Do older Yorkies get more demanding?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Tibbe never used to be all that interested in food but as an older dog, he's become more food-obsessed. He used to be on a 'demand' basis, with kibble always in his bowl and he ate only as needed, never gained weight. As he's gotten 8 +, he eats more and more until he was 1 1/2 lbs. over his old 6 lbs. I had to start limiting his food access to two meals a day, 1/4 cup per with a few kibble pieces as needed for treats during the day. Now, Tibbe begins to spend more time nosing around his bowl couple of hours before mealtime and will then come into the den and stand and 'message mommie' by staring endlessly at me an hour or more before mealtime, eventually growling and then barking and running into his bowl in the kitchen if I try to ignore him. He can't stand an empty bowl but if I leave food in it, as I used to do, he'll eat it all! I try to placate him with more games and walkies and so far, it seems to be working. And he's lost some weight, looking trimmer. But that seems to only energize and invigorate his appetite!

His potty breaks have definitely increased as his little body can no longer retain urine as long as he used to. We go out every 2 - 4 hours. The other night around 3:00 a.m., he came whining into bed with me, waking me up, very disturbed acting. I took him outside and he squatted but only momentarily but came back into the house, still acting strange. As I was going back down the hall to the bedroom, I thought I smelled urine and went into the hall bathroom and found he'd peed in there on the floor! This from a dog whose been totally clean in the house since his housebreaking. He'd apparently had to go w/out time to wake me or something but doing so felt wrong to him so he came and fessed up and worried until I found it, cleaned it up. Once that was all over, he was fine again. Ah, the joys of old age and elder problems in our 'babies'!

[Juliealfies mum]

Aww Tibbe fessing up , is just so cute , don't you just love them.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Juliealfies mum

Aww Tibbe fessing up , is just so cute , don't you just love them.

I know it - it's just adorable that he felt troubled that he'd broken his training and had to 'go' in the house and came to me for solace and help in fixing it all.

[Britster]

Jackson's always been somewhat demanding in a lot of ways- lol. But I'd say it's probably gotten worse as he's gotten older. He hasn't really slowed down at all, he's 9, will be 10 in Oct. You'd NEVER know it lol. He is more demanding for physical and mental activity than 3.5 year old cockapoo, Lola. When he wants something, he will let you know. And when he is wanting to play, he will bark over and over again obnoxiously in my face LOL... he also lets me know more when he's ready for breakfast and dinner. He used to not even care about breakfast. ha

[sophia2010]

awe...how precious. Singing seems so calming. Thanks for sharing.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Trini

My little Pixie definitely got more vocal and more needy during the last years of her life. Her eye sight was gradually diminishing and she had lost some of her hearing and I think she felt a bit more vulnerable and was just asking for extra emotional support. Actually some of the memories I cherish most are from those final more demanding years. Pixie had always been a my little girl and deeply bonded but towards the end of her life she became totally inseparable from me. If I had to go out somewhere where I couldn't take her my husband said she would just wait by the door the entire time I was gone...wouldn't eat or go outside to do her business until I got home and she wouldn't let him pick her up to comfort her. I have loved, and love, all our doggies, but my precious little Pixie was extra special and I will always deeply miss her.

Trini

So sweet. All of these stories just confirm what I'm going through with Eddie. It's nice to see so many others see these changes as endearing too.

[browniesmom622]

Yes ! Brownie started when he hit 12-13 always asking for something all day now the other two have started constantly asking for something.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

Yes ! Brownie started when he hit 12-13 always asking for something all day now the other two have started constantly asking for something.

So funny. I don't remember the same thing with other breeds I've owned. Just another endearing quirk about Yorkies!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

Yes ! Brownie started when he hit 12-13 always asking for something all day now the other two have started constantly asking for something.

When I had multiple dogs they too were quick to ape one another if they thought they too could get an increased chance to get something or get more attention. It was also so cute - nobody ever wanted to be left out of the getting.

[chestermama]

Chester does that he's 15.5