MAJOR problem/question any advice is helpful

[Rem&Silkmom]

Sounds like he was never socialized. When dogs are not exposed to different people and enviroments they can get very stressed when removed from what they know. It depends on the dog. I know the vet can give them light sedatives to keep them calm. Then I would contact a trainer specializing in behavior. They would have the answers. According to Cesar's book if the dog is acting like this and you try to sooth him by talking sweet and getting all worked up the dog takes those signals and continues the behavior. Its like positive reinforcement for this behavior. Sounds like you need a visit from Cesar.

[livingdustmops]

Wow, this thread really concerns me as a rescue person as I have seen this. This poor dog is scared out of his mind and is in a complete melt down. I can only compare it to if someone broke into your house and held you at gunpoint or was going to rape you. I applaud your concern but frankly if the care givers are not willing to work with this little one I really don't see anything changing. It takes a great deal of time and special attention to make them trust and not go into a complete fear mode. It is a very slow process and rushing anything will only make it worse. A positive (woman based on not liking you) trainer would be in order but the family will have to make the commitment. It also needs a dental if it teeth are rotten. If the teeth are not cleaned it will slowly poison their whole system and will kill them. And yes this little one can die of fear by having a heart attack if his system is compromised.

Most Yorkies are really a one person dog who will always stick to their main persons heels so to me this is normal. My gang of 10 follow me where ever I go even if other people are in the house.

Good Luck but please be patient with this little one.

[SnowWa]

I think the "poor little baby" (and, I wouldn't call him that!) is spoiled rotten.

It's amazing what people can do to a dog - believing that they are making it "oh, so happy." They have created a little dog that is a nervous neurotic wreck totally incapable of living outside the "isolated, spoiled environment they have created."

What can I say -- I just wouldn't take care of it for them. I'd tell them that their little guy needs a live-in house babysitter, and I don't even know how he'd handle that.

I can't imagine driving to their house three times a day - cooking special food - and trying to take care of a little dog that doesn't even like me.

I really think their little guy is "their problem." I would suggest that they see a "behavioral specialist" ---and I almost never say this. But, you know, it's them (not the dog) that is going to have to be retrained....if possible!

I think you are really being understanding considering all that's going on. But - I would just say, "Thanks - but no thanks!"

I really don't even know what to say. People are coming up with medication -and things like that - but it really should never even have reached this point. It is sooooo much their problem - not yours!!!!!

Good luck -

Carol Jean

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I think the "poor little baby" (and, I wouldn't call him that!) is spoiled rotten.

It's amazing what people can do to a dog - believing that they are making it "oh, so happy." They have created a little dog that is a nervous neurotic wreck totally incapable of living outside the "isolated, spoiled environment they have created."

What can I say -- I just wouldn't take care of it for them. I'd tell them that their little guy needs a live-in house babysitter, and I don't even know how he'd handle that.

I can't imagine driving to their house three times a day - cooking special food - and trying to take care of a little dog that doesn't even like me.

I really think their little guy is "their problem." I would suggest that they see a "behavioral specialist" ---and I almost never say this. But, you know, it's them (not the dog) that is going to have to be retrained....if possible!

I think you are really being understanding considering all that's going on. But - I would just say, "Thanks - but no thanks!"

I really don't even know what to say. People are coming up with medication -and things like that - but it really should never even have reached this point. It is sooooo much their problem - not yours!!!!!

Good luck -

Carol Jean

Hey Carol...I think he's doing it to please his girlfriend. Kissy kissy smoochy smooch! LOL

[Raisingirl]

I think that what SnowWa said is probably the best way to deal with it. Your GF's parents don't think there is a problem so they will unlikely deal with it. They are probably less likely to do anything about it if they think the dog is "only" afraid of one person, who isn't necessarily a dog expert.

I wonder if they have ever tried boarding him, and if so maybe if they got feedback from the vet's office or the boarding and some recommendations of behavioral training they would be more likely to accept the advice.

