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03-26-2017, 07:30 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA
Posts: 34
| Failed parent The boys are now 15 weeks old. In their 7 weeks with us there have been many entertaining and cherished moments, but unfortunately at this point those pale beside the tribulations and my feelings of failure, on my way to utter despair. I had told myself that Finn's injury a bit over two weeks ago (2 broken toes on one forepaw, splinted and bandaged) was a setback, which I suppose it is. The vet insists on the Elizabethan collar to deter chewing on the bandage, but that is impractical and is pointless unless I put one on Monty too. [I actually tried that, but it was a disaster I don't even want to get into.] After cutting up socks, wrapping with medical tape, even duct tape (side note: don't ever try that, what a nightmare!), I think we may finally have found a possible solution at Californiapetpharmacy dot com - it's a waterproof sleeve/boot called "Medipaw." It arrived yesterday, and with some adjustments appears to be the answer to keep the splint dry and intact. We'll have to see how that pans out. Other vet instructions: separate them and try to keep Finn quiet, not too strenuous play - seriously? They are puppies! Littermates for cryin out loud! Sorry, Doc, it ain't happening. I try to keep a close eye on them during the day, have to intervene/distract often when they get too wound up and to keep relative peace; at bedtime we "den" them separately. [Surprisingly, bedtime is a breeze.] Potty training is a total FAIL. Strict feeding times, followed by some play time, then head outside to do our business. Additional frequent trips outside between meals too. Sounds great, right? Yeah, except it doesn't work and has rapidly deteriorated. Up until a week ago, my husband proclaimed success almost daily for their 6am "morning constitutional." Of course, upon return inside there's always the cleanup of last night’s "accidents" in both of their sleep areas (don't believe what they say about how dogs don't poop where they sleep – ha! Total fallacy). We told ourselves this will pass, they're just babies. Somehow the morning ritual has mysteriously fallen apart, as has every trip outside to potty: minimum 20 mins, even as long as 45, doesn't matter. At most a little piddle, and within 10 minutes of returning inside they slink off to find spots to poop (and most of the time pee again). This morning’s episode really tore the sheet. Potty area is a 6x6’ fenced area on a cement patio. Instead of scouting the area for a “good spot,” as usual they spent potty time snuffling along the perimeter in search of any piece of grass or straw or leaf or pebble, whatever may have blown in. Anything found becomes the most prized must-have for the boys to fight over. Today it was a piece of a plastic top to a soft drink cup, which some drive-by litterbug must have tossed from his car. Finn was teasing Monty, and I quickly realized he was trying to steal something from Finn's mouth. I know better than to react startlingly, so I slowly approached, picked up Finn and sat with him in my lap, away from Monty. As I tried to gently open his mouth, Finn actually bared his teeth, growled and viciously snapped at my fingers several times before I finally extracted the object. I repeatedly said, “no bites” as we do when they play-bite, but this wasn't playing. Finn was seriously attacking. I gritted my teeth, said nothing, put him down and walked away, made a point of letting him watch me toss the “prize” into the trash. I turned my chair around and "ignored" them, as I dealt with my shock and fury. I'm so discouraged, and my husband is now saying that one of them has to go if things don't improve soon. I can't let that happen, it’s heartbreaking even to think about. I have to find a way through this. I just don't know how.
