Giving up on Unmnagable Yorkie puppy
 

Lil Bit, my male 10.9 pound 7 month old Yorkie is unmanageable. My other Yorkie is a 4,5 pound 3 yr old female Taz. She is a sweetheart. I got Lil Bit at 8 weeks old for a brother for Taz to play with. She won't have anything to do with him as he is too rough for her.
He was neutered soon as vet gave OK but it hasn't calmed him down. He's not aggressive. I cannot manage his hyper energy and barking. He is food motivated and I need to use a treat to get any obedience from him. I'd been looking for a new home for him, someone I know will love him and can manage him. Then I look him in the eyes, realize just how much I love him and change my mind. This cycling has been going on for months.
Has anyone had behavioral problems like this and did it resolve? Would obedience training work and if so what kind? I got him from a reputable breeder who said his parents were 6 pounds. He is already almost 11 pounds. My vet has two Yorkies from same breeder. Also he says that Lil Bit is just a male Terrier puppy. Desperate here.:D

Sorry if my suggestion isn't as good as others lol :) Maybe he wants more exercise? Or it could just be in his natural temperament. What were his parents like? Were any or both of them energetic and feisty? How much are you walking him? And teaching him cool tricks would help to stimulate his mind and keep him busy. Best hopes and wishes you get this problem solved! X

Afraid to walk him
 

Thank You for reply. I own a house. I'm fenced in. When I let him out he barks nonstop. Yet, he will run the yard while barking. I keep him in because of the barking. Taz refuses to play with the little rough neck. We have quite a few pitbulls in neighborhood and I am afraid to walk my dogs. Pitbulls are dog aggressive with Yorkies right at top of Murder list. We also have a lot of owls, but I am hoping he's too big at 10.9 pds for them. I do take him to neighbors to play for a bit with her dogs. Also I don't know anything about his parents except they are 6 pounds each. Perhaps I should email the breeder and ask her about them. Also I have a bark collar that needs a battery. It sprays citronella. Going to order the battery now.:aimeeyork

I have gone through your situation. My Molli was a problem child from day 1. Obedience training helped some but what helped more was exercise. And believe me we went through the barking thing too, spray bottle, pennies in a can and other methods did not work. The only thing that worked was training for that but she still barks when she has too much energy. I take her to the dog park, she goes to doggy day care some times which helps a lot. She loves to play. When she was a puppy my older dog would not play with her because she was too rough. I too wondered if I had made a terrible mistake. I stuck with it and while I won't tell you it was easy I will tell you it was worth it. She is 3 now and although I still have to exercise her way more than my other dog she is a sweetheart. Her and my other dog are best friends now too. I am also training her to be a therapy dog because she loves everyone and I think it might be a good energy outlet. Don't give up.
-also maybe try different treats? even pieces of carrot, apple or even little pieces of boiled chicken might do the trick.

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You welcome for the reply :) Yep emailing them would be a great idea, just to find out the main traits of them. I'm sure it will all pay off! Hang in there. The collar will hopefully help out a lot. As for the Pitbulls i know what your saying some are aggressive but not all are aggressive. If any start growling just tell the owner to please keep them on a tight lead/leash. If any of them are off lead/leash or out of their owners view and start getting aggressive towards your fur-baby just pick him up and turn away. This usuaslly works but i cannot guarantee. Keep us posted on how his training goes! X

Yes obedience training will work. Just your standard obedience training especially if you have not already done this. Enroll in a class and go!

Also you need to wear out that energy. You say you have a full fenced in backyard. Take him out, and get him interested in a toy, play fetch, play chase, play and play and play with him.

And goodness knows I am glad he is treat motivated! That is a good sign for obedience training.

Yorkies will settle down a bit with age but don't wait, train now, and you will get a golden high energy boy.

Energy level
 

I make chicken jerky for their treats and he loves it more than any treat. It's really interesting that you had same problem with older dog refusing to play with young one because the young one is too rough. I originally got him so she would have a playmate. It's a relief to read that they are now the best of friends. Perhaps the same will happen here. Lil Bit's energy is almost off the charts. He gets so excited and starts nonstop barking when he sees me do something that signals to him I am going to let him outside. Thank you for feedback..

Obedience training and teaching him to delay his desire for instant gratification in order to obtain a greater reward and more fulfilling, lasting self-gratification for a job well done via a treat/praise/pride from you is his only real hope at this point and can literally work magic with misbehaving, active, hyper dogs. Later, likely age and infirmities could slow him down but for now, one of the online free Nothing In Life Is Free program's and some real structured, fun, upbeat obedience training for lots of positive reinforcement will reform almost any healthy dog from a misfit hellion into a working/learning/happy little companion who wants to obey his trainer and works for their pride in him - and a luscious treat. The training is immensely fun for both dog and trainer and reshape the dog's brain responses and his demeanor and a well-trained, happy, feisty dog is a joy to have around the house.

Looks up some of the Nothing In Life Is Free programs, study up on them and start watching the YouTube videos for basic obedience training from some of the more successful trainers - those who use only positive reinforcement and train small, toy dogs. Choose those with lots of views as those are usually the most successful trainers who can show you exactly how it's done. Enjoy the process and watch your dog change if you are loving, patient, gentle and keep it all short and lots of fun for him.

If this were my dog, I would first be sure his vet has checked him out thoroughly and to be sure there is nothing structural or otherwise causing his behavior or to prevent his training regimen and go for it!

Exercise
 

Rosies Mamma...I get articles on my FaceBook page about deaths and severe injuries caused by pitbulls that have just occurred. These come in almost daily. Among the more common incidences are older women trying to protect their small dog from attack. Pitbulls do not growl or show any signs that they will attack. Owners often do not have control. Pitbulls are known to suddenly turn on the owner. These are often sweet, loving dogs that have been raised with love. Perhaps I am over reacting. My neighbor who has a Yorkie has also stopped taking him for walks because of this problem. Am wondering if ball throwing may do the trick. I have a good sized fenced in back yard, perfect for playing fetch the ball.

Good Idea
 

This is exactly what I am thinking. Back yard fetch could run some of that energy out. :cool:

Some more ideas, set up a mini obstacle course, set up a kiddie pool and then get out there and find your own inner child:D Laugh at yourself, with your boy, and it doesn't matter how crazy you think you look, clap jump smile lots as you begin your training with your boy.

Play find that toy!!! Dogs go crazy over it once you have taught them some toy drive.:D And you can play this one indoors as well.

Training
 

Have done some reading on clicker training and have the clickers. A click paired with his treat may work best for him. He is intensely food motivated. I have taught him to sit and stay to get his treat. He learned that almost immediately. I'll check into the online program and videos. THX

He'll no doubt LOVE one of the NILIF programs for a couple of months in order to show him another way to use his brain and energies and teach him to control his wild impulses and energy as he learns to wait for what he wants or needs. Obedience training is nothing but fun for a high energy dog who is highly motivated by food - they just eat it up!

Water
 

He goes nuts for the water when I water lawn. He loves to snap and bite at the stream of water. Often when outside he will go to hose..look at it ..then look at me. The kiddie pool with water in may be good idea.