Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Checklist: 90 Days

Before the Puppy Arrives

What do you need before bringing home a Yorkshire Terrier puppy?

Last updated October 8, 2026

Verify Health Testing on Both Parents

• Patellar luxation OFA evaluation: Both parents with passing scores
• Cardiac evaluation: OFA cardiac certification on both parents
• Eye certification (CAER): Annual exam on both parents
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: Ask whether this orthopedic condition has appeared in the breeding lines — it is heritable and common in small breeds

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Harness Is Mandatory — Not a Suggestion

Yorkshire Terriers are prone to tracheal collapse. A harness distributes pressure across the chest rather than the neck. Buy a properly fitted small-breed harness before pickup day. Never clip a leash to a Yorkie's collar. The collar is for ID tags only.
One option: GoTags Personalized Stainless Steel ID Tag on Amazon. An engraved stainless steel ID tag; you pick the shape and the lines of text at checkout. Put a phone number that's actually answered on it, and update the engraving if you move.

Gear Checklist

• Properly fitted small-breed harness
• Small wire or travel crate
• Pin brush and metal comb — brushing starts day one
  One option: Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush (20 mm) on Amazon. Chris Christensen's Original Series oval pin brush with 20 mm pins, the size for small and toy breeds. Brush in layers from the skin out; a pin brush is for daily maintenance, not for working out mats.
• Dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste and finger brush — dental care starts week one
  One option: Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, Poultry (2.5 oz) on Amazon. A poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste made without foaming agents, so it's meant to be swallowed rather than rinsed. Use it with a soft-bristled or finger toothbrush.
• Small-breed puppy food (match the breeder's current food)
  One option: Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy, Chicken & Rice (6 lb) on Amazon. Purina Pro Plan's small-breed puppy formula, with kibble sized for small mouths and chicken as the first ingredient. Ask your vet about portions and when to move to adult food.
• Small tip-proof food and water bowls
• Dog bed or crate mat
• Baby gates to prevent stair falls
  One option: Regalo Easy Step Walk-Through Gate (29-38.5 in) on Amazon. A 29 to 38.5 inch pressure-mounted gate with a walk-through door, so you can block a doorway or the bottom of the stairs without drilling. Pressure-mounted gates belong in doorways or at the bottom of stairs, never at the top of a staircase.
• Enzymatic cleaner
  One option: Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator (32 oz) on Amazon. An enzyme stain and odor eliminator for urine, feces and vomit, carrying the Carpet and Rug Institute's seal for carpets. Spot-test on delicate fabrics first.
• Pet insurance enrolled before first vet visit

First Weeks at Home

What should the first week with a Yorkshire Terrier puppy look like?

First Vet Appointment (Within 72 Hours of Pickup)

• Full physical exam and vaccine status review
• Set vaccination and deworming schedule
• Confirm feeding schedule for hypoglycemia prevention (3–4 small meals daily in puppyhood)
• Discuss spay/neuter timing (typically 6–12 months for small breeds)
• Get dental care instructions and timeline for first professional cleaning
• Confirm harness use and tracheal health discussion
• Get referral for puppy training class

Dental Care Starts Week One

Start tooth brushing the first week home. Use a finger brush and dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste — never human toothpaste (the fluoride is toxic to dogs). Touch the puppy's lips and teeth briefly in positive sessions, rewarding generously. Build up to a full 60-second brushing within 2–3 weeks. Do this every single day for the dog's entire life. This daily habit is the most important thing you will do for a Yorkshire Terrier's long-term health.

Frequent Meals to Prevent Hypoglycemia

Like all small breed puppies, Yorkies can experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they go too long without food, particularly in the first few months. Feed 3–4 small meals daily until the puppy is 6 months old, then transition to 2–3 meals. Keep Nutri-Cal or corn syrup on hand as an emergency glucose supplement. If the puppy becomes lethargic, wobbly, or unresponsive — this is an emergency. Contact your vet immediately.

Training and Safety

Living Safely With a Yorkshire Terrier

Small Dog — Big Safety Considerations

Yorkies are small enough to be seriously injured or killed by a fall from furniture, by larger dogs in play, or by being accidentally stepped on. Establish clear household rules from day one:

• Ramps or steps on furniture the dog is allowed on
• All household members aware of where the puppy is before sitting down or walking through rooms
• Supervised introductions only with larger dogs
• No unsupervised play with children under 8 years old — the dog can be easily injured unintentionally

Training a Yorkie

Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent, confident, and stubborn. They have all the terrier traits: independent thinking, high prey drive, and a tendency toward bossiness if not given clear rules. Enroll in puppy class early. Positive reinforcement training works well — Yorkies are food motivated and respond to consistent rewards. Housetraining requires patience and strict scheduling. Small accidents are easy to miss with a tiny dog, which allows the behaviour to be reinforced unintentionally. Take the puppy outside every 2 hours during waking hours and reward every successful outdoor elimination immediately.

Schedule the First Grooming Appointment Early

Book the first professional grooming visit when the puppy is 10–12 weeks old — even before the full coat has grown in. The goal is early positive association with the groomer, the table, the sounds, and the handling. A puppy that has had multiple positive early grooming experiences becomes an adult dog that accepts the process calmly. One that first sees a groomer at 8 months is much harder to work with.