Is this a YORKIE thing?? I've never had such a SENSITIVE little dog!!

[butchpoodle]

My yorkie pup is 7 months now and doing very well for the most part. But she has this thing - every time I put a harness or a sweater - anything new really - on her, she becomes "disabled" and refuses to walk upright, stand upright, or play - for as long as FIVE DAYS at a time!!

I have never given in to this. She has done this from day one. Never taking her out of her pen when she whined - not once - taught her not to whine in her pen, but every new collar or harness or anything ... five days of fine pouting is to be expected.

She will scoot, low to the ground, keeping her butt on the floor. She will scuttle across the room then shrink into a ball of pouting puppy. She won't look you in the eye, but looks down, looking pitiful. She won't play, won't take treats, won't do anything but sulk 'til it gets so old that even she can't take it anymore!!

The day I brought her home at 8 weeks, the rescue person put a collar on her. We went back to see the puppies and she was doing this same behavior. The woman was so freaked out, she wasn't going to let her go home with me that day. She took the collar off and - voila! - she was perfect. Put it back on her and she went back to slinking and sitting and pouting.

I took her to Puppy II a week ago, and the trainer asked if the harness was new - 'cause she was scratching at it a lot. I told her, "No. In fact, I put it on her 3 days ago so she would be able to walk tonight." I was not joking. That harness got too tight on her, so tonight I put the exact same harness on her in a slightly bigger size. They are identical. I'm guessing it will be a quiet weekend here, no roughhousing, no playing - just pouting puppy ...

She came in December, and it was COLD. Jackets, sweaters, collars, harness - they all got the same response. I can't imagine what she'd do if we put her in a cone!!! I never would, actually, because of her behavior.

Is this a yorkie thing?? Or do I just have the most sensitive dog in the world??

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I don't have this problem. Rosie lets me put anything on her. The only thing she hates is hair bows. You said she was a rescue. Do you think maybe something happened that traumatized her? I am sorry I am not much help. Maybe someone more experienced with this type of situation can answer! Good luck to you!

[citygirl123]

Stubborn little thing! I don't know really. How about keeping a light t-shirt on her most of the time and then changing it out for harness or whatever when needed?

[nancyf007]

I do not mean to make light of the situation, but I am just smiling about her.
That is almost comical. How many men would wish his girls didn't want new things.

[Maximo]

Sounds like she is sensitive and fearful of new things, especially "strange" and "restrictive" things that go on her body. Remember, none of this stuff is natural to a dog. Some dogs don't like when they see humans wearing "odd" objects like hats.

I would try introducing her to new items before putting them on her. First do something fun with her like play fetch, or whatever activity she likes. With a happy and confident demeanor, bring out the new item and say, "Oh, look what I got for my good girl!" Put the item on the floor and let her sniff, but not chew. Encourage her to check it out. In fact, use that phrase, "check it out." Give her small treats and praise for any movement toward or interaction with the new item.

Once the familiarity with the new item is established, then put it on her (harness, coat, whatever it is). Praise her as you do it. I think Yorkies love adoration. Tell her she is beautiful and such a good girl. Once the item is on, continue praising and distract her again with her favorite activities.

The more you expose her to new things, praise her for accepting new experiences, the more confident she will become.

[yorkiemini]

Since this behavior was noted by the rescue people before you took her home I would make a guess that there was some type of trauma prior to coming to your home.

Sounds like she really needs patience and to be handled gently. She needs time and much love - she is clearly insecure.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

Since this behavior was noted by the rescue people before you took her home I would make a guess that there was some type of trauma prior to coming to your home.

Sounds like she really needs patience and to be handled gently. She needs time and much love - she is clearly insecure.

Part of the trauma was being taken from her mom and possible littermates too young. If she went to her new home from rescue at 8 weeks, how old was she when she was taken from her mom?

[Jennxling]

Even treats don't work? Emma only stops moving when I put some stuff on her, such as shoes & coat. However, treats will force her to come I got banned from putting those on her because my bf says it's cruel

[Lovetodream88]

I dont have that problem with Callie she prances around the house to show everyone whats on her especially if its new. But Callie does throw fits and get mad about certain things and will not look at me, kiss me, let me cuddle her, she has thrown her bed around, and dumped the little basket that holds her bones.

[Princess10]

This probably sounds weird (like most things I suggest) but what if you put the clothing or harness, etc. under your pillow for a couple of nights or something so they would have your scent? Then maybe she would associate them with you and feeling safe.

It may just take some time. Princess used to hate getting dressed, now when she see's me getting something out she runs to me & almost knocks it out of my hand trying to get her head in. I always try to associate that & her topknot with going outside or bye-bye, so we do either. If you can't take her in the car just let her go out for some fun or a quick walk.

[kjcmsw]

Originally Posted by butchpoodle

My yorkie pup is 7 months now and doing very well for the most part. But she has this thing - every time I put a harness or a sweater - anything new really - on her, she becomes "disabled" and refuses to walk upright, stand upright, or play - for as long as FIVE DAYS at a time!!

