[boopster]

It sounds to me like you are at your limit and you are asking permission to rehome your dog. If I'm wrong, my apologies.

I didn't realize how much attention Yorkies needed compared to other dogs. I've had many dogs in my life. Except for one male miniature dachshund (who belonged to my mother), potty training was a snap. Take them outside, wait till they go, lavish them with praise. They get it quickly and it's done. With Tallulah, I assumed that with all my experience, it would be a breeze to train her. She's about 30%, but so strong willed. Last night, we did our routine in the bathroom. She walked over to the pad, looked at me, stepped away from the pad, and wet on the tile, all the while giving me a look I can only describe as defiant. I paid no attention to her, cleaned it up, and went on with my routine. This morning we did our routine and she used the pad exclusively - and got immediate praise. Sooner or later she is going to get it.

T's vet wants her to stay inside as much as possible because she showed signs of allergies on our first visit -- so I needed to find a way to help her get exercise and burn up that incredible energy indoors. We have a very large kitchen, so I sit in one corner and throw her squeaky toy over and over until she gets tired and climbs in my lap. "Come" is a challenge, but "Fetch" works 90% of the time. I try to do play time with her when I'm a little tired - we both win. She gets the attention and exercise she needs, and I get a little rest and a lot of love.

Can you enlist any of your kids in helping with your little one?

Can you find anybody nearby who does daycare for little dogs exclusively? I found a wonderful place just a few blocks from me that does "Yorkie Camp." I realized the first weekend I had her how hard it is for these little guys to be alone a lot, especially when they're puppies. Now T goes to camp when I'm at work and I think we're both much happier than we would be if I left her alone. She loves going - can't wait to get down and play with the other dogs. And she loves to come to me at the end of her day because she knows we will have dinner, more play time, and some quality napping time on my lap. I also feel much better knowing that she is being watched by people who know and love these little dogs. A bonus is that she is learning better manners all around by being around the other dogs. It's not cheap, but probably costs me less than the damage to her and to my home if I left her alone, even confined.

On approaching your dog, are you extending your hand to pet him on the head or the back? I've noticed that the only time Tallulah shows fear of me is when I do that. I think it's instinctive. I've learned to approach her by putting my hand below her eye level. She loves to come up and rest her chin in my hand -- then I can pet her anywhere after the initial touch on the chin.

You have gotten a lot of good advice from others -- and I think the common thread is that it takes a LOT of time and patience to train a Yorkie. If you can do this, the rewards are huge. I hope you are not getting your feelings hurt by the strength of some of the responses -- people are giving you their best advice because they feel so passionate about their dogs and want you to have the same good experience. If they didn't care, they wouldn't say anything and let you flounder on your own. When I was looking for a Yorkie, I got several messages that on first reading hurt my feelings or even made me a little angry. But after reading more, I found that they just wanted me to know how much of a commitment would be needed and the information they gave me saved me a lot of expense and pain. These people are always the first to answer when you have a question, and to be supportive when you need comfort.

If you have reached the end of your rope, and I think maybe you have, perhaps the best solution for you and for the dog is to find him a new home. It really sounds like you have too much on your plate to be able to give your dog the time he needs to become a happy part of your family. This is not a reflection on you as a person -- just an observation that at certain times in our lives, a pet with lots of needs is just not a good match for us. I know that a few years ago when I had my invalid father living with me, despite all the support I had from the rest of the family and hired caregivers, I would never have been able to handle a "regular" puppy - let alone a needy little Yorkie. I don't think there's any shame in throwing in the towel and finding a new home for your dog, as long as you can make sure he goes to a good home. There are people here who can help you with that. That doesn't make you a bad person or an incapable person -- just a human who has too many responsibilities to take on another big one.