Adjusting 6mo Yorkie to a new home w/kids - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lovereese2piece · 11-11-2015, 12:49 PM

I adopted a 6 month old Yorkie two days ago from an elderly woman who says that she had been around kids a good bit. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for helping to make her less nervous? (She is no longer nervous with me but was at first) She is jumpy as I'm sure my house is very loud compared to her previous environment. She has been exploring and playing a good deal and has even started using the puppy pads in the correct place. She is extremely nervous with my children but only licks them when they pet her. She is excited by them but too nervous to play with them yet. I'm wondering if there are any tips to help them bond? I don't want her to feel that she only belongs to me. I want to foster a relationship for her with the whole family. I believe with her cute little loving playful personality this will come eventually but was looking for tips to help it along. Thanks!

capt_noonie · 11-11-2015, 01:12 PM

How old are the kids? Keep in mind it's only been two days. You need to give her some time.

lovereese2piece · 11-11-2015, 01:51 PM

Forgot to mention that! They are young -5 and 3 - she is fine with them when we are all together but I think she still sees them as strangers - for example when they wake up in the morning and come to my room she barks at them. I can't tell if she is scared or just excited or maybe both? She jumps up and down like she wants to play but then growls and runs away. They are both somewhat scared of each other. She did sit in my daughter's lap with me right next to them and let her pet her for a little while yesterday. Also tips on calming her when scared and barking would be good. I think she is doing well and will eventually be fine with the kids she is just sticking to me because I represent safety.

Lilah Charm · 11-11-2015, 05:47 PM

I have five children of my own and a nine year old step son on the weekends. My kids are 13,12,9, 7 and five and the youngest four are boys. Knowing that we are kind of a zoo is part of why my small dog choice was the fierce hearted yorkie

that said- I knew some preparation was in order. About a month before Lilah came I set up her ex pen with her two story dog house inside. The top story holds her food and water and the understory is her cave and bed of solace. Any bumping into the ex pen solicited immediate correction. Luckily, we had a month before there was a puppy in it to nip that one in the bud! Her food, her bed, was all protected from the outside world- she had her safe space. This also helped because I work and during potty training (she is an inside potty pad girl) it really kept boundaries clear and accidents to a minimum. Of course we didn't keep her locked in an ex pen the whole time (!) but it gave her a place to call her own and a safe space to chill if needed. We really had to work hard to train the kids how to be safe and respectful around Lilah and because she was treated well and kept safe she could relax and bond- she really loves our kids. We have used baby gates from the beginning and there will never be a time we do not because she is small and needs to be kept safe from a possible door crushing or 'squirrel' moment to her detriment. That also helped with her potty training. Let the kids give treats and pets, go on walks together so she associates them with good things, teach them how to play with her- gently but still so fun! Wiggling a toy and sharing a snack are great bonding moments. Create an environment where you aren't stressing so she doesn't pick up your vibe and stress too. When you are cooking and can't protect her and be right there to monitor your kids- put her in her ex pen with a chew toy or her dinner, let it be a place of comfort and security in a main room where she can still see all the action. I think small dogs can have great lives with kids and that it is an important piece of healthy socialization and development to be around kids but we are also responsible for emotional and physical safety of these little guys and must be diligent dog and human parents to keep everyone safe, happy and well adjusted. Good luck with your new pup and welcome to yorkie talk

lovereese2piece · 11-11-2015, 10:19 PM

Thank you so much! That is very helpful and encouraging! The only place I have for her right now is my bathroom - it's away from everyone though. But I haven't put up the baby gate yet - she is going Pee pee on the pads in there but not poo yet.

JadeD · 11-12-2015, 10:49 AM

She is very young, so she should adjust quickly, but do give her time. With the kids being that young. Let her be your dog, but she does need to respect the kids. My Yorkies sometimes bark when my teenagers come into my bedroom because that is what dogs do. They stop barking when they see who it is.

Watch the puppy closely with the kids as they are too young to be left alone with the dog and not able to be responsible for a dog at their age.

I do believe that they can happily live in the same house and the kids can play with the dog (while supervised).

I took in a 9 year old Yorkie and it took him several months to fully settled in. A 6 months old puppy I would say should settle in quite a bit quicker. I would definitely give her a few weeks to get comfy. Help the kids gets used to her. She will want to play soon enough and then you can show them how to play with her, like throwing a toy. She is still a puppy and could accidentally bite them in her excitement. My 9 months old and almost 10 year old Yorkie sometimes nip me a little while playing, so be sure to show them how to play as safely as you can. If the puppy does bite them even slightly they should be taught to yip sharply or in a high pitched voice say OUCH! and the puppy should know she hurt them on accident.

Good luck! I hope she adjusts well and ends up being a huge part of your family!

lovereese2piece · 11-13-2015, 07:58 PM

Thank you all - things are going wonderfully. We are all so in love with her!! She is really starting to love the kids! My youngest was sitting in my lap and she came over and climbed up and licked his ears. He was delighted. She is starting to bring them toys to throw and play tug. She is a lot less nervous with them now. She is a great fit for our family.

Lilah Charm · 11-14-2015, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovereese2piece

Thank you all - things are going wonderfully. We are all so in love with her!! She is really starting to love the kids! My youngest was sitting in my lap and she came over and climbed up and licked his ears. He was delighted. She is starting to bring them toys to throw and play tug. She is a lot less nervous with them now. She is a great fit for our family.

