Just adopted a teacup yorkie and struggling

[Charlies Mamma]

Originally Posted by navillusc

If you want to keep this little Yorkie, you might want to start by seeing him as a 2-year-old human toddler...fragile, loving, independent, smart, and devoted, but without the knowledge and wisdom that comes with time and training. You will also find that he is likely a little joking tease who will enjoy entertaining you with his ever changing antics. If you begin training him the same way you would a human baby...and yes I do mean 'conversation' even reading to him, associating a physical 'apple' with the word "apple", and talking to him about the TV show or news broadcast you are watching as though you expect him to grow up, go to prom, drive a car, understand how the world works, and raise your grandchildren, you will begin to see the rewards a Yorkie will give you...and they are huge!

There are carry-packs...pouches...you can 'wear' him around and he will likely love it. You can put shirts on him to keep him warm (and cute) and he will likely love it. Do nothing to him you would not do to your own human offspring. Watch HIS body language to learn what he needs and/or wants to do. He may already indicate he needs to go potty by going to a door, walking away to a wall, hall, room, or other possibly secluded place. Example: When we got Brody, he had mostly been kept in a bathroom to keep him safe from his 95 lb. year older brother. The first night he was at the house, we had a storm. At the first crack of thunder, he got up and headed toward our bathroom. Why? That was his 'safe' place and he was uneasy because of the storm. Because I was in over-achiever-observer mode, learning him, I instantly recognized what the problem was and ran to pick him up, hold him, and give him a new 'safe' place in my arms.

My DH always had big dogs and never thought he would like little dogs...never gave any thought to owning Yorkies...never thought there'd be a difference except for size. One Yorkie, Brody, changed all that...now we have two...we got Mia as a companion for Brody...and he'd take more in a heartbeat. He's even (finally...lol) put in his first top knot! But, it IS a different mindset. Yorkies are 'technically' canines...but in reality, they're human children on four paws who'll eat poo, dig and roll in the dirt, and they will love you back like you cannot believe.

I've had large dogs, too, and a Yorkie-Poo when I was a child until I lost him about 12 or so. Yorkies are 'working dogs' but unlike most working/herding dogs, Yorkies were bred TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY...and they do...oh boy do they...and it's wonderful to watch their little minds work! Like a little child when he sees a flower or bee for the first time...you will see wonderment in a Yorkie's eyes! You don't have to teach them everything...they analyze your actions and in short order know what your next move is going to be. Humans should be so smart! We have to spell and motion and 'allude' because Brody and Mia have such large vocabularies that it is hard to 'sneak' out without them knowing what we are planning. The flip side is that, by training, when I say in my firm Yorkie voice, "You are not going this time," they sit down with the same dejected look a child would have...but Mommy has spoken and resistance is futile...lol Oh, yeah, they usually get a toy or new outfit when they have to stay home...a reward for being good while home alone.

Get him a blankie, a playpen, a high chair...feed him off a fork or spoon during your meal, off your plate, let him drink from your cup (you can get a new one if you like)...put a bib on him to keep him clean, wash his face after meals...whatever helps you see him in the proper perspective. Keep in mind always that whatever HE does wrong is YOUR fault...your failure...just like any child...and lead him to the knowledge and behavior he must have.

If you are not prepared to deal with, or interested in nurturing, a canine toddler, trust me when I say there are plenty of people who'll take that baby in a heartbeat and love him like he's their own natural born infant...we love them THAT MUCH!! If you're planning a Florida vacation, bring him with you, PM me, and I'll take time off work and I'll meet you at whatever airport anywhere in FL you land, and he can come live with me. Brody and Mia will have no problem sharing the bed, the lap, and being glad it's HIM in the bath THIS TIME!

It is easy to throw up your hands and quit...much harder to change your own ways...which you will likely need to do for a time...at least until your 'Yorkie-ness factor' kicks in.

For your sake, and his, of course, I hope you are beginning to understand how precious these babies are. If so, and you decide to take on this unconditional commitment, prepare to have your heart exploded to an exponential love factor 'cuz nothing...NOTHING...else can do that quite like a Yorkshire Terrier!

I LOVE this post

[yorkietalkjilly]

Wow! I hadn't read that one somehow. Agree - wonderful post about living with a Yorkie and the type of person they should all be so lucky to have loving and caring for them.

[KimInMD]

Navillusc, what a great post. Thank you so much!

[darnlora]

Once again someone starts a post like this and never responds????? Or even replies or offers a rebuttal? Hmmmmmm!

[kjc]

OP's: Last Activity: 07-05-2012 08:54 PM

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by kjc

OP's: Last Activity: 07-05-2012 08:54 PM

....just sayin'.......

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

....just sayin'.......

Hmmmmmmm.......go figure.

[navillusc]

Thank you all for your kind words...it truly is how I feel, and how I treat all my furbabies. I consider them "innocents"...and highly intelligent. They do, after all, learn OUR language better that WE learn THEIRS.

