I am overwhelmed!

[karenst]

I adore by baby Beau..but he's wearing me out....I can't get him to come to me ever!!!!! If I'm laying down....he runs up on me....literally....if I am reading....he gets in my lap...but if I call him...FORGET IT....I can't get him in his pen in the AM because he knows it's for the day and hides from me. I can't get him potty trained either....he was born in Aug. 2011 and I love him...but I'm so tired and disappointed in myself that he isn't a good dog.

[AlishaYorkie]

i know how you feel karen about the potty training. But Bella, if I call her she does come. I hope it gets better

[chachi]

Aw dont be disapointed in yourself. Have you tried getting him to come to you with yummy treats. Make it something he really loves first teach him to stay use hand signals and say stay I put my hand out. Then say come and use your hand to show him come and do it over and over and when hes got it down do it without treats

[chachi]

You could also teach sit first instead of stay and that is really easy, say it do hand signal then use your hand and push his rear in sit position. I think sit is the easiest thing to teach

[alaskayorkie]

I'd highly recommend an obedience course from an instructor who stresses positive reinforcement, preferably one who has worked with small dogs before. It not only teaches the dogs some valuable skills but it teaches you why your dog behaves the way it does and how to address issues.

How old is he? The earlier you start the better.

All that said, Chachi's advice to lure him with treats is a good place to start. Also, practice comes on a leash or long leash to prevent mistakes.

[SassyBK]

What I notice with my yorkie is my tone of voice. If I'm happy
And pretend I'm going to play with him he comes and I snatch him right up
To go in his pen

[shelimcallister]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

I'd highly recommend an obedience course from an instructor who stresses positive reinforcement, preferably one who has worked with small dogs before. It not only teaches the dogs some valuable skills but it teaches you why your dog behaves the way it does and how to address issues.

How old is he? The earlier you start the better.

All that said, Chachi's advice to lure him with treats is a good place to start. Also, practice comes on a leash or long leash to prevent mistakes.

Great advice. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem!! LOL!! Time for action! Are you crate training?

[MamaZiggy]

hope things are getting better for you and your pup

[salazark]

First, I would separate trying to train a solid recall from anything unpleasant. Make coming to you when you call him always a pleasant experience. Treats are a really good idea. Always use a happy, happy voice and reward with a treat for now. No matter how frustrated you get, always make it a party when he comes - however long it takes. Whatever you do, don't fuss at him when he finally does come. One thing that helps is actually running a little bit the other way. He'll run to you to find out what's gingerly on.

If you need him for something unpleasant (bath, trimming nails, pen), go to him. I started mine by always giving them a treat when I put them in the pen. Eventually they would get in when I ask so that they would get the treat. Now I say "hop in!" And they jump in. I ask for a sit in the pen before I treat now. It's really nice but it does take time and consistency. Good luck!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I would definitely think about obedience classes. When we took Hot Rod, hubby and I were really the ones taking the classes. lol We learned how to talk to him and how to act around him. By this I mean, it was how to read him and get him to react to us.

I learned quite a bit on how to "set him up for success". One thing our trainer suggested to us to use a unique phrase for come other than come. Her reasoning is that you tend to say, come, or come here, or come on. She used "front" and then she suggested treating or praise.

As for potty training, you will have to try and put yourself on a strict schedule for him. It's a matter of you reading his signals and figuring out when he is telling you he needs to potty. Some have suggested tethering him via a leash to you. This is something that takes patience and diligence on your part.

It will happen, you just need to be consistent with your training otherwise you will send him mixed signals and he will not learn what it is that you want from him. Once again, our trainer said to make sure to set him up for success. Good luck.