The relationship between yorkies and their pups is truly heartwarming. There is truly nothing that the moms will not do for their little ones. Unfortunately, they will at some point have to be separated as they head off to their new homes and families. The timing of this separation is absolutely crucial for the physical and mental health of the doggy.
In order to get why timing is important you have to appreciate what the mom does for her pups. For the first few weeks of their lives, yorkies depend on their mothers for everything. This includes food, warmth, grooming and general protection just to name a few. When they get to 6-8 weeks, they start to explore and slowly work their way up to independence.
It is therefore often recommended that puppies stay with their mothers at least up to 12 weeks.
By this time, the little one is no longer so desperately vulnerable that they need their mothers to take care of everything. They are strong enough to move around. They are usually already weaned off breastmilk- and their metabolic and immune systems are strong enough to handle the big scary world.
So what happens if they are taken from their mother too early? The answer is a mix of health and behavioral problems.
If taken away as early as 6 weeks or less, newborn Yorkie puppies are more vulnerable to developing health complications.
These include poor nutrition, infections and overall stunted growth. Older pups over 6 weeks may be a little stronger but their psyche takes a huge hit. These doggies often end up developing behavioral issues like anxiety or even aggressiveness that is uncharacteristic of yorkies.