Maybe too your GF could take it to the vet and explain some of the dog's problems rather than the parents taking the dog. It would definitely be in his best interest, and maybe she can learn some other techniques to better socialize him.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Wow, this thread really concerns me as a rescue person as I have seen this. This poor dog is scared out of his mind and is in a complete melt down. I can only compare it to if someone broke into your house and held you at gunpoint or was going to rape you. I applaud your concern but frankly if the care givers are not willing to work with this little one I really don't see anything changing. It takes a great deal of time and special attention to make them trust and not go into a complete fear mode. It is a very slow process and rushing anything will only make it worse. A positive (woman based on not liking you) trainer would be in order but the family will have to make the commitment. It also needs a dental if it teeth are rotten. If the teeth are not cleaned it will slowly poison their whole system and will kill them. And yes this little one can die of fear by having a heart attack if his system is compromised.

Most Yorkies are really a one person dog who will always stick to their main persons heels so to me this is normal. My gang of 10 follow me where ever I go even if other people are in the house.

Good Luck but please be patient with this little one.

Great post and on the Dental work - this dog NEEDS to have his teeth cleaned at the very least - Cindy is right - rotten teeth can kill them ...and if these people REALLY love him - they should do this right away

Course - he may have a 'melt down' as Cindy put it...but with all that I just read here - this little yorkie has led TOO Sheltered a life. You can't blame HIM for how he acts - it's the fault of the people who are in charge of him. Poor little guy

[teffiemoore]

OMG, this sounds like a family member of mines dog. Although its a CHI. Family has done the same thing to this dog. ITs 5 years old, eats nothing but cooked chicken, hates everyone but_______. Growls and barks at all others. Its quite annoying and has made everyone else in the family sort of despise the situation, espcially when we have to take care of her when____is checked out,lol, won't go into detail, . You have a most difficult situation to handle here. You can bring IT some chicken or just try and mentally disengage from ordeal. You sound like you've been quite patient so far with trying different things. Its sad for the little guy that his master/owner will not take charge of him. His health and well being is suffering for it. You don't have to have a education to raise children or pets.Its funny to watch people who have a hard time setting boundaries for themselves,can't set them for their pets either. They feel like boundaries cause suffering when they really for safety and structure. Oh well.... Good luck.

[sshaw]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

I'm sorry, I had to laugh when you said he crapped on your toe! No wonder you called him an it! LOL Well, your gf's mother is babying him to death. And with you around AND she's not there? This dog is going nucking futs!!!! Maybe you should get a Yorkie of your own. Whatdaya say?

I also am cracking up over the toe thing, glad I am not the only one.

More and more it sounds like mom is responsible for this behavior though I have no idea how you can correct that as she does not sound like she is to interested in anything other than the status quo. You could try talking with her when she comes back, explaining what has been happening and suggesting that you both try to work together to correct this behavior. Maybe allow her to read all the posts here will enlighten her a little as some good advice has been offered and am sure there will be more to come.

[Tophersmom]

The poor thing...definitely sounds like an anxiety attack to me! I hope the poor little thing will gradually be socialized..for his own good. They aren't doing the dog any favours by sheltering it so.

A dog we rescued from the pound many years ago was absolutely terrified of my husband....and all men as a matter of fact. (She had been abused by her previous owner...a man) I contacted a dog psychologist and she recommended that hubby hand feed the dog for a couple of weeks...that he be the ONLY one to feed the dog. It took some time, and patience on his behalf, but it worked, and the dog came to love him immensely. I hope you're able to bond with the dog. It's not his fault that he's acting that way...it does sound like there was abuse somewhere in his past.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Tophersmom

The poor thing...definitely sounds like an anxiety attack to me! I hope the poor little thing will gradually be socialized..for his own good. They aren't doing the dog any favours by sheltering it so.

A dog we rescued from the pound many years ago was absolutely terrified of my husband....and all men as a matter of fact. (She had been abused by her previous owner...a man) I contacted a dog psychologist and she recommended that hubby hand feed the dog for a couple of weeks...that he be the ONLY one to feed the dog. It took some time, and patience on his behalf, but it worked, and the dog came to love him immensely. I hope you're able to bond with the dog. It's not his fault that he's acting that way...it does sound like there was abuse somewhere in his past.

Awww, that's so wonderful and great! Nice job mom!