Is this normal
 

Hi, I have been a member for a while but only just got our yorkie, she is 7 years old and was owned by a friend of my mums. Anyway this guy has passed away and it was left to my mum to take care of her. She is very small and has always been very friendly (the dog that is) well the thing is my mum is 74 and is not able to walk her as much as she needs so we have adopted her. Now, I have had a couple of yorkies and never had a problem with them but my wife and daughter have not had pets before and Poppy (the dogs name) has not taken to them much at all. My wife doesn't have a problem with her but Poppy has snapped at my daughter a couple of times and it is making her nervous of the dog. My daughter is nearly 5 and so much wants to love Poppy. She takes her for walks and tries to play with her but Poppy shows no interest in playing, She follows me everywhere and pines when I leave the room. She sits with me and sleeps with me and my wife but I would like her to sleep in her own bed or with my daughter. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to deal with this I would be most grateful.
Thanks
Harry

Hmm it seems like your dog thinks your a the leader of the house. Some Yorkies get attached to only one person. Try to play with your doggie together with your wife and daughter that might work.

Hi and welcome to YT...maybe you should also allow your daughter to be the one to feed poppy and give him his fresh water. Make sure Poppy sees your daughter doing this..she may not be able to actually pour the food into the bowl or give the appropriate amounts, you can do all of that. Just allow your daughter to put the food and water down for Poppy...also, allow your daughter to give him his treats. Dogs tend to bond with those who feed them, play with them, talk to them, etc. so if you do all of those things consistently, hopefully he will come around. He probably is just still getting used to being around a small child. All I can say is Patience, patience, patience!

Good Luck

It sounds like Poppy has always belonged to older people and is probably not used to a five year old. Even though Yorkies and other toy breeds aren't recommended with children, we always hear wonderful stories of children and Yorkies getting along. Usually the Yorkies are puppies when they come into the household, though, not older dogs.

At seven years old I doubt Poppy will change her attitude about small children. Since she has already snapped at your daughter, I would be very concerned. Even a little dog can do serious damage to a child's face.

If you do decide to keep her, I think you will have to accept Poppy for what she is, a senior dog (seven is considered senior for a dog) who will not be a playmate for your daughter. She has been used to one person and she has obviously decided you're "it" in her new home. You will have to keep Poppy and your daughter separated for both their safety and teach your daughter to leave Poppy alone, I'm afraid.

My Lady is twelve and my granddaughter is three. Sarah knows that when she comes to visit she can only pat Lady when she is on my lap. Lady would never snap, but she's made it very clear that she does not share my excitement about being a grandmother for the first time. She will usually just go back in my bedroom, her "safe" place, until Sarah leaves.

Thanks for all the advice and helpful replies, I fear that maybe Ladymon is right in her reply as Poppy snapped at my wife yesterday and drew blood while they were playing. I am now more concerned that she will bite Lily (my daughter). Although Lily is a very gentle girl and is more nervous of Poppy than Poppy is of her, I think this is being picked up by the dog and it is not helping. I will give them a little longer but if the situation doesn't improve then I am afraid that Poppy will have to be found a new home. I am sad for Poppy as she is a lovely dog and would be a great companion.
Thanks again
Harry

I think this is a wise decision. You just can't take the risk of your daughter being bitten. Another concern is that at age five, I'm sure she likes to have playmates over. You risk a lawsuit if another child is bitten.

Hopefully you can find Poppy a nice senior lady like herself to live out her days with.