A Sad History Perhaps

[Llutz]

A note, though, it is not uncommon for these Yorkies to cower when being called or trying to pick them up. My Mandie still does this. It helps to get down on the floor and call her instead of doing it all from a standing position. Even with that though...sometimes she still acts like that. I think it's just a trait they have.

I didn't know this! Enzo does it all the time - and everytime I was left wondering what his previous family may have done to him!

[gracielove]

It does sound like your little girl has experienced some bad activities in her short lifetime.

It is best to be very reserved in the way you approach her. Sometimes a dog just has to learn that you are trust worthy. Right now she wants to trust you but her instincts or learned behaviors are to be fearful.

Try to keep her potty near by at all times to avoid accidents. Don't scold her. If you catch her in the act of potting where she should not just take her too the potty and say the word you want her to associate with the act. Giving her a treat when she gets it right will help her to do it consistently.

I wouldn't work on the come command too much right now. Raised voices may actually scare her more than attract her. Take your time. Once you gain her trust you will find that much of the rest of it comes more easily. This is not like working with a dog with no issues. You are dealing with a shy, fearful dog and the approach just has to be a little slower and more reserved than normal. Try to make things fun for her although her idea of fun may be somewhat different than yours.

[docmartin]

Funny happenings today, last night I had to tell her off (for a carpet poo) and put her in the sin bin for ten minutes (no more). She normally sleeps in my wife's room and did so as normal last night. Well this morning a real change. My wife was out shopping all day, so I baby sat. Normally she's with me continuously. Today she never left my wife's room, eight hours without even a look in! Is this normal or have I been rejected? My wife (who feeds her) suggested I give her some treats, but I think there's something more radical that has come to pass - what do you think?

[chachi]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Funny happenings today, last night I had to tell her off (for a carpet poo) and put her in the sin bin for ten minutes (no more). She normally sleeps in my wife's room and did so as normal last night. Well this morning a real change. My wife was out shopping all day, so I baby sat. Normally she's with me continuously. Today she never left my wife's room, eight hours without even a look in! Is this normal or have I been rejected? My wife (who feeds her) suggested I feed her with some treats, but I think there's something more radical that has come to pass - what do you think?

I agree with your wife

[10thmuse]

This is quite interesting because I was wondering a few behavioural things about my Bug. Whenever I get home from work she's in her sleeping spot on top of the couch. I walk in and she flattens herself down like a pancake. At first I thought she was scared, and that upset me. But she also wiggles so much with excitement and happiness to see me, and eventually when she starts running over to me, she flops over and shows me her belly.

When I finally looked this flattening/showing belly business up yesterday the internet seems to indicate it's submissive behaviour to show you're the "leader of the pack". It can be quite disarming at first. I'm just glad she also seemed excited or else I'd have been really worried.

That, and whenever she shows me her belly I take the opportunity to kiss it. Yes, I am not ashamed

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Funny happenings today, last night I had to tell her off (for a carpet poo) and put her in the sin bin for ten minutes (no more). She normally sleeps in my wife's room and did so as normal last night. Well this morning a real change. My wife was out shopping all day, so I baby sat. Normally she's with me continuously. Today she never left my wife's room, eight hours without even a look in! Is this normal or have I been rejected? My wife (who feeds her) suggested I give her some treats, but I think there's something more radical that has come to pass - what do you think?

It sounds like she is not ready for the type of punishment you meet out. Some dogs are very sensitive to such things. Rewarding works much faster than punishment. She is in a new enviornment and needs time to adjust. Watch her closely and reward any good behavior with a healthy treat. Punishment is not going to work with this little girl. Unless you catch her in the act of potting where she is not supposed to do it, punishment does no real good anyway. She does not understand why you are punishing her. If you do see her starting to potty in the wrong place a simple "no" should be sufficient to discourage the activity. This dog has real fear issues and hiding in the bedroom should give you a good idea of how severe her problems are.

[docmartin]

Thank you, 'Meet out' is perhaps a little harsh for placing her in a kiddies play pen for ten minutes, anyway I have tried the benefit motivation route and today we are completely back to normal now. Currently asleep on my shoulder and causing a great deal of ingenuity to make this post.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by docmartin

What a wonderful response and thank you all so much America, really appreciated. My late wife and I repatriated a little beach mongrel stray from Spain in '81. He was only seven months when we found him, but due to our then quarantine laws and import procedure, it took 10 months to get him home. He taught us a lot about patience and love and lived a long and happy life passing when he was over 17.

