Question about rescued yorkie - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DJ2012 · 05-03-2012, 06:35 AM

We are getting ready to pick up DJ, a beautiful, big yorkie. The shelter where we are getting him from told us not to take him to petsmart or to dog parks because he cannot be around other animals because he is "an alpha dog". The problem that I am seeing here is not that he is an alpha dog, after all wolves form packs and the alpha is more than happy to be around the rest of his pack, even if only so he can rule them. I am believing that this is more a lack of socialization here. I also have been around other yorkies, and many with "small dog syndrome". They were all able to tolerate other dogs near them. If anyone else has experienced a rescue with similar behavior please let me know as it will influence how I work with him. Thanks.

richards6402 · 05-03-2012, 06:45 AM

Hi,

I also live in Decatur, IL. So glad to know there is a fellow Yorkie owner around. I'm so happy you opened your home to a rescue.

Macy is a little over 6 pounds and she can intimidate any dog at the dog park at first. I say just give everything some time and see what you feel is your dog's temperment. It may take a few weeks or months, just don't rush anything right now. When you can see for yourself how your dog acts and reacts to different situations you'll have a better understanding of the limits your dog may have.

rubymoon2072 · 05-03-2012, 06:51 AM

my Punkee Princess is a rescue who i think was very under socialized. she is ok being around public places just dont touch her or sniff her. she used to be very scared but has become a lot more comfortable going out in public places. at first i thought i needed to keep her as an only dog but having two other dogs now for a total of three is probably the best thing i could've done. it has really helped her in many ways. she actually plays some now that Lola and Cedric are playing with each other. she still gets jealous but with spreading the attention out and making sure i give individual time for lovings has been priceless in the addition of my second yorkie Lola. i think you need to get him settled and then decide from there what might work best. good luck. and thank you for saving him!!

CouversMom · 05-03-2012, 08:08 AM

I would feel out his temperament and go from there. He still needs to be socialized... He can't just not leave the house forever because the shelter says he's an alpha dog. My male is an 'alpha dog' and does great at the dog park and with other dogs.

Good luck, thank you for rescuing DJ

navillusc · 05-03-2012, 08:42 AM

Hi! That's so great that you are going to give this little one a happy home!

I don't know what to advise you to do, but if it was me, I'd disregard what I was told to do and haul him to PetSmart anyway...but that's me.

I wouldn't allow him on the floor on a lead...but I don't do that with mine anyway. Instead, I'd plop him on a pad (to protect his feet) in a cart and push him around the store and watch him. I'd keep him interested and engaged but watch for 'distractions' to see what 'upsets' him. I'd watch his body language and what's happening around him...listening closely, too. I'd keep taking him everywhere possible to socialize him, but keep him a distance away and safe from harm until I had a good feel for what he is really like in a social setting. It could be that, once he is comfortable with you and his new life, his behavior may be considerably different from what others have seen from him. When he's with you, he'll be picking up the 'vibes' you're sending out...which is that he is loved and you are taking him with you for his and your pleasure...where in a temporary situation, the 'temporary' aspect...the 'vibes' from his life being 'temporary'...may have been something he was sensitive to.

I know this may sound a bit 'weird'...lol...but it has been my experience that animals pick up a lot from their owners in 'vibes'...which includes the animal's ability to 'read' faces, body language, etc. from humans.

I took 2 cats who were 'neurotic' according to their owner...and found the cats were cats and the owner was 'neurotic' wanting the cats to 'not' exhibit certain natural 'cat' behaviors. They changed after coming to live with me and having their normal cat behavior accepted without fuss.

I got Brody last May and except for the "he loves toys"...which is COMPLETELY TRUE...lol...everything else they 'knew' about him from having him since a little puppy was 'while he was with them' only...he is completely different from their description..."he doesn't like to ride in cars"...really? Are we talking about the same dog? 'Cuz THIS DOG won't even leave the truck until he's been INSIDE somewhere...THIS DOG will 'camp' by the truck until it moves with him inside...THIS DOG is jumping up and down ready to go at the sound of key tinkle...lol

I got Mia last August and was told "she won't wear a top knot" and "I put clothes on her but she doesn't like them"...well, she wears a top knot now and has for many months, and she not only LOVES CLOTHES, both she and Brody will fight you for them and fight against having them removed.

