Frusterated new Yorkie owner

[BellaYorkie]

I got a Kong because I know my old dog at home used to love hers, but Bella doesnt seem to interested in the whole concept. Maybe she is to young, but she Can never get the treats out. It just makes me feel bad, like its a mean trick! I was afraid to give her peanut butter, but if isnt harmful I will try that instead of the treats. The canned soft food is a great suggestion. She never gets that for meals, so it will be a real treat. Thanks again!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

A question I have about trying to discourage barking is how exactly to use the water bottle or pennies in a can method? I have been ignoring and this is starting to loose effect. If I spray her with a litle water when she starts really barking, will this be attention even though negative that engourages the barking??

I have 2 boys, and one is a barker/whiner the other is not. When my little guy starts barking I make a noise psssssst really loud. If he in reach I give him a little poke with my finger in the ribs, not hard, but not soft. You want him to feel it, but not hurt him. I learned this from the dog whisperer. Its very effective with my dogs. I don't even need to poke them anymore, when I make the noise they stop whatever it is they are doing that I dont want them to do. This is an effective way of training them for almost anything! Good Luck!

[swgayorkie]

Originally Posted by frankiesmommy

Hi There,

I definitely know what you're going through. I recommend checking out the Dog Whisperer Show on the National Geographic Channel. He seems harsh at times, but has a lot of good information about understanding and ultimately training your dog.

Good luck!

-Daphne

His book is also wonderful and his first season of shows is now available on DVD. Here is a link to his website. I get his newsletter by email.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Lisa

[mspakoulee]

My yorkie isn't sleeping through the night. I don't know what to do! He whines and whines till i get up. Once up he won't go back to sleep, what should i do. I haven't had sleep in days!

[sweetr72]

Originally Posted by mspakoulee

My yorkie isn't sleeping through the night. I don't know what to do! He whines and whines till i get up. Once up he won't go back to sleep, what should i do. I haven't had sleep in days!

Have you tried bringing him into your bed with you? Ours have slept with us since 8 weeks old...sleep like babies!!!

Dawn

[sweetr72]

Originally Posted by sweetr72

Have you tried bringing him into your bed with you? Ours have slept with us since 8 weeks old...sleep like babies!!!

Dawn

Ok I posted that wrong..they sleep BETTER THAN BABIES lol

Dawn

[BellaYorkie]

Isn't sleeping in the bed a bad thing? What about accidents in the night? Falling off the bed....gosh I can think of a million reasons why that is probably not the best solution. If you are trying to crate or pen train then stick it out. Your baby needs to learn how to self sooth. I went through a few of these nights, but it does get better. Be though, you will be glad you did.

[FirstYorkie]

Is Bella doing any better in her pen?

[BellaYorkie]

Yes she is She has her days, but 95% of the time she settles in after a few minutes during the day and doesnt even whine at night anymore. Now that I have just said that I am sure she will be terrible tonight! haha. It will take time, but I can se what the benifits will be in the future.

[FirstYorkie]

Oh, I'm so glad to hear she's doing better! And, I hope I didn't jinx it...

[BellaYorkie]

Nope, didn't jinx it. Slept like a baby through the night and calmed down right away. She has an amazing internal clock because she starts crying just before the alarm goes off in the morning. Knows the routine! I am looking forward to the days when I can slep in again!

Anyone els miss that??

[irishawk]

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

Nope, didn't jinx it. Slept like a baby through the night and calmed down right away. She has an amazing internal clock because she starts crying just before the alarm goes off in the morning. Knows the routine! I am looking forward to the days when I can slep in again!

Anyone els miss that??

Get used to it! Your days of peaceful sleep are O-V-E-R! Lol. And many of us do sleep with our babies in our beds with us and think it's a fantastic solution. Yorkies are kinda needy and don't like being away from their owners, especially at night. I tried keeping my yorkie in his crate at night and he was good for awhile, but eventually he decided he didn't want to be in there anymore. And I don't blame him - he spends a lot of time during the day in his crate or his xpen while I'm at work so if he wants to sleep with me in bed at night to spend more time with me I'm happy to oblidge. He's potty trained, so he knows not to go on the bed. If he needs to, he hops down and uses his puppy pad in the bedroom. And he's never fallen off the bed either.

