So Frustrated...Thinking of Giving Up on Rocco
 

Hi Everyone,
I have an 11 month old Yorkie that I just cannot handle. I have been thinking about finding a new home for him but am having a hard time deciding if that is really the right thing. I truly want what is best for him. And I really think he would be happier somewhere else.

This is my first dog and before I got him I did a TON of research on Yorkies, training, and housebreaking, etc. All that research did not prepare me for the dog that is Rocco. LOL. I've spent thousands of dollars and I am not seeing any of my efforts work out.

Here are some of our problems: Potty training has been a NIGHTMARE and I am just exhausted from all the effort (getting up at 4am, walking him every few hours, following him around the house, cleaning the carpets, and purchasing every potty training aide out there). I am just not doing something right. Also, he can be aggressive at times and has bit me on a few occassions. He seems bored all the time and we just don't have enough time to entertain him as much as he seems to need. Really, the list goes on.

If we decided he would be better off in a new home, what is the best way to go about it? I have researched Yorkie Rescues but there are none in my area. I put an add in the paper but it is hard to figure out what would be the best home for him.

Sorry this is so long. Thanks for reading.

Some Yorkies are harder to train then others. Im sorry that you feel you can not get any where with him. My male was a little harder to train too.. Good Luck in finding him a good home.

Oh, I'm so sorry.. I'm sure that it must be difficult for you to come to that decision. Did you try seeking professional help from a behavorist or trainer? Whatever you decide, I wish you luck in finding the right solution.

Denni,
Why don't you get in touch with your vet and see if he or she knows of a good home for him? People that go to the vet usually take good care of their animals. Good luck on placing him. So sorry all of your efforts have not work out.
Have you tried to crate train him? It's really difficult to break a puppy from going once it starts using the carpet, etc.
Barbg :animal36

The first year can be very trying. They do calm down after that. However, if you honestly feel you cannot handle him and maybe just really aren't a dog person, you could sell him. You won't ever be able to get out of him financially what you have put into him. Maybe you should try the bellybands. If you haven't crate trained him, then I'd suggest doing it. Mine are....it is not a punishment in any way. There must be things you love about him. If there isn't....then I would suggest calling the newspaper and putting in an ad. I wish you and him the best.

To be honest, I am embarrassed to talk to the vet or groomer or anyone else I know about wanting to give him up. I can't believe that I am not able to train him/help him. It feels like a huge failure to me. We have went to puppy classes but it didn't really help the main problems.

Are rescues typically good to their animals? It might be worth it to drive him to another state.

Also, what happens during the first few weeks after he is gone?? I can only imagine how sad I will be.

Ugh!!!

Yes, I do love him very much. He is very sweet and lovable.

I do crate him at night and that does help. But during the day when I am at work, he is blocked off at the end of the laundry room. I am thinking of crating him then too but I doubt he could hold it all 8 hours. Plus, I don't want him couped up in there so much. But maybe it is worth a shot.

I'm sorry you are having problems. I would continue to keephim confined during the day, but not in a small crate. They still need to stretch their legs, etc...I keep mine in an uncovered x-pen and it is great. Have you thought of going to a training class? I hear it can be very effective.


I hope you can find the solution so that you are able to keep your puppy.

Since you work 8 hours could you have someone come over at lunch time and let him out? Maybe you could set up an area for him like mine have, with his crate, potty pads, safe toys, water, and blankets. Then he wouldn't be totally free but not just in his crate either!

Where do you live? If you decide to find him a new home, you might try posting him on YT in the homes needed or for sale threads. Maybe a fellow YT'er could take him. I wish you luck in whatever you decide is best for him.

Awe Deeni,
I can tell you love him. I don't know about everyone else....but I get very frustrated too. I find that it is worth it; but I do question my sanity sometimes. It does take a lot of patience. Another hard thing to remember is that they are dogs and not the humans we think of them as. If you get cable TV, watch the Dog Whisperer or read something that helps you understand the way dogs think and then approach from another angle. This is your first dog and it is a Yorkie. Yorkie puppies are just crazy with all that energy. However, they are awsome little dogs that can steal your heart in a blink of an eye. I think you should give it a little more time and try a new approach. Then, if it doesn't work no matter what, do what you must do. Please keep us informed and let us know if we can help.

Thanks so much for all of the support. I really appreciate it.

