I love my yorkie but he has some issues... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

chattychicky · 05-06-2013, 02:08 PM

Hello,
This is my first post here. Let me start out by saying I love my yorkie! My hubby works for a vet. In December the vet approached him and asked if we would take in a 7 month old yorkie as his owner didnt' want him anymore so we said yes

We brought the little bundle of joy home 2 days after Christmas..oh what a cutie pie! He's now 11 months old and weighs 4.5 pounds. He's a real tiny little boy...

Two weeks ago he had a horrible accident..he fell off a table and he's lucky to be alive. He was in the hospital for a week and came home last Monday. He's having some balance issues but doing really well...I still don't allow him to do the stairs yet as I'm terrified he'll take a fall and re-injure or worse yet die from the fall...

I have 2 other dogs...a dachshund mix and a chihauhau mix. They all get along well. I live in a townhouse development and have an end unit...fenced in yard..The people who live in the house attached to mine rescued 2 BIG dogs and when I let my Dexter out (the yorkie) he acts like a mad man at the fence with these 2 dogs that I won't even go outside if they are out. The problem isn't their dogs ...its my dog...What can I do?? No matter what I do he goes to that fence line and freaks out. I live to be outside this time of the year and feel like I'm totally house bound. Did I mention these people leave these dogs outside for HOURS. I just want to be outside with my dogs and enjoying the nice weather but instead I'm a bit of a nervous wreck going outside as I cant' tell if/when those dogs are out till I get out there. I also have to be careful of Dexter going out there and acting up and re-injuring himself as well. He is a sweet sweet beautiful boy but he's got tons of puppy energy etc.

Can anyone suggest anything??

Thanks!

sandy simpson · 05-06-2013, 02:37 PM

Sounds like my JoJo. He is wired. Today he chewed up a clothespin. I just give him the Kong toys because if I am not careful he will chew up those plastic cheap toys. I am hoping Jo will grow up and calm down. He does not get along with my husband. Thats a real treat when Bruce walks in JoJo barks at him. Just play with him, take him for walks, try to wear him out before he wears you out!

Anny Mendoza · 05-06-2013, 02:40 PM

I'm afarid I can't help you out. I have the same problem with Rufus

Just wanted to welcome you to YT

There must be someone with great tips that can help you

Marhcarter · 05-06-2013, 02:46 PM

Welcome to YT! Bless you for taking this little one in & I hate to hear he took a tumble and got hurt. I have steps for mine to get on & off the bed and other people have several sets of steps for bedroom, den sofa, etc. Teach him to go up and down, and this will help prevent future injuries. (Looking at what your other 2 dogs are, you may already have steps. I don't put mine up on any tables except the grooming table, and I always keep a hand on him, but he has jumped off the top of the recliner before and scared us to death!)
As for the barking at the fence, I will let some experienced trainers address this. I know there are ways with positive reinforcement and repetitive, consistant training that this behavior can be changed. Just remember, yorkies respond well to positive reinforcement and poorly to negative, which is why I can't help you train because my stop barking attempts with my little one have a tendancy to end in a loud "be quiet!", which is the wrong way! Good luck! And if you succeed, please post how, so I can try again!

chattychicky · 05-06-2013, 03:15 PM

Thanks to everyone who has answered thus far. I really am chuckling! sounds like most yorkies are maniacs? I mean that in a nice way of course. My life has been changed forever since Dexter came into my life. Never a dull moment with this little guy..I swear he's 4 pounds and thinks he's 40 lol

When my hubby puts our pool up next week he's going to block the side where the big dogs live so he cant' get over there...at least for the summer...A little while ago I took him out and the big dogs FINALLY went into their house...Took him out again half an hour later and the big dogs were back out..this is truly driving me crazy...Dexter LOVES to be outside and so do I...I swear he doesn't "hear" me at all when I try to stop him from carrying on...

As you can tell this is the first Yorkie I've owned...I was a bigger dog type of gal till I got my little guys...I truly love all dogs. Prior to these 3 I had 3 dalmations. In 2 days it will be the 3rd anniversary of my beloved dal Ziggy passing away. A day I'll never forget. I miss him something aweful...and I always will. I know he would be happy that I've rescued 3 doggies and did I tell ya'll I also have 16 cats?! All rescues from the vet office...yeah its zoo here....

