Adopted older, ill-mannered, yorkie. HELP!!!
 

I volunteer for our local shelter so when Tobie came in I got first dibs on him, we had been wanting one for our daughter. He is 2 - 3 years old and was found running on the levee in a neighboring community, full of knots, his eyes were crusted shut, etc. We have had him now for a month now and he is showing very little progress. I am starting to think that the reason he was running lose is because he is so difficult to train. He is doing better potty training, but he still has to many accidents and we can't let him run the house. He pees in his crate and when we put him up at night he bites at the crate door, tries to dig out of it, and he barks for a good 10 - 15 minutes after we go to bed. If he hears any noise in the house at night he barks, I am on the verge of getting him a bark collar. I have had dogs my whole life and never had one this stubborn. We love him to pieces and he is ours, I will not give up. Also, he eats anything on the floor he can find. My husband is heavy into fishing and he found a rubber lizard and ate it. We tried to get it out of his mouth, but he bit my husband and swallowed it. He took my other dogs treat the other day and when I went to get it back from him he tried to bite me. I had to get a bobby pin to pry it out of his mouth so he would not bite me. I think he has been mistreated because when we walk up on him to pick him up he looks at us from the corner of his eye and does not move. I know this is long, but any input/advice would be appreciated.

First...Welcome to YT!! This site is so helpful. Have you tried obedience classes? I am sorry I'm not much help....I can assure you that there is someone else on this site that will help you out.

:aimeeyork Poor baby and poor you! Buddy acted like that as a pup. He would eat everything and bite me when I tried to retrive it from him. Actually I was starting to be frightened of him and deceided that was crazy! Maybe you just have to start from scratch since it does not appear he has had any kind of socializing. Just start like he was a puppy and go from there. I am sure this should work. He knows nothing so has to learn like he was 3months old. Hang in there. Your special for rescueing him. Once he knows love and trust he will give it back.:aimeeyork

When Chachi tried to bite me once My husband grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him no and he never did that again.

Bless you for having the patience to help this poor baby. Maybe a trainer could help get him on track. My pom, who I have had since she was 11 weeks old, will bite me if I try and get somethign away from her or even if I try to clean her eyes. She's 9 1/2 years old and I have tried many things to get her to stop and nothing works. If she is at the vet or groomer she is fine for them. Good luck

We have tried that but if we grab him by the scruff he bites. Obidence classes are out of the question because there are none where we live and the ones in Baton Rouge cost a small fortune. He is such a sweet boy, he loves to cuddle and he is soooooo comical. You should see what he does to our golden retriever. He will run up behind him and bite him on the leg so he will chase him. It is so funny to see this 7 pound Yorkie bow up to an 80 pound Golden.

Tobie is now a part of our family, he passed the point of no return after we had him for about a week, we cannot give him up now. He is a part of the family now.

Bless his heart! I really don't think a month is fair to expect improvement. I'm sure he has been abused. Just think. He's probably had to fight for everything he has ever gotten to eat. I think it will be just fine after some time, but a month is just way too soon. This will probably be a very long battle, but if you are willing to fight it, I expect you will win the heart of a very loving yorkie in the end.

You might check out some of the links listed on this page and see if any of them fit your situation:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...?P=C&C=157&S=1

Oh trust me, he is not going anywhere. He is ours. We have a cat that has been with us for 5 years. We HATE that cat, she is mean, moody, non-sociable, etc. But she loves our daughter and even if she didn't we would still have her. She gets food, water, medical attention, a clean, dry, warm place to sleep, etc. We haven't given up on her, we still try to get close to her, but she is a loner. I am the type of person who believes that once you get an animal, unless it poses some sort of threat to you/your family, you have a responsibility to that animal. My dad has worked in veterinary care all my life and I have a soft spot for furry little four legged friends.

I'm sorry you're having such trouble. I'm glad you are sticking it out, I know how hard it must be for you. I would maybe read up on some training books to see how you can treat that kind of food aggression. I'm sure he had to fend for himself to get any food so he's used to that. He sure sounds like a sweety and I know he will be a well behaved baby as soon as he begins to trust.

I completely agree. From reading the whole story that was the first thing that came to my mind. Poor Lil baby most def. had to fight for all his food. But just like you said.. as time goes by he will learn he no longer needs to fight for food... and is able to trust, give and recieve love.
You have a Great Heart to rescue him and put the time and Patience that is needed... He will come around in time... ;)

Congratulations! Wish there were more people like you in the world! :) Your poor baby sounds like he has been abused and doesn't trust anyone! I have found that the best way for me to handle the "trust" issue is pretty much ignore them .... spend lots of time just sitting on the floor and watching them without making eye contact. Ultimately you will feel that little nose nudge you or sometimes they will just crawl up in your lap. Just kind words and gentle touches [if they don't mind] and after awhile they will stick to you like glue!! :p This always brings tears to my eyes because you wonder what kind of horrible life they've had. They also don't respond to loud, angry commands .... just lots of praise & treats when they finally do get something right and lots of repetition!! :rolleyes: Good luck .... looking forward to hearing updates on your little one! ;)

