Help with Yorkie bad behavior

[Holland1946]

My Yorkie is now 2 yrs old. He runs from me and hides and does not like for me to hold him. I have never hurt him in any way and have had him since he was 12 wks old. He has been this way since a puppy. He is on a harness when we go outside, and I have an awful time trying to catch him to put it on him. Another problem is potty training. He will potty when we go outside, and when we come back in sometime he will potty in the house again. I use the potty pads and sometime he will pee on them and sometime not. He will never poop on the potty pad. I have done everything I know to do with these issues, and nothing helps. Treats of all kinds, praises. I love on him whenever I can catch him and he doesn't want me to. At night, I have to run all through the house trying to catch him to put him in bed with us. He will lay beside me in bed or a chair, but he doesn't want to get in my lap. Please help:

[kjc]

My first thought would be have him vet checked.

[pinky71]

my guy is one years old and same way..he runs from me all time and generally very disobedient..ive gotten used to it...i think that its just a yorkie trait. i find that their generally defiant..having a trainer come to my home and puppy school has not helped...just need to have lots of patience...

[kimp5]

Im sorry to hear that. Maybe he needs to go back to crate basics 101. I know some hate the idea of a crate but beleive me if he is used to a crate it will come in handy when he HAS to be in a crate for one reason or another. Its a good calming place too. When Jessie gets riled up I put her in her crate and she calms down. Its not a punishement, it actually soothes her..
As to potty training she is great 90% of the time but loves to test me every so often...thats why I got a puppy apt..

[GeorgiesMomma]

Georgie is almost 8 and runs and cowers at times as if he was mistreated in a past life. I can assure he runs the show in this life We have learned that if we get down to his level and say his name he doesn't act that way. I can't help but think its because of their size. There are people on here that can give you amazing advice on training. I am sure they will post and help

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Georgie is almost 8 and runs and cowers at times as if he was mistreated in a past life. I can assure he runs the show in this life We have learned that if we get down to his level and say his name he doesn't act that way. I can't help but think its because of their size. There are people on here that can give you amazing advice on training. I am sure they will post and help

Same with Mandie. She always runs from me like it's a game OR definitely cowers. The only time she doesn't do this is when I get down on the floor and call her over.

The pooping and peeing problem - I am sort of in the same boat with you. I know the answer is to go to the basics and start crate training from the beginning. I just haven't got the time (maybe during my vacation next month). She pees and poops outside and she pees on her pads. She is very erratic with her pooping. She definitely won't poop on a pad that she's peed on. I find poop on the floor in front of the back door, when there is an unused pee pad 2 inches away. I used to think she was being defiant but I know she walks a little bit when she poops (and, I need to get her some more fiber or oils because I think she's just having to do this for it to come out). Perhaps your pup is the same way? Maybe they start on the pad, but by the time they inch along while pooping, it is off the pad?

In her other pad location, if I put a pad down in front of the one she pees on, she'll poop on that one (again, maybe she starts on the other and ends up on the non-pee one? not sure as it happens when I'm not around)

[kjc]

I think too this is a lack of bonding issue. I had this with Peek a Boo. It took me 8 months to get inside his head, but only after I gave up trying and decided to accept him as he was. I thought maybe he was just too damaged to reach. But every night, I sat with him on my lap, and no matter what he had done that day, even if it was all wrong, I made a point to tell him what a good boy he was, and that I loved him. And I would kiss his cheeks... he would turn away and not ever look at me, but I kept trying. Never go to bed mad.

Then he started to turn his face for his kiss on the other cheek. I was sooo excited, I said okay, I'll give you as many kisses as you want! I think we stopped after at least ten! Soon after that, he finally licked my cheek... and I cried I was so happy. Also in the interim of all this, during the day I noticed slight improvements in his behavior.

He, too, used to potty outside then come in and potty more. Frustrated, I started watching him very closely. He'd go out, start to potty, then become distracted with things in the yard... a bird, a squirrel, whatever! Then he'd come in and finish his business.

I knew forcing my will on him wouldn't work, so I had to trick him. I'd let him back in and timed him to see when he had to go again, and started to take him out a second time. This worked bc coming back in was the trigger for him to relax, and in turn, he felt the need to go potty again. Very soon after that, he would come in, then go back to the door himself to be let out the 2nd time. After a while he was able to complete his task all in one outing.

In summary, work with what you have. Find the good things and praise that, ignore the bad and don't be mad... they are little mind readers. Make special time for him on your lap, maybe on the floor, or next to you on the couch, but make it okay. 30 seconds is fine, do it and be happy... gradually extend the time in 10 second intervals... babysteps.

Be sure to say and I quote Barbara Woodhouse "What a Good Dog!" Something about saying 'What' grabs their attention and makes it even more special! And above all, be patient.

[paseamstress]

Did you ever think about putting a doggie diaper on your baby while in the house? I pottie trained my female Yorkie that way. She didn't mind the panties and did not like to be wet or dirty. So she would ask to go outside. I take my baby out every two hours, she can't hold her water any longer. Also my baby cowers down, like you I have to get on her level to make her come. This action is submission. My 'Pickles' has always been loved, hugged, kissed and snuggled since I got her at 10 weeks of age.

[SWHouston]

Originally Posted by kjc

Soon after that, he finally licked my cheek... and I cried I was so happy.

Why of course ya did, ya ol softie

[Holland1946]

Thanks everyone for your reply. I will start trying to get on his level as one explained. I have noticed when I get down on the floor, he quickly comes to me. But if I am standing up, it is almost impossible to get him to come to me. I even will ring the door bell, and that mostly does the trick. I trap him !! Love my Kobi even with his unlovable ways !

[gracielove]

I honestly don't know what the problem is but I would not blow it off as a Yorkie trait. Gracie has never been like that and I'm sure there are many who would tell you the same about their Yorkies.

I do know that if a puppy is not handled regularly by humans until after 6 weeks of age it makes human bonding very difficult if not impossible. It is almost like how a feral animals would react to a human scent. They are just not comfortable with it. You can, under certain circumstances, help to reprogram the bran's reactions but it takes much repetitive training.

[Teresa Ford]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I honestly don't know what the problem is but I would not blow it off as a Yorkie trait. Gracie has never been like that and I'm sure there are many who would tell you the same about their Yorkies.

I do know that if a puppy is not handled regularly by humans until after 6 weeks of age it makes human bonding very difficult if not impossible. It is almost like how a feral animals would react to a human scent. They are just not comfortable with it. You can, under certain circumstances, help to reprogram the bran's reactions but it takes much repetitive training.

I don't think what OP discriped is usual behavior. I have worked with rescues that have some of these behaviors. I would start with a full Vet check to make sure there is no hearing, vision, brain issues or other problems. Then work on retraining. It can be done but it takes an experienced Behavioral Trainer to help you set up lessons and methods to use.