When it comes to accessories for your Yorkie, there is perhaps nothing more important than the collar [only for day wear, never with a leash] and harness that you choose. Using a harness can most certainly affect such elements such as having good control that leads to your Yorkie walking properly beside you, however it goes far beyond that. 

The best collars and harnesses for Yorkshire Terriers will actually help prevent serious health conditions that can affect a dog's quality of life.

Understanding Canine Neck Anatomy

Before we cover which collars or harnesses are best for the Yorkie, it is important to have an understanding of a dog's neck. 

Right under the vocal cords, the throat splits off into two sections. The trachea which is toward the front of a dog's neck travels to his lungs. The other tube, the esophagus, travels into the stomach. The trachea is not protected by bone. It is encased by rings of cartilage. Cartilage is not hard and rigid like bone, it is softer, flexible to a certain extent and importantly, much thinner. 

Collars VS Harnesses

If on collar and leash, pressure is placed onto the trachea. And any time that the dog moves forward ahead of his owner and the leash goes taunt, added force is put onto the neck. In addition, if a Yorkie jumps to the side or makes other quick movements, more tension immediately is transferred to the neck. 

So, aren't dogs' necks able to handle this? Many can. However, brachycephalic breeds (flat faced, such as the Pug, Shih Tzu and French bulldog) have trouble with this sort of pressure and toy breeds, such as the Chihuahua, Maltese and you guessed it, Yorkshire Terrier, can have trouble due to being very small and having very little muscular support around the neck area.

What can happen? There can be a general wearing down, which can cause neurological problems and neck issues. When force is suddenly applied to the neck, as can happen when on leash and collar, this can trigger collapsed trachea. As the name implies, the rings of the trachea collapse inward. 

While this will happen more often to dogs that are prone to this (born with weak trachea), any dogs may suffer from this injury. This can be terribly painful and take a long time to heal. Some dogs will require surgery and others will never recover. Signs include a cough, trouble eating, intolerance for exercise and wheezing noises.

What to do - This is where the huge difference between collars and harnesses come in. A harness is your other choice for an accessory to connect the leash to. Very opposite to collars, a harness fits around a dog's upper back, shoulders and chest, where he has both bones and more muscles to handle the tension that may occur when he is being walked. 

In summary, the top 10 care tips are: 

1. Always use a harness, not a collar.
2. Take good care of your  Yorkie's teeth. 
3. Offer high-quality,  all-natural food. 
4. Offer spring or filtered  water. 
5. Ensure regular exercise. 
6. Use quality coat  products. 
7. Prioritize training   essentials. 
8. Implement socialization  training. 
9. Safeguard your home
10. Protect the paw and nose care.

Care Tip #1: Always Use a Harness, not a Collar.

Yorkshire Terriers are prone to tracheal collapse, a condition where the supportive structures around the windpipe, known as tracheal rings, progressively lose strength. This weakening causes the windpipe to narrow, leading to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and other serious respiratory issues. This condition is painful and presents challenges and complexities in treatment.

The use of a collar, particularly when it's attached to a leash and used to pull or control a Yorkshire Terrier, can put additional stress on their neck and trachea. This pressure can exacerbate or even contribute to the onset of tracheal collapse in susceptible breeds like Yorkshire Terriers.

For this reason, using a harness instead of a collar is strongly recommended. Harness vests distribute pressure over a dog’s shoulders, chest and back leaving the neck free. 

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Care Tip #2: Take Good Care of Your Yorkie’s Teeth.

Taking good care of your Yorkie's teeth is one of the most important care tips for a reason. Yorkshire Terriers are notably susceptible to gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss due to their small mouths, which can lead to overcrowding of teeth. This overcrowding makes it easier for plaque and tartar to build up, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive and lead to periodontal disease. Not only is this condition painful, but it can also severely impact a Yorkie’s overall health. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting major organs and leading to more severe health problems. 

Regular dental care should include brushing your Yorkie's teeth daily with canine toothbrush or a finger-tip brush and dog-specific toothpaste

Tip #3: Offer high-quality, all-natural food.

Providing your Yorkshire Terrier with all-natural food is essential for their health and longevity. Artificial additives (color dyes, flavor enhancers, and chemical preservatives) in commercial dog foods can cause allergic reactions and digestive issues, possibly leading to even more severe health conditions. Fillers like corn, wheat, and soy, which add little nutritional value, may also cause digestive problems. Avoiding subpar meats and meat by-products, often made from low-quality ingredients, is vital as they lack the essential nutrients found in high-quality, whole meats. 

Choose a dry kibble, as this is best for dental health, that emphasizes natural ingredients and specifies the type of meat used, such as chicken, beef, or fish. Ensure the kibble is 100% all-natural, with no synthetic additives. 

Care Tip #4: Offer spring or filtered water.

