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06-04-2017, 04:49 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! | Grace Dear Yorkie Owners, I need help, advice, and support. My Yorkie, Johnny B. Goode will be 2 years old on September 3. He is very well behaved, generally friendly, but sometimes shy given some early puppy experience before he came to me. For instance, he is leary of hands reaching out to him. It takes some coaxing and a treat to get him to sit and be picked up. At the same time, he does sit, stay, here, up, touch, come, quite well. I expect it’s part of being a terrier to ignore commands now and then unless pressed? Here are my real questions: I live alone, but on the same property with my son and his family. My grandsons are 8 and 9. They have pretty much lost interest in Johnny. We are in a semi rural environment. I fenced my garden and yard so that he has a safe place to be. BTW Johnny is not a barker, chewer, or really any problem at all. But I am almost constantly worried about whether he is “bored.” I believe dogs get bored. Right? He’s on the look out for squirrels and birds, but that is not a primary occupation. Toys do not appeal to him. He has a number of them. I was arranging play dates for him and have discovered a day care facility, but the play dates put pressure on other people, and the day care is $35.00 a day. Not within my budget long term. I take him for a walk most days, or for a run in a field nearby. Our nearby road is well trafficked. That makes walking a stop and go thing. I always have him stop when a car goes by. However, with regard to the walks, I can be remiss. I am an active 75, but still 75. How much exercise, play does this little guy need? His running space is about 125’ x 75’, plus a small, but roomy cottage. I am more and more aware of how much energy and angst I am expending worrying about his state of mind. It’s becoming distressing and depressing with regard to my state of mind. Also, I feel bad leaving him alone, consequently depriving myself of stimulation I need. I had a Yorkie who was a gift from my children and grandchildren. He was killed at 7 months. I was devastated. I know I rushed into another dog, Johnny is from the same breeder. I had just about recovered from Billy’s death, able to think of life without a companion, but had asked the breeder about the next litter, and here I am. In my heart and gut I believe I made the wrong decision in taking Johnny on, but, honestly, have no idea of what to do next. I need to find some peace in my anxiety about his well being. He loves to be free to roam the property, but I cannot take the chance of his getting to the road. In the meantime, I am constantly worried and anxious that he is, to put it in my own terms, not having a good time or a good life with me. I know enough about psychology to realize that I am not having a good time or a good life with myself, but before I can go forth on fixing that, I must get some idea of what Yorkies are about, and what other well taken care of Yorkie lives are like. You are the only source I presently have. Others will say, “He’s a dog!” Meaning, what’s the big deal? His vet says that since he is not destructful, barking, etc., he’s fine, meaning OK. Will some of you please help me with knowing how much time your pets just lie around and or sleep? Thank you very much! Pat BTW I had a Papalion for 17 years. He traveled everywhere with me, and I mean everywhere! No problem in the car for road trips or anywhere else. My children thought a Yorkie, given his size, would be the same kind of travel companion for me. Johnny does not like the car. Aside from shaking for the whole ride, he can manage to vomit a number of times during any trip. Some pills the vet gave me work, but I’m not about to use them for short rides to a friend’s home or such. Also, by now he knows my patterns and hides under the bed if he thinks a car ride may be in the offing. HELP!!! |
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06-04-2017, 05:41 PM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: aiken, SC
Posts: 157
| Hello! It sounds to me that you take very good care of your dog and are concerned about his health and happiness. My opinion is that you are providing a great home for him and he is happy to be with you. I've also felt guilty during days when I don't have tons of time to play with Max. Like you, I try to walk him most days and have playtime outside as well. But I do think he is just as happy on days when I have to study and read and can't give him as much attention. If your dog is like mine, I think he is happy just to be near you. Mine sleeps a good bit during the day, as well. Plus, keep in mind that a lot of owners have to leave their pets at home for long hours during the day to go to work. I watch mine on a pet camera while I'm gone, and he's always asleep. I really believe your home is the best place for Johnny to be!
__________________ Love our Max! |
06-04-2017, 06:05 PM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: aiken, SC
Posts: 157
| Of course! I found your post to be truly touching. I got Max to help comfort and distract me from the pain of losing my sister. I have certainly had some bad days since bringing him home. But I know that he is happy being with us, just like we are so much happier having him in our lives. Our best to you, as well!
