Help!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 01:51 PM

Hi,
I have an 11 month old yorkie. He is really sweet and cute; but I am at my wits end with his behavior! Here is a basic run down of my life with him:

1. I have taught him to ring a bell when he needs to go outside to go potty. He does it sometimes; but most of the time he will just go inside right in front of me. He sometimes will ring the bell just to go out to eat snow or get a treat. I know he knows the words "go potty" and "go outside" because when I say them he will go to the door!

2. He chews, eats and ruins everything. The other day he chewed a lamp cord! I have tried yelling, shaking a can of coins, spraying...nothing works. He does not care.

3. He will go to the bathroom in his crate. I don't get it. I thought animals will not go to the bathroom where they sleep!! He can go outside right before bed, and he will still go! If I leave the house he will hold it all day; but I think because he knows I'm home, he just goes.
Also~ he hates sleeping in the crate. He sleeps so little at night (I let him play for hours before bed). I am so tired of waking up at odd hours. He wants to get up and go out, and then eat. Then he will go back to bed. It would be different if it was a normal hour; but 3am?? Come on!! I know I should let him bark; but we have neighboors who can hear him, and he just won't stop.

4. He is obsessed with me. I can't do anything or go anywhere. If I leave the room he tries to find ways around the gates we have up to get to me. He almost jumped over the back of the couch!! For example: at this very moment I have my husband holding him so I can type this e-mail, and he is turning his head around so he can stare at me, and trying so hard to get loose, and crying (real tears...no joke). It used to be cute; but now it just gets exhausting.

I have tried training, being harsh, asking questions...nothing is working. I really thought I was doing everything right. I know they say you have to be right on top of everything; but I would be yelling every second!!!!!

HELP ME PLEASE!!

QuickSilver · 01-18-2009, 02:03 PM

I'm sure others will have lots of good advice. Here's my 2 cents:

1. Only give him a treat if he goes potty. If he doesn't go potty within five minutes of you taking him outside after ringing the bell, take him back in. It can take up to a year to potty train a yorkie.

2. You need to puppy proof your home and get him some acceptable chew toys.

3. Is his crate correctly sized? He should not be able to potty in one corner and sleep in another. Also, you may need to let him bark it out. If he learns that barking gets him what he wants, he will bark. He should give it up when he realizes it's not working anymore, so your neighbors will not be bothered forever.

4. Yorkies are exceptionally devoted to their owners. Are you his primary care giver? Does your husband play with him, give him treats, etc? Have you considered doggy daycare? I got Thor on dog bones, and he will happily ignore me for hours once he gets into one.

Other notes:

- How long have you had him?

- Are you exercising him enough? My goal with Thor is that he should be eating, chewing, outside, or sleeping. That means I take him for walks or play fetch with him for 1-2 hours every day.

- You mention "being harsh" - what does that mean? Negative training should be used sparingly. HOWEVER, you might try a spray bottle or canned air as negative enforcers. Again, the large majority of your training should be positive.

MauiGirl · 01-18-2009, 02:07 PM

Hi, welcome to Yorkie Talk! Sounds like you have your hands full with this little guy. Hang in there, this too shall pass.

He is still pretty young and Yorkies are known to be a bit difficult to housetrain, so it isn't too surprising. Patience and persistence will pay off. Chewing, also common, is helped by offering alternatives; many people swear by bully sticks for chewing and entertainment.

As far as him worshiping and adoring you.... well I have no cure for that; maybe just love him back and he'll get more confident and independent.

For serious focus on training, you might want to post in the Training section, where people with more experience and advice will help you. I'm just another dog spoiler myself, and not much help.

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the advice,
I have had him for 7 months. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and let him bark it out. I will also try the "not giving him a treat until he goes" thing...that could be part of the problem!

Anyways, all of the things you suggested sound good...it's worth a try.

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:11 PM

Okay, thanks Maui Girl.

I don't want to give up...he is so darn cute

Yorkiekids · 01-18-2009, 02:16 PM

I agree with the others. Only give him a treat when he does something good. Yelling never helps. I hope he gets on track.

chachi · 01-18-2009, 02:19 PM

I am no good at giving potty training advice but I am familiar with the neediness. take him on lots of walks and get him a ball that you can throw and he can retrieve. Things that wear him out. Mine dont pester me when they are tired

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:29 PM

okay..thanks Chachi.

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:31 PM

okay...thanks yorkie kids

I will try it.

Wabbit · 01-18-2009, 02:38 PM

You got great advice already...the only thing I can interject...is you should avoid yelling at him. Dogs view people as unstable if they yell...it doesn't foster his respect. AND:

Even though yorkies are small...they still need exercise.. You should try to walk him...play fetch with him...do some type of physical activity every day....that will help release some of his pent up energy. That's probably why he's chewing and destroying things that he might not normally chew on. He sounds to me like he's bored. See if you can get your husband to walk him. A little time with him might help your little guy to bond with him as well.