It is especially sad for me to read posts such as this OP's...those who have 'inherited' rather than 'chosen' a furbaby. They 'expect' one thing from the 'acquisition' but when they find the reality differs substantially, there is a feeling of being 'overwhelmed'..."What have I gotten myself into?"...and "How can I restore my life to the way it was?"...("and without ticking anyone important to me off!" )

The acquisition usually happens along with plenty of other stresses and they just want to press a 'button' or give/take a 'pill' and have everything all magically fall back into place. It usually doesn't work that way. The simple answer is that their life has forever changed...same as with an unexpected pregnancy/birth...and they can accept it, fall in love with it, or dispose of it. Their life, however, stays forever changed in certain ways regardless of their 'handling' choices.

If this OP seriously wants to 'fix' everything, but lacks the 'tools' and is drawing from the only prior experience available...which is 'incorrect' for this situation, I thought perhaps a little 'insight' might be useful for this change in perspective. Transition of an orphaned infant would be expected to be fraught with certain difficulties, and require unprecedented compassion from most of us...but how the OP see this canine and it's situation is important. Transition for a Yorkie...or other beloved furbaby...to a new home where the rules are not yet clear, is absolutely no different. If one wants to make a difference, one needs to know what that difference is that must be made.

I have a friend who's friend passed and she took his Yorkie/Chi mix. She knew the dog, and loved him, and the transition was smooth.

On the contrary side, I took two cats from a dying friend. The cats knew me...had known me all their lives, but "wrenching" them away from their dying mommy, who asked me to come and get them as she could no longer care for them properly, set them so on edge, that if they'd had front claws, they'd have torn me limb from limb for the next few days. Has she passed BEFORE they came to live with me, the transition to my home could have been much different. I understood their predicament, and just kept loving them through their trauma, and soon I had two more very loving kissy-face lap-sitters.

I do hope the OP comes back with an update of progress being made. Whatever is done, it should be done WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE YORKIE IN MIND, because this baby has lost it's beloved Mommy and deserves no less...and the OP will be in for a very pleasant surprise when this baby turns on that Yorkie-tude charm.

[gracielove]

She sounded very resentful toward the dog in that she said 'this dog is not going to run my life' and other comments that infer that she has no real emotional attachment to the Yorkie and probably not to her other dogs either.
The kindest thing to do would be put the Yorkie in a Yorke rescue but she seemed quite convinced that she knew all about dogs and could do this. I'm sure she can get some level of success according to her way of seeing things by intimidation and harsh measures. The little dog will be destroyed but she will get her way.

It is hard to see such insensitivity in dealing with a dog that has lost it's home. So harsh!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by navillusc

Thank you all for your kind words...it truly is how I feel, and how I treat all my furbabies. I consider them "innocents"...and highly intelligent. They do, after all, learn OUR language better that WE learn THEIRS.

It is especially sad for me to read posts such as this OP's...those who have 'inherited' rather than 'chosen' a furbaby. They 'expect' one thing from the 'acquisition' but when they find the reality differs substantially, there is a feeling of being 'overwhelmed'..."What have I gotten myself into?"...and "How can I restore my life to the way it was?"...("and without ticking anyone important to me off!" )

The acquisition usually happens along with plenty of other stresses and they just want to press a 'button' or give/take a 'pill' and have everything all magically fall back into place. It usually doesn't work that way. The simple answer is that their life has forever changed...same as with an unexpected pregnancy/birth...and they can accept it, fall in love with it, or dispose of it. Their life, however, stays forever changed in certain ways regardless of their 'handling' choices.

If this OP seriously wants to 'fix' everything, but lacks the 'tools' and is drawing from the only prior experience available...which is 'incorrect' for this situation, I thought perhaps a little 'insight' might be useful for this change in perspective. Transition of an orphaned infant would be expected to be fraught with certain difficulties, and require unprecedented compassion from most of us...but how the OP see this canine and it's situation is important. Transition for a Yorkie...or other beloved furbaby...to a new home where the rules are not yet clear, is absolutely no different. If one wants to make a difference, one needs to know what that difference is that must be made.

I have a friend who's friend passed and she took his Yorkie/Chi mix. She knew the dog, and loved him, and the transition was smooth.

On the contrary side, I took two cats from a dying friend. The cats knew me...had known me all their lives, but "wrenching" them away from their dying mommy, who asked me to come and get them as she could no longer care for them properly, set them so on edge, that if they'd had front claws, they'd have torn me limb from limb for the next few days. Has she passed BEFORE they came to live with me, the transition to my home could have been much different. I understood their predicament, and just kept loving them through their trauma, and soon I had two more very loving kissy-face lap-sitters.

