So Frustrated...Thinking of Giving Up on Rocco

[Deeni]

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.

[YorkieShadow]

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.

[fourdez]

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.

[barbg402]

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

[Julz]

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.

[Deeni]

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!!!

[Deeni]

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.

[chewysmom]

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.

[simonandhallie]

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.

[Julz]

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.

[Deeni]

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.

[Stitches29]

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".

[Deeni]

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

[jwash]

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.

[troubletb]

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.