Flea & Tick Prevention

One of the questions we get asked almost every day is, “What flea and tick medication do you recommend?”

This year, I completely understand why….

It seems like the ticks are worse than we’ve seen in a long time. I seriously cannot go into my greenhouse without at least seeing one!   🤮

Whether you’re taking your Yorkie on walks, letting them play in the backyard, or traveling this summer, protecting them from fleas, ticks, and heartworms is more important than ever.

So here’s my opinion :

Selamectin (Revolution® or Generic Selamectin)

This has been one of my personal favorites for many years.

What I like:

✅ It’s a topical medication, so there’s no pill to give.

✅ It provides heartworm prevention.

✅ It controls fleas and helps with ear mites and some intestinal parasites.

✅ It has a long history of safe use, which gives me peace of mind. I’ve been using it for years and never had an adverse reaction in my puppies or adults.

Things to know:

⚠️ It doesn’t provide the same level of tick protection as some of the newer oral medications, so if you live in an area with extremely heavy tick exposure, that’s something to discuss with your veterinarian. But that’s a jump I have  would take cautiously.

Other options are:

NexGard®

What I like:

✅ Excellent flea and tick protection.

✅ Easy monthly chew.

✅ Works very well for active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.

Things to know:

❌ You’ll still need a separate heartworm preventative.

❌ Like other medications in its class, it carries an FDA warning about rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs. Something to definitely think about!

Simparica®

What I like:

✅ Strong protection against fleas and ticks.

✅ Monthly chew that’s easy to give.

✅ A great option for many dogs with significant tick exposure.

Things to know:

❌ Heartworm prevention is not included unless you’re using Simparica Trio®, which is a different medication.

❌. It has the same FDA warning regarding rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs.

Bravecto®

What I like:

✅ One dose can last up to 12 weeks for flea protection.

✅ Excellent tick control.

✅ Wonderful for busy families who don’t want to remember a monthly dose.

Things to know:

❌ You’ll still need heartworm prevention.

❌ It also carries the FDA warning regarding rare neurologic side effects in susceptible dogs.

So…why do I personally recommend selamectin?

Personally, I’ve always appreciated the long safety history of selamectin, especially because it also provides heartworm prevention. That gives me a lot of confidence. Yorkies are a tiny dog and the amount of toxin we introduced them to should be taken, seriously

However, with the unusually heavy tick season we’re seeing this year, it’s worth having a conversation with your veterinarian about whether your Yorkie’s lifestyle calls for a product with stronger tick coverage.

At the end of the day, the best flea and tick medication is the one that you use consistently. Missing doses leaves our little ones unprotected, and prevention is always easier than treating disease.

A Few Friendly Reminders

❤️ Check your Yorkie for ticks after being outdoors.

❤️ Pay special attention around the ears, neck, under the collar, between the toes, and under the tail.

❤️ Keep your yard mowed and remove piles of leaves where ticks love to hide.

Most of all, remember that every recommendation I make comes from the same place—it’s the way I care for my own dogs. My goal has always been to give every Heritage Hill puppy the healthiest start possible and to help each family enjoy many happy, healthy years together.

Featured Pup of the week

Meet our little Zoe! Do you remember my little secret that I revealed a while back? This little traditional girl was born just shy of 2 ounces.  I kept her a secret for the first three weeks of her life and finally announced her to my Facebook page on May 10.  Getting her to that point took a lot. There were sleepless nights, constant weighing, making sure she was latching and nursing enough, and worrying over every little change. When you’re raising a tiny puppy like this, you never really stop watching or wondering if you’re doing enough. It’s a side of breeding that most people never see, and it can be exhausting and stressful. I guarded my heart the first three weeks because I really didn’t know if she would make it.  But today was Gotcha Day. I got to enjoy seeing her join a past Heritage Hill sibling.  Her new momma just adores her! 🥰 There’s nothing more rewarding and it makes it all worth it! 🐾❤️🐾

Thank you for trusting me with a small part of your Yorkie’s journey. It truly means the world to me!

With love,

~Kortni

Text me at 816.694.1742 for current availability.

