[Deltasmama]

Hi everyone,

My family and I adopted a 9 month old Yorkie male Romeo. We've had him for 2 weeks now. He was neutered on Wednesday and seems to be recovered from it and very active.

We are new to dog ownership and were pleased at first that Romeo would stay in his crate overnight, and seemed to by potty trained. However, he began marking in the house and the vet advised us to keep him leashed and crated at all times where we couldn't watch him to prevent this behavior. We've tried to do that, but he still manages an occasional marking.

Now that he is feeling better after the neutering, he seems to be more rambunctious than ever and we've noticed his penis sticking out whenever we touch him, no matter how lightly. My son was holding him earlier today and I noticed it, and it happened a couple of other times since. We never noticed this prior to his being neutered.

Also, Romeo is biting our ankles worse than he did before. Because the weather is so cold here right now, it's hard to get him out for exercise beyond a quick walk. We do throw balls in the house and play with him, etc.

We were told to use a spray bottle with water in it because he doesn't know the word "No" yet. His former owner was at work all day and he was left alone in the house. It's helping a little but he's not really learning from his mistakes.

Does this sound like normal Yorkie stuff to you? Any advice, ideas or suggestions?

Also, he looks and smells like a mangy mutt most of the time. We have bathed him twice since he was here but are afraid to do more because we were told once a week was the maximum. Any ideas on grooming and bathing tips to keep him looking neater and smelling better? If I try to brush him, he bites the brush and my hand like crazy.

We love him, but we are unsure if we are doing the right thing for him.

Thanks!

Carol