I used to drive home from lunch every day to let him out but I had no time to eat myself and I was always so rushed. I just moved to this area not that long ago and I don't have many friends (how sad...LOL) or I would try to find someone to come over to let him out. I researched dog walkers but the cost was WAY too high.

I am so sorry you and the dog both are not happy. After reading your message, it is for sure that the dog is just as unhappy as you are. That is why he acts up. Dogs strive to please their owners. He could be harboring just as much stress as you. Each time you holler, he crawls further into submission. Since you have already spent thousands, then a few more dollars for a professional trainer would be well worth it. If you decide not to mess with it anymore, then contact his breeder for a recommendation. I'm sure there is somebody out there that can give him a wonderful home. Yorkies really are not dogs, but "Little People".

Brenda,
I totally agree with you. I know he "feels" my frustration. I try to be patient but it is hard!

You are the only one who can decide what to do but at 11 months, you probably are closer to training than you think. The feeling of failure is strong and I'm sure you have developed strong bonds with your pet too. I suggest you simply start all over. Limit his space, if he has free rein all over and is used to pottying all over, he will potty all over. After feeding, at his age, put away any food until its time to feed again. I'd still keep fresh water out. It sound like he is the boss, nope, you are, keep everything on your terms. A yorkie this old can hold it. My 3.5 lb yorkie can hold it, she goes in the am and in the pm, sometimes during the day, when I let her out. Give your pet a routine, try to keep it that way. They are like children, routine is good, rules are good, try to feed, potty, play, rest at the same time each day. Give lots of treats, sliced peeled apple for example, praise with a higher, gushing voice and lower your voice for commands. Use the same words, go potty or whatever, everytime. Once he is trained, then he can have access to more rooms in the house. If you work outside the home, make sure he has space to be comfortable and potty, plus a place to rest but a limited place nonetheless. If, however, you decide you just cannot handle it and I hope you change your mind, there are lots of people out there who would love to have a yorkie, just be selective on who that person is please.

Deeni, You sound like you really don't want to give him up! And if that is true DON"T!
Some take longer than others. My Bell had many accidents until she was about 2. Maybe older. She will be 3 in January and I was just thinking as I read these posts that wow it has been a while since she has had an accident. Yeah!! Crate training isn't a bad thing, that is the way I'm trying it with my little one (Petey) I bought a large crate. Half has a wee wee pad and the other half a blanket. He is very small and only 4+ months old and weighs around 2lbs. Let me tell you he can hold it all night and day if need be. But if he has a accident, there is always the pad to use.(which he doesn't use often.) I put him in around 10:30pm and he starts yelling around 5:30 (and that is only because he hears my son getting ready for work) Thats 7 hours! We take him straight outside and he has to stay there until he does both! Then is is aloud back in the house. He hangs around with the other dogs until the hubby goes to work around 8-9. and back into the crate, until I get home around 3:30. It was really stuff for me only last month, I thought I was going to lose it, but it is already so much better. Lilly (my middle one) is 5 months old and she is almost completly trained on wee wee pads. I thought I would never train her because she was always going on my throw rugs, then I realized that she thought the rugs were wee wee pads, Guess what, Picked up the rugs and no more accidents!
Well sorry I was very long winded, but I just wanted you to know if you don't want to give him up, you still have options. :p

This must be a very hard decision for you - and I know we yorkie people are nuts for their yorkies and feel so bad hearing this - do you think he is bored being alone all day and maybe this is his way of showing you that he is unhappy ?

I know it took a long time for my Cheri to train and she has an older sister to watch AND I'm home - but they are stimulated emotionally and have someone with them most of the time - too much actually....

I sure hate to hear you think he'd be better off in a new home but he may be the kind of yorkie that needs lots of stimulation and that could be the whole cause of him rebelling ? I feel so bad for you - you're in a bad place but you will know in your heart what is the right decision for you and Rocco - I would try NOT to place him in a Rescue but find him a home where you can meet the people if it comes to that...You'll feel better if you actually have a face to face with his new people if you end up making that decision and it kind of sounds like you have already -

Good luck - I hope Rocco has a great life.... hopefully with you - but if not, then in his next home

Karen, what do you do with Petey at night after you get home. Does he stay in one room until bedtime while you watch him? With Rocco, I try to have him out with me but sometimes he goes back in the laundry room cause I can't keep an eye on him (making dinner, on computer for work, etc.).

red98vett, I think he is bored but I used to be home with him all day (I was unemployed for the past 3 months) and I was still unable to get control of the housebreaking. We played a lot and took lots of walks but his personality was still very hyper and demanding.

