Anybody else have a puppy mill yorkie? (behavioral problems!)

[melrohner]

Hi! I posted a question a couple days ago about Kayla, the dog I am sort of fostering - she will probably be mine permanently, but I'm still giving her "trial" period a few more days to be sure it will work out. Anyway, she is a puppy mill rescue, bounced from a puppy mill to rescue then to the Atlanta HS, then to a foster home, then to an adopted home that sadly just did not work out. Anyway, when she came home with me Friday night, she was timid as a mouse, quiet and very shy - I'd even say maybe depressed. She's gotten better in the past few days, but then yesterday it was like someone flipped a switch - she began playing with my other dog, playing with dog toys, and acting basically pretty happy (except that she is still a bit afraid of me, but she's making steady progress with that as well). Anyway, now that she's suddenly become a real dog, I'm seeing that she's going to have some behavior problems - barking, chewing, and tearing things up, mostly. I never would have imagined that the timid, meek little creature that came home with me Friday would ever be so much trouble! Does anyone else have a puppy mill rescue, and if so, have you faced these issues? I can't get on to her too much, because I'm still trying to get her to bond with me and not be afraid of me. I think she's bonded with my chi mix, Ella, instead of bonding with me, but to be honest that's all right - Ella is already my "velcro" dog - but I need her to be manageable if I am going to keep her. And for her sake, I really want to keep her, instead of sending her to yet another home that may or may not work out. Anyway, any input would be GREATLY appreciated! I'd like to keep my apartment in one piece

[Diego]

Frimousse came from a puppymill . She went to 6 homes before I adopted her.
When she arrived here , she was afraid of everything . As soon as we arrived home , she went to hide under the bed , she wouldn't move until I was in the bed . It took her a week before she came to the bedroom door , if someone moved or talked to her , she returned under the bed . I never gave up on her.
At the beginning of the third week , she began to walk in the house but she never let me touch or talk to her .
She really began to change at the 9th week . One day , I was on the coach reading a book when she jumped near me , I tried to pet her but she returned in the bedroom .
With time , love , attention and patience , patience and patience she became the sweetest little girl I've ever had . I let her go at her own pace .

[mom 4 winston]

I agree with the other post. When I got WillowGrace she came from a not so good place, she was very timid and shy, but more and more she is coming round. She has been with me for 2 1/2 weeks now and you wouldn't even know she was the same dog. She is playing with Winston, making herself right at home, and she's is sooooo loving! I'm so thankful that I brought her into the lap of luxury that my babies have here in our home. They are my sweethearts! Give her time and lots, lots, lots of love. She will win your heart! Wishing you lots of luck.

[cheryl19]

I got Ivy from a rescue (puppy mill ) last July. and she is still shy. She loves me (I can't go anyplace without her at my feet) but maybe because she is about 5 years old she will never act like a dog you get from a puppy I wish I had some of your problems I think that can be taken care of easer than the shyness and the fear. Good luck and keep us updated I would love any ideas you have about how you get your rescue to fit in.

[OpheliaLoved]

For the chewing and tearing things up, try giving her a bullystick to chew on instead. We call them "stinky sticks" in my house, and they are a great distraction from chewing other things! For little dogs, yorkies can be quite destructive!

You can get bullysticks or flossies at most petstores. The brand we use that doesn't stink as much is Merrick's, but a lot of pet stores carry Red Barn. Flossies don't last as long as the sticks.

Good luck; I hope it works out for her!

[BLowry]

My parents rescued a puppymill pup...Mini Schnauzer...when she was 7 months old. She had been kept in a crate her full 7 months and was marked as a breeder so, she never got the love and affection that she deserved. Heidi was a very timid little girl. If you raised your hand to pet her she would cower. She was like this for a very long time. My parents love for animals helped to pull her out of her shell, not totally...she was still a very nervous little girl if you raised your voice or she heard a loud noise she would shake horribly. She was the nicest little dog I have ever seen in my life...never growled, bit or chewed anything...Unfortunately Heidi was a very sick little girl. She had to be put down in May at the age of 7 yrs.
You didn't mention how old this little one is..is she a puppy? Puppies chew. I would suggest getting some chew toys for her. Watch her though...if she's that much of a chewer you don't want her to eat her toys or, chew to much off of her chewy and choke.
In time she will trust you.

