Help!!! My Yorkie & My Toddler.....Ugghhh

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by CaLi19GyRL

Maxx is 9 weeks today and we've had him for exactly 1 week. Damian is almost 3.....he knows to be gentle with small dogs and is never unsupervised near Maxx. I just don't know what to do, or how to make Maxx mre trusting of my son....when he gets older(Maxx) will he be more loving towards him?? Or is this kinda a lost cause?? anyone w/experie nce???

9 Weeks is very young. If you don't mind me asking where did you get him from? Elaine

[MindieRose]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I should have said that toddlers are capable of being careful with a dog if they are supervised and told what to do and not to do. But you never want to leave a child and dog alone together...too many things can happen.

Everyone has their opinions on yorkies and children. I personally don't think it's normally a good match (although in some cases it's fine when the parent is responsible).

I agree. My kids were all raised with dogs, small dogs, and they are great with them. Not because they were born that way, but because I have had to teach them and teach them to respect the dog, and teach the dog to be patient and tolerant with the children. Its training them both, not just one or the other. Not all owners of dogs with toddlers do that.

Its way early to throw in the towel with your puppy. I am sure that he will warm up to your son over time, as long as your son is taught to respect the dog. You should also have a safe spot for you dog to go to that he is safe from your son. My kids know that if the dogs go to bed, that's their safe place, and there is no bothering them there. Odds are the dog has had enough play time, and needs to rest.
Gosh, maybe I need a safe spot!

[CaLi19GyRL]

Originally Posted by jrsygal37

9 Weeks is very young. If you don't mind me asking where did you get him from? Elaine

I got him from a breeder who lives down the street from me, and when I went to pick him up, turns out I went to high school with her & her husband!! Ha Ha I thought I had read that they were supposed to stay with momma until 12 weeks, but most all other dogs leave @8, so I didn't think much of it. I had him vet checked the next day & he is in perfect health & a strong little boy!!

[CaLi19GyRL]

Originally Posted by MindieRose

I agree. My kids were all raised with dogs, small dogs, and they are great with them. Not because they were born that way, but because I have had to teach them and teach them to respect the dog, and teach the dog to be patient and tolerant with the children. Its training them both, not just one or the other. Not all owners of dogs with toddlers do that.

Its way early to throw in the towel with your puppy. I am sure that he will warm up to your son over time, as long as your son is taught to respect the dog. You should also have a safe spot for you dog to go to that he is safe from your son. My kids know that if the dogs go to bed, that's their safe place, and there is no bothering them there. Odds are the dog has had enough play time, and needs to rest.
Gosh, maybe I need a safe spot!

Me too I want a safe spot!! Ha Ha well yea Maxx has his crate which is all comfy for him in my bedroom, and Damian knows that is off limits....so when he is done with him he runs in there to hide/sleep!!

[CaLi19GyRL]

Wow I'm a yorkie yakker already??? Ha Ha Well this morning Maxx let Damian play with him so that was encouraging Damian had one of his favorite toys and Maxx went up and started cheweing on it, playing with him....Damian started to shake it and I told him to be slow & easy that Maxx wa still a baby, so he calmed down & they played for like 5 minutes. Right now Damian wants Maxx to play with his Thomas trains with him......LMAO Poor dog!!!

[jrsygal37]

I think that it's a combination of his being so young and also his being so new to your home. Toddlers move quickly and some Yorkies are timid of that movement. You have to remember that he sees things at a different prospective as us. He's low to the floor.

I know many are against Yorkies and young children. Where I think it has some merit I'm not in total aggreance with that. I think each family should be judged individually. Some older kids are worse then the young with animals. It's all in the way you raise your children and your Yorkie for that matter.

I have two boys who are now almost 12 yrs. old and almost 15 yrs. old. Our first Yorkie past away this summer. He was 10 yrs. old. My boys were 2 and 5 when he came into our home. They were raised to be respectful of ALL animlas and to be gentle. I never left them alone with Newman and I also went for a bigger Yorkie, not a tiny. I think that made a difference too. For people with young children or any children really I would always reccomend the bigger of the litter. Newman was 12 pounds full grown and he loved my boys and they loved him. I hope it works out for you.

Elaine

[marymccormick22]

Originally Posted by CaLi19GyRL

Okay sooooooo I get Maxx so my son can have a "best friend" but it's not working out, and I need help!! We've only had him for a week, so it might get better, I hope!! My son is very good with small dogs, my mom has chihuahuas and actually she just got a puppy, same age as Maxx. Damian fell in love with her and she licks his face and lets him hold her etc... so then we got Maxx so he can have a dog at our house that daddy & I like and aren't going to be allergic to dog hair all over the place.....yorkie it is!!! :0) My fav! Anyway sooooo Maxx seems to be terrified of Damian. My son hasn't don anything to the dog but try to pet him, and he always wants to hold him, but the dog won't cuddle with him at all, it's the weirdest thing. Maxx with be sitting with me, then Damian will come up & pet him while saying "nice touches", which is that I taught him, and Maxx he freak out and get up & run. So I need help, it's breaking my heart that my son wants to love Maxx so bad, any ideas on how to establish this "friendship"

I believe it depends on the dog. Rascal's favorite is toddlers. He loves small children and he is very good with them. I'm not sure how old your son is. Maybe if you limit their time together at first until he gets use to the child. Maybe even let the dog sleep with one of your sons stuffed animals so he can get used to the scent.