I have never given in to this. She has done this from day one. Never taking her out of her pen when she whined - not once - taught her not to whine in her pen, but every new collar or harness or anything ... five days of fine pouting is to be expected.

She will scoot, low to the ground, keeping her butt on the floor. She will scuttle across the room then shrink into a ball of pouting puppy. She won't look you in the eye, but looks down, looking pitiful. She won't play, won't take treats, won't do anything but sulk 'til it gets so old that even she can't take it anymore!!

The day I brought her home at 8 weeks, the rescue person put a collar on her. We went back to see the puppies and she was doing this same behavior. The woman was so freaked out, she wasn't going to let her go home with me that day. She took the collar off and - voila! - she was perfect. Put it back on her and she went back to slinking and sitting and pouting.

I took her to Puppy II a week ago, and the trainer asked if the harness was new - 'cause she was scratching at it a lot. I told her, "No. In fact, I put it on her 3 days ago so she would be able to walk tonight." I was not joking. That harness got too tight on her, so tonight I put the exact same harness on her in a slightly bigger size. They are identical. I'm guessing it will be a quiet weekend here, no roughhousing, no playing - just pouting puppy ...

She came in December, and it was COLD. Jackets, sweaters, collars, harness - they all got the same response. I can't imagine what she'd do if we put her in a cone!!! I never would, actually, because of her behavior.

Is this a yorkie thing?? Or do I just have the most sensitive dog in the world??

I would say this is definitely not a 'yorkie thing' - I have 4 and when I say "come get pretty" they will fight each other to be first in line - for clothes, for hair accessories, comb outs, baths, ears & butts shaved, etc., etc. We finally had to get a routine down: oldest goes first, second to oldest goes next, etc - down the line. Gracie (our oldest) just has a tizzy if one of the others gets dressed before her (but she's a spoiled brat!!! lol)
For whatever reason your dog doesn't like the feel of apparently anything on it...it may very well have extremely sensitive skin (???) - I would just keep at it with very light weight harness vest type apparel...always follow with a treat, lots of praise...or whatever it loves (a walk? a short car ride?) - it will start associating clothes with positive things and if it isn't a skin issue it should come around eventually I would think.

[butchpoodle]

Well, I must say ... Brooke Lynn is playing the the past half-hour, so this isn't another 5 day stint - more like a few hours. For that, I'm grateful. :thumbup:

Thank you all for your replies. I really value you - each of you - quite a lot.

She has not experienced any particular trauma. She was born into rescue after her pregnant mama was rescued from the pound. She was the most outgoing pup of the litter. The person who rescued her took her out of the cage at 3 weeks, and she growled at her. She knows yorkies, and she made sure that my puppy in particular was handled every day, several times a day, hand fed, and learned to enjoy interacting with people. She's well socialized with people.

She played with small dogs and her littermates there, then came to my home where there were three toy poodles. The youngest and the next one up played with her - the youngest from day one, and the other one a month later. She was absolutely fearless and adjusted here very nicely, as long as we don't talk about the collar thing!! I haven't done as well socializing her with dogs outside of the house, so I'm working on that now.

I will try introducing things to her more slowly, with a lot more positive reinforcement. She is really quite sensitive. I was hoping to hear that someone else had had similar experiences - but perhaps this is more of a Brooke Lynn thing than a yorkie thing!

For being the most confident pup of the litter, she is an interesting mix here. Fearless, as I said, chiding anyone into playing with her. She wakes our alpha poodle up by standing on his head, chewing on his tail or ear. He, fortunately, loves her.

But she is also very fearful of new things/experiences. One night, I was doing homework at the counter and the door the the garage blew open with a creak. I knew she would be afraid, but listened to her trying to figure out what to do. She was on the couch behind me. I heard her fretting, hoping I would rescue her. I stayed still and listened. Suddenly, I felt the talons of an eagle on my right shoulder. She had jumped up on the back of the couch and leapt through the air 4 feet, onto my shoulder. Shocking. I did the wrong thing and comforted her - oops. I was just shocked.

Thanks for all of your responses. :o)

[TxVicki]

My Lizzie who is 14 1/2 yrs old, can't stand to have sweaters, collars or anything on at all. She has been this way since I got her as a puppy. I was however successful with the harness as she will tolerate that when I need to use it.
If I put anything on her, she will slink away and hide.

[Foster Mom]

My smallest boy when I used to put belly bands or any other kind of clothing on him, he would immediately become crippled. Would not move AT ALL, stood stock still, with the clothing I took them off when he did this, but the belly band he had to learn to get used to it, so I persisted and finally he was fine, but it took a very long time. My other boy however would run to me and try to put his head into the t shirt or the harness or whatever I was trying to put on him, even his belly band, he knew after we went outside he had to wait hen he alked in the door to get his belly band on. My girl will not pout if I put clothes on her, she just glares at me and i tell ya if looks could killl....

[kjc]

Maybe take her around other pups wearing clothes ...