New here.

[Kim1971]

I am new to the site and figured I'd introduce myself. I am 40 yrs old living in Carrington North Dakota all the way from the great state of Texas. Been here now 6 yrs. I have a 5 yr old son an 11 yr old Step daughter, 6 yr old black block head lab, 2yr old Schichon, 4 yr old Congo African Grey, 9 yr old Quaker Parrot and a soon to be 7 month old Yorkie named Bella

Bella came into my life not to long ago when I had posted an ad on a local site seeking either a mini pin or yorkie pup. I was contacted by a lady who told me she had a 5 month old female yorkie whose parents are 5 and 7 pounds. She also informed me that she was a breeder of yorkies and aussie's. She continued on explaining that Bella made number 6 and do to their work and so forth it was best to rehome her she sent me 2 photos. When I first seen the pup I thought to myself she was rather "big" for a yorkie. Coloration is that of a yorkie but she to me was "big". I did however agree to meet with the woman and meet Bella. When I met Bella I thought once again she was to big to be 5 months of age. The woman stood holding Bella telling me how friendly to other animals she was and that housebreaking was in progress and how great Bella was with kids. She also was smoking and the smoke was blowing in Bella's face, she was matted around her mouth and regardless of size and the fact she wasnt the cute tiny yorkie I had dreamed of I took her just to get her away from someone who had no respect for her. I did ask about shots, if she had been to a groomer and so forth.

I took Bella to the vet within 3 days and as expected she is not 5 months but closer to 7. I can stay outside with her or put her out with the other dogs (often) with her cute sweaters on to keep her warm for 10-15 minutes (weather permitting) and regardless she will come into the house and pee and drop a duce or two. And she is 9.2 pounds!! I attempted to brush her the day I brought her home after a bath which left the tub full of a ton of dirt and she acted as though I was going to harm her, and I wont even go into how she freaks out at the sight of trimmers or scissors. I put her in a create at night and when I am not home to prevent her from relieving herself all over the place. I have attempted to view the pdf file in the behavioral issues section but it doesnt come up. I am truly at a loss with this little girl. So I hope that y'all can help because my other half is not at all thrilled with her "surprises"

[DvlshAngel985]

WELCOME TO YT!! Congrats on your new furgirl. Have you considered doing full on crate training? Pairing that with a schedule that you can religiously stick to might help her make some progress. Also, please be patient with her and ask your SO to do so as well. Who knows what kind of life she had before coming to live with you. She might not be use to having rules, a set potty area, or even a schedule. After she adjusts, you'll see how quickly she will catch on to your commands. Good luck!

[carmen in nj]

Welcome Kim, I am Carmen I have a yorkie she has a cotton coat and she is a whooping 9 pounds too.. she is Prada and is 3 years of age..
can't wait to see pictures of your girl, yorkies a re a little stuburn to train but they do learn..patience and consistency is the key..
hugs,
and again welcome,

[Kim1971]

Leave her in the create all day expect for feeding and going out to potty? Isnt that cruel?

As for her life I dont really think it was as great as "gloria" claimed it was. If Bella attempts to do something which I do not want to do and I call her name and yes sometimes I do have to raise my voice to get her attention she will drop to the floor like Im gonna hurt her, which I would never do

[dlaureanonw]

Welcome to YT, There are a great bunch of people on here with great advise. Congrats on Bella, i believe that with patience and love she will make a great pet. My Lola Belle is 10 pounds of furry love. Good Luck!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

HI and welcome to YT. First, congratulations on your addition.

Secondly, it sounds as though you were given quite a story about what Bella. I would say have some patience with her and give her ample space to adjust to her new home. Her world, as terrible it sounds to be (imo) has been turned upside down. She's only known how her previous owner has treated her. She needs to learn that you will treat her differently and more lovingly.

Third, try not to introduce too many new things to her right away. She's probably very confused and scared. As for potty training, have you considered an expen? You can have her crate, toys, potty pad, food and water in there so she can have some room to play and roam. I personally do not like crates but they do serve a purpose. I chose to have an expen. I think it's a much better alternative.

