Sometimes I feel like giving up..

[Nasdaq_Diva]

*Please no Flamming*

I've had my dog, Tommy for almost 2 years come November. He is a rescue and I adore him. He's had a pretty rough life but I still see the good in him.

I'm starting to feel like he has deeper issues than I think I'm ready for. I've read books on training, he's unresponsive to any command. He will accept treats from my hand, but they have to be at a very low level (he won't look up to grab from my hand) or he will run away.

We play chasing games around the house when he's in the mood to play. But, the last few months, If I get to close to him while we're at play (like closing in on him) he will let out the saddest scream and has a look of terror. If I back away he'll want to keep playing. He's only started that maybe the past few months.

For the past month now, whenever I yell for him (like if I'm in another room) and then come in that room I find him trying to hide and he has peed himself. He never used to do this.

When I go to feed him, he will refuse to eat if I'm not far enough away from his area. I never leave the kitchen area until he's started eating. If I walk past him during this time, it's like he will jump out of his skin and wait for me to walk away before going to eat his food.

I guess my patience is just really wearing thin. When I first got him, I figured he would be some work, but I had no idea it would be like this. I have so much going on in my life - and it kills me to not have him there either

Thoughts? Suggestions? Again, please no flamming or judgement.

[Sammy Mommy]

Please don't give up on Tommy, he needs you. You must be so frustrated. Could your vet give you any advise or suggestions? Or maybe some kind of dog trainer/behaviorist that has experience with this? I wish you and Tommy all the best and I hope you can find a solution to help him.

[Teresa Ford]

Hello, I am sorry this is happening. I don't mean to frighten you but this could be a brain issue. OSU Vet school may be an option. I would first make sure there is no physical problems. If it is not a neurological problem, medications and or behavior modification will help. If you do not have the resourses (money, time, understanding etc.) talk to a Yorkie Rescue. They can help, they work with experts every day and can give good advice.
Please do not feel like a failure or bad person, sometimes we all need help. I will say a prayer for you. I know you only want what is best for your Yorkie. I hope you find some answers soon.

[yorkietalkjilly]

No judgments here - you are trying to help & just don't know what to do.

Is he a Yorkie and if not, what breed is he and what size dog.

Has had had a recent medical checkup with labs, etc.?

[Joyce Adams]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

Hello, I am sorry this is happening. I don't mean to frighten you but this could be a brain issue. OSU Vet school may be an option. I would first make sure there is no physical problems. If it is not a neurological problem, medications and or behavior modification will help. If you do not have the resourses (money, time, understanding etc.) talk to a Yorkie Rescue. They can help, they work with experts every day and can give good advice.
Please do not feel like a failure or bad person, sometimes we all need help. I will say a prayer for you. I know you only want what is best for your Yorkie. I hope you find some answers soon.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Thanks for the understanding. So far, my my financial situation is shot. So, I'm hoping there is a good change in the air within the next few months. He hasn't been to the vet since Nov/Dec.

He's never had any health issues but they have put him on medication before for a staph infection they say he got before he was with me. They'd also give him the occasional pill prescription when I had a change in food. But, he's been happy with his food this entire time. He used to be on Solid Gold (pink bag), but 2 months ago the store I purchase from said it had been pulled from the shelves and recommended Premium Edge. He has been fine with that so far.

In the past I tried researching doggie trainers but when I'd read between the lines, it seemed like they'd use the choke collar method or the shock therapy kind and I didn't want that for him.

It will be another few months before I can afford to take him to the vet for checkups/medication. I really wish there was a better alternative then putting him on pills.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

@Teresa Ford,

What makes you think it's a brain issue? That really does scare me.

[Sammy Mommy]

Did his behavior changes differ after you changed the dog food? Maybe something in the new food?

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

Hello, I am sorry this is happening. I don't mean to frighten you but this could be a brain issue. OSU Vet school may be an option. I would first make sure there is no physical problems. If it is not a neurological problem, medications and or behavior modification will help. If you do not have the resourses (money, time, understanding etc.) talk to a Yorkie Rescue. They can help, they work with experts every day and can give good advice.
Please do not feel like a failure or bad person, sometimes we all need help. I will say a prayer for you. I know you only want what is best for your Yorkie. I hope you find some answers soon.

No condemnation for someone that is desperately trying to help a lost soul....I agree with above....can you take him to the vet school for neurological exam? You know, we see someone or something that needs help and we try so hard to help, to unravel all the damage that has been done, either physical or emotional or both...and as hard as we try, sometimes we ourselves need help and solutions and even then, if the damage done is toooo deep rooted, we just cant fix it. It then comes down to accepting them like they are (if the issues are not a danger to them or us/family members), or if necessary, we do what we must do.....rehome. Please dont feel like a failure....you just may not have found the "switch" for Tommy that will turn it around for you both...I feel the frustration in your voice....hang in there....give it a rest for just awhile...seek help/assistance from the vet school....there may be solutions that you can not meet without medical assistance. Hang in there sweetie....know that Tommy loves you....and he needs you.

[yorkietalkjilly]

He doesn't have to have a neuro or other medical issue to behave like this - stress and fear can do it also. Until you can vet him, can you answer some questions?

He sounds terribly fearful and wondering how he spends his day - is he home alone or with children or in a crate, confined to a single room or area in a home or apartment? Trying to find out what his daily living situation is and what sounds he might be hearing, etc. What is his typical day like?