I truly believe in a lot of cases the animal's behavior mirrors the human's underlying desires, and so I am really interested in hearing how this pup does once he's with you!

DJ2012 · 05-03-2012, 10:00 AM

Thank you all for the warm responses, a lot of great advice

I will post some pictures of him as soon as I can as this is going to be a busy day and since it is almost 90 dj is wanting to sleep on the tile floors. I am more excited and honored to be with him than anyone can know.

richards6402 · 05-03-2012, 10:36 AM

Please don't be afraid to ask any questions that may come up with DJ.

There are a lot of people on here who have considerable knowledge concerning rescues and will guide you through any problems or concerns you may have - just ask. WE love pictures and hearing about DJ.

Lovetodream88 · 05-03-2012, 10:47 AM

My mom rescued a yorkie who was picked on by another dog at his home before her and he had, had 2 more homes before that so we don't know all his history but he will growl and snap air at some other dogs yet he had not done it at my moms other two dogs or my dog but he was fine going places we just kept him from letting others dog in his face. My dad started telling him its all right I am here and pet him if we got close to another dog and that seemed to work but when he would snap my dad would correct him and say no with a "bite" on the back of his neck. It has worked great and we went the vet the other day and there was a small yorkie there and we let him get slowly closer to the smaller yorkie and eventually where they could touch each other and he did soooo great no problems at all. I think a lot of the time a dog has a problem and people try to avoid what causes the problem instead of fixing/training/correcting the problem.

BabyGirl Rosie · 05-03-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CouversMom

I would feel out his temperament and go from there. He still needs to be socialized... He can't just not leave the house forever because the shelter says he's an alpha dog. My male is an 'alpha dog' and does great at the dog park and with other dogs.

Good luck, thank you for rescuing DJ

05-03-2012, 06:35 AM	#1
DJ2012 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2012 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 8	Question about rescued yorkie We are getting ready to pick up DJ, a beautiful, big yorkie. The shelter where we are getting him from told us not to take him to petsmart or to dog parks because he cannot be around other animals because he is "an alpha dog". The problem that I am seeing here is not that he is an alpha dog, after all wolves form packs and the alpha is more than happy to be around the rest of his pack, even if only so he can rule them. I am believing that this is more a lack of socialization here. I also have been around other yorkies, and many with "small dog syndrome". They were all able to tolerate other dogs near them. If anyone else has experienced a rescue with similar behavior please let me know as it will influence how I work with him. Thanks.

05-03-2012, 06:45 AM	#2
richards6402 Love My Girls Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 1,507	Hi, I also live in Decatur, IL. So glad to know there is a fellow Yorkie owner around. I'm so happy you opened your home to a rescue. Macy is a little over 6 pounds and she can intimidate any dog at the dog park at first. I say just give everything some time and see what you feel is your dog's temperment. It may take a few weeks or months, just don't rush anything right now. When you can see for yourself how your dog acts and reacts to different situations you'll have a better understanding of the limits your dog may have. __________________ Karen, mama to Macy and Molly It is easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled. (Mark Twain)

05-03-2012, 06:51 AM	#3
rubymoon2072 Cedric♥Lola♥Keylo Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Gilford, NH, USA Posts: 9,209	my Punkee Princess is a rescue who i think was very under socialized. she is ok being around public places just dont touch her or sniff her. she used to be very scared but has become a lot more comfortable going out in public places. at first i thought i needed to keep her as an only dog but having two other dogs now for a total of three is probably the best thing i could've done. it has really helped her in many ways. she actually plays some now that Lola and Cedric are playing with each other. she still gets jealous but with spreading the attention out and making sure i give individual time for lovings has been priceless in the addition of my second yorkie Lola. i think you need to get him settled and then decide from there what might work best. good luck. and thank you for saving him!! __________________ Cedric N Lola N Keylo RIP Punkee Princess

