Fussy Puppy

[Woogie Man]

Sounds like she's trying to get you to play with her more than anything. Teaching bite inhibition is one thing but remember that, at her age, she just wants to play. Don't try just making her mind. Devote some time with her several times a day to just let her play with you. Remember that a tired child is a better behaved child and a restless bored one will cause problems. Give her some real playtime and you'll find your training efforts more effective. She won't listen if she wanrts to play so you have to help her run off some of that puppy energy.

ETA...Do make sure not to over tire her at this age as this can lead to a drop in her sugar level.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Sounds like she's trying to get you to play with her more than anything. Teaching bite inhibition is one thing but remember that, at her age, she just wants to play. Don't try just making her mind. Devote some time with her several times a day to just let her play with you. Remember that a tired child is a better behaved child and a restless bored one will cause problems. Give her some real playtime and you'll find your training efforts more effective. She won't listen if she wanrts to play so you have to help her run off some of that puppy energy.

thanks!! i will try to tire her out and really play a lot more often, maybe that will help her in all forms!!

poor thing, it's been raining every day here lately and she's been out when it dries up a little bit but she hasn't gotten to really play outside for several days...can't wait to get her out...btw she walked on a harness/leash again and did pretty well with it.

[Woogie Man]

Please be mindful that she's not fully vaccinated and shouldn't be taken around where she could get exposed to diseases. Keep her home until after she's had all her puppy shots. Leash/harness training is good...just keep it confined to your yard for now.

I think you'll have more success with her if you try to put yourself in her position and not try to make her conform to an adult world too soon. You'll develop a bond with her more quickly and the training will go easier. I realize she has to be trained but don't expect too much too soon. Enjoy her puppyhood with her and incorporate some training in with her playtime. Remember that a puppy is like a blank sheet of paper waiting to be written on.

[Fancy_Pants]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

You're joking right?

It sounds to me like you are not ready for the demands of a puppy, perhaps you could return her and get an older dog.

Not everyone is suited to raising puppies.

Puppies are not "mean" any more than a human baby is mean when they bite you. They just have not been taught.

I agree that she was taken from her mother before she learned proper dog ettiquet. Just two week slonger would have mnade a big difference.

During that period of time she also would have been taught that she needs to obey or she will be punished by her mother, which would have made your job a lot easier

Do yourself a favor and return her and get an older dog.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Please be mindful that she's not fully vaccinated and shouldn't be taken around where she could get exposed to diseases. Keep her home until after she's had all her puppy shots. Leash/harness training is good...just keep it confined to your yard for now.

I think you'll have more success with her if you try to put yourself in her position and not try to make her conform to an adult world too soon. You'll develop a bond with her more quickly and the training will go easier. I realize she has to be trained but don't expect too much too soon. Enjoy her puppyhood with her and incorporate some training in with her playtime. Remember that a puppy is like a blank sheet of paper waiting to be written on.

thanks and yes we stay in our own yard, we go in circles around the backyard with the leash and harness just to learn about it more so when she's fully vaccinated she can go on the parks and trails with me! i can't wait for that, i want to see her react to a bigger environment and other people/dogs along the way.

[yorkie_mama22]

I don't think things can change SO drastically in a day or two, but they definitely can improve!

The growling and "scary" play is normal. My Lola will growl, bark and sound very mean when we play, she will shake her head with her toy in her mouth and make awfully scary sounds but I just let her be! She doesn't bite me or at me ever, unless its on accident if I slip my finger near her mouth. Sometimes she does those little playbites at my hand but if she gets a little out of control I remove my hand and stop at once. At that point she will bark at me and jump at me to play again

These dogs are all different and each personality is different, you may have a high maintance pup on your hands and if so thats something that is going to be going on for a long time! Some are more vocal and bark alot and thats how they speak with you, it does get stressful but hang in there and listen to all the advice. If you don't like something ignore it and go on, don't argue your point too long because its not worth it. People on here have lots and lots of experience and sometimes their wisdom may come off wrong to you but really they are sharing their knowledge with you

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Please be mindful that she's not fully vaccinated and shouldn't be taken around where she could get exposed to diseases. Keep her home until after she's had all her puppy shots. Leash/harness training is good...just keep it confined to your yard for now.

And only if your yard is fenced so you can be certain that no other dogs have been in it.

We lost a puppy to parvo on another forum. He got it from his own backyard as neighbor dogs used it for a bathroom. He'd had all his shots, too, but they were started too early so the effectiveness was blocked by the antibodies he got from nursing.

[Woogie Man]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

And only if your yard is fenced so you can be certain that no other dogs have been in it.

We lost a puppy to parvo on another forum. He got it from his own backyard as neighbor dogs used it for a bathroom. He'd had all his shots, too, but they were started too early so the effectiveness was blocked by the antibodies he got from nursing.

Absolutely right....my omission to not mention it.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

And only if your yard is fenced so you can be certain that no other dogs have been in it.