I'm so glad things are going well for you guys

11-11-2015, 12:49 PM	#1
lovereese2piece YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Decatur Posts: 4	Adjusting 6mo Yorkie to a new home w/kids I adopted a 6 month old Yorkie two days ago from an elderly woman who says that she had been around kids a good bit. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for helping to make her less nervous? (She is no longer nervous with me but was at first) She is jumpy as I'm sure my house is very loud compared to her previous environment. She has been exploring and playing a good deal and has even started using the puppy pads in the correct place. She is extremely nervous with my children but only licks them when they pet her. She is excited by them but too nervous to play with them yet. I'm wondering if there are any tips to help them bond? I don't want her to feel that she only belongs to me. I want to foster a relationship for her with the whole family. I believe with her cute little loving playful personality this will come eventually but was looking for tips to help it along. Thanks!

11-11-2015, 01:12 PM	#2
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	How old are the kids? Keep in mind it's only been two days. You need to give her some time. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

11-11-2015, 05:47 PM	#4
Lilah Charm Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,721	I have five children of my own and a nine year old step son on the weekends. My kids are 13,12,9, 7 and five and the youngest four are boys. Knowing that we are kind of a zoo is part of why my small dog choice was the fierce hearted yorkie that said- I knew some preparation was in order. About a month before Lilah came I set up her ex pen with her two story dog house inside. The top story holds her food and water and the understory is her cave and bed of solace. Any bumping into the ex pen solicited immediate correction. Luckily, we had a month before there was a puppy in it to nip that one in the bud! Her food, her bed, was all protected from the outside world- she had her safe space. This also helped because I work and during potty training (she is an inside potty pad girl) it really kept boundaries clear and accidents to a minimum. Of course we didn't keep her locked in an ex pen the whole time (!) but it gave her a place to call her own and a safe space to chill if needed. We really had to work hard to train the kids how to be safe and respectful around Lilah and because she was treated well and kept safe she could relax and bond- she really loves our kids. We have used baby gates from the beginning and there will never be a time we do not because she is small and needs to be kept safe from a possible door crushing or 'squirrel' moment to her detriment. That also helped with her potty training. Let the kids give treats and pets, go on walks together so she associates them with good things, teach them how to play with her- gently but still so fun! Wiggling a toy and sharing a snack are great bonding moments. Create an environment where you aren't stressing so she doesn't pick up your vibe and stress too. When you are cooking and can't protect her and be right there to monitor your kids- put her in her ex pen with a chew toy or her dinner, let it be a place of comfort and security in a main room where she can still see all the action. I think small dogs can have great lives with kids and that it is an important piece of healthy socialization and development to be around kids but we are also responsible for emotional and physical safety of these little guys and must be diligent dog and human parents to keep everyone safe, happy and well adjusted. Good luck with your new pup and welcome to yorkie talk __________________ Alyssa and Lilah

11-12-2015, 10:49 AM	#6
JadeD YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC Posts: 1,201 Blog Entries: 1	She is very young, so she should adjust quickly, but do give her time. With the kids being that young. Let her be your dog, but she does need to respect the kids. My Yorkies sometimes bark when my teenagers come into my bedroom because that is what dogs do. They stop barking when they see who it is. Watch the puppy closely with the kids as they are too young to be left alone with the dog and not able to be responsible for a dog at their age. I do believe that they can happily live in the same house and the kids can play with the dog (while supervised). I took in a 9 year old Yorkie and it took him several months to fully settled in. A 6 months old puppy I would say should settle in quite a bit quicker. I would definitely give her a few weeks to get comfy. Help the kids gets used to her. She will want to play soon enough and then you can show them how to play with her, like throwing a toy. She is still a puppy and could accidentally bite them in her excitement. My 9 months old and almost 10 year old Yorkie sometimes nip me a little while playing, so be sure to show them how to play as safely as you can. If the puppy does bite them even slightly they should be taught to yip sharply or in a high pitched voice say OUCH! and the puppy should know she hurt them on accident. Good luck! I hope she adjusts well and ends up being a huge part of your family! __________________ It's raining Yorkies here! LOL Teek ,Rowan , Raksha (Grand Puppy) , Raelyn

11-11-2015, 01:51 PM	#3
lovereese2piece YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Decatur Posts: 4	Forgot to mention that! They are young -5 and 3 - she is fine with them when we are all together but I think she still sees them as strangers - for example when they wake up in the morning and come to my room she barks at them. I can't tell if she is scared or just excited or maybe both? She jumps up and down like she wants to play but then growls and runs away. They are both somewhat scared of each other. She did sit in my daughter's lap with me right next to them and let her pet her for a little while yesterday. Also tips on calming her when scared and barking would be good. I think she is doing well and will eventually be fine with the kids she is just sticking to me because I represent safety.

11-11-2015, 10:19 PM	#5
lovereese2piece YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Decatur Posts: 4	Thank you so much! That is very helpful and encouraging! The only place I have for her right now is my bathroom - it's away from everyone though. But I haven't put up the baby gate yet - she is going Pee pee on the pads in there but not poo yet.

11-13-2015, 07:58 PM	#7
lovereese2piece YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Decatur Posts: 4	Thank you all - things are going wonderfully. We are all so in love with her!! She is really starting to love the kids! My youngest was sitting in my lap and she came over and climbed up and licked his ears. He was delighted. She is starting to bring them toys to throw and play tug. She is a lot less nervous with them now. She is a great fit for our family.