Fireworks and Storms: Helping Your Yorkie Feel Secure

If you’ve ever owned a Yorkie, you know they have big personalities packed into tiny little bodies. They love deeply, stay close to their people, and sometimes feel the world a little more intensely than larger dogs.  I like to say they have “big feelings” 🐶❤️

Even some of my own adult mamas—dogs who have been through many summers—still become nervous when the fireworks begin or a thunderstorm rolls in. They’ll look for us, want to snuggle close, or head to their favorite safe spot until the noise passes.

It’s a good reminder that even confident, well-socialized dogs can feel anxious during loud, unexpected events.

One of the best things we’ve learned is that our calmness helps them feel safe. We don’t make a big fuss, but we also don’t ignore them. We let them stay close, speak softly, and reassure them that everything is okay. Sometimes that’s all they need. If you feel like your pup just needs something a little extra to help take the edge off. We love this natural melatonin supplement. It’s great for storms, fireworks or travel. Here is the Amazon link.

Here are a few things that have helped our own Yorkies over the years:

✅ Keep them indoors well before fireworks or storms begin.

✅ Close the blinds or curtains to reduce bright flashes.

✅ Turn on the TV, a fan, or some soft music to help cover the loud sounds.

✅ Make sure they have access to their favorite bed, blanket, or crate if that’s where they feel most secure.

✅ Always take them outside on a leash if they need a potty break during a storm or fireworks. Boundaries actually make them feel more safe.

One thing we never assume is that “my dog would never run away.” Fear can cause even the sweetest Yorkie to bolt if they become frightened. That’s why we send all our pups home microchipped through AKC reunite.

The 4th of July is one of my families’s favorite holidays… Just like our children pick up on how we perceive the world, so do our pups… If they see that, we are excited, happy and calm during storms and the fireworks they will pick up on our vibe.  And when they do get anxious, the more calm we remain the better it will be for them.

We simply do our best to make them feel loved, protected, and safe until the storm or fireworks pass.

Give them an extra cuddle from us. They deserve it. ❤️🐾

Featured Dog of the Week

Meet Ivy! She is 5 years old you will never catch her without a feather in her hair. She is super stylish just like her mama. She is Traditional Yorkie weighing in at 5lbs adult weight. Her eyes are so sweet! How can you say no to her?🪶💕 Nothing makes me happier than to see my babies loved, spoiled, and put on full display. ❤️

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend with your loved ones.

With love,

Kortni

816.694.1742

Yorkie Potty Training Part 4: To Outdoor or Pad Train?

It’s time to decide what long-term potty habits you want for your Yorkie.

Some families prefer outdoor-only training. Others love the convenience of puppy pads. Many of our Heritage Hill Yorkie families successfully teach their dogs to use both. ( this is what I personally do 🙋🏽‍♀️)

There is no one “right” answer.

~If your goal is outdoor potty training, don’t rush the process.

Your puppy has already learned that pottying on the pad is correct. Now you’re simply teaching them a new location.

A gradual transition works best.

Step 1: Reduce the Pad Area

If you’ve been using multiple pads, slowly reduce them until your puppy is consistently using a single pad.

Step 2: Move the Pad Toward the Door

Every few days, move the pad a little closer to the door you’ll use for potty breaks.

Your puppy will begin associating the door with bathroom time.

Step 3: Move the Pad Outside

Place the pad directly outside in the location where you’d ultimately like your puppy to potty.

Continue using your potty cue and rewarding success. ( dance parties are my personal fav! 💃🏽 😅🐾)

Step 4: Remove the Pad

Once your Yorkie is confidently using the outdoor location, remove the pad and continue rewarding them for using the grass or designated potty area.

Choosing an Outdoor Potty Spot

Consistency matters.

Using one dedicated area helps:

• Reduce distractions

• Build familiarity

• Speed up learning

• Create a predictable routine

Many puppies learn much faster when they aren’t wandering all over the yard trying to decide where to go.

~The Benefits of Teaching Both

Many Yorkie owners are surprised to learn that teaching both methods can work extremely well.

Dual training offers flexibility for:

• Bad weather

• Extreme heat or cold

• Travel

• Apartment living

• Long workdays

• Senior dogs later in life

The key is consistency.

Use the same potty cue and reward system whether your puppy uses a pad or goes outside.

Most Yorkies quickly learn that both locations are acceptable.

If your puppy is still having accidents…

You may feel like you’re doing everything right and still dealing with occasional accidents.

