Adopted Yorkie

[Mary Edith]

We have only had our Yorkie for 5 days and I don't really know the breed traits. He is 6 and neutered but he gets a bit hyper at night. We walk him before bed and when we settle in, he jumps on the bed and digs the covers.

How do I know if he is settling in, I want him to be happy?

[matese]

If he jumps on your bed to sleep with you and starts digging his nest, he's settled in. Yorkies and most dogs will dig at blankets before settling down to go to sleep.

[buddybear]

Congratulations on your adoption!!!!
It sounds like he has found his forever home and he knows it!
My Yorkie is more playful at night also.

[Mary Edith]

Originally Posted by matese

If he jumps on your bed to sleep with you and starts digging his nest, he's settled in. Yorkies and most dogs will dig at blankets before settling down to go to sleep.

Hi Matese, we had a terrier cross for 13 years and we knew her ways inside out. Now we are finding our feet with this new boy. Not sure about his history but he can be defensive, and seems fearful. So we are trying to reassure him he is safe. He does guard his toys but I am not sure if he is playing or being aggressive.

[Mary Edith]

Originally Posted by buddybear

Congratulations on your adoption!!!!
It sounds like he has found his forever home and he knows it!
My Yorkie is more playful at night also.

Hi Buddybear,

He seems happy at times, we have only had him 5 days. Sometimes he scratched at the door even though he has been out. Not sure what he wants ?

[matese]

Originally Posted by Mary Edith

Hi Matese, we had a terrier cross for 13 years and we knew her ways inside out. Now we are finding our feet with this new boy. Not sure about his history but he can be defensive, and seems fearful. So we are trying to reassure him he is safe. He does guard his toys but I am not sure if he is playing or being aggressive.

I also have a rescue he was 2 1/2 when I adopted him, he boned with me overnight. I had to visit my vet the next day, he knew my met and the staff because that is where I got him from, when we got into the exam room he climbed up my body onto my shoulder like a parrot lol, my vet was amazed at how fast he trusted me. With rescues, not knowing their past, how they were treated or "mistreated", it takes time for a dog to bond, build trust in his new humans, and regain his confidence. I am very fortunate to know my boys past and am still in contact with his prev. owner. My boy was gotten for a 8 yo child. He had no toys, no chew things. They didn't want this dog to play with anything but the child, this little girl doted on this dog, carried him around like he was a baby. The dog became very sick, the mom just had a baby and had no finances for medical care for the dog, so he had to go. When I got him I knew nothing about his past for the first 4 weeks I had him. I bought him every kind of toy because I didn't know what he liked, he played with nothing, not even a ball. I couldn't entice him with anything. Then I spoke to the prev, owner and discovered he never had a toy, or any chews. So off I went to buy him chews and that is what he guarded. If he was chewing his body would stiffen up if I walked near him, you could tell he was afraid it was going to be taken away from him. I would tell him goooood boy you have your chewy. I would not walk near him when he had his chew, and would always tell him what a good boy he was. After a week I would stroke his back, his body would stiffen, so only 2 strokes and I left him alone. To get him away from his chew I would offer him a treat, then I would pick up the chew and put it away and give it to him the next day, I only let him chew for an hour. I did this about 3 weeks, I would let him chew in disturbed for 30 minutes, then I would stroke his back always saying gooood boy Cody has his chewy. After 3 weeks he saw I was not going to take his chew away, now after 3 years he is not obsessed with his chews, he plays with them a lot then chews a bit.
Your boy may never had, had any toys and that's he "may" be guarding them out of fear they will be taken from him, I would leave him alone when he's with his toys, but, have a ball that you keep that is NOT one of HIS toys, roll or toss it and play with him and just that ball.
You only have him 5 days, he is still adjusting to his new home, new humans, new routine, if you took him out and he scratches at the door maybe he needs to stay out longer, I would harness him up and take him out again.

When I got my boy I didn't know what words were used for pooping and peeing, I have always used the word poo-poo and pee-pee, every time Cody peed I would clap my hands and say gooood boy, Cody made a pee-pee, same thing for when he pooped. When we are inside I ask him do you have to MAKE a pee pee, or poo poo, now all I say is do you have to MAKE and off to the door he heads. Maybe you can train him that way to ley you know needs more, longer outside time.

It takes some rescues months to gain trust that they are in their forever home. Do not scold him in harsh tones, speak to him gently, he will come around in his time on his terms, do not force him into anything you see he does not want to do.

