We adopted 2 older yorkie boys 2 years ago, approximately 11 years old now so they were around 9 then. We didn't know much about their background but was told they were housebroken and crate trained by the rescue. Well, needless to say, they were neither. These poor guys were so scared, skittish and confused it was sad. We always crouch down in front of them never over them, we couldn't keep them in a crate because they howled and howled and would mess in their crate. We found out it worked best to put them in bed with us, that way I could tell when they were awake and put them outside to potty. They had never felt grass on their paws and ran anytime the dishwasher started, the icemaker dropped ice, etc. Myles still gets stiff as a board when you pick him up and neither one of them will look at you in the face when you pick them up, they turn their heads. But, after 2 years they are housebroken, happy, fatter and very much loved. As everyone else said, just be very patient and know there will be many accidents and many changes along the way. |