Adopted older, ill-mannered, yorkie. HELP!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

spourciau · 09-12-2006, 07:40 AM

I volunteer for our local shelter so when Tobie came in I got first dibs on him, we had been wanting one for our daughter. He is 2 - 3 years old and was found running on the levee in a neighboring community, full of knots, his eyes were crusted shut, etc. We have had him now for a month now and he is showing very little progress. I am starting to think that the reason he was running lose is because he is so difficult to train. He is doing better potty training, but he still has to many accidents and we can't let him run the house. He pees in his crate and when we put him up at night he bites at the crate door, tries to dig out of it, and he barks for a good 10 - 15 minutes after we go to bed. If he hears any noise in the house at night he barks, I am on the verge of getting him a bark collar. I have had dogs my whole life and never had one this stubborn. We love him to pieces and he is ours, I will not give up. Also, he eats anything on the floor he can find. My husband is heavy into fishing and he found a rubber lizard and ate it. We tried to get it out of his mouth, but he bit my husband and swallowed it. He took my other dogs treat the other day and when I went to get it back from him he tried to bite me. I had to get a bobby pin to pry it out of his mouth so he would not bite me. I think he has been mistreated because when we walk up on him to pick him up he looks at us from the corner of his eye and does not move. I know this is long, but any input/advice would be appreciated.

Timmy · 09-12-2006, 07:52 AM

First...Welcome to YT!! This site is so helpful. Have you tried obedience classes? I am sorry I'm not much help....I can assure you that there is someone else on this site that will help you out.

ARCHIE · 09-12-2006, 07:57 AM

Poor baby and poor you! Buddy acted like that as a pup. He would eat everything and bite me when I tried to retrive it from him. Actually I was starting to be frightened of him and deceided that was crazy! Maybe you just have to start from scratch since it does not appear he has had any kind of socializing. Just start like he was a puppy and go from there. I am sure this should work. He knows nothing so has to learn like he was 3months old. Hang in there. Your special for rescueing him. Once he knows love and trust he will give it back.

chachi · 09-12-2006, 08:09 AM

When Chachi tried to bite me once My husband grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him no and he never did that again.

Patti · 09-12-2006, 08:23 AM

Bless you for having the patience to help this poor baby. Maybe a trainer could help get him on track. My pom, who I have had since she was 11 weeks old, will bite me if I try and get somethign away from her or even if I try to clean her eyes. She's 9 1/2 years old and I have tried many things to get her to stop and nothing works. If she is at the vet or groomer she is fine for them. Good luck

spourciau · 09-12-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

When Chachi tried to bite me once My husband grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him no and he never did that again.

We have tried that but if we grab him by the scruff he bites. Obidence classes are out of the question because there are none where we live and the ones in Baton Rouge cost a small fortune. He is such a sweet boy, he loves to cuddle and he is soooooo comical. You should see what he does to our golden retriever. He will run up behind him and bite him on the leg so he will chase him. It is so funny to see this 7 pound Yorkie bow up to an 80 pound Golden.

Tobie is now a part of our family, he passed the point of no return after we had him for about a week, we cannot give him up now. He is a part of the family now.

yorkieusa · 09-12-2006, 09:16 AM

Bless his heart! I really don't think a month is fair to expect improvement. I'm sure he has been abused. Just think. He's probably had to fight for everything he has ever gotten to eat. I think it will be just fine after some time, but a month is just way too soon. This will probably be a very long battle, but if you are willing to fight it, I expect you will win the heart of a very loving yorkie in the end.

yorkieusa · 09-12-2006, 09:21 AM

You might check out some of the links listed on this page and see if any of them fit your situation:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...?P=C&C=157&S=1

spourciau · 09-12-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Bless his heart! I really don't think a month is fair to expect improvement. I'm sure he has been abused. Just think. He's probably had to fight for everything he has ever gotten to eat. I think it will be just fine after some time, but a month is just way too soon. This will probably be a very long battle, but if you are willing to fight it, I expect you will win the heart of a very loving yorkie in the end.

Oh trust me, he is not going anywhere. He is ours. We have a cat that has been with us for 5 years. We HATE that cat, she is mean, moody, non-sociable, etc. But she loves our daughter and even if she didn't we would still have her. She gets food, water, medical attention, a clean, dry, warm place to sleep, etc. We haven't given up on her, we still try to get close to her, but she is a loner. I am the type of person who believes that once you get an animal, unless it poses some sort of threat to you/your family, you have a responsibility to that animal. My dad has worked in veterinary care all my life and I have a soft spot for furry little four legged friends.

vainchick5 · 09-12-2006, 09:24 AM

I'm sorry you're having such trouble. I'm glad you are sticking it out, I know how hard it must be for you. I would maybe read up on some training books to see how you can treat that kind of food aggression. I'm sure he had to fend for himself to get any food so he's used to that. He sure sounds like a sweety and I know he will be a well behaved baby as soon as he begins to trust.