Do yorkies calm down when they get a little older???

Maximo · 05-06-2013, 04:26 PM

Sorry to hear your little guy was injured. I agree with Marilyn that whenever I have the boys on a high surface, I body block them and keep one hand on them to prevent jumping. However, my one boy did get away from me once and jumped from the dining room table. Very scary!

Stairs for beds and couches are a must for a little one, along with training to use them.

For the fence line problem: I believe in positive reinforcement training, with a little bit of correction. There is a member here whose training abilities I highly respect and he used a water bottle to spray his dogs when they wouldn't stop obey commands to stop barking at the neighbors' dogs. The water bottle spray doesn't hurt a little dog, but it gets their attention.

spiritwings1202 · 05-06-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

Sorry to hear your little guy was injured. I agree with Marilyn that whenever I have the boys on a high surface, I body block them and keep one hand on them to prevent jumping. However, my one boy did get away from me once and jumped from the dining room table. Very scary!

Stairs for beds and couches are a must for a little one, along with training to use them.

For the fence line problem: I believe in positive reinforcement training, with a little bit of correction. There is a member here whose training abilities I highly respect and he used a water bottle to spray his dogs when they wouldn't stop obey commands to stop barking at the neighbors' dogs. The water bottle spray doesn't hurt a little dog, but it gets their attention.

I use the water bottle for when my girls are fighting and won't listen. When they bark nonstop and I tell them quiet, I give them a chance to obey. If they don't stop I use the squirt bottle and It does work. I think I have only had to suirt them twice. lol and they learn quick, now all I say is squirt and they both stop and look at me like oh damn here it comes! lol

Anny Mendoza · 05-06-2013, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritwings1202

now all I say is squirt and they both stop and look at me like oh damn here it comes! lol

This sounds so funny!!
I am imagining the doggies sitting like they did nothing, like perfect angels

Using the water bottle does sounds good, I'll try it with mine

kimp5 · 05-07-2013, 02:25 AM

I use the water bottle for barking too. Now every time she starts I just come around the corner bottle in hand and she looks at me with a silent "oh crap" look and slunks away...

dalady25 · 05-07-2013, 02:34 AM

Oh, how funny you are & helpful too. My little boy loves to indiscriminately bark at people or unseen things & I had forgotten about the water spray. Thanks so much!

jeane · 05-07-2013, 04:16 AM

I am going to have to try that with morgan// he barks at everybody who walks by// there is a bike path right by our fence so he runs the fence and lets everybody know that they are walking by his yard and he also barks at the deer

chattychicky · 05-07-2013, 02:23 PM

great idea! I have a squirty bottle all ready to go! All morning the next door dogs were out but I didn't have the bottle then. Since I got it the next door dogs havent' been out thank goodness...I'm anxious to see if it helps!

Concerning his fall..it was so horrific I cant' even describe it on here. I swear it took 10 years off my life...I really thought he was paralyzed. The vet feels the balance issue is brain related. It does seem to getting better. I wasn't horrible but it was definitely there. She said it could take months to go away or it could stay.

Today was the first day since he came home that I left for any length of time. I have a kitty carrier in the living room for him. He used to just be "free" when I would go somewhere but I'm wayyy too scared to do that now. I was so nervous about leaving..all I had to do was run to walmart. My hubby and son kept telling me I'm nuts for being so nervous and he would be fine and he was

I think I'm traumatized by what happened and now a super nervous nelly...

Do yorkies calm down as they get older? or is hyper an on going thing?

furrybaby · 05-15-2013, 06:34 PM

I found clanking two pie tins together work great for stopping my furrybaby from doing undesirable behavior like barking.

celstu1 · 05-17-2013, 07:30 AM

I would walk your baby outside by leash and keep him near you on the leash the whole time and every time he looks in the direction or growls or barks at the big dogs, tell him no, or squirt him with the water bottle WHILE saying NO. Don't make a big deal about the dogs and don't let him go near the fence, keep him leashed close to you.... that method has helped with my dogs when they can't get to what they initially want, they eventually lose interest, then it becomes no big deal after a few days/week.

Magnus · 05-22-2013, 09:08 AM

I carry Zoey in a doggie backpack while I walk Magnus. She goes nuts when she sees other dogs. When I put her down and let her do her thing (she doesn't bite, just barks relentlessly while darting around), she calms down. Once I've done that few times, she was ok seeing those same dogs.