Training basic commands help in bonding with dogs, sit, stay, come, leave it, drop . Give high value treats when he gets it right, lots of praise, happy dance and clapping your hands to show him how pleased you are when he gets things right. Lots of patience is key to gaining his trust and confidence in his new family.

[dinkster]

Little dogs are emotional, and Yorkies are very emotional.
You will figure him out. He will probably look to you for some direction. I think protecting the toys could become a problem, so I would let him know that you expect him to let you take his toys.
I would also touch him everywhere. Someone gave me this advice when we got Dink, and it really helps when we have to give him meds, check his ears, mess with his feet, whatever, He might let you do that now, but I would suggest working at it.
the digging in before sleep is a good sign, I think. he is making a place for himself.
Enjoy this little guy!

[Mary Edith]

Originally Posted by matese

I also have a rescue he was 2 1/2 when I adopted him, he boned with me overnight. I had to visit my vet the next day, he knew my met and the staff because that is where I got him from, when we got into the exam room he climbed up my body onto my shoulder like a parrot lol, my vet was amazed at how fast he trusted me. With rescues, not knowing their past, how they were treated or "mistreated", it takes time for a dog to bond, build trust in his new humans, and regain his confidence. I am very fortunate to know my boys past and am still in contact with his prev. owner. My boy was gotten for a 8 yo child. He had no toys, no chew things. They didn't want this dog to play with anything but the child, this little girl doted on this dog, carried him around like he was a baby. The dog became very sick, the mom just had a baby and had no finances for medical care for the dog, so he had to go. When I got him I knew nothing about his past for the first 4 weeks I had him. I bought him every kind of toy because I didn't know what he liked, he played with nothing, not even a ball. I couldn't entice him with anything. Then I spoke to the prev, owner and discovered he never had a toy, or any chews. So off I went to buy him chews and that is what he guarded. If he was chewing his body would stiffen up if I walked near him, you could tell he was afraid it was going to be taken away from him. I would tell him goooood boy you have your chewy. I would not walk near him when he had his chew, and would always tell him what a good boy he was. After a week I would stroke his back, his body would stiffen, so only 2 strokes and I left him alone. To get him away from his chew I would offer him a treat, then I would pick up the chew and put it away and give it to him the next day, I only let him chew for an hour. I did this about 3 weeks, I would let him chew in disturbed for 30 minutes, then I would stroke his back always saying gooood boy Cody has his chewy. After 3 weeks he saw I was not going to take his chew away, now after 3 years he is not obsessed with his chews, he plays with them a lot then chews a bit.
Your boy may never had, had any toys and that's he "may" be guarding them out of fear they will be taken from him, I would leave him alone when he's with his toys, but, have a ball that you keep that is NOT one of HIS toys, roll or toss it and play with him and just that ball.
You only have him 5 days, he is still adjusting to his new home, new humans, new routine, if you took him out and he scratches at the door maybe he needs to stay out longer, I would harness him up and take him out again.

When I got my boy I didn't know what words were used for pooping and peeing, I have always used the word poo-poo and pee-pee, every time Cody peed I would clap my hands and say gooood boy, Cody made a pee-pee, same thing for when he pooped. When we are inside I ask him do you have to MAKE a pee pee, or poo poo, now all I say is do you have to MAKE and off to the door he heads. Maybe you can train him that way to ley you know needs more, longer outside time.

It takes some rescues months to gain trust that they are in their forever home. Do not scold him in harsh tones, speak to him gently, he will come around in his time on his terms, do not force him into anything you see he does not want to do.

Training basic commands help in bonding with dogs, sit, stay, come, leave it, drop . Give high value treats when he gets it right, lots of praise, happy dance and clapping your hands to show him how pleased you are when he gets things right. Lots of patience is key to gaining his trust and confidence in his new family.

Thank you for taking the time to reply Matese. I am finding Geoff settles a bit more everyday. I gave him a chew bone today and he lost interest very quickly, I think he is realising there is no threat.
He played fetch with his ball in the garden and brought it back. He let me lift it when I approached slowly, he doesn't like sudden movements. We also did two walks today with great distraction if he felt threatened and no barking.

[Mary Edith]

Originally Posted by dinkster

Little dogs are emotional, and Yorkies are very emotional.
You will figure him out. He will probably look to you for some direction. I think protecting the toys could become a problem, so I would let him know that you expect him to let you take his toys.
I would also touch him everywhere. Someone gave me this advice when we got Dink, and it really helps when we have to give him meds, check his ears, mess with his feet, whatever, He might let you do that now, but I would suggest working at it.
the digging in before sleep is a good sign, I think. he is making a place for himself.
Enjoy this little guy!

