The Hardest Decision in My Life
 

Some of you know my story, I am wishing terribly for a dog. It has taken a very long time for my parents to almost agree to letting me have a dog. I have done plenty of research and I am prepared for any of the difficulties of when I go to college. Anyways, back to the point. I was planning on not keeping Panne but I have missed him so much these past few days. I really want him now. This is mainly for me to talk to myself to decide but I would really appreciate input if you have suggestions.

Good Qualities:
-Adorable, sweet, loving
-Doesn't bark in the house or at people
-Good with other dogs, people, cats, and kids
-Very smart, learns tricks fast
-House trained

Now, from that list, he seems to be just about the perfect Yorkie.

Bad Qualities: (the yes/no is responding to the question "can be fixed?")
-Marks in the house (does not do this at her house, only at our house. He is not neutered. We are also getting our carpets cleaned so maybe that will help. We also might get him neutered even if we don't keep him so that may help as well). Yes.
-Whines sometimes (loudly) when he sees other dogs/people because he wants to see them. Problem is I don't know how to train him not to do this. Suggestions? Yes.
-Energetic. I gave him 4 walks a day when he was here and he never seemed to run out of energy. These were fast walks/runs and they were all over a mile. Usually 1.5-2 miles each. It totaled over 2 hours of exercise daily. More like 3 or more though. He is only a year old so he still is a puppy. He does not like to cuddle or sleep on my which I was really hoping for. I do not know if I am prepared for such an energetic dog. No, might calm down when he gets neutered or when he is older.
-Obsessive over my dogs privates. We had him for 5 days and he constantly licked my dogs privates. He never would stand next to him. He would do this for hours straight. This also might stop by neutering. Maybe.
-Hair is very fine and tangles easily. I brushed him daily but he was constantly tangled. It is the thin cottony type coat. I don't know if I want to spend 20-30 minutes brushing him everyday. No, controlled with a short coat.


He is a great dog and I think I am being very picky. I do not know how to deal with certain things. The bad things are not actually that bad. It is really hard to know what to do. Like I said this is the hardest decision I've ever had to make. It is a 15 year commitment.

Here is a video of him (it was taken on my phone so it's not that good quality):
1103082025.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Thanks for reading this.
Vanessa

I'm confused. Is Panne a dog you have but are considering getting rid of?

Sorry for the confusion. He is not my dog and I am considering adopting him. I'm having trouble deciding if I should or not. She has not found anyone that cares for him as much as I do (she is picky on the home he goes to) and she is considering lowering/waiving the adoption fee of $650. I had a trial period with him for 5 days (he went back with her) but she is letting him stay with me until either she finds him another home or I decide to keep him for sure because she doesn't have the time for him and because I take very good care of him. I am very lucky because of this.

Oh, OK. Well those problems don't sound too major. I think you should go for it! :)

I am confused too. Do you already have another dog? Your first post sounded like you do not, but then you refer to "my dog" later in the post. I am not sure I understand.

I have a 15 year old cocker spaniel. He is very old and probably only has a few months left. I grew up with him and he is my baby. I just wish he was younger again.

I was also thinking the problems do sound fixable for the most part.

I remember your story and I always respected you for how mature you were in your decision making. Sometimes you really just have to go with your heart though. There is no such thing as a perfect dog...trust me. But, when you get one that you love with your whole soul, all of the little things that were viewed as cons just become little annoyances that come along with an animal that you love completely and who make you happy everyday of your life. If you missed him that much I say trust what your heart tells you (as corny as that sounds).

Neutering or belly bands would solve the marking problem.
A soda bottle with coins in it works super well for behaviors you want to stop.
Tossing a ball works well for exercise.
Detangling spray works wonders with cottony hair that tangles. Chipper has such and I manage quite well with brushing, no actually combing, his hair every evening along with brushing his teeth.
For me it is the Yorkie's energetic spirit that has drawn me to them. Love their bouncing around and alertness. You either love Yorkies or despise them.
Good luck. Joanne

Wow, you are quite a girl for thinking this through so thoroughly. When Ted first came to stay with me, he was not much into cuddling or sleeping with me..now I can't get him off of me. He also peepeed in the house at first but not anymore. He's a puppy and has lots of energy but that will be normal with any breed. I'm sure you can train him to leave your older doggie alone..maybe every time he does it, put him in a pen or outside till he gets the message..and the neutering will help too, I bet. Sounds like you take very good care of Panne and put a lot of effort into caring for him. With all the thought you've put into him, it sounds like you're the "best" mom for him. Every doggie should be so lucky to be taken care of by you. good luck with your decision.

My dear, I think you are seeing your baby of 15 years and wondering how in the world can I do this "with a puppy".

