Overwhelmed with Two Yorkies
 

I feel so terrible for saying this, but I'm beginning to feel very overwhelmed with my two yorkie puppies. I am still having trouble with potty training, they fight all the time :eek:, they are very hard to train to sit, come, etc., they are always chewing something up, etc. When I'm working with one, the other goes crazy, when I clean up one's poop, the other pees. It seems like two of them is just too much to handle. Is their anyone with sibling puppies who is having the same problem? For the breeders out there, how do you deal with multiple puppies at once on potty training and other issues? I feel like I run around ragged cleaning up pee and poop and trying to give them enough attention -- there isn't enough of me to go around! I hate to say this, but I'm actually thinking I might need to find another home for one, but I'm so attached to both, I could never pick which one to keep. Help! I'm losing my mind!! :eek:

Don't give up, it will get better. I promise!!!!! I have two babies and they can be a hand full. I don't crate mine, but alot of people do and it does work. Mine will go on a pee pad, so I keep one in the room with them at all times. I also take them outside separatly when it is time to potty, so they do got get distracted and forget to do. Get them lots of chew toys.

I am so sorry to hear that you are having problems....and picking which one to give away just isn't an option :) especially when you are so attached!!! Have you tried putting the two of them in a small area ex: laundry room, kitchen, bathroom etc...so they are not all over the place?? Also you could put one in a kennel while playing with the other and vice versa? I am not really sure...I hope everything gets better!!! Good luck, keep us posted!!

Tara, I'm sorry you're having problems. Even one puppy is a handful. I'd hate for you to lose one of your pups. I think you're just dealing with newness issues. As for them fighting, that's kind of a puppy thing. They are vying for who will be the alpha. You need to make sure you are the alpha "dog" in the household. They will work the rest out for themselves. One will eventually be submissive to the other. The biggest issue for you right now is potty training. Severely restrict where they are allowed to go in your home. Have a corner of a room or a small room where you can put them for some peace. Make it so they can see you, but can't roam. I have a large dog cage for Bo. He can move around easily in there. It's in the corner of my dining room. He can see me when I am cooking supper or in the LR watching TV. Take them out often, every hour. Reward when they come in. If you want a break put them in their crates for a nap. Eventually they'll settle down and you'll be glad you have two. Peer pressure works wonders. If there's one who will catch on to the sit command faster separate him and teach him. Then put them together and reward him when he gets it. The other will pick it up. Hope this helps. I thought I'd also made a mistake getting Bo for a companion for my Schnauzer. Woody hated Bo at first. Now, after 4 months they are best buds. Good luck.

Tara,

WHOA......GOOD LUCK..... I can't imagine having 2 at one time.

When I got Lil Bit I already had a 9 month old chihuahua...but she was 100% paper trained and had learned to lay around and be a bum from my aging greyhound......
The advantages have been
1) Apple (the chi) has 'taught ' Lil Bit about the paper easier if I had tried to teach her myself...

2) They run and play and wear each other out several times a day...actually I rarely get to play with just one or the other without the other joining in.....

3) Lil Bit has learned (from Apple) that if everyone is lazy and sleeping she will just crawl under the heating pad on the couch and sleep also....

The disadvantages....
1) TRAINING!!!!!!! I CANNOT get the attention of one without the other being there causing a total stir!!! My solution was to have my hubby take one outside for a while....or leave one inside and take the other outside by myself.
if this is not an option maybe you can find some toy/chewie they LOVE and get one interested in it (in another room) and spend a few minutes training the first one alone.
I don't think you can train one with the another causing trouble....


OH HECK.....I just sat here and re-read what I had typed so far..... I have no idea how old your pups are or if you are trying to paper train or outside train.

I would suggest you have them confined to a safe room with little that can be damaged........Let them fight it out...they are just trying to figure out who is the #1 dog...........Get some help when trying to train....doing it with 2 pups would be nearly impossible.
If possible get them on a leash (& harness) and start walking as often as possible.....don't let them "pupp" you....you walk them!

Take a breath and try to wait them out...likely when they are older they will settle a bit.

P.S. My favorite advice to ANYONE with a puppy....WEAR THEIR BUTTS OUT!!!!!
"a tired puppy is a good puppy"

how old?
 

How old are your puppies? I also have sibling pups-a boy and a girl; they are 16 weeks old. There are times I feel quite overwhelmed with both of them and wonder "what was I thinking??" :eek: , but like you said- I could never choose just one to keep. I know if I did get rid of one I would NEVER forgive myself! Right now they are like human babies, very time consuming with little positive progress being seen, but it will get better.
I keep my babies corralled in the kitchen area where potty accidents are easy to clean up. I don't let them in the family room until later in the evening when the rest of the family is in there to help supervise them. If they had the run of the whole house I know it would just be too much for one person to handle!! Right now they are not allowed in any rooms except the kitchen/dining room and the family room (sometimes). There are rooms of my house they haven't seen yet and won't be seeing for a while!
I also take them outside to potty often- at least every hour. I don't let them play, just do their business, then back inside. Then I know they are good to go for a while!
I feel your pain... :o Hang in there! It will get better!

awwww...poor thing - I know with just ONE how overwhelming they can be - Is that where the name Yorkie TERRORIST comes from ?