Unfiltered tap water may contain harmful contaminants such as chlorine, lead, mercury, and notably chromium-6, known for its carcinogenic risks. Studies reveal chromium-6's widespread presence in U.S. tap water, posing significant health threats. This is especially concerning for small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, whose size and unique physiology (high metabolic rate and low body mass) heighten their vulnerability to these contaminants. Chronic exposure can cause gastrointestinal problems, skin issues, and potentially increase cancer risk.

By providing your Yorkie with spring or filtered water, you can reduce their exposure to these potentially harmful contaminants. Filtered water goes through a purification process that removes or significantly reduces impurities. Providing clean water effortlessly can be achieved through bottled spring water. 

Care Tip #5: Ensure Regular Exercise for Your Yorkie

Despite their compact size, Yorkshire Terriers require regular exercise to maintain their health and happiness. The misconception that their small stature means they need minimum physical activity couldn't be further from the truth; Yorkies, much like larger breeds, thrive on consistent exercise.

Daily physical activities for Yorkshire Terriers offer comprehensive benefits: It bolsters heart health, enhances muscle strength, ensures joint flexibility, and promotes digestive health. Additionally, regular exercise contributes significantly to a Yorkie’s mental well-being, helping to alleviate anxiety, curb boredom, and prevent destructive behaviors.

Many Yorkies have lots of energy to burn off, necessitating exercise routines that match their size and vigor. Generally, it's recommended to take a Yorkshire Terrier for walks at least twice a day, with the possibility of short, playful cardio sessions to keep things interesting and cater to their energetic nature. 

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Care Tip #6: Use quality coat products.

For Yorkshire Terriers, choosing the right coat care products like shampoo, conditioner, and coat spray is essential due to their sensitive skin. Using products with harsh detergents can lead to issues such as dryness, itchiness, and rashes, while those designed for sensitive skin help maintain skin health and coat shine. It's important to select items with a balanced pH of 6.5 to 7.5, aligning with a dog's skin pH, and opt for plant-based cleansers free from sulfates to preserve natural oils, ensuring the skin stays hydrated and the coat remains glossy.

It is recommended to bathe a Yorkie every three weeks, incorporating a wash-out conditioner after shampooing. Allow the conditioner to penetrate for up to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water to keep their skin and coat in optimal condition.

Care Tip #7: Prioritize Training Essentials

Training a Yorkshire Terrier is an essential aspect of their care. Sometimes due to their small size and being so easy to pick up and carry, Yorkies may miss out on basic training such as commands and heeling. This oversight can lead to undesirable behaviors, including stubbornness, excessive barking, and other behavioral challenges. 

Proper training not only instills good manners but also strengthens the bond between you and your canine family member, enhancing communication and ensuring their safety in various situations.

Care Tip #8: Implement Socialization Training 

Socialization training is an important part of caring for a Yorkshire Terrier, aiming to create a confident and well-adjusted pet through exposure to diverse people, environments, and situations in a safe, controlled way. This process enhances their adaptability and reduces fear and aggressive behavior in new settings. However, a Yorkie’s' small size presents challenges, as busy areas with lots of foot traffic pose risks of injury. To safely socialize your Yorkie, use a harness and leash for control and opt for less crowded, pet-friendly locations like weekday pet stores, cafes, or outdoor events, where you can easily find open spaces.

When introducing your Yorkie to other dogs, prioritize safety due to their vulnerability to injuries from larger breeds. Schedule playdates with similarly sized dogs in controlled environments to ensure safe and enjoyable interactions. This balanced approach to socialization is key to nurturing a sociable, happy Yorkshire Terrier.

Care Tip #9: Safeguard Your Home

Ensuring your home is a safe haven for your Yorkshire Terrier is paramount, given their adventurous spirit and diminutive size. This toy breed is prone to injuries such as joint dislocations, sprains or even broken bones from attempting to jump off (relatively) high furniture. To mitigate these risks, consider incorporating small pet steps or ramps… near their favored spots (like sofas, chairs, or bed) to provide safe access and minimize the risk of injury. Additionally, if your home features a staircase, installing a gate can prevent accidental falls, adding an extra layer of safety. 

Regularly dog-proofing the house also plays a role in proper care. Routinely check floors to remove small objects that can pose choking hazards. Electrical cords should be securely tucked away or encased in cord protectors to prevent chewing, which can lead to electrocution.

Secure small trash cans and lower cabinets and don't forget about doing regular sweeps of the yard  to check for and remove any debris, sharp objects, or hazardous materials that could pose a risk to your Yorkie's health. Objects such as broken glass, metal shards, or even certain types of plants and garden chemicals can be dangerous if ingested or stepped on.

