Help, Paisley is 5 mo's old and I have so many things I need help with.

[PrincessPaisley]

We brought Paisley home when she was 9 weeks old. My daughter helped me pick her out as her early 17th birthday present. And the plan was that she would be the "mommy" while I am Mimi, the grandma. The problem is as the adult I didn't stop to think about ALLL the time she (daughter) isn't home.....school, sports, her father's house on his weekends, going out with friends etc.
And little Paisley has developed some anxiety issues.
1) She gets an excited bark/yelp/cry and wiggles so hard no one can hold onto her when T is getting ready to leave the house and nips at her hand when she's just trying to say goodbye.
2) She shakes all over whenever I even put on a sweater in the house.
3) She is indoor potty trained but a few weeks ago digressed from going mainly on the pads to mainly going anywhere but the pads.
4) From almost the very beginning she eats her own poo. I've read up on the topic and have tried several methods that have all failed. I've used canned pumpkin in her food, the pills and if I can get to it in time I sprinkle it with hot sauce. But she usually leaves that one and just eats the next one. She seems to prefer it fresh (I know, EWWWW!!) I've made some success with her going on the pads again by watching her constantly during waking hours. And when she did poo on the pad I praised her like crazy and gave her a treat.

I am approaching 50 and on disability. I have several severe auto immune diseases that keep me home bound most days. And usually winter time has me home about 99% of the time. One illness is psoriatic arthritis and I hurt too much to play on the floor with her. I try to keep her as active as I can. But when my fatigue takes over she just crawls up with me and sleeps with me on the couch.
Is the fact that she is stuck inside with less activity than a 5 month old should have part of her problem?

Sorry for writing a book for my first post!

[Mistymillar]

Hi there, you should be able to get great advice here, just bumping your post so someone more experienced can pick it up. Welcome to YT, maybe your daughter could get up earlier in the morning for walks if you are worried about the little one needing more exercise?

[MandiesMom]

Hi and welcome to YT!

I would suggest that your daughter not make a big deal that she's leaving (not say goodbye or anything). If it's not a big deal to anyone, it will help Paisley not see it as a big deal. She's probably anxious that your daughter is leaving and this is why she gets all wiggly/crying and nips at her.

If her potty training is regressing (which is very normal with yorkies), try to start back at the begining. I don't know if you crate trained her to begin with, but I would try that. When letting her go potty, take her to the pad and make sure she stays there until done. If you don't want to crate her, you need to limit where she can roam and just start anew on the pad training (don't let her have free roam of the house).

She does need extra exercise. I agree with above..if daughter wanted her, have daughter get up early enough to walk her good in the mornings and then when she gets home.

I see you've tried various things for the poo eating. The best thing to try is pineapple. (as well as getting it up as soon as possible, but you know that lol).

The shaking - are you sure she's not in pain anywhere? I would maybe take her in to see a vet and make sure all is well on that front. Shivering means cold but it also can mean pain. Other than that, it can mean anxiety/fear. If it's not pain and she's not cold, try some calming techniques for her.

[PrincessPaisley]

No, it's not pain. It happens when she is worked up about something. Like a noise from outside, daughter leaving, me putting on shoes etc. It stops after a while. But she is due to go back to the vet soon so I'll have him give her a good physical.
I like the idea of going back to square one with the potty training. We didn't do a crate as we didn't think she'd ever need one. But now I know she needs the comfort of her own space.
Thanks so much!

[MandiesMom]

If the shaking is from anxiety, maybe try to ignore that (like don't baby her) and just redirect her attention to something like a toy or teaching a trick. (I can't take credit for that advice..I recently read yorkietalkjilly recommend that to someone else).

There are calming sprays for the room that you could try and I've never tried the thundershirt but it's worth a shot. I hear some have success with both of these options.

[Tammygrrl]

Gracie eats her poo too which really grosses me out! We just try to grab it as quick as possible but I don't even want to think about what she does when we aren't home. I just don't understand it. I'm hoping she will outgrow it. *sigh*

As for exercise....my husband and I both go to school, so when we are busy doing our homework, we have rigged a little tennis ball with a string, we throw it (from our computer area) and she runs after it. If she looses interest, we reel it in and throw it again. This is working well, she is running around acting crazy and we can stay put. Maybe this will work for your little one. Fetch is a great way for dogs to get exercise without you having to chase her around!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Hi and welcome to YT!

I would suggest that your daughter not make a big deal that she's leaving (not say goodbye or anything). If it's not a big deal to anyone, it will help Paisley not see it as a big deal. She's probably anxious that your daughter is leaving and this is why she gets all wiggly/crying and nips at her.

If her potty training is regressing (which is very normal with yorkies), try to start back at the begining. I don't know if you crate trained her to begin with, but I would try that. When letting her go potty, take her to the pad and make sure she stays there until done. If you don't want to crate her, you need to limit where she can roam and just start anew on the pad training (don't let her have free roam of the house).

She does need extra exercise. I agree with above..if daughter wanted her, have daughter get up early enough to walk her good in the mornings and then when she gets home.

I see you've tried various things for the poo eating. The best thing to try is pineapple. (as well as getting it up as soon as possible, but you know that lol).

The shaking - are you sure she's not in pain anywhere? I would maybe take her in to see a vet and make sure all is well on that front. Shivering means cold but it also can mean pain. Other than that, it can mean anxiety/fear. If it's not pain and she's not cold, try some calming techniques for her.

These are some great suggestions....I also liked the idea about the ball on a string where you can throw the ball and she chases it and if necessary you can reel it back with the string.This seems like a wonderful idea for YOU, with your limited motion and mobility issues. And I am sorry, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAUGHTER!!! Paisley is YOUR responsibility.....YOU have to start spending more time with her, get up early for a walk, go to bed late after playing and exercising Paisley, etc. You have dreamed up a way for your mother to spend all HER time, time she really did NOT want to occupy with total responsibility for a small puppy. You seem to have assumed partial responsibility for YOUR puppy, and with your mommas health issues, this is not fair for you to divert this pups care and needs off on your momma. And momma, you need to shift some of this attention to Paisley, onto daughter, especially since this is HER pup. Daughter is not a pre-teen.....she is a young adult. She needs to be taught a sense of responsibility....she wanted this little puppy, she was given what she asked for, now she needs to assume responsibility for her. As far as Paisley's issues, these are classical symptoms of behavior issues that can be attributed to taking a puppy from its momma too early. Puppies learn socialization and pack behavior from momma...and these lessons usually carry through to 12 weeks old. This is a very good example of why reputable breeders advocate leaving babies with mommas until they are 12 weeks old. Some puppies are affected more obviously than others...poor little Paisley is a baby that is displaying overtly, some of these behavioral problems from leaving momma too early.