Overwhelmed with Two Yorkies

[tarawood]

I feel so terrible for saying this, but I'm beginning to feel very overwhelmed with my two yorkie puppies. I am still having trouble with potty training, they fight all the time , they are very hard to train to sit, come, etc., they are always chewing something up, etc. When I'm working with one, the other goes crazy, when I clean up one's poop, the other pees. It seems like two of them is just too much to handle. Is their anyone with sibling puppies who is having the same problem? For the breeders out there, how do you deal with multiple puppies at once on potty training and other issues? I feel like I run around ragged cleaning up pee and poop and trying to give them enough attention -- there isn't enough of me to go around! I hate to say this, but I'm actually thinking I might need to find another home for one, but I'm so attached to both, I could never pick which one to keep. Help! I'm losing my mind!!

[hockeymom]

Don't give up, it will get better. I promise!!!!! I have two babies and they can be a hand full. I don't crate mine, but alot of people do and it does work. Mine will go on a pee pad, so I keep one in the room with them at all times. I also take them outside separatly when it is time to potty, so they do got get distracted and forget to do. Get them lots of chew toys.

[HeatherW]

I am so sorry to hear that you are having problems....and picking which one to give away just isn't an option especially when you are so attached!!! Have you tried putting the two of them in a small area ex: laundry room, kitchen, bathroom etc...so they are not all over the place?? Also you could put one in a kennel while playing with the other and vice versa? I am not really sure...I hope everything gets better!!! Good luck, keep us posted!!

[iheartyorkies]

Tara, I'm sorry you're having problems. Even one puppy is a handful. I'd hate for you to lose one of your pups. I think you're just dealing with newness issues. As for them fighting, that's kind of a puppy thing. They are vying for who will be the alpha. You need to make sure you are the alpha "dog" in the household. They will work the rest out for themselves. One will eventually be submissive to the other. The biggest issue for you right now is potty training. Severely restrict where they are allowed to go in your home. Have a corner of a room or a small room where you can put them for some peace. Make it so they can see you, but can't roam. I have a large dog cage for Bo. He can move around easily in there. It's in the corner of my dining room. He can see me when I am cooking supper or in the LR watching TV. Take them out often, every hour. Reward when they come in. If you want a break put them in their crates for a nap. Eventually they'll settle down and you'll be glad you have two. Peer pressure works wonders. If there's one who will catch on to the sit command faster separate him and teach him. Then put them together and reward him when he gets it. The other will pick it up. Hope this helps. I thought I'd also made a mistake getting Bo for a companion for my Schnauzer. Woody hated Bo at first. Now, after 4 months they are best buds. Good luck.

[debi_s]

Tara,

WHOA......GOOD LUCK..... I can't imagine having 2 at one time.

When I got Lil Bit I already had a 9 month old chihuahua...but she was 100% paper trained and had learned to lay around and be a bum from my aging greyhound......
The advantages have been
1) Apple (the chi) has 'taught ' Lil Bit about the paper easier if I had tried to teach her myself...

2) They run and play and wear each other out several times a day...actually I rarely get to play with just one or the other without the other joining in.....

3) Lil Bit has learned (from Apple) that if everyone is lazy and sleeping she will just crawl under the heating pad on the couch and sleep also....

The disadvantages....
1) TRAINING!!!!!!! I CANNOT get the attention of one without the other being there causing a total stir!!! My solution was to have my hubby take one outside for a while....or leave one inside and take the other outside by myself.
if this is not an option maybe you can find some toy/chewie they LOVE and get one interested in it (in another room) and spend a few minutes training the first one alone.
I don't think you can train one with the another causing trouble....


OH HECK.....I just sat here and re-read what I had typed so far..... I have no idea how old your pups are or if you are trying to paper train or outside train.

I would suggest you have them confined to a safe room with little that can be damaged........Let them fight it out...they are just trying to figure out who is the #1 dog...........Get some help when trying to train....doing it with 2 pups would be nearly impossible.
If possible get them on a leash (& harness) and start walking as often as possible.....don't let them "pupp" you....you walk them!

Take a breath and try to wait them out...likely when they are older they will settle a bit.

