yeah well I'm not so stressed now that i know my husbands contract has been extended two more years with the navy. and I know by that time he'll be an E-5 or higher so he may actually even want to stay in the navy. I was trying to talk him into staying at least two more years so we can watch the economy.. with the navy we're safe, we have our health benefits and a paycheck coming in. Even without me working i know for a fact we can survive off of his but it's just tight.

And he's trying to pick a new job(his eye prevents him from going back to his old one) where he will find easier work in the civilian world...but he won't go into medical because he can be stationed on a ship.(he is JUST like teddy he hates being away from me and would love to spend every waking moment with me.. it's odd how much the dog and him act alike lol)

i'm going to try bleach cleaning his crate and testing him in it and taking him out for walks even though i'm freezing honestly it wouldn't be so bad if i could find the ear cover things.. i bought me gloves today to help deal with the cold.. here in VA beach it's the wind that gets you not the cold itself.. and usually around this time it's still warm last thanksgiving I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and no coat! I was so happy to be away from the midwest winters

I have 3 kids myself, ages 6, 4, and 3. I expect more stains from my puppy then I do the kids. I say that in the nicest way, not trying to sound condenscending at all. I really expect these kind of things from a puppy. I warned my hubby about all these little things that can happen before bringing my Yorkie home. It's to be expected I think.

I've also found that the naughtiest puppies I've raised, have been the most well behaved adult dogs. I think it's because they are intelligent, and get bored easy. They need more stimulation. All JMHO :)

I know what you mean about cold, we have had so much snow already which is much too early for me. I pee pad trained Crystal for cold Ohio mornings and took her out the rest of time unless it was too cold or too hot. she and I were spring and fall people/animal lol and walked alot. If you confine him more and put a pee pad down in a smaller area (next time he pees rub the pee pad in his urine) and that will attract him to it. When you are there and see him pee on the pad, reward him with a tiny treat so his stomach won't get upset and praise him but don't get to upset with the mistakes. He'll come around once he knows how wonderful everyone thinks he is when he uses this silly white pad. ha!! then stop the treats but continue to praise him and rub him behind the ears. Just a thought since some yorkies won't even go out in the cold. There are lots of places to buy these pads that don't cost much at all. Hope things work out for you all.

wow not me I expect more from puppies.. before getting married a year ago I lived in my parents house with a 2 year old who was soon joined by her triplet sisters(stepsister and husband lived with us). and the two year old made more of a mess then my parents dog ever did. and she would help clean up all of her messes when I babysat her.. unfortunately my stepmom lets her act like a brat while the rest of us teach her thats wrong.

but in the age of markers that only work on certain paper, spilless cups and bowls it's easier for them to be cleaner.. when i was raising my sisters we didn't have any of it.

and I would always come in from playing outside and would be dirty, my mom didn't let us sit inside all day at all I was forced to play outside sometimes and I'll have my kids outside all the time when i decide to have them, it's not healthy for kids to sit indoors all the time. I expect them to get filthy and I dont mind it as long as they try not to do it in their fancy clothing.

I expect to get pen marks on the wall and for them to get food all over themselves and to spill it on the floor..

but in the age of hardwood floors I can see how they seem less messy.

Are you talking about ear muffs? You should be able to find those anywhere. Walmart, Sears, Amazon....

yeah but not the old ones the kind that go behind your head like headphones and I went to walmart today to get them and they didn't have any at all.. only gloves and hats

I just bought a pair of the behind the head earmuffs from a street vendor in NYC last weekend. I have also seen them at Kohl's department store, Walmart and in the LL Bean catalog.

Google "ear muffs behind head".

It sounds like you are in a very stressful situation w your husband and all. That cannot be easy w him away. If you have to rehome your dog there is no need to feel guilty about it. I've had my yorkie for 10 yrs and got her from a woman who was no longer in a position to care for her. The only thing that upsets me is dog abuse but people that rehome their dogs so they have a better life I think is very courageous and loving. God Bless you and whatever decision you make.

Just wanted to add one more thing before I go to bed.
Never take your frustrations out on the puppy, you must remember it takes time to learn when you are so little. It is up to the adults to teach in a very loving way so this little guy will want to please you.

Here is a link to the earmuffs on ebay....$5.99 with free shipping!!!!

NEW Fleece Ear muffs wraps warmers MANY COLORS earmuffs - eBay (item 320316771031 end time Dec-06-08 15:32:49 PST)

We both posted at the same time and I'm glad you mentioned this. I agree!

It's all in how you raise them I think, whether it be children or pets. :) Regardless, you can't get a puppy and not expect these little mishaps. It happens! Especially before they are fully matured.

I've been lucky with Missy so far. She hasn't made any stains or destroyed anything, but I do expect it to happen sometime. I am fortunate to be able to supervise her every moment that she is out of her expen, I think that helps.

I do have to commend you for trying with Teddy. When you first posted you sounded fed up, and like you were going to give up. At least now you are discussing the problems and trying to find solutions. It shows you really do care about your dog. Hopefully you guys can work this out. Good luck!

Well I've read this post from beginning to end and I, too, am wondering why some feel the need to be so judgemental! I don't think any of us have walked in her shoes and therefore should not think that we know what is best for her. We all obviously love our furbabies or we would not be on this site....I have three grown (skin) children, which have brought me much joy and many challenges over the last 30 years. I also have two of the most precious furbabies that have been very challenging also, but to compare training these precious yorkies with raising children, in my opinion, is a reach. This girl sounds as though she has a lot of stress in her life at the moment, and this just may not be the right time for her to have another responsibility. To try and make her feel guilty or like she has done something wrong will not help the situation ~ I think she has done the best that SHE could. It may not be what others consider good enough, but it may be all she can do or afford....I think the best thing to do here is offer encouragement and understanding, and possibly some guidance if she should decide to rehome. The judgemental attitude that is starting to occur more frequently in some posts, certainly doesn't do anyone any good. She may need to try having a puppy at a more stable time in her life...I think we all may have been there at some point, if not, how lucky you have been! This might possibly be the best solution for her and Teddy at this time. Just my opinion, by the way!

I don't think that anyone is trying to be judgmental---just helpful.
Do you know how many dogs are in rescue organization because people are not willing to WORK with the dog? Not willing to keep up with their commitment? Do you know how the dog must feel---being tossed from home to home? I do. I have volunteered for these organizations and I have two little bundles of joy sitting next to me. Their sweet faces didn't deserve that! It took them a long time to trust that I would love them unconditionally and that i would never leave them.
She knew what a dog was before she got it--she should have understood the amount of dedication that having a dog requires.
I have been in worse situations---I have had to take care of my parent by myself after she was in an accident, take care of the dogs (one whom was a pup at the time), and go to school... I did not once think that it was an option to shirk my responsibilities. I did my best. With the proper organization and commitment level---it can be done.
Everyone has provided her with great advice---some of which she is willing to take---and I commend her for that. I think that her dog is an excellent, loving dog who deserves a person who is the same.
Now, if she is not willing to work with her dog---I agree, that finding a home would be best. But it does not sound like that is the case.
And i don't like the notion of "give up a dog now, get one when the time is right". People who view dogs as objects that can be disposed of when it is convenient shouldn't be having dogs. And I don't see why people should be supportive of a decision to rehome a pet (unless it is due to circumstances that the can't control ,such as illness)---they are doing the easy thing; the support should go to the displaced animal and person who has to do the clean up. JMO. This post may have sounded harsh, however I love animals and am very passionate about them---and I don't think that I should defend that or walk on eggshells.