That’s normal. Remember, your Yorkie is learning a life skill that takes time, repetition, and maturity.

Even puppies that seem to “get it” one week may have setbacks the next. Again normal!

~One day you’ll realize something remarkable:

🏆 You haven’t cleaned up an accident in weeks.

🏆 Your puppy heads to the door on their own.

🏆 Or they confidently walk to their potty pad without being asked.

The constant reminders, supervision, and scheduling will gradually become unnecessary.

What feels like hard work today will eventually become second nature for both you and your dog.

If you’re in the middle of potty training right now, take heart. Practice makes progress! 🎈🎈

🙌 Every successful potty trip matters.

🙌 Every accident handled calmly matters.

🙌 Every time you stick to the routine, you’re building habits that will last for years.

🙌 Potty training isn’t about having a perfect puppy overnight. It’s about patiently guiding your puppy toward success one day at a time.

✅ Stay consistent.

✅ Stay patient.

✅ Celebrate the small victories.

And remember…your Yorkie wants to succeed just as much as you want them to. 🎉🐶

The families and puppies that succeed aren’t the most experienced or “ they just got lucky”. It’s the families that stay consistent and never give up!

Also, just like in all of life “comparison is the thief of joy!” Just because aunt Susie’s puppy never had one mistake from 10 weeks on doesn’t mean that your puppy will follow the same trajectory.  That’s OK every family is unique.  Focus on your own puppy, celebrate every small victory and don’t compare! 😇

You’ve got this. And so does your puppy. 🐾❤️

Our Featured Puppy of the Week “Biscuit.”

Meet our most handsome little man “Biscuit.” He is a stunning Chocolate Parti Boy and he has the most charming eyes. 👀❤️ He is charting 6 lbs adult weight. He is ready to pack his bags 🧳 and settle into his new family. We can fly him ✈️ to you or you can come to Kansas City and we can meet you at the airport. Text me at 816.694.1742 for more information. Summertime is the best time to potty train a pup!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. It goes by way too fast. ☀️⛱️

With lots of love,

Kortni

Read the Full Potty Training Series:

1. The Set Up

2. Consistency

3. Margin for Mistakes

4. To Outdoor or Pad Train?

Yorkie Potty Training Part 3: Margin for Mistakes

Yorkie Potty Training part 3:  Margin for mistakes

So we talked about how to create the right environment and how to establish a routine. Those two steps alone will prevent many if not most accidents.

But let’s be honest—every puppy has accidents.

The difference between successful potty training and ongoing frustration isn’t whether accidents happen. It’s how we respond when they do.

Reward Success Like It Matters

Your Yorkie is always learning and ALWAYS wants to please you!

Every time they successfully use their potty pad or designated outdoor area, you have an opportunity to reinforce that behavior.

The most effective rewards are:

• Treats

• Praise (My personal favorite. We throw some serious dance parties around here 💃🏽)

• Affection

• Attention

The reward should happen immediately after your puppy finishes. If you wait too long, they may not connect the reward to the potty behavior.

Think of yourself as saying:

“Yes! That’s exactly what I wanted!”

Why Timing Matters…

Imagine getting paid for a job two years after you completed it. You might appreciate the payment, but the connection wouldn’t be nearly as strong. 🤔💰

Puppies learn the same way.

The closer the reward is to the behavior, the faster the lesson sticks.

Within a few seconds is ideal.

What To Do When Accidents Happen🐾💩

When a puppy has an accident, they’re usually telling us one of three things:

• They weren’t supervised closely enough.

• They had too much freedom.

• They weren’t taken to the potty area soon enough.

Instead of becoming frustrated, use the accident as a clue about what needs adjusting.

If You Catch Them in the Act

Stay calm.

You can gently interrupt with a clap, a soft “oops,” or by quickly picking them up.

Then immediately move them to their potty pad or outdoor potty area.

If they finish there, praise them generously.

If You Find an Accident Later

Do absolutely nothing with the puppy.

No scolding.

No pointing.

No rubbing their nose in it.

💩 By the time you discover the accident, your Yorkie has no idea why you’re upset. 🚨

Instead:

• Clean the area thoroughly. 🫧

• Review what happened. 🤔

• Adjust your management or schedule. 📆

Then move on. ✅

Clean Like Your life Depends on It

Because it kinda does 😜

Dogs naturally return to areas that smell like previous bathroom spots.