What is his age and size?

Are there other dogs or cats, animals around him frequently?

[caw]

Does Tommy like to go for walks? ....... that might be something you could enjoy doing together. I think I'd stop the chase game if he's starting to be weird about it. If you rolled a tennis ball across the floor, would he chase it? Maybe some gentle tug of war? Is there a quiet place in the home you could feed him. I think I would just put his food down and get out of his way. Thats what I do with my dog. If he wants to be weird about it, just ignore it. Maybe watch from a safe distance to make sure he starts eating. I guess you'll have to stop calling his name while in another room and just go look for him. As far as the treat taking....let him accept them on his terms. I don't know.....just some suggestions. I do know that yorkies are SUPER sensitive and will pick up any frustrations felt by you. So....try to shake some of this stuff off, if you can. I know sometimes its hard if your not in the greatest mood. I hope you can work things out with little Tommy. I'm sure he loves you, trusts you (as much as he can), and is grateful to be able to live his life with quiet dignity. Daisy was quite a bit more independent than I would have liked. I felt a bit left out at times. But I just decided that I was gonna accept her as she was and love HER.. Guess what ......she LOVES her mommy back soooooo much.....and shows it in HER way. When I started to accept her ways, and just worry about what made HEr happy and what she needed, I started feeling the love I needed in return.

[caw]

Oh...and I raised Daisy up from a pup. I think the fact that I worked all day, plus she may have just may have been inclined, temperamentally, to being a little more of the independent type. And when I left her to go work all day she had to learn yo be more self reliant. I was thinkn she was gonna be a big time lap dog and she's not. But we ARE tied to the hip......just in a different way. She's a very, very loving and sweet little girl. So you see....you can raise a dog from a pup and get something different than what you originally had in mind. I hope you'll hang in there and I DO wish you all the best.

[YorkieMommieof3]

After having yorkie fir babies since 1997 I have learned a lot. They all have Univision personalities more so than other breads. I have also did rescue. Are as well. If I may ask do you know what type of abuse the little guy suffered?

I have 3 rungs. My Mollie is 11 and she is sweet as can be but she has arthritis and wi snarl at me if she is in pain and will do some evil or sad growls if she doesn't want to be bothered


My izzie is 2 1/2 she is very nervous and a lite nurotic at times. She loves to cuddle but if her sister is in my lap she runs and gets in the. Or we of the. Ouch and pouts. She want eat a treat if I a. Holding it nut if I lay it down and don't look she will get it. She is also scared if I correct her baby sis I can honestly say she has never been abused a day in her life. She thinks she is human


Oh then there is babie Abbie who I loving refer to as Psyco baby. She is 3 s of energy. She is scared of nothing. She with play ruff if she isn't corrected. She loves going out and doesn't know a stranger. She is just a fur ball full of sassy diva. It is hard to I d her and Izzie are 1/2 sisters


Your little guy just may a snuggled are. Missed. He may be trying to gain your trus or just testing your limits to see how he will be grated. He may have a health problem that has developed thAt is causing him to pull away. Keep I. Mind if these little guys suffered physical abuse they may have long term effects such S Arthritis.


My mom rescued a s**tzu that was badly abused. She has adjusted well yet 2 years later she is terrified of goind sown stairs she has to be picked up and carried the vet thinks she may have been kicked down the stairs she is nervous and if ahe is boarded has to stay in a special area awAy from other dogs She does well with my little ones


I would suggest talking to a rescue group volunteer who may be able to hp you i would ask the vet to heck the joints for arthritis or his teeth to see if they may be causing pain I know it is tough but these behaviors are correctable once you get ro the root of the issue. He could also have a stiborn streak like Abbie who does not like being told what to do

[capt_noonie]

You said he is a rescue. Perhaps you could call the rescue group you adopted him from and ask them if they have any recs for trainers. Or maybe call the former foster mom and she if she has any tips?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Nasdaq_Diva

*Please no Flamming*

I've had my dog, Tommy for almost 2 years come November. He is a rescue and I adore him. He's had a pretty rough life but I still see the good in him.

I'm starting to feel like he has deeper issues than I think I'm ready for. I've read books on training, he's unresponsive to any command. He will accept treats from my hand, but they have to be at a very low level (he won't look up to grab from my hand) or he will run away.

We play chasing games around the house when he's in the mood to play. But, the last few months, If I get to close to him while we're at play (like closing in on him) he will let out the saddest scream and has a look of terror. If I back away he'll want to keep playing. He's only started that maybe the past few months.

For the past month now, whenever I yell for him (like if I'm in another room) and then come in that room I find him trying to hide and he has peed himself. He never used to do this.

When I go to feed him, he will refuse to eat if I'm not far enough away from his area. I never leave the kitchen area until he's started eating. If I walk past him during this time, it's like he will jump out of his skin and wait for me to walk away before going to eat his food.

I guess my patience is just really wearing thin. When I first got him, I figured he would be some work, but I had no idea it would be like this. I have so much going on in my life - and it kills me to not have him there either

Thoughts? Suggestions? Again, please no flamming or judgement.

I would suggest consulting a trainer I think it would be the best for both of you. Rescuing a dog can be a lot harder work then many people realize.