YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post

FirstYorkie · 09-18-2006, 11:59 PM

BellaYorkie,

Try to look at it this way. Bella has gotten more attached to you and wants to be close to you at all times. She's not being a monster; she's expressing her loneliness/boredom/desire to be close to you.

Can I ask why she had to be in her pen "all morning" after you played with her? I think it's possible that you are leaving her there too long.

At any rate, I would NOT - repeat NOT - do anything punishing to her while she is in her pen. Think about it. From her point of view, this is horrible place that separates her from you. You squirt her or smack her (which should never be done, BTW) while she's in there. Does it make her feel better about being in there? Obviously not. It only adds to her distress.

You want her pen to be a positive experience for her. Give her lots of toys, bones, and a Kong to occupy herself with. If she is quiet while in there, REWARD her with a small treat. If she is noisy, ignore her. Be sure that you never, ever go to her when she is noisy (otherwise, you'll be reinforcing that behavior).

Does that help?

09-18-2006, 11:59 PM	#6
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	BellaYorkie, Try to look at it this way. Bella has gotten more attached to you and wants to be close to you at all times. She's not being a monster; she's expressing her loneliness/boredom/desire to be close to you. Can I ask why she had to be in her pen "all morning" after you played with her? I think it's possible that you are leaving her there too long. At any rate, I would NOT - repeat NOT - do anything punishing to her while she is in her pen. Think about it. From her point of view, this is horrible place that separates her from you. You squirt her or smack her (which should never be done, BTW) while she's in there. Does it make her feel better about being in there? Obviously not. It only adds to her distress. You want her pen to be a positive experience for her. Give her lots of toys, bones, and a Kong to occupy herself with. If she is quiet while in there, REWARD her with a small treat. If she is noisy, ignore her. Be sure that you never, ever go to her when she is noisy (otherwise, you'll be reinforcing that behavior). Does that help? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!