make a yorkie gift basket

Research shows that 21% of pet owners often/sometimes celebrate their pet's birthday!

Or better yet, pick up a new dog bed and fill it with your gifts and goodies.

Because they're small dogs, beds for Yorkies are small and fairly inexpensive. Your new bed can be a replacement, or a second little resting spot for the Yorkie (I keep a second dog bed under my office desk for our Yorkie Tinker Bell and she uses it and her "main bed" equally).

Beds at places like Petsmart or Walmart start as low as $12 to $15, depending on the style. Martha Stewart has a new line of doggie gear; her Snuggler Dog Bed has a pillow top cushion and machine washable cover - plus, a squeaky bolster for fun! It runs around $50; but she has other beds for small dogs including the bolster dog bed with pillow top cushion, machine washable Cover and Water-resistant Liner you can see here: Martha Stewart Bolster Dog Bed

So you have your Gift Basket container - be it a bed or a nice basket. Now what else to add?

Another nice idea for a Yorkie Gift Basket is some Yorkie Yummies - treats like healthy dog biscuits or snacks. You can even make your own with this super easy recipe, and store them in a cute little jar from your local bargain store.

Easy Yorkie Peanut Butter Biscuits

2 tablespoons flaxseed oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup water
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups white flour

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine oil, peanut butter and water in a bowl. Add flour 1 cup at a time, then knead into firm dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with small bone-shaped cookie cutter or small round.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

1.
Is there anything a dog loves more than a walk? They don't seem to care if it's cold, raining or snowing. They just wanna walk, so grab that leash and off you go.
2.
Grooming can be a fun and bonding time if you're super-patient and gentle. Use grooming as a way to really get to know your Yorkie, and throw in a bit of massage too. Use a good-quality metal comb with teeth that are 'medium' spaced. Comb a very small part of the hair at a time if it's matted. To get your Yorkie used to you combing him, run the comb all over his body on the "other" (non-teeth) side.
3.
Fetch! Call out the Terrier in your Yorkie, and get her involved in an active game of indoor fetch. Since Yorkies were originally bred to catch rats and mice in factories, they're keen to chase down any little toy you throw... try it, your Yorkie will love it.
4.
Be sociable. Try a dark park with a small-dog zone and get your Yorkie socialized. Being with other dogs is a great way to ensure your pup stays centered and happy, and fights that Toy Dog Diva attitude that many smaller dogs exhibit.
5.
Bake! There are lots of recipes for healthy dog biscuits online and you can make them Yorkie-size. Use quality ingredients and you can cut calories too: the average commercial dog biscuit has more than 80 calories.
6.
Just cuddle. Grab a great book and get snuggled down in your bed with your Yorkie. That "dog den" feeling is one dogs really love, and if your Yorkie doesn't sleep with you, it'll be an even bigger treat.
7.
Go for a car ride.... not to the Vet's. Sometimes the only time we take our dogs out is to go to the vet or groomer's and then we wonder why they're not so keen on cars... take a little drive and see if your Yorkie doesn't come to love the car. (Don't forget to secure your pup in a small kennel carrier or with a doggy belt)
8.
Add some more 'stuffing' to your Yorkie's bed... preferably one or two of your old t-shirts. The bed will be softer, and your Morkie can dig around and make a nest to his delight. And if it's your old stuff, so much the better!
9.
Sing to your Yorkie! What's cuter than seeing her head turn in puzzlement as she listens! Silly songs with lots of high and low notes, will keep your Yorkie amused and engaged.
10.
Praise, praise, praise! Look your Yorkie straight in the eye and tell him how's he the smartest, most handsome, best dog ever! Use your Yorkie's name a lot. Keep talking in a low, warm voice and watch your Yorkie lap it up!

How about a little sweater or puffy vest to help the Yorkie survive winter?

At around 5 or 6 pounds, Yorkies do need some extra help if local weather gets cold. (And if the dog is kept in a short "puppy cut" even more so.) Prices and styles are wide-ranging. If you can, buy one that can be exchanged after the holidays in case it's the wrong size (or colour!)

Small-Medium
Green
Cabin Turtleneck Sweater

A gift certificate for doggie babysitting is a nice touch...Your friend will really appreciate knowing she has someone who is happy to mind her little dog if she has to be away overnight.

Another really thoughtful gift for any Yorkie lover: a small donation to the local Yorkie Rescue Society or one of the national organizations. Just google "yorkie rescue" and you'll find dozens of deserving organizations. Some offer PayPal giving too, for extra convenience.

Find some of them here:
The Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Inc.
Rescue Me Yorkshire Terrier Rescue
United Yorkie Rescue
LOCAL Yorkie Rescue at Adopt-a-Pet
Yorkie Haven Rescue
Save a Yorkie Rescue
Bark Bytes Cyber Magazine Huge List
The Canadian Yorkshire Terrier Association

Other gifts that show you care include shampoo/conditioner for Yorkies. Like many toy breeds, Yorkies' skin can be sensitive and it also tends to be oily, generating lots of dandruff.

Go for a shampoo a relatively high pH, vitamins E and B5 and fatty acids, which will actually reduce that oily feeling without stripping out the 'good oils.' Avoid strong fragrance and weird colours. Aloe vera, tea-tree oil and citrus extracts, all in very small quantities, are a nice addition to shampoos.

Everyday Isle of Dogs Silky Coating Dog Shampoo for Yorkies, Jasmine and Vanilla, 16.9 oz

Yorkshire Terriers were first developed in northern England during the industrial revolution to chase down rats and mice from factories and mines. Although they've been bred smaller and are now companions first and foremost, Yorkies are still ratters at heart and love a small, squeaky toy. Be sure it's meant for dogs though, since they can chew it to pieces pretty quickly otherwise!

AKC Squirrel Dog Toy, Large

You'll find sweaters, coats, books, toys, beds and much more here at Growing up Yorkie on Amazon.com

• Apparel and outfits for your Yorkie
• Dog sweaters & coats
• Yorkie books
• Toys and treats
• Mousepads, T shirts

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