Also chewing does help to relieve some of his energy and Bully sticks are great for that!! My babies are exhausted after chewing on one of those. You can look for the ones that dont stink!!

Good luck, and remember loving consistency will go a long way to help you and your....yorkie!

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:46 PM

Wabbit,
Thanks for the advice...
I will try not to yell; but what am I supposed to do if he is doing something wrong? I guess that's where I am confused. If I don't yell then he will just keep doing it. Do I just ignore him??

rufus08 · 01-18-2009, 02:51 PM

Also- to clarify...I really am not mean or "harsh" to my puppy. I just meant that I try to be firm. I don't agree with hitting your animal or even screaming. I do yell; but it is not continual (it's more like "No" or "Wrong"). I just feel like if I say nothing he will just keep doing the negative behaviors.

MauiGirl · 01-18-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufus08

Wabbit,
Thanks for the advice...
I will try not to yell; but what am I supposed to do if he is doing something wrong? I guess that's where I am confused. If I don't yell then he will just keep doing it. Do I just ignore him??

I do a firm "NO" then try to distract them. Had to get that bitter apple spray to put on things my furry girls were chewing on, and it worked great. It's also easier here having 2 pups to play with each other.

I'm glad so see you are getting some constructive advice cause like I said, I'm a spoiler, and all I could think of after reading your first post was "ahhh, he wuvvvvs you, how sweet".

keylargolady100 · 01-18-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufus08

Wabbit,
Thanks for the advice...
I will try not to yell; but what am I supposed to do if he is doing something wrong? I guess that's where I am confused. If I don't yell then he will just keep doing it. Do I just ignore him??

I know it is hard, but try not to yell at him what I have done with Baxter, is when he has done bad stuff, I sort a growl at him and say BAD at the same time. It is only done with wrong behavior. He is such a smart little guy, that he knows to go out of the room when we are eating, and not to come back in until the tables are cleared. My Lhasa is 6 years and is learning some tricks from Baxter who is 14 months.
Bax, has been completely house broken since 5 months old. And has chewed on a cord one time, but saying bad to him stopped that. He is so smart. He has tried to trick me into taking him outside when he has not needed to go, and he will not get a treat for that. He only gets them when he has done the right thing. Hang in there, it is hard. But these guys are so smart, that they will do anything for your attention. Maybe that is what yours is doing. I agree with everyone on the walking and everything else.
Good luck, he will turn around.

QuickSilver · 01-18-2009, 04:00 PM

It's been said that most dogs think they are named "No!".

Rather than yelling at him, I would try to teach him a command that produces the desired behavior. Then you can praise him for following your direction. Most dogs love praise. So you can teach him Quiet, and as I mentioned, Leave It / Drop It.

01-18-2009, 01:51 PM	#1
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	Help!! Hi, I have an 11 month old yorkie. He is really sweet and cute; but I am at my wits end with his behavior! Here is a basic run down of my life with him: 1. I have taught him to ring a bell when he needs to go outside to go potty. He does it sometimes; but most of the time he will just go inside right in front of me. He sometimes will ring the bell just to go out to eat snow or get a treat. I know he knows the words "go potty" and "go outside" because when I say them he will go to the door! 2. He chews, eats and ruins everything. The other day he chewed a lamp cord! I have tried yelling, shaking a can of coins, spraying...nothing works. He does not care. 3. He will go to the bathroom in his crate. I don't get it. I thought animals will not go to the bathroom where they sleep!! He can go outside right before bed, and he will still go! If I leave the house he will hold it all day; but I think because he knows I'm home, he just goes. Also~ he hates sleeping in the crate. He sleeps so little at night (I let him play for hours before bed). I am so tired of waking up at odd hours. He wants to get up and go out, and then eat. Then he will go back to bed. It would be different if it was a normal hour; but 3am?? Come on!! I know I should let him bark; but we have neighboors who can hear him, and he just won't stop. 4. He is obsessed with me. I can't do anything or go anywhere. If I leave the room he tries to find ways around the gates we have up to get to me. He almost jumped over the back of the couch!! For example: at this very moment I have my husband holding him so I can type this e-mail, and he is turning his head around so he can stare at me, and trying so hard to get loose, and crying (real tears...no joke). It used to be cute; but now it just gets exhausting. I have tried training, being harsh, asking questions...nothing is working. I really thought I was doing everything right. I know they say you have to be right on top of everything; but I would be yelling every second!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!

