New to YT and looking for support and information

[missviolet]

I adopted my Sammie from the Humane Society about 14 months ago. He was one of 400 dogs rescued from a Puppy Mill during a bust in January 2009. Since Sammie has become apart of the family, (my husband, myself and two silly cats) he has made, what I think is, a lot of improvement. He's pretty well potty trained (accidents are VERY few and far between), he's become more true to his Terrier nature (being curious, sniffing about outside on walks, exploring a little bit), he's a lot less afraid of my husband (initally Sammie would RUN from my husband, as though his life depended on it), and has become more and more bonded & trusting of me. However, there's one area of his behavior that simply baffles me: Sammie has become EXTREMELY bonded to my families dog, Bernie (a Cardigan Welsh Corgi). When Sammie and Bernie are together, Sammie is a completely different dog than when he's at home. When he's with Bernie, he plays, his tail wags, he wants his ears and bum scratched, he runs around like a little fuzzy rocket. He seems so happy. Then, when I put the leash on him to go home, he drops his weight and stares at me with the saddest eyes. There are times where if I don't pick him up, I'm dragging him out the door. I'm at a loss for what to do. He doesn't play like that at home without Bernie, it seems, no matter what I try (toys, treats, etc.). He's not food motivated either which I think makes this an even more difficult situation. Any advice anyone can give me would be so appreciated. I just want to be the best mommy I can be for Sammie.

[Nancy1999]

First of all, I just want to say, how wonderful I think it is that you rescued this little guy. Sammie hasn't bonded with humans like most yorkies because of his earlier life, and he has trust issues going on. I think, in general, most dogs do prefer other dogs to humans, but many yorkies seem to prefer humans. I think you're lucky that Sammie likes other dogs and I hope you can allow play dates with Bernie once a week or so. Some people will probably suggest you getting another dog, but there is no guarantee Sammie will bond with another dog like he's bonded with Bernie. Maybe Bernie is his soul mate! You sound like a wonderful mommy!

[MaddiesMommie]

I just wanted to thank you so much for bringing this baby into your home. You are his angel. Oh, and Welcome to YT.
~Amanda and the girls

[kalina82]

You did a wonderful thing by rescuing Sammy. He is very lucky to have you. I'm glad he's made such great improvements with you. A lot of the time puppy mill dogs would rather be with and feel more comfortable with other dogs then people. They lived in cages with a bunch of dogs all their lives and rarely had human interaction. Sammy loves bernie so much because he misses the closeness he had with the other dogs in his cage at the mill.

Is it possible for you to get another older dog as a companion for him? If not, could you take Sammy to see Bernie more often or maybe take him to the dog park or day care?

[TresCutePiggies]

I also have a rescue from a puppymill bust, and we have had her since the end of December 2008. Lane has come a very long way too, and it has been an amazing transformation to watch. You are definitely beating us on the potty training though! Lane thinks a pee pad means you squat about 3 inches in front of it (preferably on the carpet). She also loves to do the little quarter-sized marking spots much like a boy, so we have just decided to keep little undies on her so when she marks she isn't decorating our carpet.

I think the major difference in our situation is that we already had another yorkie at home, and she has taken to her completely. Rory is a happy, go-lucky girl, but she was a bit of a spoiled princess before Lane came along. I can't tell you how sweet Rory was/continues to be towards Lane. Lane first modeled everything she did after Rory and continues to do so. Rory's favorite game has always been fetch, and wouldn't you know it Lane is now obsessed with fetch too. Rory climbs in Daddy's lap, and Lane wants to be in his lap too. Rory runs to the other room...guess who follows no matter what is going on where she currently is. I think dogs from a mill will most likely always have a closer bond with other dogs because that is all they knew before they were rescued. I hope you can continue to take him to play with Bernie and maybe find some dog parks or a doggie daycare in your area. Lane was a bit timid there at first, but doggie daycare is Rory's favorite place on earth and Lane quickly adjusted there too.

Every now and then when they are having a hard play session and Lane gets really fired up, she'll pick up any toy on the floor and shake it (as she's watched Rory do). The funny thing is she shakes her head in a wider motion so it doesn't quite look "normal," but we are so happy to see her playing since when we got her she had no idea what a toy was. She'll also occasionally grab a dog bed and try to shake it too. I'm not sure if your Sammie gets zoomies, but it is the best feeling in the world to see them running free knowing they'd been caged up (to put it mildly for the first part of their life).

