A situation you created no doubt.

So then...should no working couple have a Yorkie?? I think our schedule is like any other working couple....gone all day...home in the evening.

Does somebody have to be a stay-at-home mom or retired for one?

You mean, *I* created the situation where she has to sleep at night and work during the day??

I'm pretty powerful then.

Come on...stay in reality. I'm talking about the situation that we're not able to play with the dog for very long daily. That's a situation nobody has control over.

I tell you what....I'll have Heidi get on here tonight and post here, if that's OK with you all. I'll show her this thread, and she can respond however the heck she wants to. That way she can defend herself from being called a poor owner.

You can NEVER expect a 13 week old pup to be potty trained:mad: And Truely I am glad he is on the large side. I don't think a small 13 week old would be able to handle you.

OH DUH!

Oh that might be interesting. Girl controled by boyfrend comes on to defend herself

You had the control to never get the dog to begin with. That's the situation I'm talking about it. Did you not say earlier that once Heidi saw the pup you couldn't say no...or something like that.

I think we should all stop posting on this thread...Nodak is just trying to get everyone upset. I don't believe half of the things he has said towards the end of this thread. I think he initially did come looking for advice, but is not comfortable with the way we have given it to him, so this is his defense mechanism. Let's leave this thread alone. Many of us have given good advice that he hasn't even acknowledged...I mentioned for him to research positive reinforcement training, others have mentioned giving the puppy treats or being the "caregiver" by feeding and grooming. None of this advice has even been acknowledged by him, so it must mean he does not want it.

Exactly.

Looking over her shoulder at "it" (nodak/not the pup) making sure she says all the right stuff.

I'm confused-I thought that was your question i.e. if you should keep the dog...

If rehoming the dog is NOT an option why did you ask? I thought that is what you wanted to know about? That was the only reason I brought it up

In any case, I still I applaud you for the efforts you are making and the fact you are trying to allow Heidi her choices and not force her into giving up this puppy!

That is wise, kind and mature. I am so happy that you are NOT using threats, coercion and demands to make Heidi give up the pup! Many men today are not as decent. (I AM concerned that you seem to "order" Heidi to put the pup down and give YOU attention. You might want to give that some thought. I'm hoping that was out of context and isn't quite as demanding as it seemed?)

AND I AGREE-Heidi should NOT be forced into anything-however perhaps a really frank, honest talk with Heidi about the unsuitability of this puppy at this time? Does she understand that you would rather not have this puppy at this time? Can you convince her of the fact that if she truly cares for this puppy (which I have no doubt that she does) he would be happier and better off with someone who is actually THERE to train him and care for him?

I understand why you want the puppy to like you-OF COURSE you do-that is normal and good-but under your circunstances it may be more difficult to achieve...

I swear to you it is impossible to have a happy, healthy well socialized dog with the little time you two have without outside help. Even with help it won't be easy...

However, if you insist on keeping this puppy-could we first, please have a name for him?

And then here are some ideas:

TRY very hard to bribe the little one with treats and kind attention.

NEVER grab, yell or be harsh with him. If he MUST be corrected try to have Heidi do it, in a firm but gentle manner.

PLEASE find a way to spend more time with him-maybe you will have to sacrifice alone time with Heidi for a while-in the long run it will be worth it.

AND PLEASE, ALSO find a way that the puppy does not spend so much alone time. I am concerned that he will become shy and fearful of everyone, not just you but Heidi. He needs socialization-eventually with other dogs as well as humans! Part of the problem may be that he hasn't spent a lot of time with people-

(I just had a thought that MAY explain the pups shyness-maybe this breeder wasn't quite as sterling as you think) There have been a few "red flags" which if you are interested I will point out, but this pup may not have been socialized well before you got him...)


Anyway, there are bonded pet sitters who can be trusted to come to your home.

Ask around for trustworthy teens who babysit-my daughters have done both babysitting and pet sitting!

Maybe Doggy daycare...many cities have formal doggy day care but if there is none around you I am certain there are other dog lovers there-go to parks, pet stores, vet offices-ask if there is someone who could have the pup at thier house for a few hours a day.

Maybe there is older person who would LOVE to have a puppy around but cannot own one.
A stay at home Mom whose kids are grown or in school might love the companionship of a pup during the day?

Brains-strom! Think! Ponder! Ask around! There is almost NEVER just one solution to a situation...

well - the original question was "If your dog strongly disliked any member of your family would you keep the dog?" & people answered honestly...as the thread went on - it because more about the person who asked and really none of us knows anything about that situation -

I think most of us are posting because we care about dogs and want to help - but it's up to Nodak to make the choice of keeping the puppy and working with him or maybe finding a home where someone can pay more attention him.

If it were me and I didn't feel I could offer 100% to a a puppy then I think I'd consider re-homing now before the puppy is settled in especially if there isn't any bonding going on...OR - Nodak can just be happy his girlfriend's happy and try to bond more - this is a little baby at 13 weeks. They change so much as they grow - but I still think he's alone too much.

:thumbup:

You know what...this is an awesome answer. Thank you. I really appreciate that.

(Edit: We don't really know anybody in the area though...we're somewhat new. Of course, we couldn't just trust anybody....I wonder, do they still have programs where you can bring pets in for the elderly?)