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Care Tip #10: Protect the Paws and Nose

1. Paw protection. The paws are a body part that a lot of pet parents overlook; but, there are many things that can happen including burns from hot walking surfaces, snowballing in the winter (when snow melts and then refreezes in between the toes causing the skin to split), lacerations, loss of traction, and reactions to contact allergens and/or irritants. 

While it will not make paws invincible, a good wax can offer a barrier to help prevent all of the listed issues. Many Yorkies can benefit from this year-round. This is normally applied once every two weeks but will vary depending on how much time your Yorkie spends outside. This can also be used to heal paw issues like drying and cracking. 

2. Nose protection. Nose butters or balms are used to keep a dog's nose healthy, most often starting in late fall and throughout the winter to help prevent drying and chapping on the nose. Though, if a Yorkie spends a lot of time outside in the summer, this may also be used to prevent overexposure to UV rays. 

As part of maintenance care, this dabbed on once a week. If there is damage to the nose such as drying, peeling, or cracking, this can be applied 3 to 4 times per day until the issue is resolved. 

NEW PUP PARENT TIPS!

 Just some thoughts regarding New Pup Parents and things to sincerely plan for:Puppy Training Timeline: Teaching Good Behavior Before It’s Too Late [and there can be a Too-Late!The first thing to do before training beginsBefore you even start training a puppy, it’s important to focus on your little one’s emotional health, That means making sure you create an environment in which your puppy feels safe around you.
Puppyhood training comes down to two key components:   Relationship building & Creating structureAfter all, once a loving and trusting bond exists, it’s much easier (and enjoyable) to teach your dog specific behaviors and commands, such as “drop it” and “heel.”
Growth stage: between 8–16 weeksTraining goal No. 1: Exposure to the environmentAt this critical socialization period that ends by 16 weeks, puppies are students of life, Naito explains. They’re curious—and should be learning—about how the world around them works, specifically what things look like and sound like. For that reason, Naito generally focuses on exposing puppies to their environment first before diving into obedience training.
I recommend making sure puppies become familiar (and comfortable) with:
Surroundings: Including traffic noises, public transportation, car rides, passersby of all ages and shapes, and other dogs.Activities: Including visits to the vet and body handling.The goal is to teach a puppy that the world is a fun, not scary, place..
Training goal No. 2: Impulse controlThe first true behavior training lesson for puppies at this stage should be basic impulse control. This can come in many forms, but most new owners start with a simple ‘sit.'” Learning SIT likens a puppy learning to sit on command to a young child learning to say, “Please, may I have that?” instead of, “Gimme that!”
At a minimum, families should get puppies into the good habit of sitting before meal time. Ideally, you should also take things further and integrate the behavior into playtime by having your puppy sit before playing a game. This kind of training can start as soon as your puppy comes home (as early as eight weeks), provided you plan to use positive-reinforcement training.
Puppy stage: By 6 monthsBy this age, your growing puppy should be well-versed in several lessons.
Training goal No. 3: Polite playPuppies who learn the lesson of polite play know when to stop (and can follow the “drop it” command), what’s off-limits, and understand what “no biting” means. While your puppy is still teething at this stage and likely has a strong desire to bite and chew things, they should know which household items are toys for playing and which objects are not—for instance, your body and clothing.
Of course, all this must be done using force-free training..
Training goal No. 4: HousetrainingThis may be a work in progress for several months, but your puppy should be making steady progress with going potty in the appropriate places.
Training goal No. 5: Being aloneWhether through crate training or leaving your puppy in another type of safe, enclosed place, The goal is to ensure your puppy can stand being left alone for short periods of time.
Training goal No. 6: RecallGetting dogs to respond to the command “come” early on is important.. Even if your puppy doesn’t have a rocket recall, the important thing is that he loves coming right up to you.
Training goal No. 7: Continued impulse controlBy this age, puppies should ask politely for all of their favorite things by sitting first—that means sitting before getting food, engaging in playtime, and so on. If your puppy is barking, jumping, or nipping for your attention, you’re setting him up for trouble as he gets bigger and stronger.
Growth stage: By one yearBy the time they’re one year old, dogs should be making progress in learning of all the polite behaviors they will need for the rest of their lives.
Training goal No. 8: Mastery of these basic behaviorsNaito explains that while the “basics” will vary based on your dog and your environment, these typically include learning to:
Sit, down and stay (even with distractions)Come when called (particularly when off-leash)Loose leash walkingDrop it and leave itIs it ever too late to teach a dog?It may not be too late to teach particular behaviors beyond puppyhood, this stage is critical—particularly the first three to four months—when it comes to building that emotional foundation.
If a puppy learns not to trust humans—maybe because they yell and punish, steal his food dish to establish dominance, or force him into scary situations—you will have an uphill battle teaching life skills later on.
Dogs who are afraid of people will have a harder time coming when called. And those who think people may steal their toys won’t be as likely to “drop it” when asked.
You can make progress but it’s easier to train dogs who start out with a foundation of trust and clear communication. And it’s easier to teach young puppies behaviors like gentle play than it is full-size dogs.
But through positive-reinforcement training, it’s possible to help dogs of any age recognize that it can be fun to behave politely. In many cases, you can reverse rude behavior quickly by teaching a new, enjoyable way to behave, In other words, your dog won’t be as likely to run off with your socks if the alternative is to “drop it” and get a treat.
Every dog and every dog’s environment is different, so keep in mind that key training milestones will vary based on your particular dog and your surroundings. {Naito]
START AS SOON AS THEY GET HOME!Continuing  tips for training a Yorkie between two and six months old: 

