Advice needed/welcomed
 

As you know, I adopted a puppy mill rescue (Toby, 3 1/2 years old). He was in a VERY loving home for a year before we got him two weeks ago. He lived with three other yorkies and was a HARD 90% housebroken and very social. He's come a long way in two weeks and maybe I'm too anxious but he's had several "accidents" in the house even though he goes potty every time he goes outside and gets rewarded when he comes in. His "other mom" said he will bark when he needs to go out but haven't seen that yet. I've resorted to putting puppy pads down and he used one tonight right after we came in from outside. He goes out with our shichon all the time. He does NOT like to be scolded and runs away from me. So that idea is shot. Suggestions?

Also, he picks and chooses when he wants to be friendly towards me. Sometimes he will come up to me and not think twice about it (rarely) but most of the time I have to tell him what a good boy he is and squat down to his level and he'll come. He always has to make sure he knows what room I'm in and/or the same with my husband. But he's not a lap dog yet although I'm told he's definitely a lap dog. Maybe it's too soon. He does not like you to raise your voice towards him so I don't.

But how can I discipline him for pottying in the house and how can I get him to jump up in the recliner with me and lay next to me? If I go pick him up from where he's laying and bring him to my recliner, he will lay there.

Am I wanting too much too soon? He's such an adorable little guy I just wanna love on him when I'm home.

I know puppy mill dogs are "special" dogs and need special care so any advice you can give me would be appreciated. When I get home from work he's all over me for about 5 minutes and then he's done with me as far as getting close to me. I think he's training me instead of me training him. LOL

Thanks everyone. Am anxious to have a snuggle bunny!

Dianne

That sounds a lot like Scruffs. I got him and his previous owner said he was house trained and barked to go out. WRONG-O. It's been a year and I am still working with him. I just can never trust him. It was worse at first when he wasn't neutered, but that stopped half of the problem. Is your pup neutered or recently neutered? I suggest just crating, keeping him in site, or on a leash. For me, that's how it will always be with Scruffs, so I just had to accept it. A year later he still hasn't learned and whenever I slip he has an accident.

Also, she said he cuddled with her but he never cuddled with me. I wanted a small, loving dog that would sit on my lap while I did my homework. I had him a month before I decided to keep him... but I fell in love with him. He was SO crazy. I walked him for 2 hours everyday, for miles and miles, we jogged, went to the dog park, everything. Finally, three months later, boom. Totally changed dog. He sleeps on me, cuddles with me, listens to me... he was just about the perfect dog for a while. Now he jumps on furniture as he pleases, and jumps on people (I got lazy, walked him a few times a week only). I've started disciplining and walking again, though!

Thanks Vanessa. It sounds like I need more patience..............maybe he'll come around more. When the weather gets nice I think I will start walking him if he'll let me.

Not all Yorkie's are snuggly. That may just be his nature, but it is way too soon to tell. His whole world has been turned upside down and it will take time for him to bond with you and settle in.

Regressions in potty training are normal when you adopt an adult dog. Go back to Potty Training 101 and treat him like a puppy. Don't scold him after the fact as that will only make him fearful and he won't understand. Positive training with treats and rewards is the key. If he's having accidents, he has too much freedom. Don't allow him to roam all over your house. Keep him right with you, even if you have to tie his leash to your waist.

This is a must have book for anyone who adopts an adult dog:

Amazon.com: Second-Hand Dog: How to Turn Yours...

I think he needs more time. He's still getting to know you. You can discipline him without raising your voice. Just change the tone of you voice so that it reflects your disapproval. He still may not like it, cuz you're not letting him do what he wants. He'll know it without your yelling at him. But being able to love on him later will be reassuring. Some yorkies are quite independant, and some are real lovers. I think he'll probably improve w/time. Time & patience... the hardest part. Good luck!

I have no advice but I just have to say that you sound AMAZING, and this little guy is so lucky to have you!

Congratulations!

I just think he needs so more time..

Can you get yourself one of those doggie play pens. It's a little bigger than a crate, and more open for them to look around and see what is going on and all, but still keeps him confined and easy to watch. It could be a great training tool and also used to get him to trust and depend on you. Everytime he is out of that pen it will be either to go out and potty, or to simply be spending time with you. He will come to learn that routine and trust you and want to be with you. As he does better with the pottying the more time he could be allowed out. Just a thought. I had a dog that I never could trust to leave and I didn't like the crate all the time and this pen worked well in giving her more room but yet confined enough to control her potty habits. She was out with me as long as I could be watching her like watching tv, crafting, or in bed sleeping. Just a thought.

nneessaa: (pardon the interruption) I replied to your PM, but it says your storage is exceeded. You will have to delete some in order to get my reply.

That is odd. I only have 1msg out of 100 used.

I agree with the others, not all yorkies are snugglers. I have some older yorkies that I have raised from pups that are just content to lay just anywhere or at my feet and others that insist on being in my lap or at my side. They are all different.

The potty training issue will just take time. If it gets to be a big problem then it might be wise to get some belly bands. Another thing you can do is put down a pee pad with a jug in the middle of it and hopefully he would use that if he feels the urge to go when he is in the house. Some yorkies are just difficult to potty train.

Cleared it! Sorry about that.

To the OP, I highly suggest exercising. Like I said Scruffs would not sit still until I finally got all the energy out of him, and he just chilled out. I think walks are really important even if it is small dog.. You said you might consider walking him. To me, walking a dog isn't optional. It is something they need in order to be happy dogs.

Thank you!
 

:animal36 Thank you to everyone for all the great advice. I did put puppy pads down where he's been pottying in the house and he did do both numbers on it while my husband was gone today (he somehow got his belly band off - I guess from playing with the other dog) but he also pottied off the pad and pooped in the kitchen. But my husband was gone most of the day which he normally isn't. PLUS he has only been here for two weeks. He knows he gets rewarded when he does his business outside.

Toby will lay beside me if I bring him to my recliner and he's tired.

The only issue my husband has with the belly band and puppy pads is that it is telling the dog he doesn't have to go outside to potty. I tend to agree with him but it could just be too soon to expect him to not potty in the house. Plus I understand yorkies have small bladders and he does drink a lot of water so it could be a combination of things. It's just unfortunate for my husband that he gets home before I do because he has to clean up the mess. LOL

I did order the book that was highly recommended on this website about owning a "second hand" dog. I can't wait to get it and read it.

We have a small crate but my husband doesn't want to crate him even though that's what we have done with our previous dogs.

I've looked for a new belly band at Petsmart and Petco but all I can find are actual diapers. This one is about wore out. I may have to go on line to buy one which I will do.

I will continue to read the threads on this website as they are very helpful and will keep everyone posted on Toby's progress if interested.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the helpful hints. If it isn't better in a month I may get a small playpen and try that next.

SWEET APPLE: By "cuddler" I mean lay next to me in the chair. His foster mom said she couldn't get him off her lap so it's probably just a matter of time.

Dianne

I just wanted to add...we have a "rescue" section here...where there are several YT members who work in rescue and have a lot of experience w/ healing recscue/adoptee doggies.

So in addition to the awesome advice you've already received here, you might tap-in to them as well if you're still feeling things are moving slow. Your guy sounds adorable :)!