I'm big on clicker-training, and Rory knows a bunch of tricks and catches on very quickly. We tried and tried with Lane and within the last 6 months she has really started to enjoy training time, and I can see her confidence grow as she starts to figure things out. I know you said he wasn't food motivated (Rory is...so maybe that is why Lane is...she also sings for her supper now too), but if you can think of any high-valued item he might be excited about, he might really enjoy some training too.

Just the other morning, Rory was extra sleepy and stayed in bed after I got up. Lane followed me out into the kitchen and I was sitting with her on the floor loving on her and petting her and she still kept looking over her shoulder to see where Rory was. I got out one of her toys and she didn't care at all...Rory finally woke up and Lane was all about that toy once Rory wanted to play with it.

Sorry that was soooo long. I have loved watching the transformation of my girl, and I know you wish Sammie wanted to play at home the same way he does with Bernie. Maybe socialize him around lots of different dogs and see how he does with all of them. If he does well, maybe in the future you could consider adding another pup for him too.

[Britster]

What a GREAT post!^^

What a great thing for rescuing the little guy

Jackson is 1.5yrs old and is MY only dog. We live with my mom and step-dad and they had a 4yr old dog Carmen that lived with us for the first year of Jackson's life until she passed away from an accident. My dads home, where we often visit, also has 2 other dogs. So Jackson was never technically an "only" dog until Carmen died.

He's also a different dog by himself. Not depressed or anything... just not so active and perky. He also has to be semi-dragged when we leave my dads house because he just does not want to leave, lol. Poor thing. I always feel so bad. After a day, he's fine alone again. He's definitely a dog's dog. He much prefers to be around other dogs, whether sleeping around together, playing, rough housing, etc. I really want to get a 2nd dog for him but I'm not totally ready, so even though he'd love a sibling, I don't think 2 dogs is the best option for me right now... but anyways, just wanted to say, I entertain Jackson with lots of tricks (he loves learning! clicker training is awesome!), fetch, and other games. He gets daily walks and lots of exercise, moreso when he's by himself to 'satisfy' him! lol. We also do weekly visits to dog parks, weekly visits to my dads house with their 2 dogs, and he walks 30 mins a day 5x a week with my dogwalking clients.

Good luck!

[Yorkiedaze]

Bless you for adopting this boy even when you knew he would need some TLC. The only suggestion I know to make his life better "is" to get another small dog. I think when they come from mills, they really are better off with another dog. Good luck in what ever you decide.

[Mitzis Mom]

Thank you for taking in a rescue! Since he so clearly loves to be around other dogs you have the best excuse to rescue another one. I always have to find something else to convince my dh...

[DvlshAngel985]

Welcome to YT! You probably already know this, but your Sammie's knight in shinning armor.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I would agree with what has been said. You are wonderful for giving Sammie a warm and loving home. The play dates sounds like a game plan.

[terlis]

Welcome and thank-you for rescuing this little one.

[missviolet]

Thanks everyone, for your kind words! Sammie does get to see Bernie quite a bit. Bernie lives with my parents, who are retired. When my husband and I go to work or on extended errands, Sammie goes to "Grandma and Grandpa's" house to hang out with Bernie. Based on the responses I've gotten so far, I think the next thing to try is more socialization which = more trips to the doggie park. Or does anyone happen to live in Seattle, who wouldn't mind setting up a doggie play date? I would love to rescue another little one but I'm in a rental situation where the management company has already bent their 2 pet maximum rule for my husband and I.

[mojo]

Love this post. Great advice and heart warming stories.
Thank you for rescuing * I cannot imagine the hell of a puppy mill dog's life

[Rachael x]

I would like to congratulate you on saving a puppy mill doggy
I think maybe he bonds more with another dog seen as he was around dogs all the time in the mill? not sure but I'm glad hes doing well and I think you are an angel for saving him

[margaritaville]

Thank you for caring and loving a rescue. When Bubba was six months old we rescued Sissy who was also six months. We know very little about her but that she is a mill dog. She bonded with Bubba after awhile but was stand offish or maybe scared of the rest of us. She slowly came around and now at 5yrs she is at my side every where I go. She is not much at playing with toys, much preferring just to have her belly scratched (constantly). I found that getting down on the floor on my hands and knees and playing with her seemed to help her accept me.