I had lost my first Yorkie in Aug. She was six years old - which isn't old and she was taken suddenly. I couldn't stand it when she was gone. Her presence was missed terribly. So, I decided to get another. We found an adorable little girl two weeks ago. She's just 3 months old. My husband calls her our "wild child". She literally goes in to these "nuts" mode and runs circles around everything. Then she crashes and, we can watch her and think, "isn't she a pretty baby...":rolleyes: Well, now even after a couple weeks, today I have really experienced her to be more mellow and loving. I think she's finally getting accustom to our home and taking a bit of ownership; what am I saying, SHE OWNS THE HOME! TEE HEE. Anyway-obviously you are doing everything right, and sounds like he really cares for you-you doing all his walks and caring for him. Don't you think he could settle down once HE feels comfortable?

Don't mean to keep talking about my Hope, who we lost in August, but when we got her she was 8 months old and not potty trained. She was bought by her first owner because we know how cute they are - but then the owner found Hope needed more attention than to stay in a kennel all day. Fortunately, the owner had heart to know that Hope couldn't go on in that manner. I feel Hope didn't know the love until she came to us. She was a much more mellow loving cuddle personality than my Lily is starting out as, since Lily is so small and a puppy, but again-Lily feels the love one on one and I think she's reacting to that, in a positive way. I'm just saying the doggies respond to how they are raised. Yorkies are a very smart dog and can learn a lot.

YOU have to do what you feel in your heart. You don't owe anything to anybody - just follow your instinct. If you love the little guy, you're getting him early enough to have him another 14-15 years!

Good luck with your decision, honey.:wavey:

I am glad that you are thinking thu this decision so well, but a lot of what you are questioning is "animal" behavior.

All dogs are animals and will never be perfect. Maybe a short coat or mixed breed would be a better choice. I love my Yorkie but they are a higher maintainance dog. With the size factor and the coat...

Not trying to come off mean or anything but MOST dogs will get excited when they see another dog, most will "lick" their privates or the other animals...most will mark unless neutered at a VERY early age..(again most)..

He may get used to the new surroundings and some of the behavior will cease, but don't count on it.

I agree with the fact that there is just no perfect dog in the world as much as there isn't any perfect human in the world. When you become the mommy of a dog, you accept them for who they are and the joy and unconditional love they bring into your life. If he doesn't mark in his old house, I think it could be trained that he does not mark in your new house whether or not he is neutered.

You've gotten great advice here....I agree....go with your heart....remember he is still young...and if you need any help....you have access to a great place...namely YORKIE TALK!!!!!!

If you have such strong feelings for him....then I say go for it....no dog is perfect.... I would think the worst of his "cons" are the marking....and like others have said...you can train him NOT to do that...or use belly bands...


Let us know your final decision!! I loved his video..he looks like a very happy dog!!! And I hope he gets that furrever home that he needs!!!

Thank you for all the help! Now that I think back on why I wasn't sure on keeping him it was because the adoption fee is $650 and he needs about $400 in vet stuff (neutering, baby teeth removal, teeth cleaning, ears checked since his are itchy). That is a lot for me to pay for by myself. After looking at other potential adopters she really didn't think anyone was as good of home as me and she said for me she will just give him to me (or whatever price I'm comfortable with). She said if it was anybody else she would stick with the $650, but I really showed her how good of care I take of him and how much I love him and she is considering lowering the price.

I have decided that I am going to have all this vet stuff done and then keep him for a few weeks to a month after that and then if I still think he is the one. I will be buying him a few supplies and spending a lot of money on him so I hope that I end up keeping him. He is coming back this weekend. I am definitely looking forward to seeing him again. I will keep you guys updated.

Thanks again,
Vanessa

I don't know as much as a lot of the members of YT, as I'm just learning as I go with mine. BUT, my Hopey had VERY hairy ears inside and way down of hers. She would have to get them plucked frequently. Perhaps it is something as simple as that for your little guy? Of course, you'll have to let the vet take a look - but that may not be as much an issue as you think?

Good luck, and HAVE FUN with him this weekend!

Vanessa you are such a good kid. The thought of you taking care of all his veterinary needs without knowing for sure if you are going to keep him is comendable. Even if you decide he's not the boy for you, you should be proud to know you prevented how many thoughtless litters of puppies.

I really hope this works out for you. You know, he may have a huge store of energy, and may really need some serious exercise before he is truly "depleted" (a good thing). I would go go go with him for a weekend, then your daily walks should be like maintenance and he'll be so much happier. It can't feel good to have all that pent up energy. Also, low quality food can with cheap ingredients can make them HYPER!!