Bought an abused yorkie

[prada24]

We had been planning on getting a yorkie for quite awhile, but were going to wait until summer. Then we came across an adorable add for a sweet, 7 month old pure yorkie at an amazing price, so we decided to go and get her (about a hundred miles) the next day. She's amazing and we love her so much. She doesn't bark and is a very, very good dog, but when we got her home it became apparent she was abused. At the sound of "No!" she puts her butt to the ground, puts her ears down, and army-crawls to her bed. She isn't used to dog food and won't eat unless we sit with her and watch her. She had been an outside dog and never had a hair cut except around her face. She's afraid of the dark and runs away at any harsh tone, directed at her or not. She'd never been in the car, and when she has a little accident on the floor, she begins to shake violently and hide under the bed when we find it.

When she does something she isn't supposed to we tell her no, then quickly pet her and love on her because we don't want her to think we're going to hit her, but even if we sit down with food and calmly say "No, not for you," she gets scared. We've read that yorkie's confidence and independence are very important parts of their personality, and we were wondering if anyone has any advice for us. We're trying to train her to potty on some mats in our apartment, and have been taking her to the puppy park everyday, but we want to make sure we're doing everything we can so that she can be a very good dog like she already is, but also so she can be spoiled and have that little yorkie attitude. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is a situation we didn't think would happen.

All that being said, we've only had her a few days now and she's the most loving, sweet, good mannered, laid back, amazing dog I've ever met and has become a fantastic part of our family already!

[yorkie_mama22]

I want to say Welcome to YT! And congrats on your new baby!! I feel your pain, my yorkie was also abused. Mine was abused by a man because she is VERY scared of all men. She will shake and hide and put her ears down and watch every move a man makes around her. I have had her since Oct. and so far have not had much progress with the issue. My fiancee lives with me and we are working on her opening up with him but not having too much luck. All I can say is perhaps give her some space, don't punish her too much, let her get used to your home. My dog was VERY shy at first and scared of people, I let her bascially do whatever she wanted with a few exceptions but now she has totally turned around and loves people especially children and women. It will take some time but good luck, cant wait to see some pics!

[Cinq1964]

I am not a professional, but you all are great! I think with time, she will understand what is happening. Yorkies are a certain breed. I tell everyone that my yorkie has a lit human soul. I can understand if they were not treat properly, they will understand hopefully, they that was the only incidence and will get over it. I really believe with proper care & love, she will change & understand. She is a lucky girl to have you! Don't give up! It will be worth it! Best of luck, you are in my thoughts & prayers!

[LilMissy]

I think you're awesome for caring so much about this little girl. I don't have any experience with abused pets, but I definitey think that you're on the right track. Love, love, and MORE love. Hopefully she comes around in time. I'm so glad that you've rescued this poor baby from whatever bad situation she was in at her old home. Please post pics, we'd love to see her.

[Hooks_Yorkie]

It took me almost 4 months, but he eventually came around. I don't know how extreme your case is, but it sounds very much like my Leo. It hurt my heart to see him so afraid of me even when I said no to let him know he was doing something wrong.

I could use the loud no because he was so afraid so when he was doing something wrong I would get a squeak toy to distract him and move him when he wanted to chew on something. I did the same thing when he was peeing or pooping where he was assigned. I would keep him close to me at all times because he couldn't handle being in a cage for even a minute without freaking out. Just a squeak toy to distract him and move him to his pad and it took patience but he got the hang of it

I have no advice about grooming, but my shih tzu was terrified of ppl and I worked hard on him accepting other ppl....but grooming is something that I have to do for myself. On the bright side he is the most amazing dog when it comes to other animals. He has never met a creature that he didn't love and want to play with.

Best of luck with your puppy

[viviansnickers]

Oh my goodness...after reading your post I teared up a bit and had to pick up my Snick and give him and hug and kiss b/c I felt so bad about what happened to your lil girl. How could anyone strike their dog, ours is the most loyal creature ever, and is part of our family! You're so great for wanting her to be a confident little girl. I'm sure it's so hard for you not to want to cuddle her all day after what she has been through. I would call the previous owner and ask questions...but thats kind of gutsy and could end up being ugly. I'm sure she will come around in time!!!! Poor baby!! Sorry I can't help...but your post made me so emotional!!

