Is it ok to put my Yorkie down?
 

I'm new here and I found this group out of desperation. My yorkie is a 14 1/2 year old girl,Yaffi. She's pretty small,between 4-5 lbs. we've had her since she was 8 wks old and there have always been issues. She's never been completely potty trained and while she slept with us for a number of years,but after waking up to find poop in our bed repeatedly,we finally stopped that and she sleeps in the kitchen with baby gates in the doorway so she won't pee and poop all over my house. We have a cavalier also and we keep him with her so she won't feel alone. I must admit that over time I've become less and less happy with her. The things I love about a dog I don't have with her. I can't sleep with her or give her the run of the house. If we're in the living room,she comes in but can only be in the sofa because she usually wouldn't go in that,but now she'll go. She's had a full senior screen bloodwork and X-rays. She has DDD(degenerative disc disease) and arthritis. She doesn't have most of her teeth;over the years we've had to have them pulled. She has cataracts,not too bad, and I think she's deaf.
The biggest thing is that she pees and poops constantly. Walking in my kitchen is like walking in a minefield. She's let out frequently,we have a deck going into a very large fenced yard. She goes outside and then comes in to pee or poop.
I can't stand it anymore. I can't crate her or "playpen" her because she's a diva and she screeches when confined. I think I want to put her down. My 22 yo son is not happy but he's not here to clean up usually.
Please give me feedback and thoughts but please no bashing or attacking. I feel badly already.

Most non potty train dogs it's the owners fault not the dogs. I would only put her down if her quality of life is not very good. If you are just sick of her you might want to look into surrendering her to a yorkie rescue.

My yorkie
 

I've had dogs all my life with no problems potty training. She is my only yorkie. I've discussed this with my vet since she's young and my vet told me that small dogs are harder to train and yorkies are the toughest. My cavalier is small,although bigger than her and he's trained. Idk her quality of life, really. Does she mind not having the run of the house? I can't keep a dog bed in the kitchen because she's gone through them so she sleeps on rubber kitchen mats because I can wipe them down and clean them. She does enjoy going into the yard and sitting in the sun. She sleeps a lot and barks/yells forcefully when she wants something so she's aware. For example,if I'm not right at the door when she's ready to come in,she yells so loud you can hear her a few houses down,lol.
She has trouble walking but doesn't seem to be in pain. I've taken good care of her all these years but I'm tired of this as it's gotten worse. And rescue is not a good idea. Who in the world wants this old dog with so many issues? I would never place her where she could be abused or hurt. I may yell at her at times, but she's safe here and has no fear or hurt.

At the risk of sounding disrespectful, her potty issues are not her fault. You neglected to train her and now you want to put her down for not being potty trained. The main reasons why pets end up in shelters is because of the owner! The owner does not want to take the time to properly trained and socialized their pets.

If she isn't having severe medical issues that has diminished her quality of life or is causing her pain, why would you want to put down? I bet if you took the time to properly trained her, all those things you want to do with your dog you can do. If you want her to sleep in bed with you, potty trained her. It really is that simple. This isn't you dog's fault and she shouldn't be put to death because she was not potty trained.:mad:

If you are just plain tired of her, then rehome her. However that would be a little cold to rehome a senior dog that has only known one home her entire life because her owner didn't potty trained her and is now tired of cleaning up her crap.......that really sucks.

My yorkie
 

You know, having many kids, I've learned(or maybe have always known) that self righteous indignation,accusing and shaming NEVER have a desired outcome. I see you have an agenda and if anything, your response makes my situation feel even more defeated. I thought I'd hear from people with similar issues and receive feedback. Maybe not possible. Now that you "told" me, please go away.

What did the vet say or did I misread your post

I have to agree with the above members, if a dog pee, poops where ever, it is from owner not properly training the dog.Now this baby is a senior 14 1/2 yo, more then likely she is losing control of her bladder which you would not know because she has made where ever she wanted to most all her life. She is a senior and needs YOU, YOUR LOVE and understanding, and YOUR PATIENCE more now because she is going through changes that is confusing to her. My last girl, I raised her from a 8 week old puppy, she was properly house broken, I loved and enjoyed all those healthy, happy, frisky days, then at 14 yo she started loosing her sight, then her hearing, around 15 1/2 yo she started losing bladder control and peed where ever she stood. Came a time her vision was very bad, she could not see to jump off the bed, so I slept in my home office on a futon, it was lower then my bed, she was able to get off, 6 months later she couldn't even manage that, so she slept in her doggie bed with my hand in it so she would know I was close to her. Then dementia set in, she would go between the chairs under the kitchen table and not know how to get out, so I took all the chair but one away. From 14 to 17 yo no sight, no hearing, dementia, I would hold her, cuddle her, held her tight so she would know momma loved her more each day. At 17 yo I had to let her go, her organs were breaking down, I thought I would die that day. For me, when I take a dog into my life it is like the wedding vow " in sickness and health till do us part". I am appalled that you can say "The things I love about a dog I don't have with her" it isobvious you don't care for this little girl, if you felt like that you should have re-homed when she was younger and more adoptable, not at the age of 14 1/2 when she needs you the most, now you want to put her down because "I can't stand it anymore". As long as she is eating and drinking, not in ant pain, I cannot see this dog being euthanized just because you are tired of cleaning up after her. It's YOUR FAULT the dog pees and poops all over, YOU were not consistent in her potty training, this is way we have so many dogs in shelters. Owners need training in how to train a dog.

