Poorly socialized Yorkie...is he regressing?

[xine]

I'm so frustrated and stressed right now that I just needed to come over here and vent for a bit...sorry if this is really long, but I feel like I should explain.

Stitch is a rescue we found in late November, so we don't know anything about his history. He's about 2-4 years old, according to our vet...

Since we've had him, I've spent dozens of hours with him on various training things - housebreaking, leash walking, crate training, travelling in the Sherpa bag, and lots of clicker training and commands. He's been such an angel all along, learning things quickly (I'm guessing he was trained before), and he seems to be having fun and enjoying life with us.

Socializing with other dogs has been mixed. He gets along fine with our neighbor dogs - a big bear of an Aussie, a Golden Retriever, and is best buds with a high-energy mid-sized mutt. But I've noticed that he gets really intimidated when he meets two dogs at one time, especially if they're from the same home - he seems to see them as a united front or something and gets very anxious/aggressive with them.

Well, hubby and I had to go to Alabama on a business trip for two weeks, and I decided to take him along since the friend we're staying with has a sweet and mellow Aussie. (Plus, I can't bear the thought of boarding him for 2 weeks since we've had him for such a shor time.)

So...we get off the plane (during which he was a quiet sweetie), and our friend goes, "Hey - so I found this great Aussie puppy last week to keep Maggie company. You guys are going to love her." And I have this sinking feeling inside, but wonder if I'm being paranoid.

It's been about 3 days now, and things are *not* going well. Sweet and fun Stitch has turned into a barky little monster around them, either growling at them when they get too close or spending hours up on top of the couch to avoid them. It makes me so sad, because the two Aussies play so well together, and I know Stitch loves playing with other dogs. I've tried different things - separating them so that he can meet them one-on-one, holding him still while they sniff at him, but he's just determined to be aggressive or scared of them.

On top of all this, he seems to be forgetting all of his training. He starts crying when I put him in his crate at night (which he only did the second night we had him) and is getting really barky and clingy around us. Although I still feed him on schedule, he's not pooping or peeing as regularly as he did at home, so I find that I have to take him out a lot extra as well.

I think the last straw was today when we were out in the yard, and he growled and lunged for the Aussie puppy and got her in a submissive position. It was *NOT* playing. If my friend wasn't there, I'm sure Maggie would've lit into him, and I wouldn't have blamed her one bit.

Anyway, we're back inside, and he's up on the couch moping again while the other two play around. I don't know what to do - we'll be here for two more weeks working, and I hate to see him so unhappy.

[Juliealfies mum]

I no it's frustrating when this happens but it may be too much for him,new place ,different dogs,they can really get upset when you change your routine and I would guess if he's a rescue he may be supersensitive to change.
Hang in there with him, but I dont thnk it's going to be any easy visit.
Try giving him treats when he is around the other dog's.Sorry I cant be of anymore help.

[LuvtheCooper]

First off, I'm not going to be any help either , but didn't want you to feel this is your dog only. I think they act like this because they are afraid. Cooper does not adjust well to new situations. I have had him since he was 9 weeks old and always had him around new things and people and such. I did my absolute best to socialize this little guy, and I keep trying. The breeder told me before I got him that he was the "shy" one. Cooper has flown to Texas from Washington 4 times, and he does well on the plane. Our next door neighbors though by our Texas house have two larger dogs. One as sweet as can be and the other one can be..if you don't mess with her. We have to keep Cooper and Honey seperated because he is so afraid of them and he will bark and has snapped at them. He got his ear nipped at for this last time. I think alot of it is he thinks he is protecting me, but alot is also that he is just not on his own territory and he is afraid...this is how he shows it. When we go for walks in places he is not familiar with and we try to do this alot, he will try to head back to the car every time, he cannot enjoy the walk at all, because again, it is unfamiliar to him and he is afraid. I think this whole trip, the other dogs, the unfamiliar place and people, just everything is too much for your little guy and your just gonna have to understand and know this is the way he is. Hopefully for you and for me, they will get better at this "change" thing and the "other dogs" thing and I think we have to keep trying with them and not give up, but I'm not holding my breath if you know what I mean

[xine]

I really appreciate the kind words and support. I know that it's been a lot to throw at the poor little guy at one time, and all things considered, I'm sure he's doing as well as can be expected. We did spend some one-on-one time clicker training today and did lots of practice with him staying in the crate for a few minutes at a time. At one point, I had him crated for about 20 minutes with the door open and me in the room, and things almost felt like normal! He got a greenie for that.

