well the 4 to 5 hours a day will never increase, because we both work full time jobs....and, like any human, we need sleep. So what can we do?? We'd have to actually sacrifice a job to increase that time...and by doing that, we couldnt' afford anything anymore.

This is a baby !! You can't expect him to be trained especially if left alone so much.

I know people don't like the idea of rehoming but it sure sounds like he'd be better with someone who could be there for him all the time and not just when it's convienent. I'm not holding it against you at all - it just seems that you both are too busy for a new puppy and don't really know what it entails. You could end up with a very sad, lonely untrained little dog if things don't change...

All these little guys want is love but it's up to US to give them that...if you don't feel you can provide that then I'd seriously think about finding him a new place to live where he'd be happier.

i'd like to put you in that crate for 20 hours... see how how you like it..:mad:
dont know what your problem is, but your aggravating alot of us here and i dont know why you want to do that...... hitting an animal is abuse, cageing
and animal for long periods at a time is abuse... do you really think anyone is
going to side with you.?? never, not after the things you say and so,so
go on your merry way cause anything we say goes in one ear and out the other...

I never said I hit the dog, now did I?? I don't know where you got that from.

I think you should rehome him too. Just show Hedi this thread to convince her

The training thing worries me too...the guy at Petsmart seemed to think we could never effectively train him with the hours we work.

Use your "works like a charm" fiancee-training skills to get her to rehome the dog. You will all be better off for it.

YES I DO!

I don't really think that's fair. She really does try the best she can with the situation she has.

why?
 

Nodak why are you here? Do you want advice? Do you want this dog to like you? Or do you just want a bunch of people to know that you are "THE MAN" in your household? I don't get it! Noone cares about your relationship... we care about TANNER!!! (Thank you for a name by the way) We care about the quality of life he receives. Believe it or not, we care about making YOUR yorkie experience a good one. We all started off offering wonderful advice. You continue to get more and more ignorant sounding and refuse to take ANY of the advice given.

Please give this puppy a fair chance and some affection and respect. Don't think of him as JUST A DOG bc that is not the Yorkie breed. They are all consuming and the most wonderful of company if you let them be. Their antics and intelligence will awe you. The reason I wanted a Yorkie was their eyes. They have the most expressive love filled eyes in the world. When my boys look at me, their eyes say I love you a million times! You don't need to inflict fear in your pup, mutual respect will do the trick for training. Get yourself some books on training or take some classes. Dogs are not cats... they do not learn to poop in a box the first time you show them. That does not mean they are stupid.

For someone that works 20 hours a day, you sure have a lot of time to respond to EVERY comment made.

My observation. Heidi puts you first because you demand it. It sounds like Heidi obeys you. I bet she wanted the pup because they give unconditional love. Something I don't think you are capable of. And Heidi probably only treats the pup the way she does because she feels it's what you want.

You mean nobody else has the internet at work??

Astounding!

(Edit: I don't work 20 hours a day, either. that's work plus sleep. Jeez.)

I think you shouldn't have gotten a dog if that's your schedule. And before I said that nodoby would tell you to rehome him, but I change my mind, rehome him, or sell him, that baby is going to be better in any other home, than staying with you and your girlfriend.

Arguing about relationships online is ridiculously pointless, because you believe you really know everything from an outside POV, and I feel I can correct you because I live it every day.

So from here on...let the relationship talk die. that's a one way street to a dead end.

Just talk about the dog.

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?)