Im sorry you are having a really hard time of it. Have you tried diapering her, she is 14 and I don't think at this point that training is going to work. If she is having disc trouble I am sure she is in a lot of pain. I can understand that you are getting tired of the clean up. I get it, even when you love someone or your beloved pet it can get more then you can deal with. At 14 1/2 her live is coming to an end and maybe this is what you are seeing. If you feel the quality of life is poor then maybe its time. Have you asked your Vet what they think. Its a hard thing to do end of life is hard. I know all you wanted was some comforting words . Do what you think is best and dont feel guilty you have loved her for 14 1/2 years, do not rehome her that would be hart breaking for her. This is just my op.

Your post made it sound like you were simply tired of her and her not being trained. There are many of us on the site that would clean up potty every minute of every day if it meant we could have our dogs back so its hard to understand some one wanting to put a dog down for a reason other then poor quality of life. It is a fact that most dogs can be trained and that dogs that are not potty trained its mainly the owners fault. It's going to be hard to find someone else on here that wants to put down their dog for a reason other then poor quality of life but you might find someone who knows. Just keep in mind one day you to will have accidents people have to clean up and you to will get old.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Reminds me of a story


A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’ s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped, the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in- law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather, ” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’ s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.



One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’ s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled

:thumbup:
Well said.

To answer your question, in most states dogs are seen as possessions and are treated accordingly as far as the law goes. That being said, you may have the "right" to put her down, but that doesn't make it the right thing to do.

If your precious senior yorkie just started having accidents, it could be due to age, but from what you have shared with us, she has an owner problem, not a house training problem. She has an owner who, for 14 1/2 years didn't spend the time or put forth the effort to house train her and now wants to give her a death sentence because of it.

If you think YTers seem a bit harsh, well, most of us would cherish the thought of having our babies for as long as you have had your girl and would gladly take care of them for the rest of their natural life. For many of us, include me in this category, we have had Yorkies who have left us way too soon and the hole they left in our heart will never fully heal.

I agree that there is a time when we must make decisions regarding our pets. We had to make the heart wrenching decision for Boo, our 15 1/2 year old Boxer, NOT because she was losing bowel and bladder control, or because she had a heart problem that required expensive medication, or because she was deaf and almost blind. Nor did we make the decision because hubby and I couldn't go on vacations 'cause we chose to take care of Boo in her final years. The day she could not stand and would not eat, we called her vet and made an appointment for him to come to our home. We let her go with hubby holding her in his lap, me holding her paw and the three of us crying our eyes out.

I only wish the same for every beloved pet.

If you have children and make the choice to kill this pet of 14 1/2 years because you are finally tired of cleaning up after her, what lesson are you teaching the kids?

Senior female dogs often have trouble controlling their bladder, and sometimes their bowels. Your dog is small and never been properly potty trained on top it.

We've had senior female dogs who benefited from a daily medication to help with bladder control. I can't think of what the med is called.

Potty training in the senior years is likely not going to work fully, but I would still commit to increasing the frequency of her outdoor trips, and I would praise her each time she went potty in the right place. Reward her with a small treat too (we use a couple pieces of kibble).

You could also try piddle pads and diapers. If you use diapers, be sure to change frequently and take care of them properly to prevent skin problems.

I agree with posts above to keep in mind that one day you too will be a senior and likely have to depend on someone to help clean up after you. Be compassionate to your dog.

My Yorkies are 7 and 8 and we've had more than few nights of missing sleep, having to do butt washes every hour, clean up, because they were sick. It's not fun, but I made a commitment to take care of them, and I do it willingly with my whole heart. They are helpless, living beings. No different than a human baby.

If you are not able to fulfill your commitment, please contact a Yorkie rescue group.

I think you wanted to come here to get the permission your consciousness isn't granting you which is to put the dog down and validate it on the basis of age.