JoyRenee · 09-12-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Bless his heart! I really don't think a month is fair to expect improvement. I'm sure he has been abused. Just think. He's probably had to fight for everything he has ever gotten to eat. I think it will be just fine after some time, but a month is just way too soon. This will probably be a very long battle, but if you are willing to fight it, I expect you will win the heart of a very loving yorkie in the end.

I completely agree. From reading the whole story that was the first thing that came to my mind. Poor Lil baby most def. had to fight for all his food. But just like you said.. as time goes by he will learn he no longer needs to fight for food... and is able to trust, give and recieve love.
You have a Great Heart to rescue him and put the time and Patience that is needed... He will come around in time...

bettyeanne · 09-12-2006, 09:40 AM

Congratulations! Wish there were more people like you in the world!

Your poor baby sounds like he has been abused and doesn't trust anyone! I have found that the best way for me to handle the "trust" issue is pretty much ignore them .... spend lots of time just sitting on the floor and watching them without making eye contact. Ultimately you will feel that little nose nudge you or sometimes they will just crawl up in your lap. Just kind words and gentle touches [if they don't mind] and after awhile they will stick to you like glue!!

This always brings tears to my eyes because you wonder what kind of horrible life they've had. They also don't respond to loud, angry commands .... just lots of praise & treats when they finally do get something right and lots of repetition!!

Good luck .... looking forward to hearing updates on your little one!

DianaB · 09-12-2006, 09:50 AM

He probably was starving when he was on his own. My daughter brought home a cat once that had been starving. Every meal that she had it was as if it was going to be her last. She would even grab food out from the dogs dish when we threw out table scraps. Right out from underneath of them! She never got over it for as long as we had her. I don't know anything about starving dogs but it sure sounds like what you're dealing with. Good luck!

connie777 · 09-12-2006, 10:15 AM

sounds like a case for Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer.

Plenty of exercise is a just......on a leash not just bouncing around the house.
One thing I've read in various books is you should have the dog sit or preform some "trick" before you give him his meal. Also stand near the dog when he eats. Pick up his bowl while he is eating and then give it back. This lets the dog know you are in charge.
of course if he is beyond allowing that to happen you may have to try a trainer.
It is important to not allow a dog to bite or mouth your hands for any reason.
Of course....this is one of those situation where I have to say....'do as I say...not as I do'. Because my 18 week puppy still bites at my handsmany time per day. Especially when I put on his leash or brush him. As if he is playing...but that playing is not "cute" and will have to be corrected. I'm getting there ,...but he still does it often.
Good luck

spourciau · 09-12-2006, 10:29 AM

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I think we will hold off on the bark collar for now and try some other techniques. He is still adjusting and I am trying to get him on my other two dog's schedule. He has the eating and the pooing down, just not the peeing. I am also going to try to put him in a smaller crate and see if that stops him from peeing in his crate. I have started to feed him in it because my golden will eat his food if I don't. I want him to feel that his crate is his own little haven away from the cats and the other dogs. Right now he gets underneath the end table when he wants to be left alone.

09-12-2006, 07:40 AM	#1
spourciau Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jarreau, LA Posts: 22	Adopted older, ill-mannered, yorkie. HELP!!! I volunteer for our local shelter so when Tobie came in I got first dibs on him, we had been wanting one for our daughter. He is 2 - 3 years old and was found running on the levee in a neighboring community, full of knots, his eyes were crusted shut, etc. We have had him now for a month now and he is showing very little progress. I am starting to think that the reason he was running lose is because he is so difficult to train. He is doing better potty training, but he still has to many accidents and we can't let him run the house. He pees in his crate and when we put him up at night he bites at the crate door, tries to dig out of it, and he barks for a good 10 - 15 minutes after we go to bed. If he hears any noise in the house at night he barks, I am on the verge of getting him a bark collar. I have had dogs my whole life and never had one this stubborn. We love him to pieces and he is ours, I will not give up. Also, he eats anything on the floor he can find. My husband is heavy into fishing and he found a rubber lizard and ate it. We tried to get it out of his mouth, but he bit my husband and swallowed it. He took my other dogs treat the other day and when I went to get it back from him he tried to bite me. I had to get a bobby pin to pry it out of his mouth so he would not bite me. I think he has been mistreated because when we walk up on him to pick him up he looks at us from the corner of his eye and does not move. I know this is long, but any input/advice would be appreciated. __________________ Pointe Coupee Animal Shelter - Saving animals one paw at a time.