Thanks Dinkster,

He likes being touched, not lifted but stroked on the ground. He had a sore eye and he lets me wash and put drops in. Today for the first time to licked my hand, is that a good sign ?

[matese]

Originally Posted by Mary Edith

Thanks Dinkster,

He likes being touched, not lifted but stroked on the ground. He had a sore eye and he lets me wash and put drops in. Today for the first time to licked my hand, is that a good sign ?

That's an excellent sign.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Mary Edith

Thank you for taking the time to reply Matese. I am finding Geoff settles a bit more everyday. I gave him a chew bone today and he lost interest very quickly, I think he is realising there is no threat.
He played fetch with his ball in the garden and brought it back. He let me lift it when I approached slowly, he doesn't like sudden movements. We also did two walks today with great distraction if he felt threatened and no barking.

It just takes time with some rescues to trust their new humans. You will see changes in him everyday. And everyday you are learning more about him. Please keep us updated on his progress in his new home. We LOVE happy endings.

[Mary Edith]

I can see improvements @matese as the days go on.
I think I am nervous of him a bit as the rescue centre did say he can snap. So I am trying to figure out his triggers, both times strangers have tried to touch him and he snapped, but I want him to be friendly so maybe it's a confidence issue.

I am happy to let him do his own thing and let him comes to me for attention. My husband is impatient and wants to pick him up and cuddle him, and he's not really into it. So I am trying to train them both !

[matese]

Originally Posted by Mary Edith

I can see improvements @matese as the days go on.
I think I am nervous of him a bit as the rescue centre did say he can snap. So I am trying to figure out his triggers, both times strangers have tried to touch him and he snapped, but I want him to be friendly so maybe it's a confidence issue.

I am happy to let him do his own thing and let him comes to me for attention. My husband is impatient and wants to pick him up and cuddle him, and he's not really into it. So I am trying to train them both !

You have to relax around him, if you're nervous the dog can sense this and feed off your fear, I know getting your emotions under control is difficult cos no lone wants to get bitten, but you have to show him you have confidence in him. Him being in a shelter, dogs barking, crying, whining, strangers coming and going, this baby was is scared and yes, he would snap out of fear. Once he builds a trust in you and hubby, once he knows he is safe with you and knows no harm will come to him, the snapping "may" stop, if it doesn't you can train that out of him. I wouldn't have strangers around him at this time, he is going through a LOT of adjustments, you and hubby are still strangers to him, let him build his trust with you, when he has 100% confidence in YOU that YOU will protect him, then you can start introducing him to strangers, but limited, say one new person at a time, some dogs don't like ALL ppl, they are just not ppl friendly, It's all about his past, which you will never know about. And yes, let him come to you for attention. Your hubby has to have patience and again can not show his frustration, annoyance , impatience, the dog will sense this and feed off it causing fear in the dog. No picking up, some dogs don't like to be held, have their feet not touch the ground. 3 years and I am still training my rescue he's safe with me when I pick him up and press him against my chest for snuggles and smooches, trusting I am not going to drop him. He has gotten better with that lol, but it's still work in progress. Let your hubby offer him a treat, cheerios are a favorite for a lot of dogs, let the dog jump up on the hubby then give him the treat. Have hubby praise him, stroke him and if the dogs wants down, let him go. Sounds like he is coming around. Do you know how long he was in the shelter.

[Mary Edith]

I know he was in the pound for at least a month, then the shelter. He had been adopted before to a family with teenagers but they returned him because he was snappy with their friends. I think it was a busy house too much coming and going. He was back in the shelter for 2 weeks when we adopted him.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Mary Edith

I know he was in the pound for at least a month, then the shelter. He had been adopted before to a family with teenagers but they returned him because he was snappy with their friends. I think it was a busy house too much coming and going. He was back in the shelter for 2 weeks when we adopted him.

Poor lil guy, he's been through a lot, no wonder he's snappy. Now he's in a calm house, he'll come around as soon as he feels safe, everything in baby steps, to much of anything right now is to over whelming to him. In another week you'll see a greater change in him, he won't be perfect, but he would have come a long way, that is not to say there won't be more work to do with him but it will be better. You're doing a good job mommy.