My mom was going through the same thing with her Yorkie and considered the same thing and I told her that I thought she was a selfish person. She'd 'had enough' was 'tired' and 'tried everything' or 'didn't know what else to do'. The dog can't help that it is aging and that shouldn't be used as a way to ease your consciousness because you don't want to deal with it anymore. Like you, my mom didn't bother to do things early on in the dogs life and had to deal with the outcome later. But, instead of deal with it like a loving pet owner, she wanted to end it like a selfish child.

But, if YOU want to give up, that's understandable even though you did promise to love this dog for it's WHOLE life when you bought it and it was fun and cute and young at 8 weeks old.

Like others have said, I'd recommend surrendering your dog to a rescue so you can sleep at night knowing that you didn't put it down to make you feel better.

Plus, your son might respect you instead of resent you for making a choice which only benefits you.

I know my post might sound harsh but, despite that and the fact that truth often hurts, I can relate with what you're going through but I don't think you've truly stepped back and thought about what you're thinking about doing which is ending a life. Just don't do something you'll regret. You can't take the wrong decision back.

Wow, thank you for sharing such a heart-felt story, Captainzing. Such a sweet meaningful story.

My past Bibi had a heart condition at 8 years old and was on medication for the remainder of her life. I didn't realize small dogs live a longer life back then, so I thought she was going to leave us soon. So each day of every month, of every year, I cherished her time with us. As an ignorant dog owner, our family didn't know how to properly house train her either. There were many times when she had accidents, including in my bed. But we LOVED her so much. It hurts even when I think about her now after 5 years she's left us.

At 17 years, she lost mobility in her hind legs and could not stand or walk. I still remember that day she realized she couldn't stand up anymore. She was crying and begging me with her eyes to help her. I got her a brand new pink dog wheelchair. It took some time for her to get accustomed to it. Then, we all saw how happy she was again, running around in her wheelchair! It was the cutest thing! We put diapers on her because she could no longer potty on her own. She slept in my bed each night with her diaper on, and I comforted her each night and prayed that she'd be okay. Occasionally she'd wake up, forgetting that she couldn't stand up and would cry. She later became blind, lost her hearing, and became senile, but and ate/pooped/peed regularly. It wasn't until she turned 19 that we felt it was finally 'time' and she hadn't passed away naturally that we had to put her down.

Bibi had a very long and happy life. We did everything we possibly could for her and accepted all her flaws for what she was. When she left us, I didn't know such pain was possible. She was really more than family to us.

To Sandyx7: I can imagine your frustration of land mines, it's definitely not fun. It's probably too late for house training now too, since she's an elderly dog with health issues. I would probably put a diaper on her and do what you can. If though, you find her existence to be a nuisance, which I cannot relate to, I'd suggest that you surrender her and hopefully find her a new home, if possible, before choosing to end her life. That would be sad. But not as sad as putting her down if she still has a decent quality of life.

To answer your original question, no one can really tell you whether it's okay to put your dog down because she has accidents and you're tired of cleaning up after her. Only you can decide that.

Hi this post nearly broke my heart. I understand being frustrated.

My yorkie is 8 yrs old and has never been completely housebroken. No problem I love her anyway. She'll go weeks with no problems then she'll slide.
She gives me love no matter what. To have a pup for so long and even consider putting her down goes against my nature. I keep thinking would you do this to a child if they had some sort of problem. I commend your son for his comment.

Matese the more you post the better I like you. You made me cry too. You are such a good Yorkie mommy.:animal36

I agree with posts above and OP has received great advice.

Only thing I'll add to the conversation is that I don't necessarily think rehoming or giving to a rescue is the best option. It can very hard to get older senior dogs with bladder issues to be adopted out, first of all, and second, it's plain hard on the dog. In a few cases, euthanizing almost seems kinder, IMO.

I can definitely understand the frustration. I don't think I could live with a dog who had accidents all the time unless there was a medical issue that popped up of course. Just like people, dogs get older, and can sometimes not hold their bladder anymore. But that's why I worked so hard with Jackson as a pup to properly potty train him. It sounds to me like she was never trained so its just sad that is having to suffer now for owners mistakes but I don't want to shame you or judge you. We all have our limits. I will just say it makes my heart hurt a little. :(

Hmmm... That's a valid point. Can't imagine how the poor baby would feel if she had to suddenly change homes. Or be abandoned. It's so sad...

They give us such unconditional love, I cannot not reciprocate. :(

This post hurts my heart as we have been going through some health things with our dog and when we first talked to the vet, I broke down worrying about losing her. Things seem to be improving but that fear is still there.

Sophie is only 7...I'd do anything to know I would be blessed to have her 14+ years. She has habits that irritate me to no end sometimes but I learned last week that when she's quiet or withdrawn, I'm silently pleading with her to be the little diva that she is. I was so excited when I heard her standing beside me in the kitchen barking for a cookie and while it will annoy me time to time, I will never take it for granted because one day I will be wishing to hear that little bark again.