I do hope the OP comes back with an update of progress being made. Whatever is done, it should be done WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE YORKIE IN MIND, because this baby has lost it's beloved Mommy and deserves no less...and the OP will be in for a very pleasant surprise when this baby turns on that Yorkie-tude charm.

Couldn't agree more & well said once again.

[Charlies Mamma]

I just dont understand how cold the OP seems to be, did anyone notice that she never said he had a name??? just "this dog" it breaks my heart I wish that I could just take him in.

[Zoejane]

If OP would come back on I would offer to take this baby! Why do people get yorkies when they don't want to devote their lives to them? Whenever someone sees my Yorkie and gets all excited because she is so cute and start talking about getting one I usually come across very negative to them. I think people see them and their cuteness and don't consider all the work it takes to make these babies into what they are. Yes she is the love of my life and yes I would do anything for her, but if you aren't prepared to have your baby totally change your life then you shouldn't even consider it. I recently had to give up a long planned trip that I was very excited about because the week before my baby got sick with giardia and even though she was acting totally fine the week I was supposed to leave I didn't want to put her in a stressful situation while she was still on antibiotics. I know I don't feel good when taking them so I was sure she didn't need to be stressed by flying. So if you are reading this and considering a Yorkie, but don't currently have one you need to think long and hard about whether you are willing to sacrifice for your baby!

[Prince Toby]

I know we are all passionate about our babies and we expect everyone to be the same way, and I agree that if they are going to own a precious baby like ours then they should be. I just can't help but wonder maybe if we were not so offensive and calmer when we gave advice then the OP would stay on and we could keep track of how the puppy is doing and possibly even talk our way into them giving the puppy to one of us to love and spoil, so the puppy could be rescued. This OP was a guy and I think he probably felt cornered with all of us women reacting the way we did (for good reason). Now that we have caused him to break contact we have no way of knowing if this baby is okay or not. I love my precious Toby more than anything, but alot of people find themselves thrown into owning one, that is overwhlemed and may say things we do not like, but if we keep working with them then maybe we can change their attitude and it will be a win win all the way around. I am just as passionate about it as all of you, but we have to remember we are trying to also save a little one. I am not trying to get on to anybody this was just heavy on my mind. I have been so worried about this little baby ever since reading the OP's first post.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by Prince Toby

I know we are all passionate about our babies and we expect everyone to be the same way, and I agree that if they are going to own a precious baby like ours then they should be. I just can't help but wonder maybe if we were not so offensive and calmer when we gave advice then the OP would stay on and we could keep track of how the puppy is doing and possibly even talk our way into them giving the puppy to one of us to love and spoil, so the puppy could be rescued. This OP was a guy and I think he probably felt cornered with all of us women reacting the way we did (for good reason). Now that we have caused him to break contact we have no way of knowing if this baby is okay or not. I love my precious Toby more than anything, but alot of people find themselves thrown into owning one, that is overwhlemed and may say things we do not like, but if we keep working with them then maybe we can change their attitude and it will be a win win all the way around. I am just as passionate about it as all of you, but we have to remember we are trying to also save a little one. I am not trying to get on to anybody this was just heavy on my mind. I have been so worried about this little baby ever since reading the OP's first post.

Well stated, Prince Toby; I couldn't agree more. Imho, everyone would do well to think about what they are trying to accomplish before responding to a post like this. I believe that the OP was sincere in his cry for help with this little one that has fallen into his care and the reactions of many on this thread scared him off -- a missed opportunity to educate a yorkie caretaker and perhaps save a dog. Very sad.

[Charlies Mamma]

Originally Posted by Prince Toby

I know we are all passionate about our babies and we expect everyone to be the same way, and I agree that if they are going to own a precious baby like ours then they should be. I just can't help but wonder maybe if we were not so offensive and calmer when we gave advice then the OP would stay on and we could keep track of how the puppy is doing and possibly even talk our way into them giving the puppy to one of us to love and spoil, so the puppy could be rescued. This OP was a guy and I think he probably felt cornered with all of us women reacting the way we did (for good reason). Now that we have caused him to break contact we have no way of knowing if this baby is okay or not. I love my precious Toby more than anything, but alot of people find themselves thrown into owning one, that is overwhlemed and may say things we do not like, but if we keep working with them then maybe we can change their attitude and it will be a win win all the way around. I am just as passionate about it as all of you, but we have to remember we are trying to also save a little one. I am not trying to get on to anybody this was just heavy on my mind. I have been so worried about this little baby ever since reading the OP's first post.

While I agree with what you are saying, it is very hard for me to read posts like this OP left I have seen so much harm and cruelty to animals and I just cant understand it.

And I think that if you come to a place called "Yorkietalk" you would have to assume we LOVE our babies and even if you are in this OPs situation might be more careful about what you are saying while posting or at least how you say it. I know that we cant always know how to take "typed words" because you are not hearing them be said but I felt this message was very clear about how they feel about having this furbaby ............... Sorry