Help with my Yorkie.. I think I have ruined him anti-social (long)

[georgepie]

Originally Posted by rubynrosie

Honestly...I think you are an uneducated dog owner. I believe a s**tty dog owner wouldn't be realizing that things need to change and wouldn't be asking for help.

True. I kind of just got the dog one night because I felt like having a dog without reading anything or doing research.

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by georgepie

True. I kind of just got the dog one night because I felt like having a dog without reading anything or doing research.

So, I guess the question for yourself to answer now is - Are you ready to be a dog owner and parent now? I say parent for a reason - it truly is a long term commitment. You will lose sleep, your plans will revolve around where your "kid" will stay and what he will do, you'll have to go to the doctor when he's sick, and on and on. A doggie parent never has an off day.

You ready for that? If so, get to work

[rubynrosie]

And you aren't alone. Others have done that too. Is that the best or preferred way...no...but it is what it is (meaning this is what you have to work with). Jeanie is phenomenal. This site is phenomenal. Take a deep breath. Start reading some of the training tips in the library. Post your questions on here. Take some more deep breaths. Be prepared that this isn't going to change overnight. You are going to have to commit extensive time each and every day. Take some more deep breaths. If you start feeling overwhelmed, talk to us. Like I said if you are willing to put the time and energy into changing your behaviors/your habits and training your pup (which also will include structured time), we will try be here to support you.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by georgepie

Are you willing to try?

Yes.

Do you have the time to work with him a few times a day? If so, those of us trying to help you will need some information.

How old is he?

I'm not sure when I got him in June he was 10 months.. calmer then.. walked nicely on leash but barked at other dogs

When is his neuter scheduled(a must for a dog like this)? It will take a good deal of the frustration of raging hormones and the need to mate out of his life and can settle many males down. It rarely changes a dog in material ways - just removes some of their overly macho aggressive tendencies to dominate in dog-on-dog meetings. You have to do the rest but taking away those hormones helps and you need every ounce of help you can buy right now.

I guess I will get on this month. I'm having second thoughts and might have to give the dog away.

Could you describe his day for me hour by hour? Be very honest right now if you really want to help us help him.

I'll be honest and I feel bad I've been thinking of giving him to someone that has more of a life and can bring him out more.. he's pretty much inside all day and roams around, pottys where ever it wants, has no other human interaction except for me, doesn't get much socialization. So the dog pretty much does nothing all day, plays with the toys, barks and whines when I'm on the phone

Are there children, a spouse or other pets and how does he interact with them?

None just me and the dog.

Does anyone ever playfully tease a lot and bait him to "get" them, play with him rough with their hands? Does anyone play tugowar with him - those long, hard bouts? Honesty really needed here.

Yes I did use to play the tug and kept letting the dog win. (read about this last night.. horrible I know)

Does he ever growl or bark at you over his food or toys/other possessions?

Example: Well I put all the toys in a clear plastic container with a lid and he got on top of the container and started barking for the toys. He has barked for his toys in the past and I just gave them to the dog so it would stop barking. (bad - read about this last night)

Does he yawn or lick his own lips often, particularly when coming toward you at eye-level, such as when you are sitting on the couch and calling him to you?

Yawns often

Does he look you in the eye ever and if so, when and how long?

He looks me in the eyes all the time - sometimes even like a staring contest.

He doesn't have any structure or schedule because I have none I don't wake up at a specific time everyday or go to work everyday then come home at a specific hour then eat at a specific hour.. which the dog probably needs structure.. -- I just let it do what it wants

No I'm not in Toronto.

It does sound as if you don't have the skills to perhaps handle a dog like this one, un-neutered and fairly aggressive and likely getting a bit dominant. I would re-think the time and effort that you really need to expend in order to take a misbehaving and troubled dog like this one and gently, patiently teach and inspire him to want to learn. A dog needs someone who is willing to train them and then the time and ability to give them fairly vigorous exercise at least a couple of times a day. Terriers are active little animals and need the outlet of vigorous exercise to work off their energy and tensions. Even in very cold weather, you can bundle one up and get it some good exercise outside or have it chase you through the house and you then turn around and chase it! But they do need basic training and exercise work after neutering in order to change unwanted behavior.