[Proud Mommy]

Originally Posted by CaLi19GyRL

Thank you!!! I do hope he comes around, I knwo he is very young and just dont' want him traumatized. When Damian gets in his hyper modes lol I put Maxx is his crate, or sometimes I look for him & he is already there....so I find that a plus that he feels safe in his crate....I hope it works out for us, as it did for you, b/c Damian loves him so much!!!

That is good he feels safe there but he should not be taught to "hide" in his crate out of fear Instead of putting Max in his crate your son needs to be removed from the room. Max is being taught to be scared of your son

[Proud Mommy]

Originally Posted by Proud Mommy

That is good he feels safe there but he should not be taught to "hide" in his crate out of fear Instead of putting Max in his crate your son needs to be removed from the room. Max is being taught to be scared of your son

I had to add to this because I read it as a post and it seemed a little rude That was not my intention I have a 6 year old and when he gets too rambunctious I send him to play elsewhere. If our dogs learn to fear load noises from children it is very difficult to un do and your baby being only 9 weeks I would hate for him to learn at such a young age to be frightened of your son.

I sure hope that came out clearer this time.

[PCMom]

Here is my expirence. Pep C was 9 1/2 weeks old when I got her (7 months old now) and my Grand-daughter, Lelah, was 2 1/2 and lives next door to me. When we first got Pep C she really didn't want much to do with Lelah even tho Lelah was very gentle and very careful around her. I only let her pet Pep C while I was holding her, making sure she felt safe. I had a pen set up for Pep C so that if she felt uncomfortable or scared she had a place to go where she felt safe. The rule is NO ONE else is allowed in the pen except Pep C. LOL Lelah stands outside the open pen watching Pep C but never ever goes in or touches Pep C. I noticed that as time went past and Pep C grew she started really looking forward to Lelah coming over. They are now best buds and play all the time they are together. Pep C misses Lelah when she goes home. So my advice is give it time and make sure you have a place for Maxx that is his very own. When I had my first yorkie I didn't have a pen but I did have a bed for him. It was the same rules, no one was allowed to touch him/bother him in his bed...even me! Good luck and congrats on Maxx!

[kezza]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I should have said that toddlers are capable of being careful with a dog if they are supervised and told what to do and not to do. But you never want to leave a child and dog alone together...too many things can happen.

Everyone has their opinions on yorkies and children. I personally don't think it's normally a good match (although in some cases it's fine when the parent is responsible).

I personally don't think it is a good idea most of the time either..it can work in some situations..but 100% supervision is paramount..accidents can happen with older children also..my last yorkie was dropped down some stairs by a friends 8 year old daughter..she was told NOT to pick her up..when my back was turned she did just that and dropped her (Heidi was probably wriggling) while walking down the stairs..thankfully she was ok..but i learnt my lesson and i will NEVER ever leave my dog alone with any child. I felt so guilty about it..

[KiKiPie]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

I do not agree that toddlers are not capable of being careful with Yorkies. We have had Livi for a year and she came to us as a young puppy and she has a great relationship with both of my toddlers. My daughter is 4 and a half and my son just turned 3 this month....so obvioulsy, they were both little when she came into our lives. I can honestly say that Livi has not once been hurt by my children. Yes, I do agree with Michele that they do need supervision...just because these guys are so tiny. I know that my kiddos would not purposely hurt Livi, but accidents can happen. Maybe it is just too soon for Maxx to feel completely comfortable around your son. Each dog has its own personality and maybe he is just more shy and likes things quiet...or maybe that is the enviroment he came from and he needs time to adapt. Maxx may just be scared because he is not used to hearing a toddler playing and running...we, as parents, get pretty immune to how loud they can be. Just give him some time and I would make sure that he feels safe. Quiet calm sitting on the floor, while I held him and I would make my son get on the floor and quietly love on him. He will get used to your son, it may just take him some extra time.

Tammy

I got Tiffany when Bryson was close to 2 years old. They have always gotten along great!

[Tammyh]

I think it's just going to take some time. Maxx is very young and I think small dogs especially are very sensitive to small children. I think they have to be because they can so easily be hurt and adults are much more calm. I would recommend keeping Damian very mellow around Maxx and maybe just have Damian sit calmly next to you when your holding Maxx in your lap so that Maxx will learn that Damian poses no threat. I'm sure that with time Maxx will come around. Good luck

[CaLi19GyRL]

Originally Posted by marymccormick22

I believe it depends on the dog. Rascal's favorite is toddlers. He loves small children and he is very good with them. I'm not sure how old your son is. Maybe if you limit their time together at first until he gets use to the child. Maybe even let the dog sleep with one of your sons stuffed animals so he can get used to the scent.

That is a GREAT idea, I will try that!!!

[CaLi19GyRL]

Originally Posted by Proud Mommy

I had to add to this because I read it as a post and it seemed a little rude That was not my intention I have a 6 year old and when he gets too rambunctious I send him to play elsewhere. If our dogs learn to fear load noises from children it is very difficult to un do and your baby being only 9 weeks I would hate for him to learn at such a young age to be frightened of your son.

I sure hope that came out clearer this time.

No prob!! I understand. He does seem to be afraid of him, and I'm working on that, not forcing him to be around him & such. It is hard to calm down a toddler who wants nothing more then to hold the puppy ro give him a kiss. He isn't doing anything mean, just the dog is a little nervous around him. I am taking everyone's advice and I truly hope it works out. My sister who has a chihuahua didn't really socialize him, so now he snaps & bites everyone except her and my mom....and that is NOT going to happen!! We are also going to do "puppy traning classes" @ Petsmart, so hopefully being around all the other dogs/people will help. Honestly though so far it is just Damian he is afraid of.....uugghh