01-18-2009, 02:03 PM	#2
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	I'm sure others will have lots of good advice. Here's my 2 cents: 1. Only give him a treat if he goes potty. If he doesn't go potty within five minutes of you taking him outside after ringing the bell, take him back in. It can take up to a year to potty train a yorkie. 2. You need to puppy proof your home and get him some acceptable chew toys. 3. Is his crate correctly sized? He should not be able to potty in one corner and sleep in another. Also, you may need to let him bark it out. If he learns that barking gets him what he wants, he will bark. He should give it up when he realizes it's not working anymore, so your neighbors will not be bothered forever. 4. Yorkies are exceptionally devoted to their owners. Are you his primary care giver? Does your husband play with him, give him treats, etc? Have you considered doggy daycare? I got Thor on dog bones, and he will happily ignore me for hours once he gets into one. Other notes: - How long have you had him? - Are you exercising him enough? My goal with Thor is that he should be eating, chewing, outside, or sleeping. That means I take him for walks or play fetch with him for 1-2 hours every day. - You mention "being harsh" - what does that mean? Negative training should be used sparingly. HOWEVER, you might try a spray bottle or canned air as negative enforcers. Again, the large majority of your training should be positive. Last edited by QuickSilver; 01-18-2009 at 02:06 PM.

01-18-2009, 02:07 PM	#3
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Hi, welcome to Yorkie Talk! Sounds like you have your hands full with this little guy. Hang in there, this too shall pass. He is still pretty young and Yorkies are known to be a bit difficult to housetrain, so it isn't too surprising. Patience and persistence will pay off. Chewing, also common, is helped by offering alternatives; many people swear by bully sticks for chewing and entertainment. As far as him worshiping and adoring you.... well I have no cure for that; maybe just love him back and he'll get more confident and independent. For serious focus on training, you might want to post in the Training section, where people with more experience and advice will help you. I'm just another dog spoiler myself, and not much help. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

01-18-2009, 02:09 PM	#4
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	Thanks Thanks for the advice, I have had him for 7 months. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and let him bark it out. I will also try the "not giving him a treat until he goes" thing...that could be part of the problem! Anyways, all of the things you suggested sound good...it's worth a try.

01-18-2009, 02:16 PM	#6
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I agree with the others. Only give him a treat when he does something good. Yelling never helps. I hope he gets on track. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

01-18-2009, 02:11 PM	#5
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	Okay, thanks Maui Girl. I don't want to give up...he is so darn cute

01-18-2009, 02:19 PM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I am no good at giving potty training advice but I am familiar with the neediness. take him on lots of walks and get him a ball that you can throw and he can retrieve. Things that wear him out. Mine dont pester me when they are tired __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-18-2009, 02:29 PM	#8
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	okay..thanks Chachi.

01-18-2009, 02:31 PM	#9
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	okay...thanks yorkie kids I will try it.

01-18-2009, 02:38 PM	#10
Wabbit Love my little flowers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: In Gorgeous Montana!!! Posts: 4,499	You got great advice already...the only thing I can interject...is you should avoid yelling at him. Dogs view people as unstable if they yell...it doesn't foster his respect. AND: Even though yorkies are small...they still need exercise.. You should try to walk him...play fetch with him...do some type of physical activity every day....that will help release some of his pent up energy. That's probably why he's chewing and destroying things that he might not normally chew on. He sounds to me like he's bored. See if you can get your husband to walk him. A little time with him might help your little guy to bond with him as well. Also chewing does help to relieve some of his energy and Bully sticks are great for that!! My babies are exhausted after chewing on one of those. You can look for the ones that dont stink!! Good luck, and remember loving consistency will go a long way to help you and your....yorkie! __________________ Tam Flower babies: *Daizy Mae and Tulip Petals* RIP Honey Rose & Jasmine

01-18-2009, 02:46 PM	#11
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	Wabbit, Thanks for the advice... I will try not to yell; but what am I supposed to do if he is doing something wrong? I guess that's where I am confused. If I don't yell then he will just keep doing it. Do I just ignore him??

01-18-2009, 02:51 PM	#12
rufus08 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DesPlaines, IL, U.S.A Posts: 19	Also- to clarify...I really am not mean or "harsh" to my puppy. I just meant that I try to be firm. I don't agree with hitting your animal or even screaming. I do yell; but it is not continual (it's more like "No" or "Wrong"). I just feel like if I say nothing he will just keep doing the negative behaviors.

01-18-2009, 04:00 PM	#15
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	It's been said that most dogs think they are named "No!". Rather than yelling at him, I would try to teach him a command that produces the desired behavior. Then you can praise him for following your direction. Most dogs love praise. So you can teach him Quiet, and as I mentioned, Leave It / Drop It.