Need some serious advice on my new rescue! Hi guys! HELP!!! I just rescued a little 4 lb girl about 1 week ago. The rescue told me she was approx 2.........but, I took her to my vet and he said she is probably more like 5 or 6:( ! Needless to say, I was a little shocked. There is quite a difference between 2 and 6. Anyway, she is just the sweetest thing, but has obviously been used for breeding. :thumbdown Now I am trying to housebreak her and she really does not seem to be catching on at all. NOT AT ALL. She is skittish and "dribbles" everytime she gets excited and thinks she is getting picked up. Could the "dribbling" be a medical issue related to excessive breeding? I know training takes time, as I have had to be patient with my other girl, but I am concerned that at the age she is probably at, and her tiny size..she may never be able to be trained. I am currently keeping her crated at night only..and I feel bad about it because she has probably spent a lot of her life confined. I just don't know what to do. She is also become EXTREMELY attatched to me....I MEAN SHE NEVER EVER LEAVES MY SIDE...EVER. My instinct is to pick her up and cuddle her when ever she wants it, but I don't think it is good for her or my other girl, who is now getting a little left out because the new one is so demanding of my attention. I am sorry to keep rambling on, but I would love advice from anyone who has a rescue and gone through this. I just adore her, but I do have my hands full at the moment!:confused: :confused: |
What a big heart you have to rescue her! You are really great. We also rescued a female. However, she's a big healthy german shepherd! When she first came to us, she was much like you describe your baby. Skittish and dribbling! I was very frustrated. But we worked with her a lot. First, I would just be around her. No talking, yelling or other loud noises. Then we would say her name and give her a treat. So when she started to hear Ginger, she would look up and hope for food. Sometimes she'd get it, sometimes she wouldn't. I would also only give her food and water when I was around. I would take food and give it back. Timing their water is good in the begining so you kind of know when they need to go. Slowly, I would start to play with her and my other shepherd Diablo. I had to be very careful with this because Diablo would go Turbo mode when it came to ball time. So I got a couple balls and some other toys. I made sure to put her on a leash and take short frequent walks. That's easier with a big dog than with a yorkie, but same concept, you walk out first and always in front, you know the Cesar Milan stuff. And in a short time, this paid off. We had no idea where she came from, but she was obviously beaten because she was scared to death of us at first. Ginger's been with us for about 15 months now and is doing sooooo good! It's like she was always with us. There is a ton of affection in my home for my big dogs, but there is also a lot of walks and discipline. My dogs come in the house and know they are to go to their respective beds and not move until they are given permission. Not for food, the doorbell, ANYTHING, until I tell them. Ginger learned this too. It just takes some work and patience. Remember, you don't know exactly what your new baby experienced so even the good treatment you give her could feel weird to her. Hope this helps, and best of luck! Raquel---RIP baby Chu... :animal-pa |
A 5 or 6 year old Yorkie has plenty of life left, and a rescue can only guess as best they can. You can't fault them for that. Is she spayed? Her dribbling issue is probably related to fear/submissiveness. Bending down over her may frighten her, so I would try crouching near her and calling her to come, then praise and/or giving her a treat every time she comes to you. Lots of positive reinforcement and patience will go a long way with your little one. Recognize that if she came from bad circumstances she may not be socialized, so to her everything is new and scary, as well as confusing. 1 week is not nearly enough time to expect her to be housetrained, so just be patient and consistent with that. And don't ever scold her for accidents. I wouldn't even scold her if you catch her in the act, just quietly move her where she's supposed to go. I gave step-by-step housetraining instructions in this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66059 and would recommend the same to you. Right now you need to teach her the world is a good place, and she can trust you. Lots of positive reinforcement, and gradually introducing her to new situations and people. I would allow her to be near you constantly, and take her nap times to play with your other dog. She doesn't need to be on your lap all the time, either, so your other dog can do that as well. Do you have any background on her as far as where she came from before the rescue? Knowing a history can help tailor the training to the dog, as well. |
She's probably just scared and will need lots of time and patience. Praying God will give you an extra dose of patience and a halo for taking in one of his mistreated creatures.:) |