I'm sorry your having such a hard time but I truly believe it gets better as they grow and start learning the routines...really - they have limitless energy right now - but they do calm down ...They may be competing for your attention right now - or as mine are...be just a teensy spoiled. How could they NOT BE ?

I forgot to mention- mine also play fight A LOT. It is mostly just a lot of growling noises, but they can really get going. (We can't even hear the TV over the noise!) On occassion they will get a little carried away and I need to break them up. But for the most part they are only playing and making noise, not hurting each another. Very rarely do either of them let out a squeal like they are in pain. I think as they continue to get a little older they understand what is too rough of play.

awwww...poor thing - I know with just ONE how overwhelming they can be - Is that where the name Yorkie TERRORIST comes from ?

I'm sorry your having such a hard time but I truly believe it gets better as they grow and start learning the routines...really - they have limitless energy right now - but they do calm down ...They may be competing for your attention right now - or as mine are...be just a teensy spoiled. How could they NOT BE ?

I have two puppies too and it is a little overwhelming. I think it will get easier as they mature. I have one puppy that chews alot and he has destroyed quite a few things in the house but I expected alittle of that. I am hoping after he gets his adult teeth the chewing will taper off a little. Mine don't fight excessively but will bicker at times. I know its hard but it will get better and you will have your two doggies to keep each other company.

pups
 

I raised 4 at once..never again. You need TWO 2x3 pens..they need time outs and a place to unwind. Puppies can get just as wired as children. Pen training is very necessary.
Best wishes

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so overwhelmed :( I can't blame you - I have one puppy and one older dog, and I'm at the point now where I'm running around ragged with just the one. You've been given some great advice. Maybe you just need to take a step back from the situation and take a breath. Have some "me" time while they are sleeping. That always helps me when I am feeling overwhelmed.

Sorry to hear ur having a hard time, giving one up is no option... u will regret it if u do, dont give up hope it will get better... ask someone to take care of them for an hour a day and go and do something that u want to do, take some time out for urself, if u reach boiling point, take 3 deep breaths and count to 10... it will all work out i promise and ull look back at this in a few months and put it down to experience ;)

Good luck!

Thanks Everyone
 

To Everyone Who Responded .........Thank you. Just hearing kind thoughts and advice helps me feel better. :) My puppies are only 12 weeks old (I've had them since they were 7 weeks old), so we have a lot of the puppy stage left. However, i's good to know that others think it will get better with time. I am going to get two 2 X 3 pens as Yorkie Rose suggested and separate them to work on potty training and the like. This should also help with the fighting since they will be separated some. I've also decided that I'm going to have to let one stay in the pen while I am with the other even if the one in the pen whines the whole time. Also, I am going to take them separately to potty. I've been taking them both at once and letting them both out at once to play and for a little behavior training and that is probably contributing to the chaos. I guess it's time for me to take back control of my house. :D Wish me luck!

I wish you the best of luck! ;)

That sounds hectic, good luck to you I have 2 daughters and my 3month yorkie, I find it easier to deal with my children since they can talk back and my yorkie just whines. Good Luck, don't give up, it'll be worth it

Oh Tara...

It sounds like you have already gotten some really great advice. Getting them so young means you have had to do a lot of the training that normally the mamma dog and the breeder would have done. I got two at 12 weeks but my daughter had one and I had the other. They were in the same house for about over the Christmas break until she went back to college and took hers with her. I was lonely when they left as was Hefner so I looked for another and brought Chai at 15 weeks for my 17 year old daughter.

Right now, my oldest is on break from college and it is chaos but I love it! All three dogs love each other basically. They fight when they get tired but they have separate beds and can get away to "chill" when they wan tor stay together.

I have not been great about the house training, but I have started putting manner bands on both boys because one isn't neutered yet and he lifts his leg all the time. I also put panties or newborn diapers on Chai. This at least "saves" the carpet and maintains my (and my families) sanity during this puppy period. I still take the "covers) off when they get up in the morning, after they eat, after naps and then every hour or so to encourage them to use the wee wee pads. Some days are better than others, but I love it when all three are here!!

I also have a westie and a Poodle but they can outside during the day.

You should us during a training session because I try to do all five at once!! It's a zoo (literally) but so fun. The little ones really only know how to sit, beg, dance and stay, but my westie (who lives to eat) has learned about ten new tricks since we got the yorkies! She loves the competition and loves to please me.

Good luck. I think you would like the manner band and the diapers. (get the Huggies brand) They are also great when you take your puppies to a friends house. You can put them down without fear that they will have an acccident.

Hi Neighbor
 

Hi Tara :) I hope everything gets better for ya .
By the way .... we are neighbors :D I'm in Levelland ...... 30 mins away . Did you get your puppies from a breeder in Lubbock ?

