I think I need to re-home my little Lola...

[yorkiemini]

Can she have a room to herself that is fence/ closed off while everyone is there ?

Will things calm down at your house when school restarts in the fall? Just wondering if she could "go to summer camp" at someone's calm and quiet Yorkie home until school restarted, then go back home to you ?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by madyson007

Ugh I just wrote a LONG post that disappeared...the gist of it is: The kids were beyond upset at the suggestion that we may re-home Lola. They want us to try every other possible option first so we will try natural calming meds, calming collar and some anti-bark thing someone told me about. I do not want to medicate her with any kind of narcotic....to me that is not a quality life.

The kids have promised to try and curb their behaviors but they are kids....running out the door to catch a school bus, jumping from one couch to another, playing and cheering at video games, being loud and happy by the pool, inviting new friends over, these are normal kid behaviors. Unfortunately any of those could set Lola off and have her shaking or hiding. It also does not help that she is not fond of men. My husband has tried everything to fix that but nothing has worked.

So no decision has been made and I owe it to Lola and my kids to try everything I can before the very permanent decision of re-homing her.

I so hope you end up finding a way so that you can keep her, and that all will be happy - including Lola.

Please, do not discount medications - they're there for a *very* good reason. Her quality of life, as you describe it, is poor *now*. My gosh, if medications gave her the quality of life she needs and helps her be less anxious/nervous - what a blessing that med would be. As a nurse, I really hate to see people toss out the idea of medications - because for many people and dogs, medications can be miracles. Being on a medication is not a bad thing ...esp if it could mean the difference of keeping her vs finding her another place to live!

[yorkiemini]

After the hawk attack issue with Cali I don't think she would have made it without medication intervention. Her quality of life was greatly, and positively enhanced by the use of medication.

That being said, I have found that some vets are not so good at dosing with our little ones. That might be what you mean by "poor quality of life"' but I can personally assure you that dosed correctly and using the correct drug can make a huge difference in quality of life - can go for our pups and humans, too, I guess.

Sooooo, please don't discount it was part of a solution for your pup who just wants to be loved but is having trouble coping.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by madyson007

Ugh I just wrote a LONG post that disappeared...the gist of it is: The kids were beyond upset at the suggestion that we may re-home Lola. They want us to try every other possible option first so we will try natural calming meds, calming collar and some anti-bark thing someone told me about. I do not want to medicate her with any kind of narcotic....to me that is not a quality life.

The kids have promised to try and curb their behaviors but they are kids....running out the door to catch a school bus, jumping from one couch to another, playing and cheering at video games, being loud and happy by the pool, inviting new friends over, these are normal kid behaviors. Unfortunately any of those could set Lola off and have her shaking or hiding. It also does not help that she is not fond of men. My husband has tried everything to fix that but nothing has worked.

So no decision has been made and I owe it to Lola and my kids to try everything I can before the very permanent decision of re-homing her.

Using a prescription medicine is not a terrible thing and they don't have to be on it forever. Callie my yorkie was having a terrible time with bed time anxiety and no matter what I tried and I tried EVERYTHING every calming aid. Well I went to the vet to have my vet check Callie out to make sure nothing was wrong and nothing was so I told my vet the problem and she suggest a very safe anxiety medicine. We used the medicine for a few months and after a few months weened her off and she no long has any bed time anxiety. So please don't 100% say no prescriptions meds just think about it as a last resort. If she could talk she would probably tell you see would rather try an anxiety medicine then not be with you anymore.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I so hope you end up finding a way so that you can keep her, and that all will be happy - including Lola.

Please, do not discount medications - they're there for a *very* good reason. Her quality of life, as you describe it, is poor *now*. My gosh, if medications gave her the quality of life she needs and helps her be less anxious/nervous - what a blessing that med would be. As a nurse, I really hate to see people toss out the idea of medications - because for many people and dogs, medications can be miracles. Being on a medication is not a bad thing ...esp if it could mean the difference of keeping her vs finding her another place to live!

great post Ann

[gracielove]

I hope the calming meds will help. I have never used one on a dog but my daughter has used Rescue Remedy for pets on her very neurotic cat and it worked very well. It did not make the cat go to sleep but she was calm and quiet in the car when she would usually cry and vomit constantly. The liquid form can be put directly in the mouth or put in their water. I know there are also other brands out there but that is the one we have had experience with. She got it from Amazon . com. It is also available at many pet supply stores.

If it gives her some relief it would certainly be worth a try. These little dogs can be spooked easily sometimes. They are so small and sometimes we forget how big everyone and everything else looks to them, not to mention fast movements and loud sounds.

[wisteria]

I sent you a message, but wanted to add that I think it is wonderful that your family loves her so much. I would try a pet play pen, it would be her personal space that she could go to when anxious. You can find them on Amazon for around $50.00..............................Please keep us posted.

[Tuppersmom]

Our youngest Yorkie is like me (OCD) she gets so upset when her normal routine is interrupted. She is very active and hardly ever leaves my side. We started her out when she was a baby in a little cuddle sack, and as she grew bigger (she is not a tiny yorkie, but a little one) we ordered one made online. She loves to go into it when she feels scared or life just gets to be too much for her. They are closed at the bottom, lined with great soft fleece and the outside is soft nylon, and they are wasable. I can't remember where I got our big one from, but if you search online you could find one.
Tuppy goes in hers and turns completly around and lies in it and looks out from her safe place. Even in hot weather, I really don't think she could go without it.
Just a suggestion. I will pray for your situation because I know exactly what you are talking about, our older Yorkie was in terror when my sister came with her really mean Jack Russell (I mean we think she has a mental problem...the Russel not my sis! ) When my sister and her motor home rolled into our driveway, Heidi would start shaking and hide behind the chair. We kept the Russell in our entryway behind a gate all the time they were visiting, because this is our babies home, and they don't need to be afraid. Funny thing, our youngest Tuppy the one with the cuddle sack, did not get bothered about the J R at all. My sis finally had to rehome her to a friend who had no other dogs, because she got a little poodle and the JR would not leave him alone. She was just a mean dog. The poodle and Heidi and Tup get along great when together. So I know how you feel when your baby is scared and you are stuck! I don't know about tranquilizing her, maybe the family can go out of their way to love her up and not run in her area.
Praying for you.
Tuppersmom

[madyson007]

First I want to thank every single person who posted in this thread and sent me a PM. The closer I got to re-homing Lola the more depressed and upset I became. I was grieving and she hadn't even left our home...it was terrible. My husband finally said please stop crying and lets try to figure something out.