Many household cleaners remove stains but leave behind odor molecules that dogs can still detect.

Use an enzyme-based cleaner designed specifically for pet accidents. These products break down the odor completely and help prevent repeat accidents in the same location. Here is a link for what we use to eliminate the urine odor.

Common Potty Training Setbacks

❌ ”My puppy was doing great and suddenly started having accidents.”

• This often happens when freedom is increased too quickly.

• Go back to closer supervision and a smaller area for a few days.

❌ “My puppy plays on the pad instead of using it.”

• This is common with young puppies.

• Keep potty trips calm and boring. Save exciting playtime for after they’ve successfully gone potty.

❌ “My puppy misses the pad by a few inches.”

• Consider temporarily using a larger potty area and gradually reducing it as accuracy improves.

❌ “My puppy does great during the day but struggles at night.”

• Young puppies simply have limited bladder capacity. Nighttime accidents often improve naturally as they mature.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection ✅

Many owners become discouraged because they’re looking for a perfect puppy.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Are accidents becoming less frequent?

• Is my puppy using the correct potty area more often?

Is my puppy beginning to understand the routine?

If the answer is yes, you’re making progress. Practice makes progress!!!🐾

Potty training is rarely a straight line. There will be great days, frustrating days, and everything in between.

Stay consistent.

Looking Ahead

In Part 4, we’ll discuss outdoor potty training, transitioning from puppy pads to grass, and how many Yorkie families successfully teach their dogs to use both options.

For now, remember this:

A successful potty-trained Yorkie is made by walking a long road in the same direction.

At Heritage Hill Yorkies, we encourage families to celebrate every win. Your puppy isn’t trying to make mistakes—they’re trying to learn. And with patience and consistency, they absolutely will. 

You’ve got this 🐶♥️

This season is a chocolate and chocolate parti palooza 🍫🍫🍫

Above is a variety of our past chocolate and chocolate parti pups. I just adore the little brown noses these pups have. We just welcomed 2 litters with these exact colors this week! They are so beautiful. 🤩 Text me at 816.694.1742 for availability. 💕

-Kortni

Yorkie Potty Training Part 2: Consistency

Part 1 was about preventing accidents, Part 2 is about creating habits.

The truth is, puppies thrive on predictability. The more consistent you are, the faster your Yorkie will understand where and when they should potty.

Routine Matters

Young Yorkies don’t yet have the physical ability to “hold it” for long periods. They aren’t being stubborn when accidents happen—they simply haven’t developed the bladder control of an adult dog.

A predictable schedule helps your puppy succeed because you’re taking them to the potty area before they feel an urgent need to go.

Success builds confidence. Confidence builds consistency.

Take your puppy to their potty area every time they:

• Wake up from a nap

• Finish eating

• Finish drinking

• Finish a play session

• Come out of their crate or playpen

• Before bedtime

These are the times puppies are most likely to need to relieve themselves.

How Often Should a Yorkie Puppy Go?

Every puppy is different, but as a general rule:

8–10 Weeks Old

Expect potty trips every 30–60 minutes when awake.

10–12 Weeks Old

Usually every 1–2 hours when awake.

3–4 Months Old

Usually every 2–3 hours when awake.

5–6 Months Old

Many puppies can comfortably go 3–4 hours between potty breaks.

Remember, these are guidelines—not guarantees. Some puppies mature faster than others and some slower, especially the tinies.

Use a Potty Cue

Every time you take your Yorkie to the potty area, use the same phrase.

Examples include:

• “Go potty”

• “Tinkle”

• “Do your business”

Say it calmly and consistently.

Over time, your puppy will begin associating the cue with the behavior. Eventually, you’ll be able to use the cue when traveling, visiting friends, or dealing with bad weather.

Be Patient and Boring

When it’s potty time, make it all about pottying.

Avoid:

• Playing

• Talking excessively

• Wandering around

Simply take your puppy to the designated spot and wait.

Try not to accidentally distract your puppy by turning potty trips into playtime.

Give them a few minutes to focus on the task.

What Happens After They Go?

