Help! New yorkie owner
 

I need help! I bought a 6 week old yorkie 6 weeks ago. She's cute as a button but no matter what I do she just does not like to be held or cuddled. I've had poodles and most lived till around 17 yrs of age. All were gentle and loved nothing better than to love and be loved. Everything I've read states that Yorkies are lovable pets. Mine 'might' let me hold her a few mins per day. She's up to date on her shots and she is in good health so that's not the problem. Has anyone else had a Yorkie like this or am I the only one? I take her outside (potty training) every hour or so during the day. She loves to play catch and returns her toys right to my hand so she's very smart. She comes running when I call her name and is a perfect little girl, except for not liking to be held and constantly mouthing me when I touch her. Any help out there before I put an ad in the paper? I am totally frustrated!!!

She's just being a puppy, really. Have you ever seen two puppies play with each other? It's constant tooth fencing.
Puppies have two speeds, full and dead stop. I would try not to hold her too much until you've tired her out. When you play with her, to get her tired out, try to keep a toy between her mouth and you. Once she stops, and is tired, then try to cuddle her. She will get better, but they go through different phases as they grow. Chances are, if you sold her and got another puppy, you'd have the same problem.
Have patience, she'll be grown before you know it.

It is recommended that yorkie pups stay with their doggy moms until the age of 12 weeks, minimum. That way, their moms and litter mates can teach them proper doggy etiquette. Since your baby didn't have the chance to learn that from mom, it's now your job to teach her. Don't give her attention when she mouths you. Stop all play, attention in this case is the reward.

As for being cuddly, I don't know what to say. I have read that males are more cuddly and love to be with their moms and girls are more independent. But, I don't think that applies to puppies as young as yours. She's still growing, learning, and developing into the dog she will be. Spend this time to do obedience training, which will help you bond with her. Good luck and welcome to YT!!

:eek: 6 wks old, dear lord. Isn't it illegal in many states to sell a pup younger than 8 wks?

Your expectations are a bit high. First, she is just a puppy and they don't want to be restrained, they want to run and play. And each one is an individual. I have 3 yorkies, only one likes to be held and cuddled. Does that mean they are not lovable pets as you say?? NO! They each have their own personalities, likes and dislikes. You can't just make a blanket statement all yorkies are lovable lap dogs.

I didn't want to take her so soon but the breeder insisted she was ready to go once she had her 1st set of shots (6 wks old). I've since learned she gave other bad advice. But I fell in love with my baby the moment I saw her and she was very cuddly when I bought her. I've since learned that she was happy to be held because she was afraid of the shiny floor tile. In the house she was very docile but once she was in the yard she was bouncy and all playful and not wanting to be held. But once we try to hold her she wriggles so hard and violently to be free that I'm afraid she'll get hurt. I'll try to be patient and wait for her to tire herself out. She doesn't get excited when we come home and is content with staying in her pen with her crate. When she's out all she wants to do is play with her toys. I was sooo hoping by this time (tomorrow she will be 12 wks) that she would have grown attached to me. :-(

I think that's somewhat normal. I had Magnus since he was 4 weeks and when he didn't want to be held or cuddled, he'd mouth or tried to get away. He's little over 7 months now, very healthy *knock on wood* and his mouthing is a LOT better now but it's still "work in process".

As for cuddling... He naps with me on the couch sometimes and I sort of gently force him to lay down next to me. He stays still and falls sleep. And than if he gets too hot or feels uncomfortable, he'll get up and move down to the end of the couch.

Your puppy is awfully young so I think it's just a matter of time. Just be patient and try not to get so frustrated. She'll probably pick up on your feelings. (Mine definitely does..)

When she mouths you, quickly hold her muzzle and slap the top of that hand. Than let go and hold it up on front of her mouth. If she tries to bite/mouth you again, repeat. You have to be CONSISTENT. I've been using that method for the past 1-2 weeks and I feel it's given me the most result.

Good LUCK!

6 wks old, dear lord. Isn't it illegal in many states to sell a pup younger than 8 wks?
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Uni Kaji--world's cutest yorkie monster!It's peanut butta jelly time!


I don't know about La being one of those states. Before getting Zoe I bought books and read all the articles I could on yorkies. The Kennel Club book on Yorkies never mentioned anything about selling them before a certain age. I regret it now and believe she should have stayed with her mom longer but at the time I didn't know that.

I really appreciate all the good advice. Thanks! I'll try each one.

Could you save the slapping your hand for last? It's just that I have a very fearful and innately shy dog and getting him past his fears has been the hardest thing I've ever done. He's not a puppy either, which means he understands things a lot faster. I think that approach will teach your pup to fear your hands. Give your pup appropriate things to chew on and praise her for chewing on her toys and chews, and give her no attention if she mouths you. Also, if she's teething, she's going to be uncomfortable. Put a damp washcloth in the freezer and give her that to chew on. The cold with help soothe her gums.

FOUR WEEKS? OMG! What happened to the mommy?:eek:

my first yorkie did the same thing and now she will try to jump in my lap. she's 13mths now. just be patient your pup will grow out of it.
when pup tries to bite you give him a toy instead. :D

She is a baby. She missed out on a lot of her social skills taught by her mom. She will come around. Lay on the floor and let her come to you. Do this everyday. Where does she sleep? By the way, What is your Breeders name?

