Yorkie Puppy Care Guide —
Everything You Need to Know
A comprehensive guide to raising a healthy, happy Yorkshire Terrier — written by Yorkie Puppies South Africa, serving families across 6 Southern African countries for over 8 years.
8+
Years Breeding Yorkies
8
Care Guide Sections
2 Year
Health Guarantee
6
Countries Served
Home › Yorkie Puppy Care Guide
Feeding & Nutrition
Keeping blood sugar stable is the single most important feeding priority for young Yorkies
⚠️ Hypoglycaemia alert: Low blood sugar is the most common health risk in young Yorkie puppies. Feed small, frequent meals and never allow long gaps between feedings — especially during the first 3 months at home. Always keep Nutri-Cal paste or pure honey within reach as an emergency measure.
🕐 Feeding frequency by age
Weeks 8–12: 4 to 5 small meals per day
Months 3–6: 3 to 4 meals per day
Months 6–12: 3 meals per day
Adults (1 year+): 2 to 3 meals per day
A healthy Yorkie puppy enjoying a well-portioned meal — small, frequent, and nutritious.
⭐ What to feed your Yorkie
High-quality small-breed puppy kibble
Premium wet puppy food as a supplement
Continue the same food from our home for 2 weeks
Transition slowly over 7–10 days when switching food
❌ Never feed these to your Yorkie
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic
Macadamia nuts, xylitol, avocado
Cooked bones that can splinter
Human food with salt, spices, or sauces
💊 Emergency tip: If your puppy appears weak, wobbly, trembling, or lethargic — rub a small amount of pure honey or Nutri-Cal directly on their gums immediately and call your vet. Do not wait.
✂️Grooming Your Yorkie.Yorkshire Terriers need regular grooming to keep their silky coat healthy and tangle-free
📅 Daily Tasks
.Brush coat to prevent tangles
.Check eyes — wipe gently with damp cloth
.Check for debris around mouth area
📅 Weekly Tasks
.Clean ears — never use cotton buds deep inside
.Check and trim nails if clicking on floor
.Brush teeth with dog-safe toothpaste
📅 Every 4–6 weeks
.Full bath with gentle puppy shampoo
.Full body trim or professional groom
.Nail clip and thorough ear clean
🔧 Grooming tools you will need
Slicker brush — daily detangling Small nail clippers or nail grinder
Fine-toothed metal comb — for finishing Dog-safe toothbrush and toothpaste
Dog-safe shampoo and conditioner Vet-recommended ear cleaning solution
💡 Start all grooming routines from the very first week your puppy arrives. The earlier you introduce brushing, bath time, and gentle handling of paws and ears, the calmer your Yorkie will be for grooming throughout their entire life.
💉Vaccination Schedule for Yorkie Puppies in South Africa.Your puppy arrives with the first two vaccinations completed — follow this schedule with your local vet
Age
6–8weeks
10–12
weeks
14–16 weeks
12 months
Every year
Vaccine
First combination vaccine (DHPPi- Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Second combination vaccine (DHPPi)
Third DHPPi + Rabies vaccine
Annual booster (DHPPi + Rabies)
Annual booster vaccination — ongoing for life
Who administers
Done by us before placement F
Done by us before placement
Your local registered vet
Your local registered vet
Your Local registered Vet
Status
Done by us
Done by us
Your Vet
Your Vet
Your Vet
⚠️ Register with a local vet within 5 days of your puppy arriving home. Do not take your puppy to dog parks or public areas with unknown dogs until the full vaccination course is complete at 16 weeks.
🌎 Buyers in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Lesotho: your puppy arrives with all cross-border documentation. Your local vet can continue the vaccination schedule from 14 weeks using the vaccination card provided.
🦊Health & Ongoing Vet Care Preventive care is the foundation of a long, healthy life for your Yorkshire Terrier
💉 Deworming schedule
Every 2 weeks from birth to 12 weeks (done by us)
Monthly from 3 to 6 months — your vet
Every 3 months from 6 months onwards for life
Use a vet-recommended small-breed dewormer
🐛 Flea & tick prevention
Start monthly flea treatment from 8 weeks of age
Use only small-breed safe topical treatments
Check coat for ticks after walks in grass or bush
Ask your vet about tick collar options for your region
🦷 Dental health
Yorkies are prone to dental disease. Brush teeth 2–3 times per week. Schedule annual dental checks from 12 months. Small breeds accumulate tartar quickly — don’t skip this.
👁️ Eye & ear care
Wipe eyes daily with a damp cloth. Clean ears weekly with vet-recommended solution. Never insert anything deep into ear canals — this causes damage.
🦵 Joint health
Yorkies are prone to luxating patella (slipping kneecap). Avoid high jumps. Use ramps for furniture access. Report any limping or skipping gait to your vet promptly.
✅ Our 2-year health guarantee covers hereditary and congenital conditions. Register with a vet within 5 days of your puppy arriving home to keep your guarantee fully valid. WhatsApp us any time for health advice throughout your Yorkie’s life.
🏃️Exercise & Play Yorkies are energetic but need moderate, age-appropriate exercise — never over-exercise young puppies
🐙 Puppies — 8 to 16 weeks
Short indoor play sessions only
No outdoor walks until vaccinations are complete
5 minutes of play per month of age, 2–3 times daily
🐙 Young adults — 4 to 12 months
Two short walks of 15–20 minutes daily
Indoor play sessions and puzzle toys
Avoid stairs and jumping until 12 months old
🐙 Adults — 1 year and older
20–30 minutes of walking daily
Active play sessions and fetch
Mental stimulation equally important as physical
☀️ Southern Africa heat warning: In the warmer months across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Lesotho — avoid walking your Yorkie between 10am and 4pm. Walk early morning or late evening only. Always carry fresh water. Yorkies can overheat very quickly and should never be left in a car or in direct sun.
