Considering adopting 10yr old Yorkie
 

My coworker needs to rehome her dog Jamaica who is a 10 year old Yorkie. She says he needs a lot of attention and has a few issues. I haven't spoken to her in depth about this but I am considering.

How hard would it be to retrain a dog that is that old? I think he's got issues with going to the bathroom as well. Originally the dog is her husbands and when she came into the picture Jamaica was very protective of her and would bark at her husband if he came near her. Now they have a child and he seems to be jealous of the baby so they want to rehome him.

I've never really owned a dog before except my puppy I had for a very short time. I think having an older dog would be a whole lot different. I'm not sure what to expect. They way she described him it seems as though he's a puppy in an older dog's body.

Any advice?

Well, anything is possible and good for you! You can teach an old dog new tricks - I am sure he will just need some patience and love.

IF you decide not to go that route, please consider a Yorkie Rescue - as they would make sure he finds the perfect home for him and his needs.

Check out: Rescue Me Yorkie Rescue :thumbup:

I say GO FOR IT!

Darcy is our rescue--she is between 10-13, from the vet's best guess.

I think the big benefit of an older dog is they are generally trained as far as "house rules". Darcy doesn't chew paper, or steal things like mine do. No puppy mischief. She is also potty trained, (except for when she is sleeping sometimes she pees on herself, but she can't help it).

I'm not going to sugar coat it, she is very territorial when it comes to food and toys, but we are working on it. She also hates the vacuum, and tries to bite the rubber bumper. One good thing is that her previous owners must not of allowed her to sleep in the bed with them, because she doesn't like it at all. Husband would NOT want another furbaby in the bed!

A rescue comes to you with its personality, and likes and dislikes already in place. I think the big reward is how loyal and loving they are. Darcy knows my husband rescued her from the middle of the highway in the rain, and she loves him, and will do ANYTHING to please him. If he is working nights, she sleeps in front of the bedroom door until I come along to let her in to sleep on the floor beside Daddy's side of the bed.

Since she sounds territorial and jealous, I would make sure that your lifestyle is best fitted for her needs. She sounds like she needs to be the only "child". It might take her longer to adjust to training than a puppy, but it is possible with a lot of rewards, positive reinforcement, and patience.