__________________ Love our Max! |
06-04-2017, 07:33 PM | #5 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Well you might want to look into dog puzzles. You use treats with them and they give good mental stimulation. You might want to also look into training him tricks. If he seems happy he probably is.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
06-04-2017, 08:23 PM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: May 2017 Location: Wenatchee, WA USA
Posts: 380
| I empathize! My sense is that there are 3 issues - one is that you are working out your own activities and needs, another is that you are working out Johnny B's needs, and finally you are working out how yours and his needs work together. First, I would encourage you to work out what you need to be involved in to stay happy, healthy and vital. Exercise, social activities, etc. Do those things even if Johnny B can't come. You and Johnny B will be better for it. Then, decide which of your activities are good for you and Johnny to do together given your knowledge of each situation and how Johnny does. He's still young (our pup is 2.5 years and is still growing in her travel, social, and intellectual activities) and so how he reacts to different situations may change. So, something that doesn't work well now, may in 6 months or a year so you can revisit activities from time to time. Johnny B will keep you young at heart! Finally, decide what Johnny needs when he isn't with you. You obviously have a very sharp, intuitive sense of your companion! Johnny is lucky to have you. When we are gone we play doggy music for ours. You can google it! I was surprised that she likes it. All the ideas already given our great. I would add an obstacle course and hide and seek might be good. And yorkies do love to just be with you - sleeping, cuddling - for hours a day. Also, there maybe a person in your community who can't have a dog fulltime that would love to have a house guest occasionally so that you wouldn't have to pay for day care and someone else could have a valuable companion for a short time. |
06-05-2017, 01:19 AM | #7 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Honestly...to me, you sound like an *awesome* doggie Momma who is giving Johnny a wonderful life !
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
06-05-2017, 10:09 AM | #8 |
Donating 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA
Posts: 881
| It sounds like you are giving Johnny a very good life. One piece of advice I would give is never leave him outside unattended if he is a small little guy. Hawks and other birds of prey have snagged these little guys. I agree with the above member who said do what you need to do for you as well as little Johnny. It will benefit your well being and that will translate into a better life for him as well. It is touching that you put so much thought into what is best for him and points to you being a great fur parent but worrying to the point of it affecting your health is not a good thing. Rest easy knowing that being concerned about his mental well being is probably at least a little unneeded as these little guys are generally happy with some exercise and the chance to just "hang out" with their people. All the best to you and Johnny!
__________________ Russ, Denise, Bella and Bailey . |
06-07-2017, 10:26 AM | #9 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! | BIG Thanks!!! Thank you all for your thoughtful (kind and full of thought) replies to my, I admit, "plea." There is not one of you who did not nail all to part of the "problem." Since receiving replies and tender hearted advice, I have relaxed, and guess what :-), so has Johnny! Duh! I am able to notice that he is can hang with me and be content. I know from experience that the kindness of others can soothe most any anxious beast, even the one in me. Apparently, I came to the right place! Now to explore music for dogs, puzzles, more companions and stimulation for us both. Car rides will be in the offing also. Ever grateful to you all and Yorkie Talk! Sincerely. |
06-07-2017, 11:02 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Canada
Posts: 1,903
| That sounds wonderful! Happy to hear! Isn't it funny how our emotion practically translates to their emotions? They aren't able to speak to us, but they read us like an open book.
__________________ ~ laughter is an instant vacation ~ https://scottieandcasie.com/ :: Custom Pet Portrait Paintings |
06-07-2017, 12:44 PM | #11 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Panama City Beach
Posts: 161
| I think you sound like a wonderful pet parent! Honestly, I have two yorkies, one more active than the other. I am away from home working appx. 10 hours a day, but I believe my pups are happy with their morning yard time and evening yard time x 2. Of course, we do some inside training exercises and mine both enjoy toy time. Most importantly though, they both just want to sit in my lap or snuggle next to me. Please take care of your own needs, that way you can continue to take care of Johnnie. I bet if you think about it, when you arrive home after an outing and Johnnie greets you, that is the happiest time of day for both of you Also, join us here at Yorkie Talk! We are each "Yorkie Crazy" and someone is always available for a chat.
__________________ Pam, mommy to Tyson and Rin, grandma to Ernie (Surely I'm not old enough to be a grandma) |
06-07-2017, 01:37 PM | #12 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 53
| Dogs are VERY intuitive- they can absolutely sense when something is not right with their human. If you're sick or stressed the dog can pick up on it and respond accordingly. My dad had major surgery last summer, and Sunny could sense something wasn't right and was very nervous, always staring at him with a panicked look on his face. (Now that he's better, he's back to his bossy behavior with his daddy, of course!) |
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