is our Yorkie too much for us

[Bookaholic]

We have a 7 month old Yorkie. I have been working very hard with him both for housebreaking and behavior (you know...barking and such). Last night my better half asked me if he was just too active a dog for us. We like to camp and are afraid he'll be too much of a barker. Here's the thing...I don't want to keep him just because I want to "win" and make him a better dog. I want to keep him because I've come to care a lot. Could you tell me your experiences? Will he slow down a little if I continue to work with him? After all, it is winter so he's not getting enough exercise.

[Jkpal]

I don't know if "care a lot" is a good enough reason to keep this puppy. He is behaving (playful, energetic) as any puppy should! Yorkies are known to be vocal, but that doesn't mean yours will be "too much of barker." I don't think you researched Yorkies or maybe any dog breed in order to find the best fit for you and yours. Right now, I think the puppy deserves a different home; one where he is accepted for who and what he is, which combined with gentle training, patience and tons of love, will make him a fine little Yorkie gentleman. I think finding him a new home is most fair to him because I don't think you understand or love him nearly the way he deserves to be loved. Then, you and your guy can do some homework and find which kind of dog is best suited to your needs, wants, and lifestyle. Please remember, it's all about the dog and always what is best for him.

[matese]

Welcome to YT. Yorkies are high energy dogs, as puppies they love to run and play wild, they have a lot of energy to burn off. As Jkpal has asked, did you research the yorkie breed before buying him.

I had a pack of 3 (now all passed) and we camped for 20 years with no problems. Yes, yorkies are very verbal one of the reasons I absolutely LOVE the breed, they let you know what they want and when the want it. Yorkies need a lot of attention, yorkies need to be near / with their humans when ever the are home. Barking comes with all dogs, excessive barking can be controlled with training.

Perhaps taking him to obedience school will help you. They train YOU how to train the dog, you may be using the wrong training techniques with this baby.

Yorkies are terriers they have short concentration span, teaching commands should be no more then 5 to 7 minutes sessions, longer then that the dog loses focus, interest, gets bored. So short but frequent training is a must with any terrier breed. Lots of praise and his fav. treat when he gets a command right. Train only ONE command at a time, when he has that command down pat then move on to a new command.

No scolding, no voice raising should be used if he is not getting commands as fast as you may feel he should be. Yorkies are very smart dogs if trained properly.

As for indoor activity during winter months, playing fetch indoors is good, some members use a laser beam that the dog will chase after. Yorkies are very active dogs for a good portion of their lives, depending on the individual dog some will get calmer sooner then others. I have had 4 yorkie females that slowed down at 10 years old. I have a 6 yo boy that I adopted when he was 2 1/2 yo, he is the calmest yorkie I have ever had, even at 2 1/2 yo which to me is still a puppy he was very calm.

Lots of patience, praise and treat rewards is needed. I highly recommend obedience school, they will give you the tools to properly train this lil guy of yours.

[Bookaholic]

Thanks for a practical and helpful reply. We did lots of research but...we had a quiet little shih tsu for 12 years which we just lost and I think we had forgotten what raising a puppy was like at our age. It IS definitely about the dog because you see...if we let the "wrong" dog for us ruin what we call our lives then we are being unfair to both ourselves and the dog.

[Bookaholic]

Thanks for a great reply and a picture of what life with a Yorkie can be like. I signed up for an obedience class beginning in two weeks. I think we'll see what that brings and then try to make a practical decision. Can't imagine my life without a dog though. Don't think there has ever been a time in my life I haven't had one to love.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Bookaholic

Thanks for a great reply and a picture of what life with a Yorkie can be like. I signed up for an obedience class beginning in two weeks. I think we'll see what that brings and then try to make a practical decision. Can't imagine my life without a dog though. Don't think there has ever been a time in my life I haven't had one to love.

Fantastic that you have already signed up for classes.

Yorkies are a charming breed, full of personality and big dog attitude, little clowns that will keep you laughing even when being naughty you will still have a smile on your face. Yorkies love to please their humans and learning commands, you praising and giving treat rewards will want this breed to work harder to please you.

Training and working with your yorkie will cause a strong bond between you and your baby.

Yorkies can capture your heart without you ever knowing "you" are owned by a yorkie. They will follow where ever you go just to be close to you, and yes, even follow you to the bathroom lol.