05-03-2012, 08:08 AM	#4
CouversMom and Khloe Mae's too! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 14,732	I would feel out his temperament and go from there. He still needs to be socialized... He can't just not leave the house forever because the shelter says he's an alpha dog. My male is an 'alpha dog' and does great at the dog park and with other dogs. Good luck, thank you for rescuing DJ __________________ Michelle- mommy to Couver and Khloe Mae! http://yorkiehavenrescue.com/

05-03-2012, 08:42 AM	#5
navillusc Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: FL, USA Posts: 2,767	Hi! That's so great that you are going to give this little one a happy home! I don't know what to advise you to do, but if it was me, I'd disregard what I was told to do and haul him to PetSmart anyway...but that's me. I wouldn't allow him on the floor on a lead...but I don't do that with mine anyway. Instead, I'd plop him on a pad (to protect his feet) in a cart and push him around the store and watch him. I'd keep him interested and engaged but watch for 'distractions' to see what 'upsets' him. I'd watch his body language and what's happening around him...listening closely, too. I'd keep taking him everywhere possible to socialize him, but keep him a distance away and safe from harm until I had a good feel for what he is really like in a social setting. It could be that, once he is comfortable with you and his new life, his behavior may be considerably different from what others have seen from him. When he's with you, he'll be picking up the 'vibes' you're sending out...which is that he is loved and you are taking him with you for his and your pleasure...where in a temporary situation, the 'temporary' aspect...the 'vibes' from his life being 'temporary'...may have been something he was sensitive to. I know this may sound a bit 'weird'...lol...but it has been my experience that animals pick up a lot from their owners in 'vibes'...which includes the animal's ability to 'read' faces, body language, etc. from humans. I took 2 cats who were 'neurotic' according to their owner...and found the cats were cats and the owner was 'neurotic' wanting the cats to 'not' exhibit certain natural 'cat' behaviors. They changed after coming to live with me and having their normal cat behavior accepted without fuss. I got Brody last May and except for the "he loves toys"...which is COMPLETELY TRUE...lol...everything else they 'knew' about him from having him since a little puppy was 'while he was with them' only...he is completely different from their description..."he doesn't like to ride in cars"...really? Are we talking about the same dog? 'Cuz THIS DOG won't even leave the truck until he's been INSIDE somewhere...THIS DOG will 'camp' by the truck until it moves with him inside...THIS DOG is jumping up and down ready to go at the sound of key tinkle...lol I got Mia last August and was told "she won't wear a top knot" and "I put clothes on her but she doesn't like them"...well, she wears a top knot now and has for many months, and she not only LOVES CLOTHES, both she and Brody will fight you for them and fight against having them removed. I truly believe in a lot of cases the animal's behavior mirrors the human's underlying desires, and so I am really interested in hearing how this pup does once he's with you! __________________ - Cat Brody Mia BriaStormy

05-03-2012, 10:00 AM	#6
DJ2012 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2012 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 8	Thank you all for the warm responses, a lot of great advice I will post some pictures of him as soon as I can as this is going to be a busy day and since it is almost 90 dj is wanting to sleep on the tile floors. I am more excited and honored to be with him than anyone can know.

05-03-2012, 10:36 AM	#7
richards6402 Love My Girls Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 1,507	Please don't be afraid to ask any questions that may come up with DJ. There are a lot of people on here who have considerable knowledge concerning rescues and will guide you through any problems or concerns you may have - just ask. WE love pictures and hearing about DJ. __________________ Karen, mama to Macy and Molly It is easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled. (Mark Twain)

05-03-2012, 10:47 AM	#8
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,249	My mom rescued a yorkie who was picked on by another dog at his home before her and he had, had 2 more homes before that so we don't know all his history but he will growl and snap air at some other dogs yet he had not done it at my moms other two dogs or my dog but he was fine going places we just kept him from letting others dog in his face. My dad started telling him its all right I am here and pet him if we got close to another dog and that seemed to work but when he would snap my dad would correct him and say no with a "bite" on the back of his neck. It has worked great and we went the vet the other day and there was a small yorkie there and we let him get slowly closer to the smaller yorkie and eventually where they could touch each other and he did soooo great no problems at all. I think a lot of the time a dog has a problem and people try to avoid what causes the problem instead of fixing/training/correcting the problem. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!