I don't have much to offer because like was already mentioned, rehoming may stress her out more and you've been given great advice by everyone else. Just please think of all the love she's given you and it's not her fault she wasn't fully housebroken. You've had her her whole life and it breaks my heart for her that you seem to not want her because she is no longer able be the dog you want her to be.

:love:

Jackson is 8 and he really hasn't showed signs of slowing down much and OMG some of the things he will still do... I would've been annoyed with when he was a pup but now I find them so endearing LOL.

Like when I am sitting at my computer and he wants my attention, he will go run into the other room and find things to chew (a pen, a bottle cap lid, random!! stuff) and come and start flinging it around because he just *knows* that I am going to have to get up to take it from him. I'll tell him drop it, he does, and then when I try to go grab it, he will pick it up again and play with it. Then I of course end up on the floor playing with him -- his ultimate goal :p

So yeah when my 8 year old dog starts chewing things inappropriately, I just smile. It makes me feel good that HE still feels that good. I can literally not even think about the day he is not around. My heart aches, I can't even think about it. He has become such a part of me. I can hardly remember my life without him. He has been constant partner in crime for 8 years!! I would give anything to keep him around for as many more years to come.

Dexter will do the same thing :)

I'm really unsure what to say here, to be totally honest. I feel SO badly for this pup bc of the situation she is in...vulnerable, frail, old, fragile health. I feel bad for the owner, who it seems has never fully bonded with this little kiddo. I wish you had made a decision re-home her years and years ago, when the potty training first failed.

If you think she truly has a lot of life left in her, then I suggest you start talking to yorkie rescues where you can surrender her. But like others have pointed out...I can see it being just super tough on her at this point, to re-home.

And I need to really point something out here -- you said she has "difficulty walking" but is not in pain. The truth is that if she does have difficulty walking, then it's bc she IS in pain. Otherwise, she would walk normal. So, has her walking issues been diagnosed or....????

Also you can get doggie diapers for her if she has a medical condition. My Brandi (RIP) had to wear doggie diapers because she had lost control of her bladder, she was also a senior.

Try getting doggie diapers. They do help and she will be able to sleep in bed with you:p

I think that people are fixating on the dog not being potty trained. Clearly, the dog was at least partially potty trained (few dogs are 100% perfectly potty trained) and is becoming more and more incontinent. This (in combination with the other chronic health problems that were described) *could* be one of the signs that the dog is nearing the end of its life. This is really a conversation that should be had with the veterinarian, who has the dog's medical records in front of them.

I totally agree with you. The disc problem can be causing some nerve damage and incontinence. I also hear the op loves this dog, diva dogs come form love and attention. Its so hard to make the call when its time to let go that we look for approval but it comes down to the fact we just have to make that call all be our selves and some help from our Vets but I have never found a Vet that helped that much with it.

I have to disagree that few dogs are 100% potty trained. Callie absolutely will not go in the house I have had to take her out in hurricanes and big snow storms. All the dogs I grew up with didn't have accidents either until they got very old. Most of my family who has dogs has fully potty trained dogs as well. Being deaf and having cateracts is not a reason to put a dog down. I have seen deaf and blind dogs live happy lives. I think honestly most dogs get arthritis when they get older but its treatable. Those issues don't seem end of life bad. If the dog is suffering from lack of love and not wanted plus the issues she has then it might be better for her to be put down. I have seen dogs with much worse issues get treatment and live even longer happy.

By 100% potty trained, I mean NEVER have an accident. But my main point is that whatever degree of potty training the OP's dog had has now been completely lost. I don't remember my childhood German Shepherd ever having an "accident" (although I have to admit that it would have been my parents who would have found one and cleaned it up). However, she became completely incontinent during the last weeks of her life as she underwent kidney failure. I cleaned up after her then, until one day while I was at school, my parents had her put down and buried in the back yard without my knowing about it. I was traumatized because I didn't get a chance to say goodbye...

Be that as it may, it would be wonderful if vets were trained to help people make end-of-life decisions for pets. It's difficult for pet owners to judge whether their pet is suffering, or whether the owner is being selfish in wanting a suffering dog to stick around purely for the owner's benefit. I feel for the OP, and I don't think that we in Yorkietalk have enough information to judge the owner's heart or make a decision that is better made between the owner and veterinarian, taking the health and happiness of the dog into account.

Omg
 

Can you put her down after 14 years of devotion, and unconditional love? I swear i can wash wee and poo all day long just to have all my dead babies back:(

I think this applies to everything


How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
George Washington Carver
Botanist, Agricultural Chemist, Inventor, Educator