I sounds like you have a handful but thats ok. Everyone needs lots of energy for puppies. Especially if you have to. But in time they'll cool down and it will be a piece of cake...Or least I think?...LOL! :D

Thanks Kim
 

Thanks for the encouragement and advice Kim. I really appreciate it. It sounds like you have quite a house full. Never a dull moment there I bet! Did you mean real newborn Huggie diapers for my little girl puppy? Do you have to cut a hole for their tail? Also, where would I find a manner band for the little boy -- and what exactly does it look like? I think they would be worth a try and also would be useful when I take them on vacation.

Hi Back To You!
 

Hi to you too, neighbor! How are things in Levelland? It's great to have someone from the region in the forum. There is one other member on here from Lubbock -- Mystify79. When our puppies get bigger, we hope to have a play date. We'd love for you to join us. I did not get my puppies from a breeder here in Lubbock -- they came from a breeder in Odessa. I didn't realize there were breeders here until after I got my babies. Where did your yorkies come from? How many do you have? I'd love to know more about you. PM me sometime. :D

Tara
 

God bless you for posting this.

I just got finished crying my eyes out less than 30 min. ago
completely overwhelmed and telling myself that I am such a bad mother.

Caesar is almost 7 mo and Cleo is 3 mo. I got him day before New Years. I got her April 19th. He was potty trained before we got her. He has regressed a little. She is still not potty trained. He was trained in 2 wks. Tried to train her the same and still hasn't worked.

Thanks to the rest of you for your responses. I will definately try many of them.

Tomorrow is a new day and I will start over. (again)

Christie

Hi Tara,

I, too, am raising two yorkies..got them both on March 17th. Harry is now 16 weeks, Paris is 15 weeks. They're from different litters, of course, and I don't intend on breeding. I'm not a breeder; I just love animals. We originally wanted two females, but was totally overwhelmed when we saw Harry. He's only 2 1/2 lbs. and Paris is 4 1/2 lbs. Well, along with these two, I have 2 female Westies, who are sisters. Plus, 3 cats, but 2 of the cats don't dare come near the Yorkies. Anyway, it's a nut house at my house! Paris is the instigator; Harry's more on the quiet side. She'll tease and bother him, and the Westies. I get very concerned for him because of his size, so there are alot of time-outs. They are constantly running through the house, barking up a storm, getting into mischief, trying to bite anything and everything they can get their little teeth on. The only real thing that calms all four of them down are the pig's ears. It's really funny, because when Paris is bothering the Westies, the only place the Westies can escape is on the couch, but Paris is trying so hard to make her way up there! At times, we cannot hear the television over their barking! It gets crazy, but, I love it, and so does my husband! We just sit there and we're entertained by these babies. As far as potty training? It's rough! I keep telling myself it'll get better! The Westies were easily trained; these two furbabies are good one day, bad another, but I know they'll get the hang of it soon. My 20 yr old daughter is home alot with them, and my husband gets home early, so there's alot of company for them. I, myself, am at work 12 hrs each day. When I open my front door, and am greeted by my 2 westies and my 2 yorkies, there's nothing else better in this world! I'm turning 50 in a few months, and I'm having the time of my life because of these wonderful babies! I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Oh my! :eek:

Yes, real human newborn huggies. No need to cut a hole for the tail. They will keep the tail down.

You can get manner bands on the internet. I know yorkiecouture sells them and lots of others. You will need 4 or 5 brcause you have to wash them when they get soiled which they will. You put a feminine anpkin in them and they velcro closed around the little guy's middle. They are a life saver!

Hope it helps! You're doin' great. Just hang in there.

:aimeeyork Don't give up. This time last year I had 3 babies, 3 play-pens set up, there was never a dull moment and ALOT of work. It DOES get better. I have to say the play-pens were a huge help. They'd take their naps and give me a break. There was moments when I was trying to keep my house from being completely contaminated .....I wondered what I was "athinkn" :confused: but its all good now...I'm totally in love and they're trained!!! :)

I also use the kitchen/dining area for Maggie's own area. She has her crate, food, water and toys in there too. I recently bought a Wizdog. I think it was more for me than Maggie. I just hate to step over the baby gate and right into a puddle. She is only 10 weeks old and learning potty training very well. I have two heelers, but I have to train Maggie away from them. My female heeler thinks she is Maggie's mom.

Bless your heart and wallet for taking on two. I had thought about it, but it would be like raising twin babies. Maggie is all I can handle. They say that Yorkies are great for the elderly, retired and handicapp. Well, I'm the first two and I'm pooped at the end of each day.

Diapers
 

Do you put the diapers on them at night or when? Maggie does very well on her potty training during the day, but night time is a whole new story. She is so lazy that she will tinkle on her blankie and lay back down. I thought she was sleeping all night until I washed her blankies. They were wet, and sure wasn't druel.

I am so sorry to hear your overwhelmed. I now they can be a lot of work but dont give up, it will get much easier.

I have 2 yorkies and I really enjoy them both but they may be older than yours, they are 9mo and 8mo old. Missy was easy to train but Max took a little longer.

I always seperate them when teaching them to sit, come and do any tricks. Once I get one of them to learn the new trick I would work on both at the same time. They have both done really well and I think in time your two will ;)

Good luck, keep working with them and one day they will surprise you and catch on ;)