Just because she doesn't want to sit In your lap doesn't mean she isn't attached. She's 12 weeks- in human years, that means she's a toddler. Not many toddlers will willingly be restrained if they have something more interesting to do. So, for now, hold her on her terms. When she's worn out is a good start. Gradually, she should let you start holding her at other times. Encourage her playfulness. It's how she's learning.

Chloe is 8 months now and only wants to be held once she's been exercised or played with. Until then, she's too full of energy. We had our other dog for 16 years...gone 5 now...and I forgot how energetic and trying the puppy stage can be. Although I know from experience...it's still encouraging to read that it will get better as she get's older.

She's a baby - they're more interested in playing than being held - give her time

if you say she's perfect in all ways how could you consider putting an ad in the paper ? Most people have a hard time with puppies this young (training etc) so it sounds like you have a wonderful puppy even if you did get her too young

I just went back and re-read one of the responses to your question about mouthing. PLEASE think twice before following the recommendation that you cover their muzzle and swat it. In a puppy this young (or any age, IMO) using your hand to discipline this way can only backfire and cause fear issues or even turn a playful mouthing in to aggressive biting.

Redirection is a much better option. Since you said she mouths when you are holding her, have something she can chew on close by. When she goes for your hand, tell her "no bite" and give her the toy instead. Yelp when she bites, like her playmates would have done to tell her she was getting too rough. If she continues to bite at you despite offering her the alternative, pick her up and put her in her crate for a minute or two(walk away). She will learn that mouthing hands means the end of playtime.

You could also try putting some bitter apple on your hands prior to holding her.

Sounds like your pup needs a little lesson in bite inhibition- There are as many methods of doing this as there are stars in the sky lol There are also just as many responses from each pup- after all, they are individuals. Just find the one that is humane and works for your pup.
Here's a link that has several methods: Bite Inhibition.
Hope this helps- good luck

Capt_Noonie:

Yeah... I know... But the situation was out of my control and I felt I'd be better to take care of Magnus rather than an unfit breeder that would sell the pup at 4 weeks.

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As for the muzzle holding... B/c he came to us so young, he had some major issues with biting as he got older. And I've looked up all info I could to remedy this and tried everything with not much luck. The bitter apple had some result but it did nothing when I didn't have it handy. It got to a point where he'd bite hard enough to see blood.

If the other less aggressive methods work, that'd be great~ They weren't as successful for me so I was just sharing what did work. I apologize if I offended anyone with sharing that method.

Magnus- you didn't offend. That's the beauty of this forum. We've all had different experiences and different results with things. Sharing them here lets everyone pick and choose what feels right to them.

I agree with Rhette mama, it's not offensive at all. I do think you should be careful though, you don't want to replace one issue with another.

Play is the best way to bond with your dog. Are YOU more interesting than the toys? Play with your puppy, teach her that you are the best fun in town. All puppies like to tug, so play tug with her. They have packs of little tennis balls in pet stores that you can buy. Get one or two sets of the six packs, roll the balls (don't throw at first) away from you, then when she gets there, call her to you and do it in the happiest, most fun voice you have. You may have to bounce the next ball or wave it around to get her attention. When she gets to you, give her a tiny special (not everyday) treat and make a big deal over her. Play train her to come to you. Convince your puppy that YOU are better than toys alone. Have fun with her and let her have fun with you.

Give the toys a name. All the stuffed toys here are "babies," balls are "balls," and I have a fleece tug toy that I refer to as the "tuggie." When you want her to play with you, ask her "where's your tuggie?" Start looking for it and repeating it. When you find the tuggie, hold it up and tell her "I've got your tuggie." Drag it along the floor and let her get it. Then play tug with her. Engage her and get her interested in you. Part of what puppies learn the longer they stay with their family is how to play. So, what you have to do, is teach your puppy how to play with YOU! Teach your puppy, don't expect her to learn everything you want through osmosis.

Believe me, if your puppy believes you are fun and interesting, she will bond to you like glue and want to be with you more than the toys alone and more than boring other people!

Start looking for puppy obedience classes, you would be amazed at how much fun they can be for you and your puppy. Find a class where the emphasis is positive reinforcement, but wait to start until a couple weeks after your baby has her last set of shots.

I definitely agree and the only time I use that particular method is if he shows to be really aggressive. He shown great improvement and hope I won't have to do this. If anyone has any other method that could be done with hands only, I'd be more than happy to try. But it's hard to do so when you take them out and don't have anything.

For example, he got his mouth on some cigar on the ground. I was trying to get it out of his mouth before he swallowed it. He bite down so hard and wouldn't let go that I had about a half inch of cut on my hand. -_- In those cases, treats don't even work. *sigh*

The responses here are great. I feel much better about my situation and since others have gone thru this I feel there may be light at the end of the tunnel. LOL I look forward to the day Zoe will want to be cuddled but until then I'll try the advice given on this board and hope for the best. Thanks for being there for Yorkie novices like myself.