We lost a puppy to parvo on another forum. He got it from his own backyard as neighbor dogs used it for a bathroom. He'd had all his shots, too, but they were started too early so the effectiveness was blocked by the antibodies he got from nursing.

thanks i usually keep her in a chicken wire fenced off area because the neighbors dog has pooped in our yard, the other night while we were out with Sadie in her little pen area as a matter of fact the neighbor just watched her dog come over and poop in our yard, she then came back with a sack to pick it up and said she didn't find anything (it was dark out) and my hubbie had to pick up what she didn't find the next day...i keep Sadie away from that whole area now and only walk her close to her own pen and keep her in her pen to go potty and play.

i'm careful about her as much as possible.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

thanks i usually keep her in a chicken wire fenced off area because the neighbors dog has pooped in our yard, the other night while we were out with Sadie in her little pen area as a matter of fact the neighbor just watched her dog come over and poop in our yard, she then came back with a sack to pick it up and said she didn't find anything (it was dark out) and my hubbie had to pick up what she didn't find the next day...i keep Sadie away from that whole area now and only walk her close to her own pen and keep her in her pen to go potty and play.

i'm careful about her as much as possible.

Yikes! That's how the parvo virus is spread, in feces. If the neighbor's dog has been using your backyard for a bathroom, the virus will still be in the ground as it survives for six months ..... or longer. Since Sadie got her shots at only seven weeks, she is very vulnerable.

I know you don't like us to give advice , but if it were my puppy I'd use pee pads until she'd had her full round of shots.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Yikes! That's how the parvo virus is spread, in feces. If the neighbor's dog has been using your backyard for a bathroom, the virus will still be in the ground as it survives for six months ..... or longer. Since Sadie got her shots at only seven weeks, she is very vulnerable.

I know you don't like us to give advice , but if it were my puppy I'd use pee pads until she'd had her full round of shots.

maybe i can move them to the garage floor and take her there??


P.S. the stupid neighbor lady just gave some stupid excuses about her dog having trouble going and that she used to let him use our yard up by the fence all the time and usually he just squats and doesn't actually poop (WELL HE DID POOP) my husband was fuming mad!! took all we had to not yell at her for that one

[danyellm]

Maybe you could post signs in your yard like this one
No Poop Sign starting at $5.00

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by danyellm

Maybe you could post signs in your yard like this one
No Poop Sign starting at $5.00

that is awesome!! HAHA! i love that sign, i'd actually love to do that, but i'm too timid to make such a big gesture....

Thanks for making me laugh though, that was really funny

[KJLive]

Originally Posted by TOY

Rachel, I'm going to jump right in here and meddle, I think.

I have read your threads from the very beginning and at once even got caught up in the drama. I am in a bit of an observer mode right now so while I am in that mode, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. You may take them in the spirit in which I am giving them or you may spurn them...regardless, I hope it will give you a bit more insight into those who are responding to you.

I don't know your age but I daresay I am quite a bit older than you...perhaps even old enough to be.....well, I do hope that is stretching it a bit! Your youth is apparent to me in your postings, through what you say, how you say it, and the energy you exert. (You may not understand that until you are in your own middle age years...LOL)

Have you ever talked to someone who never listened? What I mean is a person who is formulating how they are going to respond and what they are going to say before you ever finish your thought? They never really hear what you say because they are too busy already putting up defensive barriers. I fear that you are quite often doing that in your reading and posting.

You have some had some great wisdom shared with you from folks here who have so much experience with dogs and puppies and Yorkies in particular. I feel confident in telling you that because I am not one of those wise ones. I have only had my Yorkie puppy for a few months now and still have so much more to learn.

However, I do a couple of things when I post for advice and help. I learned this quite early in my postings before I bought my Yorkie because one of my first posts included weight of the puppy I hoped to get. I wasn't really seeking information then but boy did I get some "learning." I realized that there was so much I didn't know regardless of my education and degrees. There is such a vast difference in "book learning" and experience. In many instances, experience trumps and in my opinion, raising dogs is one of them.

I learned from my first few "painful" postings that I needed to think and rethink, read and reread before I hit the "submit" button to post especially when I was responding to or reacting to someone else's post. In most instances I remember to do that. Ever so often though, emotion overcomes my intelligence and I spout off before I think it through. Without exception, I always end up regretting it.

You need to step back and take a deep breath and try to read responses to your posts without being so defensive. These people wish you no harm. If it appears to you that they are always on your puppy's side, let me assure you that they are ALWAYS on the side of the puppy. (It reminds me a bit of when I married. My mother told my husband that she wanted him to know that whenever he and I argued, she would be on HIS side. It was meant as a joke but there was an underlying truth to it. What she really meant was she didn't want me running to her with complaints, etc.)

That's a bit where everyone is coming from, I think. They tried to council you and share their experiences but as almost everyone of us has done, you followed your own heart. That point is moot now because it is a "done" deal or as I liked to tell my students, you can't unscramble eggs.

However, you move on from this point. You will find people willing and eager to advise and help you but they will want to do it to help the puppy. They are the puppy's advocate, not yours. They speak for the one who cannot speak for herself...your Sadie. If you stop and think about it, would you want any less from a forum about Yorkies?