He probably was starving when he was on his own. My daughter brought home a cat once that had been starving. Every meal that she had it was as if it was going to be her last. She would even grab food out from the dogs dish when we threw out table scraps. Right out from underneath of them! She never got over it for as long as we had her. I don't know anything about starving dogs but it sure sounds like what you're dealing with. Good luck!

sounds like a case for Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer.:)
Plenty of exercise is a just......on a leash not just bouncing around the house.
One thing I've read in various books is you should have the dog sit or preform some "trick" before you give him his meal. Also stand near the dog when he eats. Pick up his bowl while he is eating and then give it back. This lets the dog know you are in charge.
of course if he is beyond allowing that to happen you may have to try a trainer.
It is important to not allow a dog to bite or mouth your hands for any reason.
Of course....this is one of those situation where I have to say....'do as I say...not as I do'. Because my 18 week puppy still bites at my handsmany time per day. Especially when I put on his leash or brush him. As if he is playing...but that playing is not "cute" and will have to be corrected. I'm getting there ,...but he still does it often.
Good luck

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I think we will hold off on the bark collar for now and try some other techniques. He is still adjusting and I am trying to get him on my other two dog's schedule. He has the eating and the pooing down, just not the peeing. I am also going to try to put him in a smaller crate and see if that stops him from peeing in his crate. I have started to feed him in it because my golden will eat his food if I don't. I want him to feel that his crate is his own little haven away from the cats and the other dogs. Right now he gets underneath the end table when he wants to be left alone.

Our yorkie was abused & neglected. He used to cower & pee if you looked at him or tried to greet him. He still has problems but has improved greatly. I read about massage therapy & thought it was hokey, but cost nothing to try.
I believe that was the start to him trusting. If he is near you just start massaging around the neck & shoulders & work down. He may start feeling more comfortable & less barky. Buddy seldom submissive pees anymore

I may be out of line for saying this, but anyone who could abuse any animal let alone a little dog like a yorkie should be horse whipped. When I started my work with the shelter a year and a half ago I did not think I would be able to do it. It hurt so much to see that people have so much hatered in their heart's that they could do that to an animal. It rips my heart out when I look at those big brown eyes and see the sadness in them. When my first foster got adopted out I cried like a baby and told my husband I couldn't do it anymore, it hurt to much to let them go. A month later at the next adoption day my first adoptee's mom brought her to see me. When I saw the joy that she was bringing to their family I knew then I could not stop. There have been many pass through my family in the last 18 months and I always check up on my babies and they are all happy, healthy and living the life they are supposed to live. I don't care if it is a pure bred $3,000.00 animal or a mutt, they ALL deserve love.

You're not out of line. What's worse, he was only 12 weeks old then. I knew
when I saw him the red flags of not being socialized and other problems,but we knew he was ours. He is doing so much better, it's been a long road but
well worth it. I was glad to hear the family with the rescue dog won't give up
on him. Thanks for your work with the shelter. I hope the rewards are greater than the pain.

They are. I love to make a difference in these animals. I have to admit though, I do get some benefit. I have always wanted a golden and I got one for our adoption fee and the same goes for Tobie. I got two wonderful babies.

Good luck & patience allot!!!!
Sounds he has been mistreated and neglected.
You have a big heart.
Just give him a lot of attention. I suggest an obedience class. That will help a whole lot. I am a firm believer age doesn't matter.
As for now, he is still adjusting. Sounds he has been on his own for awhile or just completely neglected.
Also try a belly band for his pee problem, until he is trained.
I truly believe time, discipline and love.
It may take up to 6 months, just like a puppy. But in the end you will have the best of the best of a best friend.
We saved a mix years ago, she sounded just like yours. Candy was her name and she after time turned out to be the best dog we had ever had. She lived to be a full 18 years.
Patience & Love is so important.
Good luck, you sound like you have a BIG HEART...:love:

This is my first post. I just got my yorkie, Chloe, a month ago, and I too am having some aggression issues. Sign up for an obedience class, and try to get a trainer that specializes in behavior assessment. I just attended my first class with a behaviorist as the instructor, and I owe the entire group a bottle of advil! But wow, what a difference an hour has already made. The trainer said I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I can already see a difference. Trust me, I was so scared to go to my first class, knowing I'd have the "problem child", but hey, thats what these classes are for. It will teach you how to react to the behavior and correct without harming your little one. Make sure they customize the approach for correction for your small dog, and doesn't do "one method fits all". Best of luck!

Oh I know. I have three different dogs all with three completely different needs, wants, etc. Patches is my 10 year old mixed breed who I've had since she was 4 weeks and is my baby, Sam is 2 year old Golden Retriever I rescued when he was 10 mths. old from our shelter, and Tobie is the newest addition to our family. Last night I was sitting on the floor and Tobie was getting a head rub with one hand, Patches was getting a belly rub with the other and Sam was getting a belly rub with my right foot. I looked at my husband and told him I had one unoccupied foot and I needed another dog to occupy it. If looks could kill I would be dead because in addition to the three dogs I have three cats that are all inside, a shelter cat who is inside, and two shelter dogs in a pin outside. Oh, and my daughter has a fish. I think it is safe to say I am animal poor. That is what he gets for marrying the daughter of a Veterinary Technician!!!!!