__________________ Finn and Monty You drive me "...every little success is a huge success!" |
Welcome Guest! | |
03-26-2017, 08:01 AM | #2 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 2,776
| I think I understand a bit of how you're feeling. Piper came to me about 3yrs old; she wouldn't listen to me at all outside (still tricky that) and barely responded inside. She took forever to housebreak and still has accidents. She would rush the front door and no amount of 'yelling' or pushing her back would deter her efforts to run out (I'd have to lift her in one hand while closing door and at the last second kinda drop her and quickly close door). She made me feel inadequate and mean and ineffective...and she hurt my feelings so much sometimes. I just kept pluggin' along, asked for and received wonderful advice from YF members; their advice was accompanied by support, understanding and encouragement. Yorkies are unique onto themselves--like no other canine ever. Today, Piper listens, stays back when I go in/out front door; she's sweet and funny and way too clever for my own good. I love her to the moon and back and feel connected. Don't give up! You've got a couple of babies who are testing the waters, testing you and testing each other. You sound like you 'know' these guys and your keen observation and ability to judge situations are brilliant. I think you know what you're doing and soon they'll decide you mean business and begin to settle down. Trust yourself and your instincts and know that your love and (extreme) patience will truly have a positive impact on your 'wild boys!!' |
03-26-2017, 09:45 AM | #3 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA
Posts: 34
| Dana, I can't say how much I appreciate your kind and encouraging words. Monty and I just came in from potty (tried without Finn this time). It had been less than 15 mins after we had all been out, but I saw Monty walking around as if he were searching for something and I had a hunch. "Outsi-i-i-i-i-ide?" is my call for potty time, and Monty stopped in his tracks and looked at me, ears perked. I picked him up while babytalking and carried him out. Played a little tug-of-war, then cleared the area of distractions and went still and silent. After not quite 15 minutes I felt disappointment come over me, and I was just about to call it quits and head back in when Monty started circling again. I actually held my breath, closed my eyes, and said "please-please-please" in my head. Then it happened. He did it! I went nuts and gave him 2 treats and cuddled and danced around with him in my arms, and then I burst into tears - apparently those are treats too, cuz Monty was licking them off my face and I cracked up laughing as I brought him back in. I think I may have gone over the edge My husband says I should slow down on the caffeine LOL
__________________ Finn and Monty You drive me "...every little success is a huge success!" |
03-26-2017, 09:55 AM | #4 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 2,776
| Your response/reward was perfect and you're perfect and every little success is a huge success! |
03-26-2017, 10:05 AM | #5 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA
Posts: 34
| I am so stealing that quote. Thanx, sweet lady!
__________________ Finn and Monty You drive me "...every little success is a huge success!" |
03-26-2017, 10:38 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,929
| I agree, bigggg fuss and happy dance, treats all rewards for doing the right thing, these pups "will get it". They are only babies. At one time I bought two 8 week old pups so I know what you are going through lol. Putting them on a food and potty schedule is the best thing to potty training them. Feed same time everyday each time you feed them, take them out same time every day. Dogs are creatures of habit, they get use to doing the same thing at a certain time everyday. You must be consistent in the time. Taking one at a time out is good, no distractions. It is only if you give up training you will fail at being a good fur momma. Patience, consistency are key in all training. As for Finn showing his teeth and snapping at you, in a firm voice, no yelling, screaming, shouting, just firm tone say no biting, he is testing you, nature of the yorkie. Babies are not born with manners, it is up to us as fur parents to teach them what is and is not acceptable. Finn's reaction you handled perfectly, removed item then turn your back on him. They are just little babies and will take time to teach them, they will not learn over night. Don't get discouraged, we have all gone through this, yorkies are stubborn lil critters and will test you, you have to show them you are the pack leader, the boss. They will get it.
