Yorkie puppy stages are fun to watch play out in front of your eyes.
If you are connected with a reputable breeder who will send you pictures and updates, you should be able to enjoy each stage of your Yorkie’s puppyhood.
Your puppy will go through all the Yorkie puppy stages during his first year of life. Find out what your puppy is going through during each phase.
Yorkie Puppy Stages: Wondering at what age a Yorkie is no longer a puppy?
A Yorkshire Terrier is considered an adult when he hits 1 year old.
Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Stages
Dependency: Infant (Birth to Week 2)
- Eyes closed
- Ears closed
- Movement limited
- Cannot maintain body temperature
- Cannot eliminate by self
- Sleep most of the Time
- Can smell
- Can feel
Newborn (Birth)
Newborn Yorkies are completely dependent on their mother. Both their eyes and their ears are closed. They can’t move around very well. They cannot maintain their own body temperature so you will see them cuddled up close to mom and his siblings. The mother not only provides nutrition, warmth, and protection, but also keeps the puppies and their environment clean and stimulates the puppies to eliminate through her licking and cleaning.
Neonatal (Birth to Week Two)
Yorkie puppies are entirely dependent on their mother for life. Food, warmth, health, protection, ability to eliminate – all comes as a result of mom’s hard work. Although they can’t do much, they can feel and smell…and sleep. Newborn and Neonatal Yorkie puppies spend almost their time sleeping. When they are awake, they are eating. Although it may appear not much is happening. There is a lot going on inside. All that rest and nutrition is helping the puppies to grow, develop, and become strong.
Transitional Period (Weeks Two to Four)
- Ears open (2nd week)
- Eyes open (2nd to 3rd week)
- Stand (2nd week)
- Puppy teeth start to come in (2nd week)
- Walk (3rd week)
The next Yorkie puppy stage is the transitional phase. This time period is called the transitional period because they are beginning their transition from total dependence on mom to becoming independent of her.
They become less dependent on mom because they can start to see and hear for themselves. They gain strength in their legs and become more efficient at moving around.
During this time puppies find their voice. They can use their voice to create different sounds that communicate different messages besides just – “Yelp! Mom Help!”
Puppies in this period are fun to watch because they are learning to get around and they are very curious. They begin to explore the world around them and learn how to play with their siblings.
Curious Socialization (Weeks Four to Eight)
- Become independent
- Switch over to puppy food from mom’s milk
- Learn to socialize with people and animals
During this Yorkie puppy stage, the puppies become even less dependent on mom. Beginning in week four, they will nurse less and less and switch over to puppy food. They should be completely weaned by eight weeks.
During this phase, the Yorkie puppies grow in their ability to interact with others and they begin to be curious of this great new world in which they find themselves in. They will be less dependent on mom socially and become more confident socially. This socialization phase forms the foundation of their ability to socialize and form relationships. They learn how to interact with and accept humans and other dogs. Capitalize on the natural curiosity of this puppy stage.
Fear, Socialization, and Training (Weeks Eight to Twelve)
- Fear period
- Can be overwhelmed
- Brought home to their new forever homes
- Socialization in safe environment
- Training
Puppies most often enter the homes of their new owners during this Yorkie puppy stage.
It is still a time of a socialization, but now the puppy must do it on her own without the support of her mother or her siblings. It is important to provide your new puppy with new situations, people, and dogs; however, it is important that you don’t overwhelm her or cause her to become fearful. Interaction with other animals should be purposeful and careful as she hasn’t had all her vaccinations yet and is susceptible to deadly infection.
Beginning in week 8 and lasting for about 4 weeks, puppies may process new situations with fear. Be careful to read your puppy. It is better to take it slow than cause her to get into the habit of processing new people, new dogs, and new places with fear. She is developing habits that will stay with her her whole life.
Pre-Teen (Weeks 12-24 or Months 3-5)
- Safe socialization is still key
- Adult teeth starting to come in
- Training
Just like pre-teen humans, your puppy is starting to get the feeling that he’s getting a hang of this life thing. He has learned how to be independent and confident about it. His personality is shining through.
New experiences and proper socialization should still be a major goal for this period.
Unlike During this pre-adolescent, “teeny bopper” time of life, his adult teeth will be starting to come in. He will be teething and chewing!
Teenager (Months 6-12)
- Confident
- Challenge authority
- Test boundaries
- Provide physical and mental exercise
- Both males and females will become sexually mature, but they should not be bred
Again, just like in our teen world, the Yorkie teen will try to challenge their authority and test boundaries. You should be sure to be consistent with what you expectations. Gently demand what you expect and expect what you demand. Stimulate your dog through exercise, toys, and play.
During this time, males will become sexually mature and females will have first their heat. It is best to to wait until females have at least their second heat before breeding.
Adulthood (1 year and beyond)
At what age is a Yorkie considered an adult? At one year old.
Once your puppy hits his first birthday…Congrats! You did it!
You have an adult dog.
Enjoy that first year with your Yorkshire Terrier. Time will fly by so fast.
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