09-12-2006, 07:52 AM	#2
Timmy Mimi & Gabby too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 3,208	First...Welcome to YT!! This site is so helpful. Have you tried obedience classes? I am sorry I'm not much help....I can assure you that there is someone else on this site that will help you out. __________________ Timmy Mimi Gabby R.I.P Lilly 11/10/06-7/25/07 I miss you baby girl! www.dogster.com/?328270 Think Rescue www.yorkierescueme.com

09-12-2006, 08:09 AM	#4
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 26,865	When Chachi tried to bite me once My husband grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him no and he never did that again. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

09-12-2006, 08:23 AM	#5
Patti Donating YT 10000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,779	Bless you for having the patience to help this poor baby. Maybe a trainer could help get him on track. My pom, who I have had since she was 11 weeks old, will bite me if I try and get somethign away from her or even if I try to clean her eyes. She's 9 1/2 years old and I have tried many things to get her to stop and nothing works. If she is at the vet or groomer she is fine for them. Good luck __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Maya RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-12-2006, 09:16 AM	#7
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,851	Bless his heart! I really don't think a month is fair to expect improvement. I'm sure he has been abused. Just think. He's probably had to fight for everything he has ever gotten to eat. I think it will be just fine after some time, but a month is just way too soon. This will probably be a very long battle, but if you are willing to fight it, I expect you will win the heart of a very loving yorkie in the end. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

09-12-2006, 07:57 AM	#3
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 14,523	Poor baby and poor you! Buddy acted like that as a pup. He would eat everything and bite me when I tried to retrive it from him. Actually I was starting to be frightened of him and deceided that was crazy! Maybe you just have to start from scratch since it does not appear he has had any kind of socializing. Just start like he was a puppy and go from there. I am sure this should work. He knows nothing so has to learn like he was 3months old. Hang in there. Your special for rescueing him. Once he knows love and trust he will give it back.

09-12-2006, 09:21 AM	#8
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,851	You might check out some of the links listed on this page and see if any of them fit your situation: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...?P=C&C=157&S=1 __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

09-12-2006, 09:24 AM	#10
vainchick5 YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,574	I'm sorry you're having such trouble. I'm glad you are sticking it out, I know how hard it must be for you. I would maybe read up on some training books to see how you can treat that kind of food aggression. I'm sure he had to fend for himself to get any food so he's used to that. He sure sounds like a sweety and I know he will be a well behaved baby as soon as he begins to trust. __________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco

09-12-2006, 09:40 AM	#12
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 8,565	Congratulations! Wish there were more people like you in the world! Your poor baby sounds like he has been abused and doesn't trust anyone! I have found that the best way for me to handle the "trust" issue is pretty much ignore them .... spend lots of time just sitting on the floor and watching them without making eye contact. Ultimately you will feel that little nose nudge you or sometimes they will just crawl up in your lap. Just kind words and gentle touches [if they don't mind] and after awhile they will stick to you like glue!! This always brings tears to my eyes because you wonder what kind of horrible life they've had. They also don't respond to loud, angry commands .... just lots of praise & treats when they finally do get something right and lots of repetition!! Good luck .... looking forward to hearing updates on your little one! __________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://yorkierescuecolorado.com/home.html "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein

09-12-2006, 09:50 AM	#13
DianaB Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fredonia, KS Posts: 755	He probably was starving when he was on his own. My daughter brought home a cat once that had been starving. Every meal that she had it was as if it was going to be her last. She would even grab food out from the dogs dish when we threw out table scraps. Right out from underneath of them! She never got over it for as long as we had her. I don't know anything about starving dogs but it sure sounds like what you're dealing with. Good luck! __________________ Diana and Reuger Take time to laugh. It is the music of the soul.

09-12-2006, 10:15 AM	#14
connie777 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Door County, WI Posts: 59	sounds like a case for Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer. Plenty of exercise is a just......on a leash not just bouncing around the house. One thing I've read in various books is you should have the dog sit or preform some "trick" before you give him his meal. Also stand near the dog when he eats. Pick up his bowl while he is eating and then give it back. This lets the dog know you are in charge. of course if he is beyond allowing that to happen you may have to try a trainer. It is important to not allow a dog to bite or mouth your hands for any reason. Of course....this is one of those situation where I have to say....'do as I say...not as I do'. Because my 18 week puppy still bites at my handsmany time per day. Especially when I put on his leash or brush him. As if he is playing...but that playing is not "cute" and will have to be corrected. I'm getting there ,...but he still does it often. Good luck __________________ Connie

09-12-2006, 10:29 AM	#15
spourciau Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jarreau, LA Posts: 22	Thanks so much for all of your replies. I think we will hold off on the bark collar for now and try some other techniques. He is still adjusting and I am trying to get him on my other two dog's schedule. He has the eating and the pooing down, just not the peeing. I am also going to try to put him in a smaller crate and see if that stops him from peeing in his crate. I have started to feed him in it because my golden will eat his food if I don't. I want him to feel that his crate is his own little haven away from the cats and the other dogs. Right now he gets underneath the end table when he wants to be left alone. __________________ Pointe Coupee Animal Shelter - Saving animals one paw at a time.