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog |
03-26-2017, 10:41 AM | #7 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Puppies are hard let alone two puppies. Sometimes you will have to separate them for there health if one is injured and the other is not. I was kinda worried about this when you got them so young. You have to be careful that whatever your putting on the splint does not cut off the circulation or you could have big serious issues. I would try to do what the vet says it will not kill them to be separated. They are only 15 weeks that's not very old. Keep them confined to a play pen or small space while potty training. Most dogs prefer to go potty on grass so if you could give them a grassy area that would be much better then cement (eating a leave or grass will not kill them I promise). If they are going potty in their crate its to big, they should really only have enough room to lay down. Are you giving treats and praise when they go in the right spot? Have you tried using a treat and saying drop it when they have something they shouldn't and then giving them the treat and they should drop what they had. When mine has something I don't do nice and slow and genital I just reach my finger in and scoop it out.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
03-26-2017, 05:35 PM | #8 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: canada
Posts: 782
| What a great milestone!! I could feel you stop breathing, then jumping for joy. Hope hubby feels it too. These little guys steal any man's heart and in no time hubby will be the proudest poppa. He's probably already told his male friends about the accomplishment of 'going outside' Thanks for sharing your story!! There are always trials and tribulations with one yorkie... let alone two!! |
03-27-2017, 06:04 AM | #9 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Let me know if you want this training guide at all....? http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...info-pics.html
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
03-27-2017, 07:57 PM | #10 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: New Zealand
Posts: 14
| I like you got two pups at the same time, both girls. I never even thought about the season when I bought them but it was the beginning of winter. Oh dear I thought I had made such a terrible mistake, one would pee then the other would poop and this would go on all day, they hated the wet grass and the cold and we don't go below 40f. We just had them in one room without carpet but I was cleaning up all the time. Gradually they finally got it and at six months they were good. They bickered often, trying to work out who was top dog, when they sorted that out they became the best of mates. Try and perservere it's so worth it. |
03-27-2017, 08:25 PM | #11 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Van Nuys, CA, USA
Posts: 5
| I also got two female Yorkies at the same time, in January. They were six weeks old and already a handful. With wintertime here, I just wanted to throw in the towel at times. These two girls would not go outside to do their business if it was raining or damp. I set up two different potty stations with puddle pads and kept putting them on the pads....all day long, everyday. Today, they are 16 weeks old, and they're finally taking the hint. They go outside when the weather permits. They play and have a grand old time and when they come in, they head for the puddle pads. I guess they don't want their grassy playground dirty. Good luck with your puppies and try to convince hubby that this is only temporary!
__________________ Nikki and Stevie's Mom |
03-28-2017, 02:14 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Canada
Posts: 1,903
| I can only sympathize with you on how much work they must be. I couldn't ever imagine having two puppies at the same time. I was pulling my hair out when both of mine were puppies and got them 1.5 years apart (and just when I thought the second one would be a breeze cuz 'been there done that', the second puppy was 180 degrees different from my first. haha..). But I digress. I think you'll get through this. Just keep it up. And always remind yourself to be consistent, persistent, and patient. Whatever puppy-obstacle you're overcoming, you have to tell yourself it's possible (because it really is)!! It's really a matter of out-lasting them with your patience during the puppy stage.
__________________ ~ laughter is an instant vacation ~ https://scottieandcasie.com/ :: Custom Pet Portrait Paintings |
04-01-2017, 06:34 AM | #13 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA
Posts: 34
| Y'all are so wonderful, and I'm truly grateful for your guidance, support and commiserations! It's an up and down thing, some days better than others. I can't help but think most of the problem has been me, getting sucked in when they do what I want, thinking I've got it licked, only to have the rug pulled out the next day - or even later the same day. I reckon it's just as all of you say, a matter of consistency, patience, perseverance, and being grateful for even small successes. It seems to be the theme here, and you can't all be wrong, right? haha! I'm looking forward to reading Wylie's (mom) recommended training guide, which I've PM'd about. I've decided I just need to suck it up and get my act together - I'm the grownup here after all! I'm sure I'll have many more trials to share and questions to ask. Many thanx to all of you - I'm so glad to have found YT! Y'all are the best!
__________________ Finn and Monty You drive me "...every little success is a huge success!" |
04-01-2017, 07:14 AM | #14 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Hah, I think we've allll been in your shoes with these little naughties ! It can be tough, discouraging, frustrating, thrilling, fun, adorable...it's everything. The fact that you clearly care so much gets you way more than 1/2 way there !
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
04-01-2017, 08:47 AM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Christiansburg, VA, USA
Posts: 34
| thank you how in the world could any of us after just a half-second peek at these lil sweeties not be bowled over with love?
__________________ Finn and Monty You drive me "...every little success is a huge success!" |
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