Yorkie Terrier Puppies: Week-by-Week Care, Feeding & Training Guide
Complete guide to raising Yorkie terrier puppies: age-specific milestones, feeding schedules, potty training timelines, vaccination plans, and first-year costs.
Yorkshire Terrier puppies pack enormous personality into a 4-to-7-pound frame, but their tiny size creates unique challenges that generic puppy guides simply don't address. Hypoglycemia risk, fragile bones, difficult housebreaking, and an extended socialization window all demand breed-specific strategies from day one.
This guide walks you through every developmental stage of your Yorkie terrier puppies — from the moment you bring them home through their first year — with exact feeding portions, realistic training timelines, and cost projections based on 2026 pricing.
When Should You Bring Your Yorkie Puppy Home?
Yorkie terrier puppies should not leave their breeder before 10 to 12 weeks of age — later than many larger breeds. This extended timeline isn't arbitrary; toy breeds are exceptionally vulnerable to hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) during the weaning transition, and the extra weeks with the breeder allow puppies to stabilize their eating patterns and gain critical weight.
Reputable Yorkie breeders following AKC guidelines typically send puppies home between 10 and 12 weeks at a minimum weight of 2 pounds. Puppies under 2 pounds at 10 weeks may need to stay longer. If a breeder offers a Yorkie puppy at 6 or 7 weeks, consider this a significant red flag — early separation increases risk of hypoglycemic crisis and behavioral problems including separation anxiety and poor bite inhibition.
Yorkie Puppy Development Milestones: Week by Week
Understanding what's normal at each stage prevents unnecessary panic and helps you provide appropriate support. Here's what to expect as your Yorkie terrier puppy grows.
| Age Range | Expected Weight | Key Milestones | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 4–8 | 1–2.5 lb (0.5–1.1 kg) | Teeth erupt, weaning begins, first socialization with littermates, eyes and ears fully functional | Handled daily by breeder, exposure to household sounds, start of solid food transition |
| Weeks 8–12 | 2–3.5 lb (0.9–1.6 kg) | Primary socialization window opens, fear periods begin, first vaccinations, crate introduction | Positive exposure to new people/surfaces/sounds, crate training, handling exercises, name recognition |
| Weeks 12–16 | 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg) | Socialization window begins closing, second fear period (weeks 12–14), vaccination boosters, increased confidence | Expanded socialization outings, basic cue training (sit, come), continued potty routine |
| Weeks 16–24 | 4–6 lb (1.8–2.7 kg) | Baby teeth begin falling out, adult coat starts replacing puppy coat, teething peaks, spay/neuter window opens | Safe chew rotation, continued positive reinforcement training, puppy class enrollment |
| 6–12 Months | 5–7 lb (2.3–3.2 kg) | Adult size reached by 8–10 months, full adult coat, sexual maturity, adolescent testing phase | Transition to adult food (around 10–12 months), advanced training, maintained socialization |
Feeding Schedule: Exact Portions for Yorkie Puppies
Yorkie puppies have tiny stomachs and fast metabolisms, making frequent, measured meals essential. Free-feeding is risky with this breed — it can lead to obesity in adults and makes potty training significantly harder because you can't predict elimination patterns.
Choose a small-breed puppy formula kibble with an AAFCO statement confirming it meets nutritional requirements for growth. Look for a first-listed protein source (chicken, turkey, or lamb) and a guaranteed analysis showing minimum 22% protein and 8% fat for puppies.
Daily Feeding Schedule by Age
| Puppy Age | Meals Per Day | Portion Per Meal (approx.) | Total Daily Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 4 meals | 2–3 tablespoons | ¼ to ⅓ cup/day | Moisten kibble with warm water for first 2 weeks home |
| 12–16 weeks | 3–4 meals | 3–4 tablespoons | ⅓ to ½ cup/day | Transition to dry kibble if not already |
| 4–6 months | 3 meals | ¼ cup | ½ to ¾ cup/day | Monitor body condition score weekly |
| 6–12 months | 2 meals | ¼ to ⅓ cup | ½ to ¾ cup/day | Begin transition to adult formula at 10–12 months |
Important: These portions assume a standard small-breed puppy kibble at roughly 400 kcal/cup. Always adjust based on your specific food's caloric density — check the feeding guide on your bag and your puppy's body condition score. You should be able to feel ribs easily without pressing hard, and see a slight waist when viewed from above.
