Hi, sorry to hear about your problems with your baby. I am not directing this at you but at your breeder..did he/she not discuss all the negatives and difficulties of training and socializing Yorkies? They are not easy but it can be done. I am sad that you could not take vacation time to spend with Sparky when you first brought him home. That is the ideal if the new owners have to work.
You are feeling guilty about having to leave him alone for so long. I know some will disagree but after a bezillion years of experience with these brats, I have finally accepted that dogs cannot tell time. He will greet you the same if you take the garbage out and chat with a neighbor or work 8 hours. We assign some traits to Yorkies that are a result of our HOOMAN insecurities...if you can put everything he can use in the Xpen in the kitchen and put treats inside on the floor, open the door, encourage him to go in by throwing 1 treat on the floor inside the pen. He will go in, you close the door. Use kongs or similar toys that require work from him by putting p-nut butter or cheese in the small end of the toy. Distract him and leave the house. NO long-drawn out byes, sad voices or apologies. Do this several times on a weekend when you can leave and return after varying lengths of time. Yes, he should have socialization and yes, ideally, his hoomans would be home with him all day. But in the real world that is not always possible. Your leavings and returnings should not be the same each time-vary toys, bedding, wee wee pads, toy treats and such. I buy a non-premium brand of puppy chow and toss it in a certain place in the pen when I come home but give him a few minutes to settle down-put your things away and change clothes if that is your routine.
I really thnk your guilt is playing the biggest part in this situation. Relax and love that baby and remember, they, like children, do grow up. |