The moment your puppy finishes:

THROW A PARTY 🎉 💃🏼

• Praise them in a high pitched voice

• Give treats

• Dance, play, pet

✅ This teaches your Yorkie that using the potty area is the best decisions they can make.

✅ The reward should happen immediately—within a few seconds if possible.

✅ Yorkies are so stinking smart and they WANT to please you!

✅ Consistency Beats Perfection

✅ You don’t need to be perfect.

✅ You simply need to be consistent.

Some days will feel like two steps forward and one step back. That’s normal. Potty training is not a straight line.its easy to get frustrated… I get that, and that’s why God made them

so stinking cute! 😜😇🐾

The families who succeed are not the ones with perfect puppies—they’re the ones who stick to the routine even when progress feels slow.

Remember my favorite quote “practice makes progress”.  Persevere you both can do this!

A Sample Yorkie Puppy Schedule

A typical morning might look like this:

• Wake up → Potty

• Breakfast → Potty

• Playtime → Potty

• Nap → Potty

• Playtime → Potty

• Lunch → Potty

And so on throughout the day.

The goal is simple: give your puppy so many opportunities to succeed that accidents become rare.

In Part 3, we’ll discuss one of the most important aspects of potty training: how to properly reward success, handle accidents, and work through common setbacks without confusing your puppy.

Because accidents will happen—but how you respond to them can make all the difference.

It’s summer so let’s all take advantage of this nice weather and get these babies trained before the cold comes again!  ☀️ 🌺

Our Featured Puppy of the week

Introducing “Truffle!” She is a KB Bitter 🍫Chocolate female Yorkie with solid composition. She checks all the boxes for us. Super sweet temperament and what a beautiful coat! She is lucky enough to be joining another Heritage Hill Yorkie family who owns Henrik. He is a Parti colored Yorkie. So she will complement this growing family with love, color, and tender companionship. 🐶🐾💕 Text me at 816.694.1742 if you would like to know more about our waiting list or availability.

With Love,

Kortni

Yorkie Potty Training Part 1: The Setup

One of the biggest misconceptions about potty training is that puppies have accidents because they’re stubborn or “just don’t get it.”

In reality, most accidents happen because puppies are given too much freedom too soon.

Before we ever talk about schedules, treats, or potty cues, we need to create an environment that sets your Yorkie puppy up for success.

Why Yorkies Need a Different Approach

Yorkies are incredibly intelligent, but they are also very small.

A young Yorkie puppy has a tiny bladder, a fast metabolism, and often very little warning before they need to go. If they have access to an entire house, they’ll simply choose the closest convenient spot when nature calls. Good potty training isn’t just about correcting mistakes—it’s about preventing them.

The Importance of Limiting Freedom

If your puppy is constantly having accidents, the answer usually isn’t more correction. It’s less freedom.

When you can’t actively supervise your puppy, they should be in:

• A playpen ( I personally love iris pens. Here’s a link to them  https://a.co/d/0cAwYr9D )

• A puppy-safe room

• A crate for very short periods when appropriate

Think of it this way: every accident your puppy has teaches them that eliminating inside the home is acceptable. Our goal is to dramatically reduce opportunities for mistakes while increasing opportunities for success.

Creating the Ideal Potty Area

Whether you plan to use puppy pads long-term or transition outdoors, consistency is important.

Place potty pads:

• Away from food and water bowls

• Away from beds and blankets

• In an easily accessible location

• In the same spot every day

• Leave a potty on the pad when acceptable ( I know it sounds super gross… But if they can smell the potty and know that they got rewarded for it, it will encourage them to keep going in the same spot)

For very young puppies, don’t be afraid to use multiple pads initially. Covering a larger area increases the chances your puppy lands in the correct location while learning.

As they become more reliable, you can gradually reduce the number of pads.

Supervision Is Training

When your puppy is out of their playpen, someone should be watching them.

A puppy roaming freely through the house is not learning independence—it’s learning where to hide accidents.

Watch for common signs that your Yorkie needs to potty:

• Sudden sniffing

• Circling

• Wandering away from play

• Squatting

• Becoming distracted during activity

The sooner you recognize these signs, the easier potty training becomes.

Set Realistic Expectations

One of the quickest ways to become frustrated is expecting too much too soon.

