URGENT: Training help needed NOW!

[Mathteacher]

Hi Yorkie Lovers,

Just a quick background summary of where I'm at:

1. My beloved 25-year old son died 4 weeks ago and I am grieving constantly. Unless you have ever lost a child (no matter the age), you probably wouldn't understand.

2. Just yesterday, I picked up TWO (they came as a pair) Yorkies (maybe Silkies), from a local rescue that knew little about them except they were found roaming on a farm.

3. I had been looking for a pair to rescue for a couple of years, but never found any close to me, and then all of a sudden, there they were....just what I had been looking for.

4. I was reluctant at first, because of the trauma I have just been through and I am still going through, but thought this might help me. ....just wasn't sure if the timing was right.

Ok, now that you have a background summary, I will tell you the problems I am dealing with.

1. Potty training is my biggest issue. The male is a leg hiker, so that is a subject all its own. They HAVE gone outside a couple of times, but most of the time have just dumped in the house, whenever they felt like it.

2. I have feral cats I feed outside. How do I get them used to the dogs? The female Yorkie is fairly small. Do I need to be concerned that one of the cats will think she is something to prey upon? They've had supervised meetings with one of the cats so far. At first the cat hissed at the babies. The babies do want to chase the cats, but that's just because the cats start running. I also have an indoor cat that doesn't know how to adjust to these babies.

Unfortunately, because of the training issues and the grief I am working through, I am having second thoughts about whether or not I should have gotten them. (Tomorrow I could feel entirely different because of the roller coaster of emotions that comes in waves.)

I just picked them up yesterday,so I do believe, once everyone adjusts, it will get better.

I just have some good days and some bad (mostly bad). I barely feel like dragging myself out of bed and want to do as little as possible. Now these babies are demanding my attention.

Please don't get me wrong. I did think this through thoroughly but didn't realize they would be so active. The shelter thought they were about 3.5 years old, but they act like puppies. They are full of energy and love to play. They are so adorable! I know they love it here, but we all just have to adjust.

Someone please help me!

Thank you!

[alishasmom]

My cat do attack my yorkie, but she does not hurt her. I doubt your cat's will hurt the yorke. I think is a way to say, don't get closed to us. The training. is going to be difficult, if they came from a farm. Be patient and persevere. By some training aid, pee pee pads, pee pee spray, and clover spray. (it worked for me). Most of all be patient. It won't happen over night.

[08yorkie4me]

I'm sorry to hear about your son. My prayers are with you and your family. I hope everything works out with your new Yorkies. Take care of yourself.

[JeanieK]

Dear Mathteacher,
I am so sorry that you have lost your son. That has to be horrible.

I beleive these babies were sent to you by your son. He wanted you to have something to think about besides your grief.

The cats might get used to the dogs in time, I would not worry about them hurting the dogs unless the dogs corner them.

The potty training is going to take time and patience.

Start by not allowing them the full run of the house, some people use the crate training method. When they are inside they are crated unless being closely supervised. Other people use x pens and pee pads. There are many ways to do it, but they all start with not allowing them the full run of the house.

Good Luck and God Bless you for giving a home to those two babies.

[Cinq1964]

Sorry about your son. My prayers will be with you. As far as the yorkies, just be patient. You did a good thing by rescuing them. Maybe this is something that you need. You can help each other. Good luck and God Bless!

[cobird2]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can remember my grandmother's greif when she lost a son who had been sick for a long time. It will take time to work through that.
I agree with many things JeanieK wrote and feel these babies can help you through your grief. They will bring you joy and comfort you after they have bonded with you.
They are confused by being removed from their home and need to be given training that may be a challenge for you at this time. From what I've read, most every rescue needs some degree of housetraining.
Using crates, a pen, or confining them to part of a room and bringing them outside on a schedule will get them into a routine. They are tiny dogs and do not have very large bladders which may be hard to believe when you see the size of the puddle! They also have a reputation for being difficult to housetrain but it's not impossible.
They are energetic little dogs and benefit greatly from going for a walk.
You will receive an enormous amount of support through this site.
All my best wishes...