We'll hang in there - not much choice in that anyway! And I'm glad that I didn't board him, considering the icy weather in Texas right now. At least we're cozy inside a house here, and he gets to be around us while we work.

We've got another business trip here coming in March - this time for about a month, but it should be the last one for a good long time. Urggh...

[xine]

I should also add that it's not entirely Stitch's fault. The Aussies are *very* well-trained, but they're both puppies less than a year old, whereas he's older and probably less rambunctuous. (Though on occasion I'd beg to differ...) Plus, they're used to eating/drinking out of each other's dishes, and Stitch gets really unhappy if they start sniffing around his bowls.

I did try to give him treats when he behaves around them, but of course, Maggie and Emma start crowding me for treats also which just makes him more upset. Sigh...

[TJCHRISYORK]

Here is another I dont know what to tell you to do post.......BUT ....You did the right thing by bringing him, but that just my 2 cents.....Just think if he is upset with you there and 2 pups, just think how scared and upset he would have been in a kennel, with no mom, and a bunch of other unknown dogs, so look at this as the glass is half full, you did the right thing for your pup...and the next time you have to go it will be at least a tiny bit more easier for him, if your luck is anything like mine..the last day there he will be acting like he doesnt want to go home...... and remeber, you rescued him so no telling what kind of odd places he as been subjected to before.he is lucky to have you and you are doing the right thing.....hang in there each day will get better and better..............
CHRISTINE

[xine]

Thank you, Christine (and Delaina and Julie) for the reassuring response. As a new dog mom, I'm a little obsessed with trying to do the right thing all the time (god help me when I have human children), and it's the kind of issue that's keeping me awake at night.

Thankfully, it didn't keep Stitch awake last night as he went to bed very quietly in his crate. PHEW! It also helped, I think, that hubby and I spent an hour watching a DVD (see side not below) last night with him in our laps before going to bed. We do that all the time at home, and it probably felt more familiar than the last few nights when hubby was up late working and didn't come to bed with us straightaway.

Side note - if you haven't seen National Geographic's In the Womb: Animals, I *highly* recommend it. It's really interesting and the technology is just amazing. And every time they showed a dog on the screen, Stitch would sit up, his ears would perk, and he'd be captivated by the image. It was so cute!

[Juliealfies mum]

Hi hope your little one is getting on better, it just may take him a few day's to adjust keep with the clicker training as theat helps them concentrate..there is a very helpful website www.clickersolutions.com its good for all sorts of advice in different situations.They might have some helpful hint's . Good Luck

[xine]

Well, we're about a week in, and the dogs seemed to have reached a detente reminiscent of the Cold War era. Basically, there seems to be a mutual agreement to avoid one another whenever possible and to attempt to be civil when forced together - like in the car or back yard. Occasionally, Stitch will get barky with them, but he's managed to keep the more aggressive tendencies in check.

I was really encouraged yesterday when we brought out all the dogs to visit the property (the business is located in a rural area with lots of space to run around), and another coworker brought her pug and shihpoo. Stitch seemed to get along with those two just fine and spent the day happily running around with them, so at least I know he's not a total misfit when it comes to other dogs in general.

Maybe when we get back, I'll suck it up and send him to doggie day care once a week so he can socialize with other dogs. Because hubby and I work from home, it seems totally pointless to pay other people to watch and play with our dog when we're always around, but maybe it'll do our little guy some good.