Vaccination Schedule for Yorkie Terrier Puppies
Your Yorkie puppy will receive a series of core vaccines starting before you bring them home. The AVMA-recommended core vaccines protect against distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza — collectively known as the DHPP or DA2PP combination vaccine. Rabies is also a core vaccine, typically given separately.
| Age | Vaccines Given | Purpose | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPP (1st dose), optional Bordetella | Distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza; kennel cough | $25–$50 (often done by breeder) |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPP (2nd dose), Bordetella, optional Leptospirosis | Booster immunity; kennel cough; leptospirosis (lifestyle-dependent) | $75–$150 (vet visit + vaccines) |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPP (3rd dose), Rabies | Final puppy booster; legally required rabies protection | $75–$150 (vet visit + vaccines) |
| 12–16 months | DHPP booster, Rabies booster | First annual/3-year boosters depending on vaccine type | $50–$100 |
Yorkie-specific note: Toy breeds can experience more noticeable post-vaccination reactions including lethargy, mild fever, and facial swelling. Discuss with your vet whether pre-medicating with an antihistamine is appropriate for your puppy. Serious reactions (vomiting, collapse, difficulty breathing) require emergency veterinary care.
The Critical Socialization Window: Weeks 3–14
The primary socialization period — when puppies are most receptive to forming positive associations with new experiences — closes between 12 and 14 weeks of age. For Yorkie terrier puppies arriving home at 10–12 weeks, you have only 2 to 4 weeks of peak window remaining. This makes immediate, structured socialization essential.
Yorkies that miss proper socialization are disproportionately prone to fear-based barking, stranger anxiety, and reactivity toward other dogs — traits that become much harder to modify after the window closes.
Socialization Exposure Checklist
Aim for positive, low-pressure exposure to the following before 14 weeks. Every experience should be paired with high-value treats (tiny bits of boiled chicken or commercial training treats under 3 calories each).
- People: At least 12 different people — men, women, children (supervised), people wearing hats, sunglasses, hoodies, uniforms, and people of different heights and ethnicities
- Surfaces: Grass, gravel, tile, hardwood, metal grates, wet pavement, carpet, tarps, and wobbly surfaces (a cushion or balance pad)
- Sounds: Vacuum cleaner (start at distance), doorbell, thunderstorm recordings at low volume, traffic noise, construction sounds, fireworks recordings at very low volume
- Objects: Umbrellas opening, brooms, bags rustling, strollers, bicycles, skateboards, balloons
- Handling: Paws touched, ears examined, mouth opened gently, nails clipped (even just one nail), being held in different positions, wearing a harness
- Environments: Car rides (short trips to pleasant destinations), outdoor seating areas, pet-friendly stores (once vaccination allows), quiet neighborhood walks
- Other animals: Fully vaccinated, friendly adult dogs (one at a time); cats or other pets in controlled settings
Potty Training Timeline and Realistic Expectations
Yorkshire Terriers are consistently ranked among the more challenging breeds to house-train, and for good reason. Their tiny bladders hold very little, they're sensitive to cold and rain (which makes them reluctant to go outside), and their small waste output means accidents are easy to miss — reinforcing the behavior before you can address it.
Here's a realistic timeline based on consistent, positive-reinforcement training:
- 8–12 weeks: Expect accidents every 1–2 hours. Take puppy out immediately after waking, eating, playing, and every 60–90 minutes in between. Use a consistent verbal cue like "go potty." Reward immediately with a treat and praise the moment they finish outdoors.
- 3–4 months: Bladder control improves to roughly 2–3 hours between outings. Accidents still happen, especially during play excitement. Crate use between outings prevents unsupervised accidents.
- 4–6 months: Most Yorkies begin signaling (going to the door, whining, ringing a bell if trained). Accidents become less frequent but regression is normal during teething or routine changes.
- 6–8 months: Reliable daytime control for 4–5 hours in most puppies. Some Yorkies still need overnight potty breaks at this age.
- 8–12 months: Full reliability for most Yorkies, including overnight (6–8 hours). Some individuals, particularly males, may take up to 14 months.
