A dog needs experiences with other dogs to be a well-rounded canine. You want to be cautious until your pup has completed his first series of shots, but you don't want to be a recluse. Introduce your pup to other dogs gradually, so as not to overwhelm him.

Puppy Classes

A good place for a puppy to meet other canines is in puppy class. You should be asked to show proof that your puppy has had whatever vaccinations are appropriate for her age. That indicates the other puppy owners have had to show the same proof, so you know all the pups have been seen by their veterinarians and had their shots.

Puppy classes generally only accept dogs up to a certain age — four months or six months are common cutoffs. Some may also be divided by size. This means your Yorkie might be cavorting with Maltese, Pomeranians, toy poodles, Brussels griffons, small mixed breeds, or any of a variety of small dogs. While this division by size isn't essential, it is a nice bonus. You won't have to worry about gawky Lab puppies crashing into or falling over your Yorkie.

Puppy classes should include playtime for the great dog-to-dog socialization it offers, but they shouldn't be a nonstop free-for-all. Puppies should also receive the beginning stages of training and be carefully exposed to a wide variety of sights and sounds.

Play Dates

Once your puppy has aged out of puppy classes, you'll have to take a more proactive role to keep him engaged with other dogs. If you and some other handlers from puppy class hit it off, you may want to continue meeting once a week or twice a month to let your dogs keep playing together. They already know each other. You could take it in turn to visit each others' homes, or meet at a nearby off-leash park, if you have one. (The next section provides more information on dog parks.)

If you can't attend a puppy class, or you did but haven't met anyone there you'd like to keep in touch with, ask your breeder if she knows any other Yorkie owners in your area. Post a notice at your local pet supply store that you'd like to start a playgroup. You could also join a group pet-dog manners class. The dogs won't be given play time during class, but you may meet others there who would be interested in arranging some play dates.

Dog Parks

Dog parks can be both a blessing and a curse, depending largely on their clientele. Where interested owners have had to fight hard for the privilege of a few acres where dogs can run and play, they're likely to be firmly in charge of seeing that rules are obeyed and etiquette is observed. In other places, where a dog park was suddenly added to the recreational possibilities, you may find that no one takes responsibility. Obviously, you want to find and use the former sort of dog park.

Dog parks almost always have a posted set of rules. But these rules are not worth much if no one bothers to follow them. So, when visiting a new dog park, stand outside and observe. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is it clean? People should be vigilant about picking up after their dogs, and there shouldn't be any litter on the ground.

Are people watching their dogs? It's okay to socialize, and many friendships begin or blossom at dog parks, but everyone should be keeping at least one eye on his dog at all times.

Is rowdy behavior stopped before it escalates? Dogs may be running around at top speed, chasing each other, and barking occasionally. But they shouldn't be attacking others.

If children are present, are they staying with the adults or playing quietly in their own group, rather than running wildly with the dogs?

Are people careful about opening and closing gates when coming and going?

If everything looks good to you, enter and hang around the outskirts of the park. Either let your own dog off-leash, or be sure to keep the leash slack if other dogs come over to greet yours. Tight leashes can interfere with appropriate dog greetings. If anything makes you uncomfortable, or if your Yorkie snaps or growls at other dogs, leave. This is not the place to work out issues.