for their health. However, if he has had his shots and been neutered, that will probably make problems less likely to arise. Of course he might be one of the lucky ones and not suffer any real issues at all.
I hope he has a long and healthy life
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Books, websites, documentaries etc
Don’t worry…Patience, patience, patience! Read some articles on caring for puppy mill dogs and watch/read Cesar Milan; he is an amazing rehibilitator! And, Good for you, SO great to hear someone adopting!
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The big thing is consistency, and as others have said … patience. Expect it to take 8 months to a year to get this dog comfortable with the routine, housebroken and socialized. Remember all dogs need to have a pack leader, and that’s you. DO give him his own bed/crate area, but do NOT leave the dog alone until he’s acclimated. Routines are critical… wake up.. exercise… feed… toilet same time same way every day. Same thing again at night. Over and over… consistency. And I will echo… God bless you for adopting. Good luck with your new dog. Patience and love, or as Cesar would say… Exercise, Discipline, and Affection.. in that order. Seriously – also get some of Cesar Millan’s materials. Very good for rehabbing dogs.
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He’s a terrier
They’re very loyal little dogs. Let him come to you and set the tone initially. They can be hard to house train. Take him out every hour, out the same door and tell him what you’re doing – going potty, let’s go outside, whatever you will use each and every time you want him to know why he’s going out. When he does potty, praise him – good boy! Little boys always pee more than once! Give him a little time to take care of business. Keep him within eyesight. Try to baby gate off other areas of the house so that he can’t sneak off and do his business. He needs to get used to you and the house and your routine. After you see if he’s house trained and is paying attention at your house, you can relax the area to which he is allowed. After a few days you can length the time between potty breaks too. You’re trying to develop a habit. He really doesn’t have to go that often 
If you’re going out, put him in a comfortable kennel. We use wire kennels because they can see their surroundings. Find a place for his kennel in your living area. Don’t stuff him off in the garage or area which makes him feel apart from what has become ‘normal’ for him. Don’t apologize for putting him in a kennel. Give him something good to chew on while you’re gone, smile, tell him he’s a good boy, close the kennel and tell him you’ll be back soon. When you get home, don’t make a fuss. Get him out to potty first. Then you can play with him. Don’t use a kennel as punishment for anything. Don’t hit/yell. These are very sensitive dogs. And, they’re smart!
Little dogs also need good nutrition. If you can find Innova, it’s small enough and very nutritious. It’s expensive, but heck, for a little dog – he’s not going to each much anyway. He’ll stay healthier and you’ll be much happier with a well nourished dog. If you’re changing food, many dogs develop a short period of gastric distress (they get the runs). All you have to do is give him a few tablespoons of pure canned pumpkin (no spices) with each meal. Feed him morning and evening. If you’re changing to a holistic food like Innova (which contains no corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives) I allow them to eat as much as they want at the beginning. They look like they’re going to over-eat for about three days, and then all of a sudden, food isn’t as important anymore and they hardly eat much at all! The high nutrition they receive slows them down on their own. There are, however, a few dogs that will eat till they spit whole kibble
If he’s one of them, you’ll have to portion his food, even from the beginning.
Rescues from a puppy mill may have some issues. House training is probably one of the biggest hurdles. If he starts lifting his leg in the house, you can get a ‘belly band’ http://www.dog-breeds.net/dog_diaper_belly_band.htm That’s only one of the many links. You can search for ‘dog belly band’ and come up with more. This is temporary. It keeps your house clean while you’re teaching him the habit of going outside. It works!
Another issue may be that he’s not well socialized. Again, just be patient. Gentle, loving touch. Any strangers should do the same. Let him come up to them. Please don’t let people corner him. He’s a little guy and will probably scare easily.
If you’re working with a rescue, call them if you have questions about issues. I’m sure they’ll be more willing to help. If he has issues and you need a little longer for your trial period, ask the rescue if they’ll allow that. That you’d like to continue, with their help. Most good rescues are more than happy to be a little flexible with an adoption of this type.
Bless your heart for taking in a puppy mill dog. With your patience and love, I’m sure you’ll have a great companion for many years.
p.s. Stay away – far away – from the heavy-handed alpha training techniques you may find on TV!! This dog will need positive training when you’re ready. For some very good information go to http://www.patriciamcconnell.com
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Many years of experience with thousands of small breeds dogs (i.e. terriers).
I’m so glad you’re doing that! I’ve rescued Yorkies taken from mills before, and they can be a handful, but they need good homes.
Here’s a couple of tips, though:
Make sure that you speak to the shelter people about his history. Depending on the shelter, the workers might have given the dog a behavioral test (many shelters do not do this, but it’s worth checking into). If the dog has any problems or things he needs to work on, they can hopefully tell you. That will help with your own training.
As for when you get home…
If you know anything about mills (and I’m sure you do), you’re aware that your dog probably came from a cramped cage and that he was never or rarely handled by humans. He’ll likely be fearful of humans and other dogs, will have no training at all, and will likely come with a bevy of behavioral issues. These can usually all be remedied, but it’s going to take a lot of patience on your part.
Dogs from mills often have aggression/fear issues. They think humans are going to hit them and that they’ll have to fight with other dogs for food and water. Given enough time and love, your dog will realize that humans aren’t to be feared, but be careful at first around small children and other dogs. I’ve never really had serious problems with aggression in any of my Yorkies, but don’t leave your little guy alone with other dogs until you’re sure your Yorkie won’t attack or be attacked. Also, don’t worry if your Yorkie doesn’t warm up to you right away. Yorkies are affectionate dogs, but again, yours probably hasn’t been touched by humans in a very long time. Just be patient…and buy his love with treats. That always works.
The biggest problem with mill dogs, though, is potty training. Remember, these dogs have spent their entire lives eliminating where they slept. Their messes were likely never cleaned, so the dogs lose the natural aversion to their own waste. Potty training is sometimes a little more difficult, because you have to undo all of their bad habits first. Regular methods of potty training will work just fine, but they’ll probably take a little longer. Your best bet would be to keep the dog with you at all times for a couple of weeks or even months. Don’t let him run through the house until you’re absolutely certain the training is complete.
Honestly, though, while my warnings may sound dire, you’re in for a lot of fun. Yorkies are such wonderful dogs–they love their humans, are smart and energetic, and mill dogs aren’t any different. They just take a little longer to train and require more love…but you know that going in, or you wouldn’t be asking this question.
Good luck!
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Puppy mill dogs live in cages. They are not potty trained and they have no training or manners what so ever. They are usually grateful and sweet when you save them and I believe they know that they have beeen saved. The ones that were rescued that I know are great dogs. Just work hard and be patient with the potty training.
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