Why don't you reassess your commitment to having a dog and then come back on when and if you are ready to work and we will start from Square One. Okay?

[yavenay]

Get videos and keep a journal of every little detail when it happens.....time of day, what he ate etc. I ended taking Brandi to a specialist because she was also having issues that would come and go. I spent so much money and saw multiple vets trying to get a diagnosis. Finally went to a specialist and got a diagnosis. I wish I've gone sooner.

[msyorktown]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

It does sound as if you don't have the skills to perhaps handle a dog like this one, un-neutered and fairly aggressive and likely getting a bit dominant. I would re-think the time and effort that you really need to expend in order to take a misbehaving and troubled dog like this one and gently, patiently teach and inspire him to want to learn. A dog needs someone who is willing to train them and then the time and ability to give them fairly vigorous exercise at least a couple of times a day. Terriers are active little animals and need the outlet of vigorous exercise to work off their energy and tensions. Even in very cold weather, you can bundle one up and get it some good exercise outside or have it chase you through the house and you then turn around and chase it! But they do need basic training and exercise work after neutering in order to change unwanted behavior.

Why don't you reassess your commitment to having a dog and then come back on when and if you are ready to work and we will start from Square One. Okay?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by georgepie

True. I kind of just got the dog one night because I felt like having a dog without reading anything or doing research.

Look you care enough to be here now! You are asking questions. That tells at least me, you have some gumption within yourself to try to work this out.

Despite all your boys' vagaraties you have bonded with him, love him even. It is why you are here, posting these questions, and have come back to answer our questions.

It truly is not as hard as you might think it to be. If you were in Toronto, I would gladly take you and your guy under my wing.

Jilly is amazing with her reach to teach, her fulsome explanations. Now you need to Just take a deep breath.

You can if you want to enough do this. If you private message me, I might be able to find trainers in your area.

Let me say that being at home with your dog is so wonderfull. Do they bond very deeply with you? Why yes they do.

But now is a time while honoring that bond, you need to lead the way for your pup. It happens in small ways, and larger ways.

Stick around we can help

[georgepie]

Ya I realize now I screwed up. I used to put the dog food on the floor and just let the dog eat whenever it wants...put the toys all over the floor... lots of bad things. If I was to give the dog to someone how bad would it be on the dog? what would be safe for him? I don't really want to do that but I've screwed the dog up and not sure if I can handle it.. how gone is the dog?

[georgepie]

What should I do as of right now immediately to change the behaviour? How do you develop a feeding schedule?

[rubynrosie]

Originally Posted by georgepie

Ya I realize now I screwed up. I used to put the dog food on the floor and just let the dog eat whenever it wants...put the toys all over the floor... lots of bad things. If I was to give the dog to someone how bad would it be on te dog? what would be safe for him? I don't really want to do that but I've screwed the dog up and not sure if I can handle it.. how gone is the dog?

If you don't think you can do it, I would highly suggest you surrender your dog to a rescue. They would be able to assess the dog and also ensure he gets placed with an appropriate family. IMO, to give this dog to just anyone who wants him, would not be a good thing for him. Im not sure that you should cut yourself short when thinking about getting this dog back on track. Maybe PM Jeanie and Gemy and have some frank conversations with them. I think they would be able to give you a good assessment as to their opinions on the matter.

[georgepie]

Originally Posted by gemy

Look you care enough to be here now! You are asking questions. That tells at least me, you have some gumption within yourself to try to work this out.

Despite all your boys' vagaraties you have bonded with him, love him even. It is why you are here, posting these questions, and have come back to answer our questions.