We decided to gate her into our family room...which weirdly is a very crowded spot but the family mainly comes in to sit and watch TV. We also bought her a smaller crate which we placed under an end table flanked by two chairs. It looks like a little cave and I think the chairs on either side and the table above and the cover on it buffers some of the sound and craziness. It gives her a place to go and it is next to "my chair" which I think also gives her peace of mind.

It is not the perfect solution but I think she feels like she has her very own safe zone verses cowering under a dark couch or a closet or behind the toilet. Yuk. I also bought this calming aroma therapy dog plug in oil thingy which is plugged in near her cave. I think it helps....maybe? I have not talked to the vet about anxiety medicine yet but I have tried calming/soothing treats and I definitely think they help. If she is having a hard day I give her treat and she goes and takes a nice little nap. Good times for my baby.

I will keep you all posted if anything changes.

[KendraE]

Ahhhh!! I'm so glad things are a bit better!! And I'm with you, I could never give one of my babies away!! Good luck!!

[intilis]

Hi Madyson, Lola is beautiful! I'm glad you are doing all you can to keep her! When I first rescued my little Phoebe, she was so scared and anxious she wouldn't let me out of her sight for a second. I even had to bring her to the bathroom with me lol. If she couldn't see me, she went crazy barking and throwing her self at the door I had gone through. I know she came from a home with 3 children under 7, but I dont know much about how she was treated there. Phoebe was also terrified of men (and I have hubby + 2 adult sons!). It took time and effort, but she is now a confident and loving little girl! What we did was really pretty simple. My home is pretty quiet, but if we were having guests, I gave her rescue remedy shortly before they arrived. I made sure they ignored her & dropped treats for her. This made her realie that guests = GOOD THINGS. For the man thing, I have to credit my Dh! Hes a very patient and loving guy. He spent HOURS sitting quietly holding and petting her. Hes a big guy, so its really funny to see him cuddling this tiny 3# girly pup! That was 2 years about when Phoebe was 8 months old. Now at 3, she is extremely outgoing and confident. She loves EVERYONE and gets upset if someone doesn't greet & make fuss over her. Hanging there, it CAN be done!

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by madyson007

First I want to thank every single person who posted in this thread and sent me a PM. The closer I got to re-homing Lola the more depressed and upset I became. I was grieving and she hadn't even left our home...it was terrible. My husband finally said please stop crying and lets try to figure something out.

We decided to gate her into our family room...which weirdly is a very crowded spot but the family mainly comes in to sit and watch TV. We also bought her a smaller crate which we placed under an end table flanked by two chairs. It looks like a little cave and I think the chairs on either side and the table above and the cover on it buffers some of the sound and craziness. It gives her a place to go and it is next to "my chair" which I think also gives her peace of mind.

It is not the perfect solution but I think she feels like she has her very own safe zone verses cowering under a dark couch or a closet or behind the toilet. Yuk. I also bought this calming aroma therapy dog plug in oil thingy which is plugged in near her cave. I think it helps....maybe? I have not talked to the vet about anxiety medicine yet but I have tried calming/soothing treats and I definitely think they help. If she is having a hard day I give her treat and she goes and takes a nice little nap. Good times for my baby.

I will keep you all posted if anything changes.

It sounds like you are working on a very good solution and that it is helping. I like it. Keep up the good work and both you and Lola will work it out...and as the kids grow up and are gone more, you will still have your Lola with you, God willing.

[Rhetts_mama]

I just read through this thread and want to say how happy I am that you found a solution that seems to be keeping everyone happy, and best of all together.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by madyson007

First I want to thank every single person who posted in this thread and sent me a PM. The closer I got to re-homing Lola the more depressed and upset I became. I was grieving and she hadn't even left our home...it was terrible. My husband finally said please stop crying and lets try to figure something out.

We decided to gate her into our family room...which weirdly is a very crowded spot but the family mainly comes in to sit and watch TV. We also bought her a smaller crate which we placed under an end table flanked by two chairs. It looks like a little cave and I think the chairs on either side and the table above and the cover on it buffers some of the sound and craziness. It gives her a place to go and it is next to "my chair" which I think also gives her peace of mind.

It is not the perfect solution but I think she feels like she has her very own safe zone verses cowering under a dark couch or a closet or behind the toilet. Yuk. I also bought this calming aroma therapy dog plug in oil thingy which is plugged in near her cave. I think it helps....maybe? I have not talked to the vet about anxiety medicine yet but I have tried calming/soothing treats and I definitely think they help. If she is having a hard day I give her treat and she goes and takes a nice little nap. Good times for my baby.

I will keep you all posted if anything changes.

Sounds perfect to me! Lola is a very lucky pup to have a family so committed to her happiness! Something I wish for all the pups in this world.

Sorry I had not seen this before, but SO happy to read the responses and the wonderful solutions offered!

[Faboosh]

What a sweet girl Lola is!! If only we could take her in, we'd love her! So sorry you're having to make this decision, it shows how selfless you are to put her needs first. <3