Most Yorkie puppies need months—not days—to become fully reliable. I could ask the question every day “will my puppy come home potty trained”. My answer is always the same… Although we will start encouraging potty training your puppy by no means will be completely trained by the time he or she comes home.

Progress isn’t measured by perfection. It’s measured by fewer accidents, more successful potty trips, and a growing understanding of where they’re supposed to go. As I’ve been quoting to my kids for 25 years… “Practice makes progress” 😘🙌🏼 Celebrate the small victories.

Common Mistakes New Owners Make

Here are the mistakes we see most often:

❌ Giving too much freedom too soon

❌ Moving potty pads around frequently

❌ Expecting a puppy to “tell you” when they need to go

❌ Leaving a puppy unsupervised for long periods

❌ Punishing accidents after they’ve happened

Remember, your puppy is learning. The environment you create today will determine how quickly they succeed tomorrow.

Looking Ahead

Now that you’ve created a setup that encourages success, it’s time to establish a routine.

In Part 2, we’ll cover the exact potty schedule we recommend for Yorkie puppies, including when to take them to the potty area and how often they should go throughout the day.

A good setup prevents accidents. A good routine creates habits. Together, they build a reliably potty-trained Yorkie.

At Heritage Hill Yorkies, we believe consistency, patience, and realistic expectations are the foundation of successful potty training. Your puppy wants to succeed—we simply need to show them how. 🐾

And just to be honest… accidents are a burden…. But all blessings are burdens.  And these little babies are definitely a blessing!!! ❤️❤️

Our featured puppy of the week

Meet our little Traditional Female named Olive 🫒. She will be ready to go to her family in 3 weeks. She has a beautiful little compact body. She has rich dark coloring and won’t fade to silver. She is a poster puppy! 🐶📸 Text me at 816.694.1742 for more information about her.

As summer unfolds, we are soaking up every moment with our family, our dogs, and the simple joys that make this season special. Thank you for being part of the Heritage Hill Yorkies family— until next time, with love from Kortni and Heritage Hill Yorkies.💕🐾

Introducing Heritage Hill Happenings

Welcome to the very first edition of

Heritage Hill Happenings!

We are so excited to finally have a place where our Heritage Hill families can stay connected, learn together, and follow along with everything happening here at home with our Yorkies.

This blog is designed especially for our puppy owners — both current and future — to help you feel confident and supported throughout your journey of raising a happy, healthy Yorkie puppy.

Here you’ll find:

• Puppy training tips

• Giveaways of my favorite products

• Potty training advice

• Feeding and nutrition guidance

• Grooming recommendations

• Socialization tips

• Answers to common Yorkie questions

• Helpful product recommendations

• Feature current HH mommas

• Updates on litters and upcoming puppies

One of the things we love most about breeding Yorkies is building long-term relationships with our puppy families. Our goal is not simply to send a puppy home — we want to be a lifelong resource for you as your puppy grows.

Litter & Pregnancy Updates

We also know many families enjoy following along with upcoming litters and puppy arrivals, so this blog will serve as our central place for:

• Pregnancy announcements

• Due dates

• Puppy arrival updates

• Waitlist information

• Milestone photos and development updates… we call them “pupdates!”

Our featured puppy of the week!

We would like to introduce “Sammy” to everyone! He came into this beautiful world 6 weeks ago. He is a Chocolate Parti boy with the sweetest little face .🐶🥰. He is charting 6lbs adult weight. He has the sweetest little face, soulful eyes, and the softest fluffy coat. Loving and absolutely adorable, he has already become such a special little part of our days here at Heritage Hill Yorkies.

And could the timing for his photos have been any more perfect? Our floral garden is bursting with beautiful blooming lilies this year, creating the dreamiest backdrop for this little sweetheart. 🌸💐

Text Kortni at 816.694.1742 for our current puppy availability.

We are excited to share more behind-the-scenes moments from Heritage Hill and give our families a closer look into our daily life with the dogs we love so much.

Thank You for Being Here

Whether you already have a Heritage Hill puppy or are considering joining our waiting list in the future, we are grateful you’re here.

We hope this blog becomes a helpful resource filled with encouragement, education, and exciting puppy news along the way.

Be sure to check back weekly for new updates and helpful Yorkie puppy content!

With love,

Kortni & Heritage Hill Yorkies