Deeni, I try to keep him with me. On the couch or bed. Or I put him out in the screened area in my yard. Do you have a yard? You can always let him out after you get home, make sure he goes, then bring him in. He should be good for at least a 1/2 hour. (hopefully longer) I read here a while back that someone kept their dog on a leash while in the house (during training) so they could keep an eye on him. They said it worked. If the puppy started to have an accident they were right there.

Ok...One thing in his favor is he is still very young - many dogs all of a sudden 'get it' at a certain age & he's not a year old yet ...So he's really still a puppy.....

How about waiting until he's over a year old and see where you stand with your feelings ? Honestly...I AM home and Cheri was having little accidents all the way up to 10 months and now it's a complete change...she wasn't easy to train like my oldest Chanel - but she did MUCH better when she got closer to a year old -

Just a thought...I know you'll get some great advise here - just don't make a hasty decision that you may regret and can't change once it's done ...and again - good luck -

Just wondering if you have given any thought to doggie daycare for him.

I did price doggy day care and also someone to come by during the day to let him out but it was insanely expensive.

I want to try another puppy obedience class. If just for the bonding experience.

Just one more thought, I had a friend who trained her dog by tying the leash to her, like when she was in the kitchen, cooking dinner. That way, she was able to watch her dog like a hawk and catch accidents ahead of time.

I just held Cowboy and could actually FEEL his love for me. He honestly makes me feel so special to him. I hope you have or will have these kind of moments with Rocco....they are truly priceless. My daughter just said "Mom, I feel like God brought you and Cowboy togehter...you have such a close bond with him". I thought that was just the sweetest thing. It made me think of you and Rocco. Have you tried holding him before he upsets you? Mine can drive me crazy going to the bathroom all over the place...on the pad...off the pad....outside....everywhere it seems. But sometimes, just passing through, I pick one up (I have 2 5-month old pups and 1 3-month-old pup) and that moment is ALWAYS so sweet. I don't know why I am running on and on and keep coming back to this thread. I guess I just don't want you to miss out on something great when you have come this far.

Desi is 11 months and I (like Chewy's Mom) swear by the x-pen. I wasn't crazy about the idea of putting her in a create all day, its just not my thing, but I loved the x-pen. She had her bed, her food and water, and her toys. Just enough room but not too much. At 11 month, I can't honestly say that Desi is 100% trained, but I can says she is 80% trained- "and that aint bad"
Whatever you decide will be the best for you and him.

Deeni where are you located? Has he been neutered yet? I am sure that if he hasn't, then that would help alot..I hope that you are able to continue working with him and training him, but if we are not to far apart and you have completely given up all hope, then I would be more than happy to take him in. I am a stay at home mother and I have a 15wk old Yorkie named Tucker. I am also getting another one is a couple weeks so they could all learn from each other.. I do however believe that he is not used to being alone so much since you were home with him for so long..Keep trying and be patient..Good things come to those who wait....

Thanks everyone for being so nice. I am getting some great advice. :D

I think I want to try the xpen. Are they the gates that go around in a circle? Do you put anything on the floor to protect the carpeting in case they go? What room do you usually put them in? Sorry for all the questions!

At night before Rocco goes to bed, I usually sit with him and pet him. It is kind of like our special time together....the one time during the day where we are both relaxed and can enjoy each other. I wish there were more moments like this! He is a cutie and I will try to have faith that he is going to improve and that I will figure out what will work.

BTW, I am in NC about an hour from Raleigh. Thanks for the offer, Amanda.

it sounds like you really love him, keep working, it'd would be horrible to regret rehoming him later. i hope everything works out for you, wish i could help more :)

Oh Denni, I really feel for you. I hope you don't give up.
I'm sure it will break your heart. Yorkies take a long time to train.
But with time, they do. I think you should give the x-pen a try.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the very best. Hang in there,
we are here with you. :love:

I do understand how you feel. When I first got Miffy, I wanted to return her because I was waking up everytime she moved because I thought she wanted to go potty. I was following her around the whole day. She eats her poop so I follow her whenever she's out of sight.

You could be stricter with Rocco. Say "no" when he does something wrong in a stern voice. Give him time outs. Confine him when you're out, like the kitchen or the toilet. But him chew toys. Bring him out for walks. Sign up for a training class for socialization. He's 11 months, so give him some more time.