[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

Best thing may be to get a professional trainer in to assess her and maybe work with her. You sound a little short on time, but to me it seems maybe she hasn't bonded with you and may be acting out.

I adopted a five year old that had 3-4 different owners before I got him. I thought he was more like a cat too, so I started treating him like one, just not putting a bunch of normal dog expectations on him. One thing I did do though was every evening, I made a special time to sit with him, and told him over and over what a good boy he was. When I first started doing this, I don't think he had ever heard these words before. And I had to feel it in my heart, because he could tell if I was mad at him and if I felt differently. So I made sure to clear my head, and for that moment, he was good and I had to show him that I loved him, no matter what. It took almost 8 months before he began to trust me.

Most Yorkies do get on the furniture, because they are short and can't see much from the floor. Maybe allow her one chair to get up on, might make her happy, especially if she can see out a window.

You need to find her currency. What does she like? A squeaky toy, a particular treat, meat.. whatever. Use that to train her with. Mine like Cherrios cereal, and chicken.

Take her out every 2 hours and right after meals for a potty break, or use pee pads in the house. When she goes, reward her with the treat. Do intense training with her when you have someone else at home to help with the children. Do not punish her for mistakes in the house. Yorkies don't take punishment or being yelled at well, they just get confused. Ignore mistakes and praise the things she does right. It may take a day or two but be very consistant... she'll get it eventually.

Be sure she has a spot in the house just for her. Have her bed and toys there, maybe somewhere quiet in a corner or something, where she can get away for some quiet time, when she wants.

If you have a neighbor with a nice dog, see if you can walk your dogs together, or behind the neighbor's dog. Sometimes if she can see what you want her to do, she'll pick it up quicker. Yorkies do best with harnesses as opposed to a collar. If she refuses to walk, then just sit with her outside on the leash, and move with her, until she allows you more control. Will she let you carry her? If yes and she stays calm, I'd carry her on a walk, and put her down when you're out of sight of your house and see what she does. Maybe take her to a quiet park somewhere.

It will take time, more time in the beginning and then less as she learns what you want from her. But if you don't have time to spend with her and on her, maybe rehoming would be a better option. You do have a very busy life right now, with school, and a young family and all. It may be too busy of an environment for her... she may do better in a home without children, and with an adult that does have the time and patience it will take to turn this little one around.

I hope my suggestions will help, and I wish you the best of luck, either way.