[P-did]

Some techiques I've been using with our pup to make her like her pen:

1) When I'm watching her and she's allowed to roam, I hide tiny bits of chicken all around her pen. After doing this for a day, she regularly spends time in her pen when the door is open.

2) When she is quietly in her pen for a given amount of time (build it up slowly), she gets a click and a treat.

3) When I'm getting ready to leave or to go to bed, if she stays on her bed and calm, she gets a click and a treat.

In other words, the pen needs to be thought as a fun place.

And of course, like you said, ignore the barking.

I believe in the positive training school of thought, in which you ignore the bad behavior and reward the good. Negative feedback should be given to the dog verbally, not physically.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by irishawk

Get used to it! Your days of peaceful sleep are O-V-E-R! Lol. And many of us do sleep with our babies in our beds with us and think it's a fantastic solution. Yorkies are kinda needy and don't like being away from their owners, especially at night. I tried keeping my yorkie in his crate at night and he was good for awhile, but eventually he decided he didn't want to be in there anymore. And I don't blame him - he spends a lot of time during the day in his crate or his xpen while I'm at work so if he wants to sleep with me in bed at night to spend more time with me I'm happy to oblidge. He's potty trained, so he knows not to go on the bed. If he needs to, he hops down and uses his puppy pad in the bedroom. And he's never fallen off the bed either.

DITTO! Say GOOD BYE to SLEEPING IN!!!! Or even naps for that matter!

...although I have to say, mine are mellowing more. We all can now go back to bed after potty in the AM - AWESOME!!!

[4chippy]

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

Hi All. I have had Bella now for 1 week. She has been an Angel so far, but last night and today she has been a monster. I have been leaving her in her pen and she has been fine, no barking ext. Last night she was whining and yapping off and on. Today when I left after feeding her and playing with her for an hour she barked all morning. Her routine has not changed so I dont know what is happening. My policy has been to ignore her whining and she always calms down and settles. Her whining has intensified into a yap, which I do not wantt to promote. Should I keep ignoring? Or go an tel her to stop with a little hit? I am not sure what approuch to take? Or should I spray her with a water bottle? I want her to be o.k. in her pen alone at times...it is early so I want to curb any negative behaviour now. Please help, I do not want to turn her into a terror.

Thanks so much.

I crate my Oliver and he used to bark and yap but I just told him "Oliver...NOOOOO don't be a bad boy" ....I said it like I was very disappointed in him. I also got this advice off the internet from a woman who breeds dogs (border collies but hey they are all the same instinctively) she said this, very insightful:

"You have the right and the obligation to correct your puppy for whining when he's in his crate. Think of it this way. A leader gets angry when his followers leave without permission, but a follower doesn't worry when the leader leaves without asking. As his leader, you must let him know that behavior is unacceptable. Think about the wolf den - when the adults go off to hunt, they must leave the pups back in the den and the pups must be quiet and stay still. Adults teach the pups to stay back by giving them a correction for barking or leaving the safety of the den. If you let your puppy whine when you leave you are giving him a leadership position (which is very confusing to the puppy). So, give the crate a good shake and use a growling tone in your voice. If you believe you can make him be quiet, you will, in short order. If you do it right, it should take just a few times, not days or weeks. You just need to let your feelings be known that he is not to whine. As a very young pup, it doesn't take much time or intensity to get him to understand he is to remain quiet and calm when you walk out of the room. Quit thinking it is heartbreaking or you will never succeed. That sort of "energy" will not project your intentions that he is to remain quiet. Try to convince yourself that he MUST remain quiet or something bad will happen to him (the wolf den analogy), and you'll present the right energy to succeed."

That helped me....hope it helps you somewhat to think of it that way.