- Won't go outside in rain/cold: Use a covered potty area, a puppy raincoat, or train to use an indoor grass pad (like Fresh Patch or DoggieLawn) as a weather backup.
- Submissive urination when greeted: Ignore the puppy for the first 2 minutes when arriving home. Greet calmly at their level without direct eye contact.
- Marking indoors: Supervise closely, use belly bands for intact males, and clean accident spots with enzymatic cleaner (Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie) to remove scent markers.
Crate Training Progression and Time Limits
A crate is essential for Yorkie puppies — it prevents destructive chewing (they're notorious for finding and destroying small objects), supports potty training by leveraging their instinct not to soil their sleeping area, and provides a safe retreat. However, tiny bladders limit how long they can stay crated.
| Puppy Age | Maximum Crate Time (daytime) | Maximum Crate Time (overnight) | Recommended Crate Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks | 1–1.5 hours | 3–4 hours (set alarm) | 18" L × 12" W × 14" H (use divider in 24" crate) |
| 10–14 weeks | 1.5–2 hours | 4–5 hours | 18–24" crate with divider adjusting as puppy grows |
| 3–4 months | 2–3 hours | 5–6 hours | 24" L × 18" W × 19" H (final adult size) |
| 4–6 months | 3–4 hours | 6–7 hours | 24" crate, divider removed |
| 6+ months | 4–5 hours | 7–8 hours | 24" crate or exercise pen for extended confinement |
For daytime confinement longer than the maximum crate time, use an exercise pen (ex-pen) with a potty pad station at one end and the crate (door open) at the other. This gives your Yorkie room to move while maintaining the crate as a clean sleeping space.
Teething Timeline and Safe Relief Strategies
Yorkie puppies begin losing their 28 baby teeth around 12 to 16 weeks, with the full set of 42 adult teeth typically in place by 6 months. Toy breeds are particularly prone to retained deciduous teeth (baby teeth that don't fall out), which can cause crowding and dental disease. Your vet will check for this at each visit.
Teething Relief by Stage
12–16 weeks (incisors loosening): Offer chilled (not frozen) washcloths soaked in low-sodium chicken broth, rubber puppy teething rings (Kong Puppy, Nylabone Puppy), and frozen carrot sticks. Supervise all chewing.
16–20 weeks (canines and premolars): This is peak chewing intensity. Rotate safe chew options: Benebone Puppy (size XS), West Paw Zogoflex Tux (mini), and frozen Kong Puppy stuffed with plain yogurt and banana. Remove any chew that's small enough to swallow whole.
20–24 weeks (molars finishing): Chewing gradually decreases. Continue providing appropriate outlets to prevent furniture targeting. Introduce toothbrushing now while the puppy is distracted by teething discomfort — use a finger brush and veterinary toothpaste (never human toothpaste, which contains toxic xylitol or fluoride).
Common Yorkie Puppy Problems and Solutions
Every breed has its puppy-stage challenges. Here are the most frequent issues Yorkie owners encounter and how to address them with positive reinforcement methods.
Puppy Biting and Nipping
Yorkie puppies explore the world with their mouths, and their needle-sharp baby teeth make even gentle mouthing painful. Here's a force-free approach to bite inhibition:
- Redirect: When teeth touch skin, immediately offer an appropriate chew toy. Praise enthusiastically when they chew the toy instead.
- Withdraw attention: If redirecting doesn't work, stand up and turn away for 10–15 seconds. This teaches that biting ends play — not that biting gets a reaction.
- Time-outs: For persistent nipping, calmly place the puppy in their crate or a small pen for 30–60 seconds to calm down, then resume play. This is a cool-down period, not punishment.
- Consistency: Every person in the household must follow the same protocol. Mixed signals (sometimes allowing mouthing, sometimes not) prolong the behavior.
Most Yorkies significantly reduce mouthing by 5–6 months as adult teeth come in and they learn boundaries. If biting intensifies or is accompanied by growling and stiffening, consult a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA or IAABC-credentialed).
