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01-08-2012, 03:06 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Stockport, England
Posts: 30
| How much does my Yorkie understand? Our Yorkie, Charlie, has been through a lot in his little life. When we first got him 5 years ago as a tiny puppy there were 4 of us in the house, myself, hubby and 2 children, plus my father was a frequent visitor who also looked after Charlie when we went away for the day or on holiday. Soon after we got Charlie my son went to college, he obviously went for about 10 weeks at a time, then would return for a few weeks. Then my father passed away, Charlie was very attached to him and whenever he came to the house Charlie "herded" him to the sofa and hardly waited until he had sat down before he jumped on his knee. I wonder whether Charlie knows that he has died (he stayed with us at the end of his life but strangely Charlie would not go near him at this time). Know my son has got his own place and doesn't come home very often and my daughter has now gone to college. I worry what Charlie makes of all this - going from 5 of us to mostly just the 2 of us. Does he wonder where the kids are? what does he think about my daughter going away now? doe he worry that we will go away too? he seems happy but I wonder if he does worry |
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01-08-2012, 03:51 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK
Posts: 4,119
| Both my kids are away at college too! They were home for 3 weeks for Christmas break and ZoE loved it...she got loved on and walked ALOT. They both left Saturday to return to respective universities and ZoE has been depressed ever since. She keeps going to their rooms and whining. It's always like this when they leave, but usually a few days later she's fine. She seems to know that even though other people come & go...my kids, friends, mum & dad, etc....that I always return. I'm sure Charlie realizes this about you too...and you're his anchor...his security...and as long as you're there, he'll be fine
__________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea ) |
01-08-2012, 09:11 PM | #3 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WA state
Posts: 250
| I wouldn't worry too much about it. The science says they have a cognitive age of a toddler (about 2). They do, however, react to your emotional vibes. So, if you feel sad, they may feel something akin to that. They also adjust their energy level to yours. I know when Dori goes on a play date or stays at the sitter's, she is MUCH more rambunctious than when it's just the two of us home alone.
__________________ Suzi & Dori Vicki, Meggie, Snookie, Peach |
01-08-2012, 09:19 PM | #4 |
Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member | I believe that dogs live in the moment. They react to what's going on right now. Yeah, they can seem sad when someone leaves because it shakes their routine and leaves them wondering what they're supposed to be doing right now. The buddy they've spent so much time with is not there. But if you engage them and help them into a new routine, they'll ease back into their old selves in no time. It might be a daily walk, or 6 p.m. play time. Or both! Try to show them some extra attention, and they'll quickly develop a new routine. I think that's why there are so many happy stories about rescued dogs, especially ones that were abused. Once they find a happy new routine, they become happier dogs. Good luck!
__________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube |
01-09-2012, 12:45 AM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Stockport, England
Posts: 30
| Thank you for the encouraging replies, Charlie is cuddled up in bed with my daughter right now and its reassuring to know he won't feel too upset when she leaves next weekend |
01-09-2012, 01:22 AM | #6 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chessington, Surrey, UK
Posts: 5,062
| Quote:
I've often wondered along these lines too. My son Simon lives in Vienna, and comes home 3 or 4 times a year. When he's here, Harry and Simon are like mad jumpy around best buddies. When Simon goes back, there's a very quiet hush around the house, but that's felt by all of us - and I do think our feelings can rub off on the Littlies. Then my daughter will visit maybe once a week - and it all starts over again!! I personally think that they get used to the 'comings and goings' - it becomes part of life itself. And as long as Charlie has you/your husband as the constant in his life, he'll be absolutely fine. Hope you're ok and dealing with all ok. Sally + Harry x | |
01-09-2012, 08:44 AM | #7 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: TX
Posts: 402
| Hiya I think it is the cutest and most wonderful thing that you are worried about your little one, but i wouldn't fret too much. I grew up with my family dog, Cisco, a shihtzu-poo. He slept with me growing up and I took care of him a lot as well (not your typical kid who doesn't feed or walk the dog lol. When I went to Los angeles for school and had to leave cisco behind and my mother and father got divorced so my mom just had cisco, so who was I to take from her? So long story short, cisco is just fine. Does he miss me? Yes he does and he comes to visit me some times and acts like he is on vacation. One poster said that they adjust to your energy levels, this is very true. With my mom and step dad he is very calm and lazy. He comes to my house he is super playful and just like a puppy again! He is 15 now!! So I wouldn't worry, because that energy could make him feel uneasy, he is HAPPY to have YOU and happy when he sees your kids again! Regarding your father ... Charlie may have felt it was his time to go or maybe felt his pain? Dogs have known to be sensitive to things like that and maybe it was just too much for him to bear.
__________________ Mommy to Sir Strudel McFierce |
01-09-2012, 09:39 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: FL, USA
Posts: 2,767
| I'd watch Charlie for your answers. Different ones seem to understand different levels and/or be bothered by them. My fur babies have shown mild to major depression when family members...including when other fur babies have left...including after the first weekend we puppysat a friend's Shih Tzu...which is why we got Mia as a companion/playmate for Brody. The range can be from easy adjustment to outright 'hostility' as family members come and go...like my sister's cat, Tammy. When my sister went to college and didn't take Tammy, he 'adopted' me and snubbed her completely, even when she came home for breaks. She'd try to make it up to him but he'd run to me. She felt awful but couldn't have pets in the dorm. Even after I moved away 2 years later, he would get up on the shoulder of whoever was talking to me and put his head between theirs and the receiver and literally 'take the phone away' and meow, and meow, and meow, telling all about how my sister had jilted him. It was so bad that when my sister got married and moved away, she took her dog, Lucy (my Yorkie-Poo, Stormy's puppy), with her but left Tammy...Tammy completely snubbed and 'never' quite forgave her. Basically, I do whatever my fuzz butts seem to need done, so I'd say if Charlie's happy, perfect, and I wouldn't change anything that didn't need changing.
__________________ - Cat Brody Mia BriaStormy |
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