New Owner info

[Savvi_Girl]

Hey Everyone,
I am a new owner of a 9mths 6lb Yorkie his name is Mr. Biggs, The previous owner never walked him outside so Mr. Biggs do no have the understanding that you use the bath room outside or you walk around. I need for him to learn this soon. I just got him saturday and before we form habits I need for us to get off to a good start so any advise you all have to offer I am open and willing to try.

There are a few question that I was looking for answer as well
Please tell me

1. Where do you allow your Yorkie to sleep at? I really will like Mr. Biggs to be able to sleep in his own bed but I cant leave that out right now (bathroom issues) so I just put it in his crate only problem is that I feel like he will be cage for too long cause I also work during the day..

2. What is the best suggestion of food should I give him? I am currently giving him Eukanuba, but someone told me Sceince Diet Natures Best. I heard neither was good but what do you all think?

3. I would like to have this dog use the bathroom outside instead of the pee pads. What can I do to get him to know that when going outside he need to first walk and then second release outside?

oh and another issue my sister have a male poodle which is alot older is it normal for Mr. Biggs to be licking, sniffing and trying to hump on another male dog. When will he learn the difference?

[Rhetts_mama]

Rhett sleeps in my bed now- but it took a few months to earn that privilege. Could you put Mr. Biggs bed in your bathroom and gate it off? That way you could contain the potential oops areas.

There are much better foods than either Eukanuba or Science. I can't find the link right now to some of the ratings sites, but I'm sure someone will come along soon who can. I feed Blue Buffalo, a lot of others feed Taste of the Wild and Wellness.

Does he already use pee pads? If so, try taking one outside for him until he gets the idea. Praise, praise, praise when he gets it right.

Is Mr. Biggs neutered? Mounting can be a sign of dominance or a tool for stress relief. When he does it, remove him, tell him no and distract him with something else.

[DvlshAngel985]

Welcome to YT!!
First off, potty outside will take time. Especially if you work all day. Try an expen and piddle pads for now, just to get him use to peeing and pooping in one place. He's older, so he can probably hold it. What you can do is take him for a long walk in the morning and as soon as you come home, and I mean 30-45 mins of walking. The exercise is good for Mr Biggs, and the more you walk, the more you stimulate the wanting to go. Keep the piddle pads out just in case. Mr Biggs is in a new home and that usually throws them off from their regular routines for a few days.
Get him neutered ASAP to help deter any bad marking habits. It's best to make sure his growth plates close (check with your vet) and if he's ready, when he's under for his neuter you can have any retained baby teeth pulled and have him microchipped for extra protection.

As for your other questions:
1. Kaji sleeps with me. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. At first I was hesitant, and now that we downgraded to a smaller bed (twin sized) I got use to cuddling with him. Recently, I took him to Ross and he picked out his own bed. He would rather sleep there than with me!

2. As a rule of thumb, anything you find in the dog aisle at the grocery store is probably not good for your pup. It's all junk food. Try to find a more wholesome food, and most importantly something he will enjoy eating. When you do switch him over, do it slowly to avoid an upset tummy. Also, most fresh fruit and veggies make awesome treats! (and inexpensive)

3. I'm a little confused by this question. Do you want him to walk first, then have him potty?

4. Humping... that is totally normal. Male dogs will hump female dogs, male dogs, toys, beds; and females are exactly the same. It's not a sexual thing as much as it is dominance. If you want to teach him not to do it correct him every time he does it. Neutering him helps with this behavior as well.

[Savvi_Girl]

Hey,
He is not neutered as of yet have not decided if I want him done or not. But I will remember to not allow that type of behavior lol. Also the blue buffalo I heard was good. I will go get a gate today. I think I will have to train him a little more to the pee pads he pee"d on them maybe twice but he also pee"d in my house too. The most important thing right now for me is training him to something. I just cant have him using the bathroom on my carpet. My husband dont care for dogs but allowed me to get him if i agreed to keep the house oder free and clean and train this dog.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Savvi_Girl

Hey,
He is not neutered as of yet have not decided if I want him done or not. But I will remember to not allow that type of behavior lol. Also the blue buffalo I heard was good. I will go get a gate today. I think I will have to train him a little more to the pee pads he pee"d on them maybe twice but he also pee"d in my house too. The most important thing right now for me is training him to something. I just cant have him using the bathroom on my carpet. My husband dont care for dogs but allowed me to get him if i agreed to keep the house oder free and clean and train this dog.

In that case, when you're out getting new food, pick up some Nature's Miracle odor eliminator. It has enzymes that really breaks down the smell of any urine in the house. It even eliminates the stuff we can't smell but they can.

[Savvi_Girl]

Hey, DvlshAngel985
I was trying to say when we go outside for walks he just stands there we cant get far before he stops and wont walk... and God forbid he acts as if he cant touch the grass outside.

[AddieandMiaMom]

As far as housetraining, consistency is key! Put yourself and him on a schedule. Just a note, he may tear up the disposable piddle pads, mine did. I switched to washable piddle pads.

As to whether or not you should get him neutered, there is no reason not to. I hope you don't plan on using him for breeding, there are plenty of pups in the world, no need to add to it with an accidental pregnancy. Plus, it's better for him as his body won't be yelling at him to find the nearest female in heat. If cost is an issue, go to www.friendsofanimals.org to find a vet near you who will take the low cost neuter certificate you buy on their website. Or look for other low cost alternatives in your area, ie, local humane society.

Make housetraining a positive experience. Never yell at or hit him, and don't rub his nose in it. Calmly clean it up and take him outside. Praise, praise, praise when he goes outside.

[stingraylady]

Welcome to YT. You may also want to check out the training section of this forum for more information.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Savvi_Girl

Hey, DvlshAngel985
I was trying to say when we go outside for walks he just stands there we cant get far before he stops and wont walk... and God forbid he acts as if he cant touch the grass outside.

It could be as you said, his previous family never took him outside. That's a real shame. I won't lie to you, if he's scared, your and his adventures in the outside world won't go so smoothly at first. Kaji was a country boy, enjoying a quiet life, and now he's a city slicker. Everything at first scared him, and we never got more than a few feet in our first walk. It's almost a year later and he's so much better! No more diving for the bushes when he sees people, him pulling on a leash is much less, and I can get him to play fetch outside sometimes. I know my list sounds silly, but if you saw him the first few days "in the big city" you would would be celebrating with me.
Just in case you didn't know, make sure to only walk him with a harness, never attach the leash to his collar. I use Kaji's collar for ID purposes only. The harness goes around his body so his neck is never tugged on (yorkies are prone to trachea problems).