Excessive Whining and Crying
Yorkies are vocal dogs, and puppies often whine when crated, left alone, or denied something they want. Distinguish between needs-based whining (potty, pain, hunger) and attention-seeking whining:
- Needs-based: Always respond. Check if the puppy needs to eliminate, is too hot/cold, or shows signs of illness.
- Attention-seeking: Wait for a brief pause in the whining (even 3 seconds of silence), then reward with attention or release from the crate. Never release a whining puppy from the crate — this teaches that whining opens the door.
- Separation anxiety: If whining escalates to panicked screaming, destructive behavior, or self-injury when left alone, this may be early separation anxiety. Consult your vet and a behaviorist. Graduated alone-time training (starting with 30-second departures) is more effective than "cry it out" approaches.
Destructive Chewing
Yorkie puppies chew on everything within reach — shoes, cords, furniture legs, and remote controls. Management is more effective than correction at this age:
- Puppy-proof rooms by removing accessible items and using cord protectors
- Provide 5–8 appropriate chew toys and rotate them every 2–3 days to maintain novelty
- Use bitter apple spray (Grannick's or similar) on furniture legs and baseboards as a deterrent
- Supervise all free-roaming time until chewing habits are reliable (typically 8–12 months)
First-Year Cost Breakdown for a Yorkie Puppy
Budgeting accurately prevents financial surprises. Here's a realistic first-year cost estimate based on 2026 US pricing. Yorkies are on the lower end for food costs but higher for veterinary care due to their predisposition to certain conditions.
| Category | Low Estimate | Average Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy purchase (responsible breeder) | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000+ |
| Veterinary care (vaccines, checkups, spay/neuter, fecal tests, heartworm prevention) | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Food (quality small-breed puppy → adult formula) | $180 | $300 | $500 |
| Supplies (crate, harness, leash, bowls, bed, grooming tools, chew toys, potty supplies) | $250 | $450 | $800 |
| Grooming (professional grooming every 6–8 weeks for coated Yorkies) | $300 | $500 | $800 |
| Training (puppy class, optional private sessions) | $100 | $250 | $600 |
| Pet insurance (optional but recommended) | $300 | $450 | $600 |
| Emergency fund (recommended reserve) | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000+ |
| Total First Year | $3,730 | $6,450 | $12,100+ |
Annual ongoing costs after the first year typically range from $1,500 to $3,500, including food, routine veterinary care, grooming, insurance, and replacement supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yorkie Terrier Puppies
When should I bring my Yorkie puppy home?
Between 10 and 12 weeks of age, at a minimum weight of 2 pounds. Yorkies sent home earlier face higher hypoglycemia risk and miss critical littermate socialization that teaches bite inhibition.
How often should I feed my Yorkie puppy?
Feed 4 meals daily from 8–12 weeks, 3–4 meals from 12–16 weeks, 3 meals from 4–6 months, and transition to 2 meals from 6 months onward. Total daily portions range from ¼ cup to ¾ cup depending on age and the caloric density of your food.
When will my Yorkie puppy be fully potty trained?
Most Yorkies achieve reliable daytime house-training between 6 and 8 months, with full reliability (including overnight) by 8–12 months. Some individuals take up to 14 months. Consistency, scheduled outings, and crate management are the biggest factors in speed of training.
What vaccines does my Yorkie puppy need and when?
Core vaccines include DHPP at 6–8, 10–12, and 14–16 weeks, plus Rabies at 14–16 weeks. Non-core vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme) depend on your puppy's lifestyle and local disease prevalence. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your puppy's needs and regional risk factors.
How do I stop my Yorkie puppy from biting and nipping?
Use a three-step approach: redirect to an appropriate chew toy, withdraw attention for 10–15 seconds if biting continues, and use brief 30–60 second crate cool-downs for persistent nipping. Never use physical punishment, alpha rolls, or yelling — these damage trust and can increase fear-based aggression in small breeds.
When can my Yorkie puppy go outside and meet other dogs?
Controlled outdoor exposure can begin immediately in safe environments (your yard, carried in a sling, private playdates with known-vaccinated dogs). Avoid high-risk areas like dog parks, pet store floors, and busy sidewalks until one week after the final DHPP vaccine at 14–16 weeks. Socialization with people and environments should begin immediately using carrying and low-risk exposure methods.
Dr. Hannah Wickes
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