We have had to have our Yorkie clipped because her coat was hopelessly tangled and matted with wood chippings, which obviously indicated she'd been kept in a pen or enclosure. She now sleeps in her little basket, either in my wife's room or mine. We are both retired, so she's never been alone since we got her, very important I feel, in the early days of a young re-homed dog.

We live right on the sea shore, so once she gains confidence the beach is only 30 yards from our door.

We live in a high rise Penthouse and currently we are toilet training, she was on pads, but kept missing the corners and pooing on the carpet near the paper! We got a 'Rascal' Little Squirt yesterday - early days but that's for another day.

Ps, She wags her tail a lot and is an enthusiastic licker, a real little treasure, who will probably be utterly swamped with affection.

Once again, lovely to read your kind responses and what a smashing place this forum is.

Good afternoon, and welcome from a fellow UK-er!

Harry sometimes flinches when I lift my hand quickly, as though he's been beaten all his life....and of course HE HASN'T They do seem to have funny little traits - but I really admire you for all you're doing, they are totally worth all the perseverance, and I look forward to watching her grow up with her amazing new family

Also meant to say - what a beautiful part of our Country you live in...bet you can't wait to take her walking and paddling on that beach - what a wonderful life she's going to have

Congratulations to you both! Sally + Harry x

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Thank you, 'Meet out' is perhaps a little harsh for placing her in a kiddies play pen for ten minutes, anyway I have tried the benefit motivation route and today we are completely back to normal now. Currently asleep on my shoulder and causing a great deal of ingenuity to make this post.

I didn't mean to imply that you were being too harsh with her. It's just that with her issues she just would probably respond much better to reward than punishment.

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I didn't mean to imply that you were being too harsh with her. It's just that with her issues she just would probably respond much better to reward than punishment.

Please accept I took your point as both constructive and helpful, in fact today has proven your point. Already I love this little dog completely and her response was so upsetting to witness, that your reply made me feel even more perplexed. I have gained some information on her past from the people I got her from, who were very kind to rescue her. It seems the old lady whom she was bought for, was beyond even remembering her name. The careers, one in particular, were prone to smacking and then locking her in a small dark cupboard under the stairs, for 'hours on end'. Hence she lost her pad training and obviously harbours the fears of the past, which my unintentional response (lights were ready off in the room the pen was in) reignited?

We've just completed an hours exhaustive fun playing and now we're both comatose on the sofa with her curled up to me.

Thank you, your thoughts really are much appreciated.

Martin

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Please accept I took your point as both constructive and helpful, in fact today has proven your point. Already I love this little dog completely and her response was so upsetting to witness, that your reply made me feel even more perplexed. I have gained some information on her past from the people I got her from, who were very kind to rescue her. It seems the old lady whom she was bought for, was beyond even remembering her name. The careers, one in particular, were prone to smacking and then locking her in a small dark cupboard under the stairs, for 'hours on end'. Hence she lost her pad training and obviously harbours the fears of the past, which my unintentional response (lights were ready off in the room the pen was in) reignited?

We've just completed an hours exhaustive fun playing and now we're both comatose on the sofa with her curled up to me.

Thank you, your thoughts really are much appreciated.

Martin

I guess that explains why she was so upset about being put in a time out. Poor little thing. I'm sure being confined brings back some stressful memories. I'm sure she will respond much better to rewards and lots of play time.

[Gillykat]

Carers!!!!! Jeez...that's not what I would have called them Poor little mite

At least she is in a loving Forever Home with you and your wife now so, given time, I'm sure she'll start to relax and trust and, no doubt, have you BOTH completely Under The Paw

I've had a few abused foster cats in the past few years (one poor girl had been used as a punchbag by a boyfriend to get back at his partner) and I've always found a little bit of smoked ham works wonders in getting their nose interested and showing them you mean no harm Perhaps a tiny bit in your hand with you sitting on the floor and ignoring Crystal (beautiful name) and let her nose bring her to you and just let her take the ham from your open hand (no speaking to her, no eye contact - all at HER pace). Or if she's ok with you talking to her you could always quietly tell her how beautiful she is and how much you love her Once you get that first bit of trust and they come to you it feels like you've won the lottery ten times over