Yorkshire Terriers are intensely personal dogs and yours wants you to show him lots of love, cuddles, to be with you every moment and lots of attention and love - that's what you got him for. He wants lots of positive reinforcement for everything he does right. It just makes them shine to know they have pleased you. Dogs are pack animals and not human sentries and need to be treated as members of our family for the most part, remembering their canine instincts kick in and we can harness those instincts with re-training in order to live successfully and happily with us.
Most Yorkies want to sleep touching or near their other pack members at night and to spend the day with them in life-enriching, fun, mentally-stimulating activities or resting on our bodies or very near us when we aren't up and about. We are to show firm, gentle leadership, show them their boundaries and reinforce those to the uttermost when they exhibit behavior we disagree with and stand them down until they desist and turn away or relax or give up, not in a fearful way that scares them but as a mother dog would her pup. I'll tell you how to do that later if you'd like.
[COLOR="blue"]^ Those are Yorkietalkjilly's words which is what I meant about taking the Yorkie out of the Yorkie. Obviously she said it better than I ever could. I am not an expert like her but I have been around Yorkies for a long time. Both of my Yorkies have followed me around the house from room to room etc. I sort of love it, which is why I love Yorkies. Your yorkie sounds like a very confused little baby, not yet a year old? That is why I suggested starting over. I would add, take a deep breath and develop a plan and start over. I know I made the mistake of causing separation anxiety with my first dog because I was so anxious when I left her and when I returned. With my new pup I just put her in her expen and say nothing. At first she went ballistic but I ignored her, now she just goes to her bed. (took a while). When I return I make her wait a minute and I don't make over her. My other concern is that your Yorkie gets caged because of the cat? That is something I won't comment on but it concerns me. Best of luck to you and yours. These babies are precious, I hope you figure out a way to savor your little one.
|