P.S. My favorite advice to ANYONE with a puppy....WEAR THEIR BUTTS OUT!!!!!
"a tired puppy is a good puppy"

[Yorkie Owned]

How old are your puppies? I also have sibling pups-a boy and a girl; they are 16 weeks old. There are times I feel quite overwhelmed with both of them and wonder "what was I thinking??" , but like you said- I could never choose just one to keep. I know if I did get rid of one I would NEVER forgive myself! Right now they are like human babies, very time consuming with little positive progress being seen, but it will get better.
I keep my babies corralled in the kitchen area where potty accidents are easy to clean up. I don't let them in the family room until later in the evening when the rest of the family is in there to help supervise them. If they had the run of the whole house I know it would just be too much for one person to handle!! Right now they are not allowed in any rooms except the kitchen/dining room and the family room (sometimes). There are rooms of my house they haven't seen yet and won't be seeing for a while!
I also take them outside to potty often- at least every hour. I don't let them play, just do their business, then back inside. Then I know they are good to go for a while!
I feel your pain... Hang in there! It will get better!

[red98vett]

awwww...poor thing - I know with just ONE how overwhelming they can be - Is that where the name Yorkie TERRORIST comes from ?

I'm sorry your having such a hard time but I truly believe it gets better as they grow and start learning the routines...really - they have limitless energy right now - but they do calm down ...They may be competing for your attention right now - or as mine are...be just a teensy spoiled. How could they NOT BE ?

[Yorkie Owned]

I forgot to mention- mine also play fight A LOT. It is mostly just a lot of growling noises, but they can really get going. (We can't even hear the TV over the noise!) On occassion they will get a little carried away and I need to break them up. But for the most part they are only playing and making noise, not hurting each another. Very rarely do either of them let out a squeal like they are in pain. I think as they continue to get a little older they understand what is too rough of play.

[red98vett]

awwww...poor thing - I know with just ONE how overwhelming they can be - Is that where the name Yorkie TERRORIST comes from ?

I'm sorry your having such a hard time but I truly believe it gets better as they grow and start learning the routines...really - they have limitless energy right now - but they do calm down ...They may be competing for your attention right now - or as mine are...be just a teensy spoiled. How could they NOT BE ?

[chachi]

I have two puppies too and it is a little overwhelming. I think it will get easier as they mature. I have one puppy that chews alot and he has destroyed quite a few things in the house but I expected alittle of that. I am hoping after he gets his adult teeth the chewing will taper off a little. Mine don't fight excessively but will bicker at times. I know its hard but it will get better and you will have your two doggies to keep each other company.

[YorkieRose]

I raised 4 at once..never again. You need TWO 2x3 pens..they need time outs and a place to unwind. Puppies can get just as wired as children. Pen training is very necessary.
Best wishes

[aimee]

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so overwhelmed I can't blame you - I have one puppy and one older dog, and I'm at the point now where I'm running around ragged with just the one. You've been given some great advice. Maybe you just need to take a step back from the situation and take a breath. Have some "me" time while they are sleeping. That always helps me when I am feeling overwhelmed.

[Chelsey]

Sorry to hear ur having a hard time, giving one up is no option... u will regret it if u do, dont give up hope it will get better... ask someone to take care of them for an hour a day and go and do something that u want to do, take some time out for urself, if u reach boiling point, take 3 deep breaths and count to 10... it will all work out i promise and ull look back at this in a few months and put it down to experience

Good luck!

[tarawood]

To Everyone Who Responded .........Thank you. Just hearing kind thoughts and advice helps me feel better. My puppies are only 12 weeks old (I've had them since they were 7 weeks old), so we have a lot of the puppy stage left. However, i's good to know that others think it will get better with time. I am going to get two 2 X 3 pens as Yorkie Rose suggested and separate them to work on potty training and the like. This should also help with the fighting since they will be separated some. I've also decided that I'm going to have to let one stay in the pen while I am with the other even if the one in the pen whines the whole time. Also, I am going to take them separately to potty. I've been taking them both at once and letting them both out at once to play and for a little behavior training and that is probably contributing to the chaos. I guess it's time for me to take back control of my house. Wish me luck!

[skimandfrank]

I wish you the best of luck!