How to Take Care of a 5-Week-Old Yorkie

Puppies should remain with their mother and littermates until they are 7 weeks old. In some states, the law requires that they be 8 weeks old. This standard is not always possible because of the health of the mother or puppy, or an irresponsible breeder is selling the puppies too early. If you have a 5-week-old Yorkie, it will need special care to thrive. Because it has lost its mother and littermates, it will need safe, positive socialization with another dog right away. This step is critical to the puppy's well-being, as it needs to learn proper dog manners and bite inhibition; dog-to-dog socialization, especially between 5 and 7 weeks, lays the foundation for the puppy to learn obedience training as it matures. Small dogs are also prone to juvenile hypoglycemia, which is particularly a problem for puppies under 12 weeks of age.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Towels
  • Puppy training pads
  • Toys
  • Corn syrup
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Instructions

    • 1
      See a Veterinarian As Soon As Possible for a Checkup

      Take your Yorkie to the vet as soon as possible. The puppy should see the vet within 24 hours. The vet can check for seemingly small health problems that can be life-threatening in a puppy that age. Vaccinations should be started immediately if not already given by the breeder.

    • 2

      Provide fresh water and food for your puppy. Your Yorkie puppy cannot eat much at one time, so you need to feed it small amounts approximately every six hours. Free feeding -- leaving dry food available at all times -- may be best in some cases, if your puppy is eating plain dry food without problems. Or, feed your puppy six times a day, keeping the overnight fast to a minimum.

    • 3
      Measure and Record Your Puppy's Food and Water Intake

      Monitor your Yorkie's water and food intake. Measure the amount of food and water you give, and keep a record of how much the puppy actually eats and drinks. Keeping a record is the only way you will know if the puppy is not eating or drinking enough, and the record will be helpful to the veterinarian if the puppy becomes ill.

    • 4
      Socialization Is Crucial, but Too Much Handling Can Make Your Puppy Ill

      Keep your puppy at home and supervise it as much as possible until it is 7 weeks old. Since it is too young to leave its litter, it should not be subjected to unnecessary travel, handling or strangers. Stress and frequent handling can cause hypoglycemia. Once your Yorkie is 7 weeks old, begin socialization, but keep stress to a minimum.

    • 5

      Arrange for an adult dog that is gentle and healthy to visit and play with your pup. If you have another dog, let it play with your Yorkie puppy under close supervision, making sure the play is gentle. Your puppy, having lost its mother and siblings early, needs socialization with other dogs. Your puppy, however, is too young and small to play with any dog except a mature, gentle one or another healthy 5-week-old pup.

    • 6
      A Playpen With a Small Crate Inside Works for a Yorkie, but the Bars Must Be Close Together

      Provide a pet carrier or crate with a soft blanket or towel in the bottom for your puppy to sleep in, and place a pet exercise pen around it. Make sure the wires or plastic grate on the pen and crate are close together so the puppy cannot get a paw or its head caught. It is still too young to house train, so the pen is the best way to keep your puppy safe and clean. Line the floor with newspaper or puppy training pads.

    • 7

      Keep corn syrup on hand at all times and rub some on your puppy's gums if you see signs of hypoglycemia, such as not eating, not drinking, confusion, lethargy, inability to walk or uncoordinated movements. Hypoglycemia can result from stress of any kind, too much handling, lack of food and more. Call the vet for further instructions if you see signs of this condition.