Totally Clueless
 

Hello,

MY name is Marlene and I have a beautiful 3 months old Yorkshier girl.
The thing is I'm clueless as to what to do. I have never ever in my life had a pet.

Any advice ?

Are you having a specific problem, or just looking for something generally about pets?

Tell us about your dog....

This site has some good advice on housebreaking a dog. Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today!

hello
 

Well let me explain.
My Dog at three months of age already wants to bite everyone. Not just play bitting she get angry and barks her little barks and wont let anyone touch her. Now I've done some reading and I understand is important for her to socialize but how can I socialize her if she wont let anyone touch her.

On another note I'm not too sure about other things like.
Bathing her she trembles way too much I feel like I'm tormenting her everytime I give her a bath. I'm afraind to cut her nails. I dont want to cut too short. She has no problem with me handeling her whole body but she wanted to bite the Vet too.

Any advice would be good...
Thank you

Socializing means introducing her to new places and people, it doesn't necessary mean letting them all touch her. Some dogs are better than this then others, and I find with Joey, he allows certain people to touch him on his own terms. Some people are just dog people and know how to approach a dog, usually offering their hand for the dog to sniff, but Joey doesn't like it if just anyone tries to handle him, and neither do I. Your dog is teething and biting and chewing everything is normal now, I think I would just tell people that "she's teething, and might bite you, so please don't touch." When she bites you, I've read that you should say "no" and give an appropriate substitute, like a chew stick. This didn't work too well with Joey, and I tried the technique where when trying to bite, you push your hand further into the mouth causing a slight gag reflex, and say "no". This worked for Joey. Bathing should be made a very pleasant experience. I have plenty of towels on the counter for padding, and wash him in a small plastic dishpan, so that he has secure footing. Puppies can't tolerate hot water, tepid water should be the aim and test with your forearm, and it should feel slightly cool rather than hot. I warm Joey's towel in the microwave, and wrap this around him afterwards, and this is his favorite part. He lays they all covered up and just veggies out. They sense how you are feeling so try to act matter of fact when you are grooming or bathing. Babying them doesn't make them feel more secure; in fact, it teaches them that there is something to be afraid of. Cutting the nails is difficult, and I took Joey to either the vets or Petsmart for this, the first two years, it's only recently that I've developed the courage to try, after have a lesson with Joey's breeder. I learned that cutting the quick isn't what is painful, it's not holding the nail base firmly when you cut, and the wiggling of the base of the nail is what causes the pain. I know people won't believe this, and if I hadn't seen it for myself neither would I. Hold that nail firmly, get some safety cutters, and just cut the tips.

I'm afraid to cut the nails myself too. I suggest lots of praise during grooming rituals. I have to clean Thor's eyes daily, and I find it goes much more smoothly if I'm feeling comfortable, and I praise effusively if he holds his head still. If he DOESN'T hold his head still, I say, "I know, I know" and keep going.

Can I ask how you came to own a yorkie as a first pet? I'd strongly suggest you take him to puppy school so you guys can get some of the basics down together. Good luck!

Oh, also: it's great that you can handle her entire body. If she wants to bite the vet, I'd suggest making the body handling a morning ritual as you wake up, handle her ears, paws, etc, while chanting the word "relax". Eventually you should be able to use "Relax" as a command to well, relax around people who need to handle her.

I have 6 dogs, have had dogs all my life, and I don't do nails. I know if you cut down too far and cut in to their quick, it can hurt them very bad. Do you have a groomer or vet close by that can cut their nails for you?
It is very important to socialize them. My best friend has a schnauzer that was never socialized and now that she's 10 years old, she is like cujo to everyone but my friend and her mother. Don't allow the pup to bite you, give him a toy to play with instead and tell him NO when he's biting you. There are a lot of good websites on different problems with dogs, you need to do a lot of reading. Good luck with your baby..time and patience

Puppies will want to play bite everyone
You as their master will need to teach them when it goes too far
when they bite or bite too hard
it's EH! and the hand or you goes away
and that goes for everybody
he bites and that's it

If he's biting because of being scared ... like at the Vet
that's different
and that's going to take you handling your puppy and gaining trust
things like cutting their nails at least until they are older leave to the vet
their claws are very tiny and you're likely to hurt him
bathing .... they are going to be scared
the water is a new sensation but pet them talk to them try to make it a pleasant experience as possible

if your puppy is becoming very frightened by people and some are
have your guests come into the room and not acknowledge the puppy at first
let the puppy become comfortable with them first
when the puppy goes to them and he will
Then have your guests pet him
it's scary becoming such a little guy and having all these big people hootin and hollerin and lunging at you