A loving little prep guide from our Designer Yorkies team — built specifically for tiny toy-breed puppies like our Yorkies and Biewers.
Bringing home a tiny puppy is one of the most exciting moments of your life. It's also the moment when a little preparation makes a huge difference. This guide covers the four things every new Designer Yorkies pawrent should have under their belt before pickup day:
The week before pickup is the perfect time to get organized so your puppy can settle in stress-free.
Tiny puppies can squeeze into shockingly small spaces. Walk through every room at puppy-eye level and look for these.
Tuck phone chargers, lamp cords, and TV cables behind furniture or inside cord covers. A curious teething puppy can chew through a cable in seconds.
Lilies, sago palm, pothos, philodendron, aloe, peace lily, dieffenbachia — all dangerous for dogs. Move them up high or out of the house entirely.
Chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, anything with xylitol (gum, peanut butter, sugar-free baked goods), alcohol, raw bread dough, coffee.
Coins, hair ties, rubber bands, jewelry, kid toy parts, batteries, sewing pins, magnets. If it could fit in their mouth, assume they'll try.
A jump from the couch or a tumble down a flight of stairs can break tiny legs. Use baby gates, pet stairs, and never let them play unsupervised on furniture.
A 3-pound puppy can slip through balcony railings, deck gaps, and screen doors. Check every exterior opening and consider closing bathroom doors so they can't fall behind the toilet.
Pet-proof cabinets or move everything up high: bleach, detergent, dishwasher pods, fertilizer, antifreeze, all human medications including Tylenol/Advil/Aleve.
Reclining chairs, kitchen-stool legs, treadmills, rocking chairs — anywhere a tiny puppy could get crushed. Pause before sitting, closing, or moving heavy furniture.
Curated specifically for toy breeds. Skip the giant crates and beds — your puppy will be tiny their whole life.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the #1 medical emergency in tiny puppies. The good news: it's easy to prevent and easy to treat if you catch it early. Read this section carefully and keep the supplies on hand.
Hypoglycemia can come on fast — sometimes within minutes after stress, missed meals, or cold. Watch for:
Day-to-day habits that keep blood sugar steady in your tiny puppy:
If you see any warning signs, treat immediately while you call the vet:
When in doubt, reach out. We have decades of experience and would always rather hear from you than have you second-guess yourself.
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