If your neighbor's dogs are friendly, maybe you can talk to your neighbor let the dogs introduced?...

(btw.. those bigger dogs I mentioned are very sweet. They're both labs and Brook (the female) even submitted to Zoey. LOL)

05-06-2013, 02:08 PM	#1
chattychicky YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Richlandtown, PA US Posts: 3	I love my yorkie but he has some issues... Hello, This is my first post here. Let me start out by saying I love my yorkie! My hubby works for a vet. In December the vet approached him and asked if we would take in a 7 month old yorkie as his owner didnt' want him anymore so we said yes We brought the little bundle of joy home 2 days after Christmas..oh what a cutie pie! He's now 11 months old and weighs 4.5 pounds. He's a real tiny little boy... Two weeks ago he had a horrible accident..he fell off a table and he's lucky to be alive. He was in the hospital for a week and came home last Monday. He's having some balance issues but doing really well...I still don't allow him to do the stairs yet as I'm terrified he'll take a fall and re-injure or worse yet die from the fall... I have 2 other dogs...a dachshund mix and a chihauhau mix. They all get along well. I live in a townhouse development and have an end unit...fenced in yard..The people who live in the house attached to mine rescued 2 BIG dogs and when I let my Dexter out (the yorkie) he acts like a mad man at the fence with these 2 dogs that I won't even go outside if they are out. The problem isn't their dogs ...its my dog...What can I do?? No matter what I do he goes to that fence line and freaks out. I live to be outside this time of the year and feel like I'm totally house bound. Did I mention these people leave these dogs outside for HOURS. I just want to be outside with my dogs and enjoying the nice weather but instead I'm a bit of a nervous wreck going outside as I cant' tell if/when those dogs are out till I get out there. I also have to be careful of Dexter going out there and acting up and re-injuring himself as well. He is a sweet sweet beautiful boy but he's got tons of puppy energy etc. Can anyone suggest anything?? Thanks!

05-06-2013, 02:40 PM	#3
Anny Mendoza YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,072	I'm afarid I can't help you out. I have the same problem with Rufus Just wanted to welcome you to YT There must be someone with great tips that can help you __________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus

05-06-2013, 02:46 PM	#4
Marhcarter ♡Huey's Human♡ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ringgold, Ga Posts: 3,333	Welcome to YT! Bless you for taking this little one in & I hate to hear he took a tumble and got hurt. I have steps for mine to get on & off the bed and other people have several sets of steps for bedroom, den sofa, etc. Teach him to go up and down, and this will help prevent future injuries. (Looking at what your other 2 dogs are, you may already have steps. I don't put mine up on any tables except the grooming table, and I always keep a hand on him, but he has jumped off the top of the recliner before and scared us to death!) As for the barking at the fence, I will let some experienced trainers address this. I know there are ways with positive reinforcement and repetitive, consistant training that this behavior can be changed. Just remember, yorkies respond well to positive reinforcement and poorly to negative, which is why I can't help you train because my stop barking attempts with my little one have a tendancy to end in a loud "be quiet!", which is the wrong way! Good luck! And if you succeed, please post how, so I can try again! __________________ Huey's mom, Marilyn :When a day starts & ends with puppy kisses, I can handle anything that comes in between! Last edited by Marhcarter; 05-06-2013 at 02:49 PM.

05-06-2013, 04:26 PM	#6
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Sorry to hear your little guy was injured. I agree with Marilyn that whenever I have the boys on a high surface, I body block them and keep one hand on them to prevent jumping. However, my one boy did get away from me once and jumped from the dining room table. Very scary! Stairs for beds and couches are a must for a little one, along with training to use them. For the fence line problem: I believe in positive reinforcement training, with a little bit of correction. There is a member here whose training abilities I highly respect and he used a water bottle to spray his dogs when they wouldn't stop obey commands to stop barking at the neighbors' dogs. The water bottle spray doesn't hurt a little dog, but it gets their attention. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

05-17-2013, 07:30 AM	#14
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	I would walk your baby outside by leash and keep him near you on the leash the whole time and every time he looks in the direction or growls or barks at the big dogs, tell him no, or squirt him with the water bottle WHILE saying NO. Don't make a big deal about the dogs and don't let him go near the fence, keep him leashed close to you.... that method has helped with my dogs when they can't get to what they initially want, they eventually lose interest, then it becomes no big deal after a few days/week. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

05-06-2013, 02:37 PM	#2
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	Sounds like my JoJo. He is wired. Today he chewed up a clothespin. I just give him the Kong toys because if I am not careful he will chew up those plastic cheap toys. I am hoping Jo will grow up and calm down. He does not get along with my husband. Thats a real treat when Bruce walks in JoJo barks at him. Just play with him, take him for walks, try to wear him out before he wears you out!