• Be patientTraining a Yorkie takes time and repetition, so be prepared to repeat steps multiple times. 
• Use positive reinforcementReward your puppy with praise, treats, or toys when they do something right. 
• Establish a bedtime routineA short, consistent bedtime routine can help your puppy learn when it's time to sleep. 
• Practice crate trainingCrate training for 30–60 minutes each day and at night can help your puppy learn to be independent and prevent separation anxiety. 
• Puppy proof your homeKeep breakables out of reach and use baby gates to protect areas from your puppy. 
• Provide toys and bonesGive your puppy plenty of toys and bones to chew on.Respect their potty scheduleTake your puppy outside to their bathroom spot before bed and 20–30 minutes after meals. 

From the People I trust regarding ANYTHING DOG   ---  AKC

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

When dogs were in the wild, they could snatch eggs out of birds’ nests and eat them raw. Today, dogs don’t need to hunt for their own food, but eggs still provide a good amount of protein for dogs. As long as eggs are consumed safely, they can make excellent treats or dietary supplements for dogs.

Are Eggs Good for Dogs? Eggs can be a great source of nutrition for dogs. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog, inside and out.Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from. Try to feed your dog eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.

Before feeding your dog eggs, talk to your vet. Some dogs with medical conditions shouldn’t eat eggs, so always check first. Consuming too many eggs can also lead to health problems like obesity, so talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your dog. With that said, sometimes eggs can be used to help settle upset stomachs. Also, it’s not a good idea to use eggs as your dog’s main meal. But when served cooked, eggs can be a great occasional treat.

How Can Eggs Help Dogs?

Eggs provide important minerals and vitamins for dogs, including:

• Iron
• Fatty acids
• Folate
• Protein
• Riboflavin
• Selenium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B12
• Overall health and coat condition

Can I Feed My Dog Raw Egg?

Most veterinarians recommend cooking eggs fully before feeding them to your dog. There are a few concerns about feeding raw eggs to dogs that owners should be aware of, including:

• Salmonella: Dogs may be at risk of      coming into contact with salmonella bacteria when eating raw eggs or other      raw foods. Owners who feed raw eggs to dogs could also be exposed to      salmonella. If a dog eats an egg contaminated by salmonella, they could      get an infection called salmonellosis.      The symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea,      and lethargy.
• Biotin deficiency: Feeding      raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, as egg whites contain avidin, an      enzyme that prevents the absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin is a      vitamin that supports healthy skin, metabolism, cells, and digestion.      Biotin deficiencies are rare in dogs, but they can happen.
• Bacteria: As eggs      go bad, they can grow bacteria that can harm your dog.

Dogs can also be allergic to various sources of protein, including eggs. Watch your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, swelling, hives, problems breathing, lethargy, or coughing.

Before feeding raw eggs to your dog, talk to your vet.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Egg

If your dog eats raw egg, monitor them for any problematic symptoms, including the symptoms of salmonellosis. It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet and take your dog in for a check-up, just in case.

Can Dogs Eat Eggshells? Are Eggshells Nutritious for Dogs?

Before giving your dog eggshells, talk to your vet first. Eggshells contain calcium, which some dogs may need to be supplemented in their diets. However, there are easier ways to give your dog more calcium, and eggshells aren’t the tastiest option. Plus, egg shells have sharp edges that can hurt your dog’s throat or internal organs.

Eggshells can help older, arthritic dogs. Eggshell membranes significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint function in 51 dogs experiencing a range of joint problems, according to a 2016 study. If your dog has arthritis, your vet may recommend supplements or medication to help their symptoms.

How to Safely Feed Your Dog Eggs

Eggs should be cooked before being given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain, without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn’t matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled — as long as they are fully cooked. There are several ways to integrate eggs into your dog’s diet, from the occasional bite of hardboiled egg to sprinkled scrambled eggs on top of dog food. Start by feeding your dog just one egg. Watch them for any signs of gastrointestinal distress, like diarrhea or vomiting. As long as they don’t show any digestive discomfort, you should have no trouble giving them eggs.If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.