It truly is not as hard as you might think it to be. If you were in Toronto, I would gladly take you and your guy under my wing.

Jilly is amazing with her reach to teach, her fulsome explanations. Now you need to Just take a deep breath.

You can if you want to enough do this. If you private message me, I might be able to find trainers in your area.

Let me say that being at home with your dog is so wonderfull. Do they bond very deeply with you? Why yes they do.

But now is a time while honoring that bond, you need to lead the way for your pup. It happens in small ways, and larger ways.

Stick around we can help

Thanks.. I want to I sent you a PM.

[rubynrosie]

Originally Posted by georgepie

Thanks.. I want to I sent you a PM.

Yea!!!!!

[georgepie]

Originally Posted by rubynrosie

If you don't think you can do it, I would highly suggest you surrender your dog to a rescue. They would be able to assess the dog and also ensure he gets placed with an appropriate family. IMO, to give this dog to just anyone who wants him, would not be a good thing for him. Im not sure that you should cut yourself short when thinking about getting this dog back on track. Maybe PM Jeanie and Gemy and have some frank conversations with them. I think they would be able to give you a good assessment as to their opinions on the matter.

That will be what I will do if I try the training and can't handle it because I would want him to be safe and happy... How difficult will it be to get the dog back on the right track?

[rubynrosie]

Originally Posted by georgepie

That will be what I will do if I try the training and can't handle it because I would want him to be safe and happy... How difficult will it be to get the dog back on the right track?

Im sorry Im not the expert here on training. I lucked out and Ruby and Rosie had a great up bringing prior to me getting them. For the most part they are pretty easy going. I know its doable because I have seen posts from other members talking about how their dogs have been and how they are now. Again, im going to defer to Jeanie, Gemy and the other experienced trainers to give you their opinions...worth much more then mine!!

The fact that you are willing to go through the training, are asking the questions and willing to take the experienced trainers suggestions leads me to believe you can do it!

[yorkietalkjilly]

If you want to learn how to handle a dog and PM Gemy for good trainers in your area, that is really the quickest way to deal with your situation. A good and savvy trainer will show you how to actually train a dog by encouraging him to repeat wanted behavior and rewarding that with praise and a treat and help you develop some dog skills of how to get a dog to enthusiastically work with you, how to give the dog time to respond to your request to do something, how and when to properly praise, how to calm one, read a dog's body attitude and how to stop unwanted behavior. He'll likely show you some form of the Nothing In Life Is Free training program. It forms a good and responsive, working relationship with you and your dog when you are trying to learn how to corral him. You can look that NILIF program up on Google - lots of sites teach you how to do it. Always be upbeat and calm, matter of fact when training and never punish or demean your dog with harsh words or attitude. Being happy and positive works best. Showing lots of love and patience will get you great rewards.

A vet will give you a feeding schedule but I usually feed Tibbe twice a day - 1/4 cup of kibble for his 5.3 lbs. and then add some canned food on top of that - 1 -2 tablespoons. He gets treats during the day in the amount of about 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons of kibble pieces used in his training or for doing something exceptional, such a dropping something he's holding in his mouth on command or coming when called when all of the dogs in the neighborhood are out and barking at a cat in the alley. When he comes in and leaves all of that when called, he will get a kibble treat and big praise. That's how I feed and he eats about 7:00 a.m. and again around 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. He has some dry kibble down for on demand feeding.

We train in the mornings and in the evening. Walks are usually just prior to training. I want him a little tired when training so he's not to amped and over-excited.

But with a good obedience training program, your dog will learn good impulse control. learn to respect you as his authority figure, learn teamwork and learn to automatically do what you say. The best way to get a handle on a misbehaving dog is a good basic twice daily training session and a good walk either before or after - whichever seems to work best for you and your dog. You've heard that expression "A tired dog is a good or happy dog". I say "A trained dog makes the best pet". You will love the wonderful pet your trained dog will become! Now go PM Gemy and find yourself a good trainer and start to work.