Adopting an adult

[Joodles]

Hi everyone. I just joined the group. I currently don't have a yorkie, (our first yorkie passed away two years ago) but I am adopting two yorkie sisters and they will be flying home to me at the end of January. They have just turned one in November, so I was looking on some advise on how to help the girls to bond with me. They are coming from their breeder and havent really been socialized from what I understand. She tells me that they are shy girls , even to her. I really want these girls to bond with me and love me, and I am concerned that they are a bit too independant and not very social, so I would like to know what I can do to help the process. It sounds like they haven't had too much one on one attention in their lifetime. Will that be a problem or can they overcome it? We do have other dogs here, but they are around other animals in their current home so I'm not so much worried about that. What can I do to get them to attatch themselves to me and my family? Our first yorkie was with us as a puppy, so that was easy, I fear that adopting an adult will be more of a challenge.

thanks for any help you can give me!

[Ivy Lucille]

I don't know how much advise I have but I will share my experience. I have 2 yorkies. One I got as a puppy and the other was rehomed to me when he was 3. I don't know a whole lot about his past situation other than what I was told. He lived with a rotty and grand children were added into the mix. I was told he lived in fear of these young children and that's why she had to sell him. I don't know though. He was awful fearful when I brought him home and cowered and shook a lot. He still will cower some now if I get the broom out and look like he is getting ready to be knocked across the floor. I cringe to think what he has been through--and maybe it's just his personality but I know he didn't get the best care because his teeth were a mess when I got him and she was giving him ice tea to drink when I picked him up-- Anyway, we just took it slow with him but it didn't take long for him to (as my husband says) fall in love with me. If I am in the room he will not take his eyes off of me and will crane his neck to follow me with his sight if somebody else has him. He adores me and I him. In the beginning, he would not play with toys or give kisses. But in time he became like a little puppy and plays all the time with Mayzie or even by himself. I ought to call him Benjamin Button because he was like an old man when I got him. lol He is now 5. He is still not much of a kisser but he will sneak one in everyonce in a while. His confidence has grown alot.

I guess my advice would be to take it slow and be patient with them remembering that their whole world has changed and it will take time for them adjust. I know I have never regretted bringing Mo home....ever!

Oh and Welcome to YT! This is a great place!

[yorkie_mama22]

Hi welcome and congrats on your new babies, I bet you are so excited! My female was 1.5 when I rescued her a few months ago now and she was VERY shy also. I was told she was very shy, strange of strangers and that she had even attacked them. She came around to me very easily and has bonded so well to me. The rest of the family is a different story. She has come along very well though and is not shy like she used to be, she is hesitant of people but is alot more trusting towards people. We are still working with her of course and she has been through alot so it is a slow process but just take your time, be gentle, talk calmly and let them come to you. I would offer some treats or offer some hugs and kisses, I am sure yours will do well. I was worried about getting an adult but let me tell you that I would rather get an adult around a year old again before a pup lol

[Joodles]

thanks ladies. yes we are very excited!! Its so hard to wait. wish we could have them here for Christmas. I think they've been taken good care of and I don't doubt the breeder loves them. I do think they have just had to live with so many other doggies that theres just not enough time for everyone. So I don't think they've ever left the house, or been doted on much individually. Thanks for the reassurances that they can come around. I'm glad that they will both get to stay together, hopefully they will be a comfort to each other. On the flip side maybe they won't bond to people as well because they have each other? I will give them lots of patience and love and hopefully they will bond well to us.

any other stories or suggestions?

[BobbyYorkie]

Congrats! I just fostered and then adopted a 1 1/2 yr old yorkie mix. She was really timid and scared at first, but within 15 minutes she was so attached to me already I hope it goes as smoothly for you.

[Joodles]

Wow no bonding suggestions or adult adoption tips? Surely there a more out there that have been in this situation? Would love to hear more!

[Roseanderson]

I had the perfect boy and then added a female the same age.....she was incredibly submissive and would run and cower too at the sign of the broom....she has come along way since I got her 3 months ago...it was fully 2 months before she would walk around the house with her tail up....she is a bit aggressive with my laidback boy and I have to keep her in check....I still have to work with her otherwise they get along well most times except when she gets a little rough with him....and I stop her...I am sure it will work out but you will need to be watchful.

[Ashley V]

We got Smokey at 6 months old, but we were his 5th home, so we had some problems getting him to trust and be attached. It's taken us about a year to get to the point where he fully trusts us. We have just been patient, loving, give extra treats, and just spend a lot of time with him.

[Raven]

Hope came to us when she was 2, and she came from the breeder's home where she was very loved, so I was worried about her adjustment. It took time, but she is now attached to my hip. We just gave her lots of love, attention and treats! Have a ball with them and keep us posted!

[phfgkl]

They probably were never given the love they need, possibly in a pen most of their lives. Once they start seeing you love them, they will come aorund quickly. dogs are funny, they pick up on things that humans don't even pick up on. A lot of love and treats, they will come around. They have to learn to trust you fist. Good luck with the babies, and please post pictures

[Joodles]

thank you to those of you who responded, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my question during your busy Christmas season! I do feel better knowing that they should come around with lots of love and patience. I think socializing them will be a big step after bonding as well.

hug your babies, as I sure wish I could hug mine! I will post pics as soon as possible. Come home soon girls!

Hope you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[shirlblack]

Hello and welcome to YT. Just give these babies plenty of love and time and they will bond with you. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

[Patti]

Congratulations!!! I got Pixie at 13 months and she was kept in the Breeders bsement with the other puppies and breeders. The breeder spent a lot of time with them but Pixie was not use to being out of the basement or around other people. When we brought her home I had my pom and Cali. Pixie settled in right away, but would and still does curl into a ball when you go to pick her up. She gets along great with all of my girls and takes care of my old pom. aleting us to when she need something. I think she would have been a good mother! She still does not like to leave her environment here, even to go in the back yard. I am still working with her but she definitely prefers the house to any where else. She is very loving to me so there was no trouble bonding with people. She has been a challenge to completely housebreak.My advice would be to male sure you socialize as much as you can, I didn't do it enough. Pixie aside from being shy around others, gets along fine with dogs and does warm up to people coming over the more she sees them. I think you will be very happy with your new girls!!

[Joodles]

Thanks so much patti for sharing about pixie ! That's great news that she has come so far! Her story gives so much hope. Oh I can't wait to get them home!

[yorkiesmiles]

Merry Christmas & welcome to YT! I adopted my 2 from someone who didn't have enough time for them when they were 2 1/2 yrs old. Roxy was very shy & still takes a while to warm up to other people (they are 7 now.)

I worked from home when I adopted them, and so I was available to them a lot. I really think that helped because they loved the interaction & attention. With Roxy, because she was so shy, I let her come to often in her own time & her own way.

Like you, I was so nervous about adopting an adult. I had always started with puppies & had even been a breeder of Bichons in the past - but I too worried about them accepting & bonding with me. But the bonding happened quickly & now I just laugh about how concerned I was.

I soon learned that Roxy loved squeeky toys - even though I don't think they really played with too many toys before. She loved the interaction. I would encourage you to talk with the breeder about the food they are on, their favorite treats & toys. Try to initially duplicate as much as possible. Hopefully, they both will come with blankets &/or toys from their old home, that will have familiar smells. Smells are such a big thing for dogs.

Please keep us up-to-date with your transition.