Yorkies are very difficult to potty train. You will need patience and consistency. She will learn but may have a few accidents. Did I mention that you will need patience? lol

Good luck and Bella will surprise you if you just relax with her, she is only 7 mos old. Yorkies are very smart. Have you started any type of training, tricks with her? She may respond to positive reinforcement of treats or praise much more quickly.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Kim1971

Leave her in the create all day expect for feeding and going out to potty? Isnt that cruel?

As for her life I dont really think it was as great as "gloria" claimed it was. If Bella attempts to do something which I do not want to do and I call her name and yes sometimes I do have to raise my voice to get her attention she will drop to the floor like Im gonna hurt her, which I would never do

Ha! My thoughts exactly, (at first anyway) but it actually isn't cruel since the crate is their personal private den. As in, it's never used for punishment or anything negative. Of course, your pup won't remain confined in the crate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's more ow a safe place for them to stay when you can't watch them with 100% of your undivided attention. The expen, which I personally prefer (I don't even own a crate for my dog) has the same premise, except it offers the pup a little more room. Regardless of which one you use (expen or crate) you have to live and breathe by the set potty schedule.

Another thing you can do is if you take your pup out for 20 mins for a potty break, don't let her have free roam of your house. That's why she's going on the floor. Free roam is earned. Playtime can be used as a reward for a good potty. For example, you take her out, she does her business, that earns her 40 mins of play and bonding time. That I'd followed by another potty break (activity helps them want to go) and the. You can keep her with you if you can devote the time to watching her and learning her signals. If you can't because you need to do chores, cook dinner, etc. etc. etc. pup goes back in the crate/expen.

[PattiNumber_H]

Originally Posted by Kim1971

Leave her in the create all day expect for feeding and going out to potty? Isnt that cruel?

As for her life I dont really think it was as great as "gloria" claimed it was. If Bella attempts to do something which I do not want to do and I call her name and yes sometimes I do have to raise my voice to get her attention she will drop to the floor like Im gonna hurt her, which I would never do

I thought so too, but when you use the crating as a training tool it accounts for such a small fraction of a dog's life. Exercise her everyday, separate from that, sit and play for 10-15 minutes, back to the crate, but only after she has completely relieved herself.

DvlshAngel985 has given you some great advice, I am using this same approach with a great deal of success.

I wish you and Bella all the best, I was so glad to read your story about rescuing her despite the red flags and your preference in the size yorkie you wanted. Welcome to yorkie talk, keep us posted.

[Joyce Adams]

Hi there and welcome, I can't add any other advice, they have covered everything well. I just wanted to say hello.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by Kim1971

Leave her in the create all day expect for feeding and going out to potty? Isnt that cruel?

As for her life I dont really think it was as great as "gloria" claimed it was. If Bella attempts to do something which I do not want to do and I call her name and yes sometimes I do have to raise my voice to get her attention she will drop to the floor like Im gonna hurt her, which I would never do

All excellent advice so far, IMHO,...consistency with potty training cannot be over-emphasized. Pick a schedule, and put her on it...adjust it if you miss-time it initially, then stick with it and expect an occasional mishap until she's as happy with it as you are. Yorkies love praise...and treats...be lavish with praise and love !

Remember, Belle has only known one set of circumstances until now...and her world completely changed overnight. Mia would 'cower' when she first came to us...but no more. I always picked her up when she did that and loved on her and reassured her, then set her down and played with her a bit. After a couple of weeks, she figured out that (1) she was here with us to stay, (2) she liked it because it wasn't at all a bad place to live, (3) she is much loved, (4) she loves us equally, and (5) she is, after all, in charge!

Belle is only 7-months-old-ish, but Yorkies are very intelligent and devoted companions, and I'd be surprised if she continues this behavior for very long in your loving home. More likely, she's just uncertain about all the incredible changes that have just occurred in her life, and in a week or two, you'll have to peel her off of you to move around the house.

Congratulations on your new baby, Belle, and welcome! How did I miss the photos of her...?

[Harrysmum]

Me too!!

And don't you worry - our Harry's 16 months and 16 lbs worth of loving, beautiful Yorkie-ness! Congratulations, and welcome! Sally + Harry x