Many of these folks rescue abused Yorkies and help authorities close puppy mills and such. When you seek their advice by posting questions choose your words carefully. Regardless of your intent or what you meant to say, when you use words such as "evil" in reference to a Yorkie, you will have opened a floodgate of responses. They don't know you except through your words so you must carefully pose your questions or voice your thoughts.

They are not targeting you in a mean or rude or offensive manner intentionally. However, they are responding to what YOU write. For the most part these are wonderful people who have a genuine real interest in the welfare of your Yorkie, little Sadie. They are human adults though and being such are not perfect. You have to realize that when they offer their "told you so" rhetoric, they are responding much as parents to a child. It's just human nature, I think, to remind people that you did warn them about a potential problem.

Just try to remember that, give them that point much as you would your parents, and move on. If you've ever heard the expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater," you'll understand what I am suggesting. There is much to be learned and gained from the experience of the wise ones here. Don't fail to listen just because you first have to allow them the "told you so." If you can allow yourself to let down that defensive barrier, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your interactions on the board.

I have been.

I can honestly say that this is about one of the BEST posts I have read yet on this site regarding this type of situation.
GOOD JOB!

[cheryl19]

Originally Posted by TOY

Rachel, I'm going to jump right in here and meddle, I think.

I have read your threads from the very beginning and at once even got caught up in the drama. I am in a bit of an observer mode right now so while I am in that mode, I'd like to share a few thoughts with you. You may take them in the spirit in which I am giving them or you may spurn them...regardless, I hope it will give you a bit more insight into those who are responding to you.

I don't know your age but I daresay I am quite a bit older than you...perhaps even old enough to be.....well, I do hope that is stretching it a bit! Your youth is apparent to me in your postings, through what you say, how you say it, and the energy you exert. (You may not understand that until you are in your own middle age years...LOL)

Have you ever talked to someone who never listened? What I mean is a person who is formulating how they are going to respond and what they are going to say before you ever finish your thought? They never really hear what you say because they are too busy already putting up defensive barriers. I fear that you are quite often doing that in your reading and posting.

You have some had some great wisdom shared with you from folks here who have so much experience with dogs and puppies and Yorkies in particular. I feel confident in telling you that because I am not one of those wise ones. I have only had my Yorkie puppy for a few months now and still have so much more to learn.

However, I do a couple of things when I post for advice and help. I learned this quite early in my postings before I bought my Yorkie because one of my first posts included weight of the puppy I hoped to get. I wasn't really seeking information then but boy did I get some "learning." I realized that there was so much I didn't know regardless of my education and degrees. There is such a vast difference in "book learning" and experience. In many instances, experience trumps and in my opinion, raising dogs is one of them.

I learned from my first few "painful" postings that I needed to think and rethink, read and reread before I hit the "submit" button to post especially when I was responding to or reacting to someone else's post. In most instances I remember to do that. Ever so often though, emotion overcomes my intelligence and I spout off before I think it through. Without exception, I always end up regretting it.

You need to step back and take a deep breath and try to read responses to your posts without being so defensive. These people wish you no harm. If it appears to you that they are always on your puppy's side, let me assure you that they are ALWAYS on the side of the puppy. (It reminds me a bit of when I married. My mother told my husband that she wanted him to know that whenever he and I argued, she would be on HIS side. It was meant as a joke but there was an underlying truth to it. What she really meant was she didn't want me running to her with complaints, etc.)

That's a bit where everyone is coming from, I think. They tried to council you and share their experiences but as almost everyone of us has done, you followed your own heart. That point is moot now because it is a "done" deal or as I liked to tell my students, you can't unscramble eggs.

However, you move on from this point. You will find people willing and eager to advise and help you but they will want to do it to help the puppy. They are the puppy's advocate, not yours. They speak for the one who cannot speak for herself...your Sadie. If you stop and think about it, would you want any less from a forum about Yorkies?

Many of these folks rescue abused Yorkies and help authorities close puppy mills and such. When you seek their advice by posting questions choose your words carefully. Regardless of your intent or what you meant to say, when you use words such as "evil" in reference to a Yorkie, you will have opened a floodgate of responses. They don't know you except through your words so you must carefully pose your questions or voice your thoughts.

They are not targeting you in a mean or rude or offensive manner intentionally. However, they are responding to what YOU write. For the most part these are wonderful people who have a genuine real interest in the welfare of your Yorkie, little Sadie. They are human adults though and being such are not perfect. You have to realize that when they offer their "told you so" rhetoric, they are responding much as parents to a child. It's just human nature, I think, to remind people that you did warn them about a potential problem.

Just try to remember that, give them that point much as you would your parents, and move on. If you've ever heard the expression, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater," you'll understand what I am suggesting. There is much to be learned and gained from the experience of the wise ones here. Don't fail to listen just because you first have to allow them the "told you so." If you can allow yourself to let down that defensive barrier, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at your interactions on the board.

I have been.

One of the best postings I hope she read it.