Good Luck~!

[spr377]

It sounds like she is becoming secure with her surroundings and is finally being able to be the puppy that she was never allowed to be! I would give it time and patience, I'm sure in time she will be wonderful!! You can be firm, and loving all in the same tone, and she will still feel secure. Dogs need boundaries, so they know what is expected of them!

[bildio]

How old is she? Is she spayed?

I don't think the behavior problems are necessarily due to her originating in a puppy mill.

Be patient, consistent in training/correcting her, and she'll be okay.

[melrohner]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I guess I should have said that she is not a puppy - she is supposed to be two years old. I say "supposed to be" because I've read so many posts on here about yorkies going through a chewing phase at one year, it makes me wonder if she's not closer to one than two.

I'll try to hit the pet store for bullysticks this weekend. I've never bought them for Ella because they are SO expensive, but I'd rather spend the money than have Kayla destroy everything in the house.

Spr377, I completely agree with you, it is like she has just suddenly become a dog. Or a puppy, with all the chewing and destruction.

Bildio, she is spayed. And thanks for the hopeful response!

Mom4Winston, it sounds like we are very much in the same situation. Does WillowGrace show any of the same behaviors as Kayla as far as chewing and tearing things up? She especially likes paper, but I've seen her chewing on alot of different things.

Wow Diego, your Frimousse sounds like an even tougher case than Kayla! I thought Kayla was timid, but she's coming out of her shell much faster - I think because of Ella. Her previous owner had her for two months, and finally just came to the conclusion that Kayla wasn't going to be able to bond with her, and would be happier in another home - one with another dog.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep you updated!

[ARCHIE]

I just read all your stories and it's so very sad to think how these poor
pups have lived in fear most of their young lives with no one to hug and
love them until they were saved by wonderful people like yourself's.
Good luck with your girl. I am sure, given time, she will be a loving
addition to your family. Thank you for rescueing her.

[mom 4 winston]

Originally Posted by melrohner

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I guess I should have said that she is not a puppy - she is supposed to be two years old. I say "supposed to be" because I've read so many posts on here about yorkies going through a chewing phase at one year, it makes me wonder if she's not closer to one than two.

I'll try to hit the pet store for bullysticks this weekend. I've never bought them for Ella because they are SO expensive, but I'd rather spend the money than have Kayla destroy everything in the house.

Spr377, I completely agree with you, it is like she has just suddenly become a dog. Or a puppy, with all the chewing and destruction.

Bildio, she is spayed. And thanks for the hopeful response!

Mom4Winston, it sounds like we are very much in the same situation. Does WillowGrace show any of the same behaviors as Kayla as far as chewing and tearing things up? She especially likes paper, but I've seen her chewing on alot of different things.

Wow Diego, your Frimousse sounds like an even tougher case than Kayla! I thought Kayla was timid, but she's coming out of her shell much faster - I think because of Ella. Her previous owner had her for two months, and finally just came to the conclusion that Kayla wasn't going to be able to bond with her, and would be happier in another home - one with another dog.

Thanks everyone, I'll keep you updated!

WillowGrace will tear up papers in a quick sec. She is just 6 1/2 months old so yes she does love to chew, but the bully chews are great and she loves them (they all 3 do). WillowGrace was kept in a crate all the time by her breeder (older couple) she was so matted that most of her hair was cut off (in spots,ugh), never loved or handled (poor baby). But nor it's like she knows who loves her and it's like she is sooooo thankful that she has a good home. Good luck with your girl!

[OpheliaLoved]

Originally Posted by melrohner

I'll try to hit the pet store for bullysticks this weekend. I've never bought them for Ella because they are SO expensive, but I'd rather spend the money than have Kayla destroy everything in the house.

They are pricey, but they last a long time, and they are cheaper than new furniture! I don't buy flossies anymore because they are so expensive and only last about ten minutes with my guy, but a six inch bully stick will last him a few weeks (I usually end up throwing the thing away because it gets so gross over time) and he is a real avid chewer.

I got some denta sticks last night, and my mom's dog loves them but Paddy just carries them around for a few minutes then loses interest. They are cheaper than bullysticks in that it costs about the same for a bag of seven as it does for one bullystick, but I think that if you have a baby that will chew them, they won't last as long. I also think they may not be as healthy for your doggie.