05-06-2013, 03:15 PM	#5
chattychicky YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Richlandtown, PA US Posts: 3	Thanks to everyone who has answered thus far. I really am chuckling! sounds like most yorkies are maniacs? I mean that in a nice way of course. My life has been changed forever since Dexter came into my life. Never a dull moment with this little guy..I swear he's 4 pounds and thinks he's 40 lol When my hubby puts our pool up next week he's going to block the side where the big dogs live so he cant' get over there...at least for the summer...A little while ago I took him out and the big dogs FINALLY went into their house...Took him out again half an hour later and the big dogs were back out..this is truly driving me crazy...Dexter LOVES to be outside and so do I...I swear he doesn't "hear" me at all when I try to stop him from carrying on... As you can tell this is the first Yorkie I've owned...I was a bigger dog type of gal till I got my little guys...I truly love all dogs. Prior to these 3 I had 3 dalmations. In 2 days it will be the 3rd anniversary of my beloved dal Ziggy passing away. A day I'll never forget. I miss him something aweful...and I always will. I know he would be happy that I've rescued 3 doggies and did I tell ya'll I also have 16 cats?! All rescues from the vet office...yeah its zoo here.... Do yorkies calm down when they get a little older???

05-07-2013, 02:25 AM	#9
kimp5 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Boston MA Posts: 890	I use the water bottle for barking too. Now every time she starts I just come around the corner bottle in hand and she looks at me with a silent "oh crap" look and slunks away...

05-07-2013, 02:34 AM	#10
dalady25 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	Oh, how funny you are & helpful too. My little boy loves to indiscriminately bark at people or unseen things & I had forgotten about the water spray. Thanks so much!

05-07-2013, 04:16 AM	#11
jeane Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: montana Posts: 2,945	I am going to have to try that with morgan// he barks at everybody who walks by// there is a bike path right by our fence so he runs the fence and lets everybody know that they are walking by his yard and he also barks at the deer

05-07-2013, 02:23 PM	#12
chattychicky YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Richlandtown, PA US Posts: 3	great idea! I have a squirty bottle all ready to go! All morning the next door dogs were out but I didn't have the bottle then. Since I got it the next door dogs havent' been out thank goodness...I'm anxious to see if it helps! Concerning his fall..it was so horrific I cant' even describe it on here. I swear it took 10 years off my life...I really thought he was paralyzed. The vet feels the balance issue is brain related. It does seem to getting better. I wasn't horrible but it was definitely there. She said it could take months to go away or it could stay. Today was the first day since he came home that I left for any length of time. I have a kitty carrier in the living room for him. He used to just be "free" when I would go somewhere but I'm wayyy too scared to do that now. I was so nervous about leaving..all I had to do was run to walmart. My hubby and son kept telling me I'm nuts for being so nervous and he would be fine and he was I think I'm traumatized by what happened and now a super nervous nelly... Do yorkies calm down as they get older? or is hyper an on going thing?

05-15-2013, 06:34 PM	#13
furrybaby Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Furville, CA Posts: 173	I found clanking two pie tins together work great for stopping my furrybaby from doing undesirable behavior like barking.

05-22-2013, 09:08 AM	#15
Magnus Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,192	I carry Zoey in a doggie backpack while I walk Magnus. She goes nuts when she sees other dogs. When I put her down and let her do her thing (she doesn't bite, just barks relentlessly while darting around), she calms down. Once I've done that few times, she was ok seeing those same dogs. If your neighbor's dogs are friendly, maybe you can talk to your neighbor let the dogs introduced?... (btw.. those bigger dogs I mentioned are very sweet. They're both labs and Brook (the female) even submitted to Zoey. LOL)