I do understand she needs a lot of time and patience. I also know that 1 week is not long enough to expect her to be housebroken. I am just wondering if it is possible to get there!!! As for her history, I'm just guessing that she was used for breeding (because of her small size) and not much else. The back story I got from the rescue was a little confusing and inconsistent. She was "trucked" here to California, from Georgia, where someone was caring for her after her FIRST rescue from a breeding situation in the midwest. Her Geogia home was supposed to have had her for 2 years, so now I'm assuming she was rescued from the first place at about 2 or 3 years old since she was breeding pups...ANYWAY, I really can't be sure, but that is not the issue. She is with me now, and will STAY WITH ME FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE!!! I just don't have any experience with training rescues or older dogs, so I am in need of a little guidance! I am really worried that trying to crate train her will hurt more than help. |
If you don't know anything for sure, don't assume anything. Just train her like any other Yorkie, with some extra sensitvity. :) I believe it is most certainly possible to get her housetrained, so just keep working on it, and don't give up hope. Remember that things will get much better as she adjusts to her new home and begins to trust you. Poor baby has been moved around alot, so nothing in life probably seems very secure for her right now. Also, could I ask what rescue you got her from? I'm always interested in rescues in CA I can refer people to. :) |
I have no experience in this department, but I would think that continuing with lots of love and affection will make her feel secure. As an older pup, I would think she has night time bladder control and rather than crate her (unless you plan to continue doing this), let her sleep where your other pup sleeps. Good luck and I'd love to see some photos.... |
poor little baby, i hope all is going well, i would love to see some pictures of her! |
Lots of time and patience is all I can say. I got a puppy last August, and in the past month, she finally quit peeing on the carpet. Thats 5 months to get this far with pee! We still have to work on the poo though. Bless you for taking this poor girl in! No telling what she went through before you had her. I do think its possible to train her though. Go back to basics, like training a puppy. Confine to one room with no carpet, or an x-pen till she knows that she either needs to go outside, or a pee pad. Crate at night, as bad as I know you hate to do this. I feel it can, and will happen, as you sound very dedicated to doing whatever it takes for it to happen. It just will take time, and hard work to make it happen. I know its hard to learn to share time between 2, when you've had 1 for a while. I had Adonis 5 years before I got Venus. So I wasn't used to "sharing his quality time" either. But it did work out. Both feel very loved now. I don't know about the Target where you live, but yesterday mine had a clearance on baby gates. I try to keep Venus in the kitchen with me most of the day. I got a metal one for $12.98 there. All their baby gates were marked down! Sure looks better than the plywood I was using! And it also has a remote control to unlock, and another push button that goes on the wall to unlock it. Good luck with this and again, bless you for taking that poor girl in! |
Quote:
|
You did a great thing now just be patient. It will all work out for you and her. |
Thank-You guys! I love this site. Everyone is so helpful. It is great to know that there are people who understand how "in love" I am with these little dogs!!! I will keep you updated on her (Tawny) progress!!! |
We adopted 2 older yorkie boys 2 years ago, approximately 11 years old now so they were around 9 then. We didn't know much about their background but was told they were housebroken and crate trained by the rescue. Well, needless to say, they were neither. These poor guys were so scared, skittish and confused it was sad. We always crouch down in front of them never over them, we couldn't keep them in a crate because they howled and howled and would mess in their crate. We found out it worked best to put them in bed with us, that way I could tell when they were awake and put them outside to potty. They had never felt grass on their paws and ran anytime the dishwasher started, the icemaker dropped ice, etc. Myles still gets stiff as a board when you pick him up and neither one of them will look at you in the face when you pick them up, they turn their heads. But, after 2 years they are housebroken, happy, fatter and very much loved. As everyone else said, just be very patient and know there will be many accidents and many changes along the way. |
all they need is love love love... you are a very kind person for taking her in. bless your heart....in due time, it will all work at..... |
Thanks "ASW2884". That is EXTREMELY helpful and you have set my mind at ease!!! She is doing better each day and it is still very early on in her transition. She is probably the most loving dog I have EVER encountered in my life and I consider myself very lucky to have found her.....potty trained or not! Thanks again! |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:38 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use