Rescued a 2yrs old abused Yorkie

[Tyty42319]

Hi I am new to this site and had lost my male 4 yr. Yorkie about a year and a half ago. Our new Yorkie Maggie was in a home that bad things happened to her. She was placed in a shelter and we were blessed to get her Thursday. She barks but it is at small children or loud noises. Even when someone comes into the room she is other wise a wonderful dog. I was wondering if there is a class she can be taken to or something. She does this thing where she walks in circles in the house outside the house is it normal my other fur baby never did any of the things that she does. Just needed a little help please.
Thank you in advance

[mybellababy]

How wonderful of you to take this poor baby. I would love to see some pictures of her. I dont know anything about the circling maybe she was kenneled alot I'm sure other will be able to give you more advice on that.

[yorkiemini]

Welcome to YT! Bless you for taking in this poor little Yorkie

I don't know for sure why your pup is circling in the house, but I would believe he needs some time to adjust. It could be an anxiety response and he just needs more time to relax and settle in.

I'm sure others will come forth - the great thing about YT is the abundance of experience here.

[yorkiemini]

Sorry, I said he, meant she

[Jkpal]

I think you just need to take time to let her settle in and get used to everything, because remember, everything right now is new and different for her. Her world has been topsy-turvy. I think the best thing for now, is to show her love and patience and consistency and understanding. Maggie needs time to truly realize and believe that she is home forever and she is safe and loved. I realize I'm not telling you anything you don't know! Personally, I'd wait just a bit for introducing her to a class (just me)...It's possible she may discontinue some of this behavior on her own, once she knows she's got it made in the shade with her wonderful, loving new owners. Congratulations and enjoy the love and fun you'll have together; God Bless you and yours for saving little Maggie!

[MissSunni]

Congratulations on your new pup! It must be a whole new world for her to adjust to. I would think it will take some time and lots of patience. Under the best of circumstances for a new dog joining a family its stressful for them, until they get familiar with everything. It must be even more frightening for this lil one, considering the treatment she's received thus far in her life. Shower her with love and praise. Best of luck

[matese]

Welcome to YT.And thank you for rescuing this little baby girl. I agree with the above members. I have a rescue, he was 2 1/2 when I adopted him, I have him 18 months now. He didn't come from a abusive family, but, he was trained their way.It took 10 months to teach him it's ok to snuggle next to me when we go to bed. It takes time for them to adjust to new family and home. It takes time for them to gain trust in their new care givers. No one knows what this little girl has gone through in her 2 years. Lots of patience, love, playing and tons of praise. As another member suggested, circling could be from being in a kennel with not much room to exercise, walking in circles could have been the only way she could stretch her legs, get some sort of exercise. She may not be use to this wonderful life of freedom with no bars. IMO, give her time to adjust, you have her just a week, think of her as a new born baby, she has to learn to re-discover things and new freedom. Leash walk her, this could help in lessening the circling, treat and praise when she walks straight, it may take time, be consistent with leash walking even if she circles, don't give up. We have some members that are great in dog training, I hope they will pop by and give you some advise. Please keep us posted on how little Maggie is coming along.

[DBlain]

don't start training her yet just love her. some say dogs that have been caged a lot tend to circle, have you had her to a vet yet?

[capt_noonie]

Welcome to YT and thank you for saving this baby. I have fostered quite a few yorkies and each one had a totally different adjustment period. My current one that I ended up adopting is Toto. He didn't start to cuddle until about the one year mark! He also barks at children and loud noises. I don't think that is necessarily uncommon for yorkies.

[JadeD]

Welcome to Yorkie Talk!

Thank you for taking in this poor scared baby!

Give her lots of love and attention and lots of time to adjust.

Settle into your daily routine as quickly as possible so she can learn how your house works.

I took in a 9 year old Yorkie at the beginning of the year and it took him several weeks to learn what I was saying. He learned quickly though and soon he understood what I was saying to him. I just kept on with life as normal with him and he settled in pretty quick. Even almost 4 months later though I am still learning new things about him.

Be patient and she will come around. She needs to learn to trust you and then she will love you.

I would also wait a few weeks before putting her in a training class just to let her adjust to you first. Then I think a training class is an excellent idea.

Good luck and keep us updated on her progress.

[wigglewomyn]

Welcome to YT and thank you for rescuing Maggie! What a wonderful thing you did. I don't have anything else to add to what has already been said. I think it will take time, patience and love for Maggie to realize she is in a safe and loving home where nothing bad is going to happen to her. After she gets to know you and realizes you are nothing like the people she used to live with, I am sure she will settle in and stop walking in circles.

[ChibiLuv]

Aw congrats on your new addition. Even just normal dog obiedeince classes can help curb some of these behaviors. My dog (who was spoiled from day 1) used to bark and lunge at joggers. A few obedience classes taught us how to walk better and how I could help him stop. He is totally better now. Be sure to use positive training techniques and give her time. I'm sure you two will be happy together.

[Yorkie Mom2]

I have had Porsche since she was 6 weeks old. She barks at noises, strange people, and other dogs barking. That is her personality. She is fiercely protective of me. My other Yorkie, Bentley, I rescued at 4 years old. He is now almost 14. He has a host of issues, being 2.5 lbs. He is afraid of children, thunder storms and other loud noises, and has a very delicate stomach. Each Yorkie is different. Learn your baby. Each has their own special needs. Blessings for rescuing a Yorkie.

[BorderKelpie]

Bless you for adopting Maggie, I hope you have many happy, healthy years together. She is lucky to have found you.

I agree with the above posters, give her time. In the meantime, though, it doesn't hurt to look into what it may take to curb some of her reactivity.

Start here, perhaps, there are a lot of resources on the web. I am sure you will, but try to stick with postive only methods and avoid corrections and flooding.

You're awesome to be helping her! Thank you! and Best wishes!!

Canine University: News -- Canine Behavior - So Your Dog Is Reactive!

[Sunnydayz]

Is there anything or time that she circles ? If she was kept caged or kenneled, it could be a way she learned to self sooth herself when she is feeling stressed. I would imagine because it's such a short period she has been with you, that she is quite stressed, so she may be doing it often. I think just give her time, and I would bet the less stressed she feels, the more likely she will lose the urge to self sooth herself, poor little girl. She is so blessed to have found you xoxo.