Please stick around, there is much you will learn about this mischievous little breed called a yorkie. And do let us know how the obedience classes are going.

[canana]

It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll get through. Actually, the training in the beginning is super essential. In addition to your patience. They always test you in ways you can't imagine, but if you persevere and think outside the box to train them in other ways, they'll surprise you.

From my experience, Scottie was crazy hyper as a puppy. I read everything about tiring him out with walks, mental training exercises, etc. I did it all. But at the end of the day, he was STILL an energizer bunny! At some point, I recall taking him on 1+ hour walks. I was so tired after work, but I thought it would help him, so I powered through.

Today, at 3.5 years, he's calmed down a lot. Yorkies are very high energy dogs, but I think it's because they are very intelligent dogs. If you train them well, they can be amazing. If you don't train them, they will train you. The game is to have more patience than they do.

Obedience training is a great start! They'll teach you key things for you to use when you're at home. Don't ever stop the training sessions and make it all fun!

PS. I have brought mine camping too. They both can be barkers at home, but we survived and had a great time!

[Bookaholic]

While your post was inspiring, most of all it was practical and I am definitely practical. Charlie and I will do the best we can and we'll work to love one another as much as possible.

[Jkpal]

Originally Posted by Bookaholic

Thanks for a practical and helpful reply. We did lots of research but...we had a quiet little shih tsu for 12 years which we just lost and I think we had forgotten what raising a puppy was like at our age. It IS definitely about the dog because you see...if we let the "wrong" dog for us ruin what we call our lives then we are being unfair to both ourselves and the dog.

Knowing you had a small dog previously and that you recently lost your little love is good information. Of course, you know what small dogs require, but I think the shih tsu breed is quite different from Yorkies (though I may be wrong). You'll receive lots of loving help here and I hope all works out for you all!

[matese]

A yorkie (terrier) cannot be compared to a Shih Tzu.

Yorkies are very high energy.

A yorkie is a toy breed dog as is the Shih Tzu.

A yorkie has hair not fur as does the Shih Tzu.

These are the only things that will compare to a Yorkie, they are completely different in temperament.

[Jkpal]

Thanks for confirming what I believed were differences in temperament, et al.

[Rachael1983]

When I compared Troy to Emma both were picked up at 12 weeks, I thought man Emma is high strung compared to Troy's very laid back personality. LOL I was very concerned, like man what did I just do.

But Emma turns 4 next month and she's calmed down a lot since those puppy days. It sounds like the OP is on the right track. I do think her dog can mesh well with her lifestyle it'll just take some time.

Comparing a shi tzu and yorkie are totally different in temperament . I actually like every shi tzu that I've met. IMO, some aren't as cute as yorkies though LOL but I think they are great dogs.

[Bookaholic]

Sorry guys, I only said we had a shih tsu because something someone said sounded as if they thought I'd never had a dog before. I've had them all of my life. I've just never had a Yorkie before and it seems as if Charlie is high strung AND...I'm older and less good at getting up at 3:30 in the night.

Have enjoyed every answer here. All food for thought.

[buddybear]

Originally Posted by Bookaholic

Sorry guys, I only said we had a shih tsu because something someone said sounded as if they thought I'd never had a dog before. I've had them all of my life. I've just never had a Yorkie before and it seems as if Charlie is high strung AND...I'm older and less good at getting up at 3:30 in the night.

Have enjoyed every answer here. All food for thought.

My dh and I are older also and this is our first yorkie. I was afraid I had made a huge mistake.........his activity level, going out at night (he just made snow out of the pee pads) early riser I am not. We have adjusted to each other. We went to training, and my heart would not be complete without him. I love him so much and he is Very entertaining. I dread the day he passes so much I hesitate to read the posts of rainbow bridge.
I did have him fixed early but he still went through the same puppy phases. He steals almost everyone's heart.

[Jkpal]

Piper is my first Yorkie and I'm on the senior discount side o' things. Pipe is full-of-the-dickens, for sure; and initially I had doubts if we were gonna be okay together! Turns out she's the best thing in the world for me! She gets me out and about; we go for fast-paced walks, I have much more social interaction with Pipe at my side, and she makes me laugh out loud every single day! My life is better, healthier and happier since bringing her home. I believe Piper is heaven sent; I really-truly do...! I mean, I just gotta smile lookin' at her goof-ball little self!