New Puppy Blues - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JosieBishop · 12-13-2007, 05:21 PM

I think I have the puppy blues. We've had our 13 week sweet baby for almost 2 weeks, and I have to admit, things were going more smoothly the first week compared to now. I've never owned a pet and I don't have children so everything is completely new to me. I'm amazed and how quickly we fell in love with her. I did my homework, researched the best breeder, bought the best food, etc. but right now I feel like I'm not being a good mom. I'm frustrated. Today she completely TRASHED her ex-pen. We tried to instill discipline the moment she came into our home. I'm a big follower of Caesar Milan so we tried his techniques. Well, I haven't been successful, although my husband has. Is it my energy maybe? Is it possible to have too much discipline? And at the same time, is it possible to give to much love - which I may be guilty of too. When I firmly tell her NO she barks and now growls at me. So I thought - I'll flip her over and show her whose boss. Well, this didn't work too well. She's still growling and doesn't seem to want to play with me like before. She even backed away and growled when I opened the ex-pen. We keep her in an ex-pen during the day and in the crate at night. Is she just being a puppy and testing the waters? Is it normal to have the new puppy blues? Thanks for letting me vent. I don't want my frustration to transfer to her. I think it's time for puppy class.....

YorkieAunt · 12-13-2007, 05:31 PM

I have had my 11wk old for just over a week now. I do however, have another dog 10yrs, a cat 6yrs, a son 16yrs and a daughter 9yrs. I do have some experience but I think you can get the puppy blues. With mine, I let her get used to me and the house before I did any real discipline. She has spent most of her time with me either on my lap or in my bed with me. She only goes in her kennel when no one is home. She is definitely spoiled rotten, even more than my kids. I suggest you relax and enjoy him. Hold him alot, play with his toys with him and if he chews something, say a firm no and give him something else to chew. I found the little rawhide bones work really well for this or the little dentastix. You do sound just like I felt with my first born. Everything will work out, so just enjoy!

ash04ley · 12-13-2007, 05:40 PM

Ive owned many dogs in the past and currently live with 3 large dogs and pheobe( MY 4 MO. old yorkie). i got her at about 14 weeks. ive only had her for about a month. ive found that just a firm "NO" and staring at her works. sometimes ill do an occasional light tap on the butt. thats only if shes really acting up. but from what ive learned, almost every yorkie has a big attitude. Pheobe had a good 2 weeks of doing almost whatever she wanted, since i wanted her to just settle in and get used to everything. She has an extremely huge kennel that she's in if she isnt being watched and goes in a small kennel at night.
Our yorkies sound alot alike. Pheobe loves to tear puppy pads up and throw stuff around in her kennel. Pheobe will also sometimes bark and sometimes growl when i tell her no. i found that she really gets the message if i tell her no,and then she barks or growls and then i pick her up and say NO firmly with her face right in front of mine. i repeat it and then set her down. she usually walks away all pouty, but its good, because she got the point.

may i ask where you got her from? whats her name?

Ladymom · 12-13-2007, 05:47 PM

Oh, dear. I am not surprised that your puppy doesn't want to play with you like before you flipped her over. That technique is called the Alpha Roll is is considered outdated and dangerous and should only be used in the most extreme cases of aggression by professional dog trainers. Since the only time a dog will flip another dog over on it's back is to kill it, having their owner do this to them traumatizes a dog and can make them very fearful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll

Try to remember that your puppy is just a baby. She has just left her mother. Now is the time to bond with your puppy and gently help her become a good canine companion. Dogs aren't much different than people. They thrive on praise. Harsh discipline will make her fearful which is probably why she is afraid to come out of her expen and growls at you.

Have you spoken to your breeder about the problems you are having? A good breeder is the best resource you have.

chattiesmom · 12-13-2007, 05:52 PM

The big attitude in the small dog is what most of us love the most. Your little one is just a baby..... she needs to be allowed to be a puppy. Two weeks ago everything she ever knew changed and she came into a new world. I am sure that she is still trying to "learn the ropes" so I would give her more time and love and patience before you get too serious about discipline. What seems like trashing her x-pen to you is just plain ole good fun to her --

JosieBishop · 12-13-2007, 06:02 PM

We are playing right now and she seems better. I guess I just needed to vent to other people who may have been feeling the same way at some point. Thanks!