[4doggiemama]

Kudos to all of you who have opened their heart and home to an abused baby. I have two Yorkies that have many issues even after 9 yrs. Over time it has gotten better. Rosie still has to think about coming to me for several seconds before she will move and even then it is sideways. Loud noises or talking makes her cower. Cocoa is very afraid of men, even my dh. Dh has been trying for 9 yrs. to win her over. The only time she allows him to pick her up is when she is scared-----smoke alarm beeping (low battery) or if I am gone. They are my girls and I love them despite their quirks.

[msjagg]

Thank-You for giving this little girl the loving home she never had!! Welcome to Yorkie Talk. There are alot of people on here who have adopted and or fostered abused Yorkies. Please ask ??'S, someone will have the answers!! Give her time to get used to a quiet and loving home. She doesn't know she's here to stay with you! Blessings to all,

[jlafred]

Welcome to yorkietalk! You have surely come to the right place! That poor poor baby of yours!!! I cant imagine mistreating such a sweet tiny little creature! It brings tears to my eyes just reading about it! I am sure you will get lots of replies here too. Everyone here is so helpful and caring! I wish I knew what to advise you but I never had an abused dog. I did have an abused cat tho and it took almost a year before he would come to me. He turned out to be the sweetest thing ever and we spent 13 good years together until last September when he passed away from liver cancer.( I am convinced that the petfood recall had everything to do with his cancer even tho I cant prove it) Anyway you and your baby will remain in my prayers. God bless you!

[bchgirl]

Patience and lots of love. She'll come around and bless you for rescuing her.

[Amanda7]

Welcome to YorkieTalk. That little girl is so lucky to have you in her life.

There is one suggestion I have, since she gets stressed when she hears 'No'. When she does something wrong, don't scold. But when she does something RIGHT, praise her profusely. And reward her with a treat. This will help build her self-esteem, and teach her what you expect of her.

This method has always worked well for me in training my puppies. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by Amanda7

Welcome to YorkieTalk. That little girl is so lucky to have you in her life.

There is one suggestion I have, since she gets stressed when she hears 'No'. When she does something wrong, don't scold. But when she does something RIGHT, praise her profusely. And reward her with a treat. This will help build her self-esteem, and teach her what you expect of her.

This method has always worked well for me in training my puppies. Good Luck and keep us posted!

[megansmomma]

Poor baby! Love and praise will work wonders. She sounds like she has found a loving and caring home with you and your husband.

[YorkieShadow]

Yes it will take time but she will come around.youll see. My husband found a starving beagle and brought her home. she was so scared and ran, but she was so hungry he got her to finally come over to him with a few pretzels. ( thats all he had in the truck).She was so skinny and so weak.he brought her home, she let him carry her. you can tell she has been abused bad, she would run and hide from noises.she would crawl to my Yorkies and to us. its been almost a year and shes still a little shy/scared but she will now walk up to us and My little Minnie she would just love for her to come out and visit her.

[yorkie_mama22]

Originally Posted by 4doggiemama

Kudos to all of you who have opened their heart and home to an abused baby. I have two Yorkies that have many issues even after 9 yrs. Over time it has gotten better. Rosie still has to think about coming to me for several seconds before she will move and even then it is sideways. Loud noises or talking makes her cower. Cocoa is very afraid of men, even my dh. Dh has been trying for 9 yrs. to win her over. The only time she allows him to pick her up is when she is scared-----smoke alarm beeping (low battery) or if I am gone. They are my girls and I love them despite their quirks.

Wow even after 9 yrs she still is scared of your DH. This sounds like my Stormy may never come around for my hubby How does he deal with this? does it frustrate him or has he learned to just deal with it and move on. I know my hubby wants Stormy to like him and bond, but she just won't go to him on her own, at all!