[Lorraine]

Any right thinking Yorkie would be intimidated by a big dog and especially two. There have been too many small dogs killed by big dogs and before anyone yells at me, not that the big dog attacks but can happen in play. I personally know of people who lost their Yorkie in that manner.
No big dog ever gets within any range of any of my Yorkies and I am especially protective at dogs shows and handlling classes.
I just would not put my Yorkie in that situation. That's why doggie daycares often will ruin the temperment of a Yorkie, they are too intimidated unless the daycare has two areas, one for big dogs, one for small ones.
JMO

[xine]

Hi Lorraine -

I do respect your opinion and understand why you would want to protect your dogs from that kind of situation. I've been around primarily big dogs in recent years, so I'll admit that I may be a little myopic as a new owner of a small dog and need to understand their needs and temperment better.

I just want to make sure that Stitch has a chance to play and socialize with other dogs, and we don't have the room in our lives to take on another dog just to keep him company. We live in a very dog-friendly area, where people bring dogs to work or to neighborhood gatherings, and it would be wonderful if Stitch could be part of that. He gets along so well with our neighbor dogs that it confuses me when he doesn't get along with others.

And while I would never ever introduce him to a dog (be it large or small) whose behavior/temperment I was unfamiliar with, I also live in a rural area where a lot of big dogs run loose. So I have this fear of Stitch accidentally getting out (he never runs loose), going up to a roaming pit bull, and starting something because he's fearless/reckless in that way.

I'd be curious to hear about other Yorkie owners' experiences with doggie day care, though, as your statement made me concerned.

[Yorkiedaze]

Your doing everything humanly possible to help the situation and I just hope you don't end up losing a friend over it. I hope they are understanding.
It's plain to see he is not going to accept the other dogs, so I would try and keep him totally away from them.
When you get back home maybe you could find a behaviorist to come to your home and train your boy.

[Lorraine]

In all honesty, many people think they need a play buddy for their dog but in my rather numerous years with Yorkies from the days I only had one to the days when I had more than one, the dog really doesn't care one way or another. If there is more than one in the home they adapt, if there is only one in the home they are quite happy. Psychologically, we as people know what loneliness is if we don't have contact with other people. that get projected to your pet.
What they need more than anything in the world is you not necessarily another dog. I found that with one Yorkie, we were best buddies anyway and my Ben didn't care if he ever saw another dog or not. He was happy hanging out with me. I took him for walks but not with the intention of meeting up with other dogs. Oh we saw them sometimes if he hit it off with another small dog they could have a little play but Ben soon came looking for me and once he was over about a year old, he really didn't care anymore, he was people oriented but would never let strangers pick him up or even people he knew couldn't pick him up, only me.
When I got a second one when Ben was 5 years of age, he was quite upset for about 6 months actually.
The ones I have now, would much rather cuddle with me just on a one on one. When I have an older one that I place, usually it is a one dog home where they are the only one and they will be delighted to have an owner or couple of people all to themselves.
I don't know if other breeds are different but I sure found this to be the case with Yorkies.
If you work during the day and there is a long period of time the dog is home alone, I do not ever recommend day cares. I have seen more Yorkie temperments permanently ruined by the intimidation of other dogs in day care that the Yorkie got along with no dog ever again regardless of the situation. Of course there are those that will argue with me but personally I don't think it is worth the risk.
Doggie day care operators have a license but I know of no training etc required to open such a facility. Heck look at the stuff that happens in people child daycares and those for the most part are licensed and regulated and owners/workers are supposed to have certificates.
If you can, find a dog walker that you can have come in during the day and spend an hour with your Yorkie, potting him, walking him or if you would rather they don't take him out in the neighbourhood because of dangers, he/she could spend time playing with him in the yard or house. There are professionals or if you can, you might find a neighbour you can trust. Before anyone touches one of my dogs, I have to have complete trust in them and that is hard for someone to earn from me.
When I got my first YOrkie, I got up an hour earlier than I had to to spend that extra hour with him. After work I came straight home and he was with me the rest of the time. Thank goodness for later store openings as I spent time with him, then had to go out to do my grocery shopping. My clothes got pretty raggy there for a while because I didn't want to take time to go buy clothes for me. Of course, Ben never wanted for anything and as I think about it I guess my clothes money went to buy stuff for Ben. LOL Probably sounds familiar for some of you posting on here as I read all the stuff you buy for your dogs. LOL