12-13-2007, 05:21 PM	#1
JosieBishop Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: La La Land Posts: 73	New Puppy Blues I think I have the puppy blues. We've had our 13 week sweet baby for almost 2 weeks, and I have to admit, things were going more smoothly the first week compared to now. I've never owned a pet and I don't have children so everything is completely new to me. I'm amazed and how quickly we fell in love with her. I did my homework, researched the best breeder, bought the best food, etc. but right now I feel like I'm not being a good mom. I'm frustrated. Today she completely TRASHED her ex-pen. We tried to instill discipline the moment she came into our home. I'm a big follower of Caesar Milan so we tried his techniques. Well, I haven't been successful, although my husband has. Is it my energy maybe? Is it possible to have too much discipline? And at the same time, is it possible to give to much love - which I may be guilty of too. When I firmly tell her NO she barks and now growls at me. So I thought - I'll flip her over and show her whose boss. Well, this didn't work too well. She's still growling and doesn't seem to want to play with me like before. She even backed away and growled when I opened the ex-pen. We keep her in an ex-pen during the day and in the crate at night. Is she just being a puppy and testing the waters? Is it normal to have the new puppy blues? Thanks for letting me vent. I don't want my frustration to transfer to her. I think it's time for puppy class.....

12-13-2007, 05:31 PM	#2
YorkieAunt Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cold Lake, Alberta Canada Posts: 622	I have had my 11wk old for just over a week now. I do however, have another dog 10yrs, a cat 6yrs, a son 16yrs and a daughter 9yrs. I do have some experience but I think you can get the puppy blues. With mine, I let her get used to me and the house before I did any real discipline. She has spent most of her time with me either on my lap or in my bed with me. She only goes in her kennel when no one is home. She is definitely spoiled rotten, even more than my kids. I suggest you relax and enjoy him. Hold him alot, play with his toys with him and if he chews something, say a firm no and give him something else to chew. I found the little rawhide bones work really well for this or the little dentastix. You do sound just like I felt with my first born. Everything will work out, so just enjoy! __________________ Diana-Mommy to Tessa ,Harley ,Misty & Boca Post unto others as you would have others post unto you

12-13-2007, 05:40 PM	#3
ash04ley Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 167	Ive owned many dogs in the past and currently live with 3 large dogs and pheobe( MY 4 MO. old yorkie). i got her at about 14 weeks. ive only had her for about a month. ive found that just a firm "NO" and staring at her works. sometimes ill do an occasional light tap on the butt. thats only if shes really acting up. but from what ive learned, almost every yorkie has a big attitude. Pheobe had a good 2 weeks of doing almost whatever she wanted, since i wanted her to just settle in and get used to everything. She has an extremely huge kennel that she's in if she isnt being watched and goes in a small kennel at night. Our yorkies sound alot alike. Pheobe loves to tear puppy pads up and throw stuff around in her kennel. Pheobe will also sometimes bark and sometimes growl when i tell her no. i found that she really gets the message if i tell her no,and then she barks or growls and then i pick her up and say NO firmly with her face right in front of mine. i repeat it and then set her down. she usually walks away all pouty, but its good, because she got the point. may i ask where you got her from? whats her name? __________________ My sunshine does not come from the skies, it comes from the love in my dogs eyes

12-13-2007, 05:47 PM	#4
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Oh, dear. I am not surprised that your puppy doesn't want to play with you like before you flipped her over. That technique is called the Alpha Roll is is considered outdated and dangerous and should only be used in the most extreme cases of aggression by professional dog trainers. Since the only time a dog will flip another dog over on it's back is to kill it, having their owner do this to them traumatizes a dog and can make them very fearful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll Try to remember that your puppy is just a baby. She has just left her mother. Now is the time to bond with your puppy and gently help her become a good canine companion. Dogs aren't much different than people. They thrive on praise. Harsh discipline will make her fearful which is probably why she is afraid to come out of her expen and growls at you. Have you spoken to your breeder about the problems you are having? A good breeder is the best resource you have. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

12-13-2007, 05:52 PM	#5
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	The big attitude in the small dog is what most of us love the most. Your little one is just a baby..... she needs to be allowed to be a puppy. Two weeks ago everything she ever knew changed and she came into a new world. I am sure that she is still trying to "learn the ropes" so I would give her more time and love and patience before you get too serious about discipline. What seems like trashing her x-pen to you is just plain ole good fun to her -- __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com

12-13-2007, 06:02 PM	#6
JosieBishop Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: La La Land Posts: 73	We are playing right now and she seems better. I guess I just needed to vent to other people who may have been feeling the same way at some point. Thanks!