🏫Training & Behaviors Start training from day one — Yorkies are intelligent and respond beautifully to positive reinforcement
⭐ First week training priorities
Teach your puppy their name — reward every response
Establish a consistent feeding routine at set times daily
Begin crate or sleeping spot training from night one
Start toilet training immediately — outside after every meal and nap
Introduce the “sit” command with small treat rewards
✓Always use positive reinforcement — treats, praise, and play. Never use harsh correction, shouting, or punishment with a Yorkie.
✓Keep training sessions to a maximum of 5 minutes for young puppies — repeated 2 to 3 times per day. Yorkies tire of repetition quickly.
✓Be consistent — use the same command word every time and ensure all family members use identical words and gestures.
✓Yorkies can develop “small dog syndrome” if firm boundaries are not set early. Be loving and warm but consistent from day one.
✓Toilet training takes patience. Never punish accidents — clean thoroughly and redirect. Consistency and routine are everything.
👥 Socialisation tips
Introduce to different people, sounds, and surfaces at home
Carry your puppy safely in public before vaccinations complete
Attend puppy classes after the 16-week vaccination course
Create positive experiences with children using supervised interaction
Never force fearful interactions — build confidence at puppy’s own pace
🏠 Home Environment & Safety. Yorkie-proofing your home keeps your puppy safe and gives them the most confident, comfortable start
🛡️ Puppy-proofing your home
Secure all electric cables, wires, and charging cords
Remove or fence off toxic plants (see warning below)
Block stairs with a baby gate until your puppy is trained
Store cleaning products, medicines, and chemicals out of reach
Ensure pool or water features are fully inaccessible
Check for small gaps under furniture where a puppy can get trapped
🌿 Toxic garden plants to remove or fence off in Southern Africa: Sago Palm (extremely toxic), Dieffenbachia, Aloe Vera (toxic to dogs), Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow bush, Oleander, and Autumn Crocus. When in doubt, keep your Yorkie away from all garden plants until confirmed safe by your vet.
📦 Your essential Yorkie kit list
High-quality small-breed puppy food and stainless steel bowls
Slicker brush and fine-toothed metal comb
Soft-sided crate or comfortable puppy bed
ID tag and lightweight body harness — not a neck collar
Puppy training pads for indoor toilet training
Nutri-Cal paste or pure honey for hypoglycaemia emergencies
🏠 Yorkies do best when they live inside the home with the family — not outdoors. They are companion dogs who thrive on human contact. An outdoor-only setup causes anxiety and behavioral problems. Your Yorkie must sleep indoors.
⚠️ Warning Signs — When to Contact Your Vet Immediately . Yorkies are small and can decline quickly — act fast if you notice any of the following
| Warning sign | Possible cause | Action required |
|---|
| Trembling, weakness, collapse, or seizure | Hypoglycaemia — low blood sugar | Emergency — honey on gums, call vet NOW |
| Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting 24+ hours | Infection, dietary upset, or parvovirus | Vet same day — dehydration is dangerous |
| Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing | Tracheal collapse, kennel cough, heart issue | Vet same day — urgent |
| Bloated or hard abdomen | Gas, obstruction, or bloat | Emergency vet visit immediately |
| Limping, skipping gait, or refusing to bear weight | Luxating patella or joint injury | Vet within 24 hours — rest the puppy |
| Lethargy or no appetite for more than 24 hours | Infection, pain, or hypoglycaemia | Vet within 24 hours |
| Eye discharge, redness, or swelling | Eye infection or minor injury | Vet within 48 hours |
| Constant scratching or head-shaking | Ear infection or ear mites | Book a vet appointment |
| Swollen, red, or foul-smelling skin patches | Skin infection, allergy, or hot spot | Book a vet appointment |
💬 Not sure if something is serious? WhatsApp us — we respond within hours, 7 days a week, to all puppy families across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We are here for the life of your puppy — not just until delivery day. Chat with us now →
Where we deliver
Yorkie Puppies & This Care Guide — Delivered to 6 Countries
Every buyer across Southern Africa receives this full care guide, a complete puppy documentation pack, our 2-year health guarantee, and lifelong WhatsApp support to help you raise your Yorkie with complete confidence.
ZA
South Africa
Johannesburg · Cape Town · Durban · Pretoria · Polokwane & all cities nationwide Nationwide delivery
BW
Botswana
Gaborone · Francistown · Maun & nationwide Cross-border delivery
NA
Namibia
Windhoek · Walvis Bay · Swakopmund & nationwide Cross-border delivery
LS
Lesotho
Maseru · Leribe · Mafeteng & nationwide Cross-border delivery
ZM
Zambia
Lusaka · Ndola · Kitwe & nationwide Cross-border delivery
ZW
Zimbabwe
Harare · Bulawayo · Mutare & nationwide Cross-border delivery
Ready to Welcome a Healthy
Yorkie Puppy Home?
Browse our available Yorkshire Terrier puppies — every one home-raised, vet checked, vaccinated, and backed by our 2-year health guarantee. Delivered to your door with this full care guide and complete puppy pack included.