Spourciau,

I'm so glad that Toby found his way into your life! I'm glad that he has a good "forever home".

I agree with the previous advice about give him lots of time and patience. For a dog with a bad background, a month isn't very long for figuring out what's expected in this new place.

As far as barking/crying at night, I wonder what would happen if you put his kennel in your bedroom. Perhaps he would feel safer there. I'd cover it (or at least 3/4 of it) so that he feels more protected.

I think your idea about feeding him in his crate is a good one. I'd leave treats in his crate when he isn't looking so that he gets the idea that Good Things Happen in this crate. However, if he previously lived in a situation where he had no choice but to soil his crate, it may be extremely difficult - bordering on impossible - to break that habit. How long do you have to leave him in his crate?

This is getting a little long so I'll break it into 2 posts...

As far as the object guarding, I would definitely not react aggressively. I wouldn't grab him by the scruff or punish him. Instead, I'd try to reduce the need he feels to guard objects.

He needs to learn that Good Things Come From Your Hands. When he is eating or has a high value object, practice walking by and dropping a treat and continuing on your way. You can gradually work up to petting him while he has an object, dropping a treat, etc. You can read the whole protocol here: http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...ctguarding.htm

I also wouldn't take his food away from him. That gives him more reason to fear your hand coming toward him when he has something worth protecting. Instead, I'd hand-feed him a good bit of his meals. Again, the lesson is Good Things Come From Your Hands.

When he trusts you more, you can teach him a "drop it" command. In the meantime, if he has something he shouldn't have, roll a treat or two past his nose. As he drops the object to get the treat, you can grab it. Distraction like this is "fair game" in the doggie world - you've probably witnessed yours doing it!

Last, I'd pay attention to his cues that he doesn't yet want to be picked up. He may well bite you. I'd try to avoid picking him up until he demonstrates that he is more comfortable with you.

Good luck! Keep us "posted" on how it's going!

We tried the bedroom first and he cried and kept us up. He is in the living room now. He loves to lay under the end table so I put his crate there last night. At first he was leary of it, but he soon went in to check things out. He still cried and barked when we put him up last night. It may be just one of those things we have to wait out. I tried giving him food when he potties outside yesterday and he did awesome. He is use to me giving him treats from my hand. I want him to be able to associate the word "Potty" with going outside. When I say potty my golden goes nuts because he knows we are going outside. I took him a little while to catch on so I am sure that with repetition Tobie will also.

Something I also noticed is that when I feed him he eats so fast that I wonder if he is really chewing his food. That is another reason I feed him in his crate, so that he can feel safe and he does not have to fend off the other dogs when he is eating.

A lot of what your talking about seems actually quite normal.

Yorkies are well know for being harder to train than other dogs.

They are Terriers, very independent and don't like to be told what to do.

The good news is, once they pick up one thing, they will pick up another and another.

Once he learns how pleased you are when he does something right, he will want to do that again and again.

I find bribery works really well *smile*

A lot of people here will confirm it took a good year to get their dogs fully house trained. Mines 6 months old and still has accidents now and again.

He tends to have 2 or 3 bad days every so often, and then goes back to being perfectly well house trained.

I personally used a crate to potty train mine.

If you get National Geographic or (i think) Animal planet channels look for a show called "Dog Whisperer" (link - http://channel.nationalgeographic.co.../dogwhisperer/ ) while not everyone subscribes to his views on training, I personally found some of his ideas very useful for my stubborn pup.



I'm so pleased your sticking with him, I'm sure that he will begin to settle down soon and you will discover a wonderful loving little friend.

Good luck, and keep on posting.

Good for you for giving that baby a good home, you have a big heart!
Keep us posted, there are alot of people here that have great experience, and will give you the best advice.

Good luck ;)

ill mannered Yorkie
 

First of all you are wonderful for taking this little one in and giving him a home. I was not sure about mentioning Cesar Millan because some people disagree with him. I for one have much faith in his way of handling problems. After watching his show The Dog Whisperer on NGTV I purchased his book Cesar's Way. If you are consistant with his teachings they work wonders with dogs. I had never been the leader of my pack of four until reading his book. I still have a long way to go but it has done wonders for my four Yorkies. Sounds like your little fella has had a rough life so it will probably take more time for him. Good luck!
Lisa

i just want to applaud you for taking that poor puppy in :clapsmile :clapsmile :clapsmile , there should be more people in the world like you...just be patient as much as you can and it will all work out..
i feel so bad for that baby.... he need lots and lots of lovins.,,

give him hug from me and lexi...

I agree with firstyorkie ,she has also suggested the clicker solutions site to me and I have a lot of success with it. It sounds as if you could too since your yorkie is food orientated. They really catch on to the treats and he methods of clicker training. Wishing you the best of luck with your little one!