Oh, thank you so much for being encouraging. I want so much to work this out. Can't imagine there being a day I didn't have to get up in the morning to take out the dog. I think having a reason to get up is very important after one is retired. But you are correct, the getting up in the middle of the night, etc. was getting to me. Hearing someone like you and the others who have encouraged me about camping, about my yorkie adjusting to me :) have been so helpful.

buddybear, your post made me feel better too. Maybe we can manage to get past our puppy stage. I sure have done it a lot of times before. But...we have also just moved across the country and not having anyone to talk to about comparing a yorkie to has been very difficult. Thanks to many of you on here that have been so helpful and encouraging

Whew, getting up at 330am would not make me happy either! LOL.

I got Jackson when he was 9 weeks old. He had a lottt of energy when he was younger. Well, he's 9 years old and STILL does (but I love that about him- as I wanted a hiking/walking partner, etc) but he has much more of an "off switch" now.

I taught Jackson early on I wanted my sleep though. To be honest, at 7 months old, he should not still be getting you up in the middle of the night. Is he crated, or what are his sleeping arrangements?

Also, besides physical exercise... something to mentally wear your pup out... check out some puzzle type toys. They have many toys that make the dog have to WORK for their food and it lets them use their brain and get self-rewarded and can keep them busy for a bit.

A regular Kong toy is always great. You can stuff it with treats and then use peanut butter to fill it and freeze it for a long lasting treat.

Kong Wobbler is a fun food dispensing toy that the dog has to learn to knock over to get the food out of the little hole.

Nina Ottoman toys are good.

Just some suggestions for you. :)

I definitely think training will help strengthen a bond.

Also- I can understand being overwhelmed by a Yorkie coming from a Shihtzu. Every Shihtzu I've been around (I'm a dog walker) has been SO laid back. Like just the most chill little things ever. They'll go for a little stroll and that satisfies them. Most Yorkies are like little energizer bunnies especially when they are younger.

another great post
 

Britster, thanks so much for the time. I kept trying to remember if my little shih tsu was so active as a puppy and in truth, I know I had as many scratches and band-aids on my hands from playing but sometimes when we get a new pup, we always think the last one was easier. That's probably because I'm older :) you are right though my shih tsu was very sweet and quiet. That doesn't mean I can't get used to another type dog. That's the fun of dogs...we've had a lab, a sheltie a shih tsu and now Charlie since we've been married. Charlie is still crated and what I'm worried about is that I have taught him to cray in the night so he can go out and get attention. Will find that out at the trainers tonight I suppose.

I sent you a pm.

Buddybear was 11 months when we had a health scare. I put him to bed in his crate in another room and he cried for a l-o-n-g time. Dh was set against him sleeping on our bed, but relented and he is sleeping on the bed ever since and only occasionally needs to go out in the middle of the night.

I like our snuggle time and we have bonded closer. Jmo:p

I definitely think that every puppy is different and everyone’s puppy training experience is different. I’ll be the first to admit that I tend to form bad habits with my dogs. Ie, letting them sleep with us, run the house, etc. We just got a 12 week old yorkie male, and I can already tell he is going to be completely different to train than our 7 year old female yorkie was. He’s a little biting ball of energy. I don’t necessarily think he is too much for you. I just don’t think you have found your grove yet with him. You’ve got this. The training will definitely help. Don’t give up yet. :)

I think so too
 

:thumbup:

We had a Shih Tzu for 15 years. A Shih Tzu has little in common with any Terrier - temperament wise. The Shih Tzu is an adorable lively puppy but they mature into a much less aggressive and lively dog than a Yorkie would be. They are just bred for different things. The Yorkie was bred to go into holes and walls to kill rodents. Imagine the kind of stamina and bravery needed for such a job! They are determined little dogs. Feisty! Terriers have genes that are different than other dogs that do not have hundreds of generations of breeding for such aggressive work. They are still dogs though and love their people and are very loyal although I often wonder about Buster who might just leave with anyone who he meets up with!:rolleyes: He just loves everyone.
Gracie was our first experience with a terrier. She was amazing! So small and so lacking in fear of any kind! We spent so much time just laughing because of her very fearless nature and comical behavior. She was definitely different than any of the other dogs either of us had throughout our lives. If you do not think you can deal with that kind of a dog then I feel sorry for that pup and you. You will always be trying to make him be something he is not. He needs a lot of exercise. I found that taking Gracie on at least two long walks a day made things much easier. A tired puppy or young adult dog is less likely to be looking for things to get into. A Yorkie has that inner energy telling them that they need to be doing something! They are frustrated if they do not have a job and if they do not have an outlet for that energy.
Gracie is 7 years old now and is not getting into things all the time like when she was young but she still follows me around the house and likes to boss the cats around some. I will always have at least one or two Yorkies. I love the terrier temperament but they are not for everyone. They cannot be trained in the same way other dogs are trained. Their genetics make them what they are and you are fighting against more than just a strong will if you try to force them to change. You can have a well behaved Yorkie but you may need to change your methods of training to achieve that.

gracielove--Ain't it the truth, though?! Piper is a true representative of her breed...stubborn, willful, relentless, determined, laser-focused (on what interests her) and doesn't miss a trick--that alone makes training interesting! She is also energized, but snuggly; independent yet attached; demanding, but ever-so-patient. A totally impossible little thing who is everything I never knew I wanted...she is cherished, needed and always loved beyond all reason! Piper is a Yorkie and that pretty much says it all, yes?!