Originally Posted by TLC (Post 1191521)

I read that Tanner was in his cage from 10 pm until 5:30 pm - And that they were upset that they had to bath him everyday cause his was lying in his urine and poop.

Sorry, but that's not crate training, IMO that is neglect. And I don't think that's right and it certainly upset me thinking about poor Tanner in that situation.

Then I read that "Chris" usually leaves him in the crate for an additional hour until Heidi gets home - And he wonders why "it" doesn't like him as much as he like Heidi.

He came here for advice, and I hope they stay and learn, but their practices so far on how to treat and train Tanner have upset me and others - B/c we care so much for the wellfare of these little guys.

All these things were posted by them, how could people not comment? This is a public forum.

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze (Post 1191532)

I've been reading all these posts and have only one thing to say. When you have a child that you feed, bathe, buy lots of nice clothes and toys for, it isn't enough unless you take care of their mental and emotional needs as well. If that is not met then I have to say would fall into neglect. I see some fur-kids that are suffering from neglect. Dogs are social animals and not to be locked up in a crate all those hours.

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom (Post 1189289)

"And Chris does love the puppy and want the best for him (we are not rehoming him). Like I've mentioned before we've thrown around the play pen and x-pen idea and we're definitely loving that."

????????????????????????

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv (Post 1189312)

Hi Heidi,
If the crate training thing isn't working out, you could try keeping Tanner somewhere like a master bathroom. It should be a big enough area to keep a pee pad, water, bed, food, etc. And the floor is probably tile, so that would work out in case he has an accident. Good luck with the potty training thing!! I know it can be hard sometimes. But it sounds like you are being patient with him. Yorkies are such special little guys aren't they?

Originally Posted by Anna Banana (Post 1189487)

When I read this post by "Chris" I was just stunned. I see that not only does he treat that precious little puppy like an "it", he treats his fiancee that way too. I suppose there's nothing wrong with it if Heidi doesn't mind, but I certainly couldn't put up with that...

Originally Posted by TLC (Post 1191554)

I totally agree with you.

I myself never used a crate, they have one, but they only have 'cage match wrestling' in it. I contained mine in a spare room while I was at work (for about the first year). Yes, I am gone on average 10 hours a day. Yes, part of thinks they didn't deserve that kind of life, it makes me sad at times, b/c I want them to be around people more...But, now that they have free run down stairs while I am gone, they just sleep the day or look out the window at everything going on outside.

Do mine have some 'mental' problems b/c of this??? Probably so. :(
I am still battling poop eating (here and there), but it used to be everyday!
TJ barks pretty much at ALL movement outside. Roxy has mild anxiety.

Mental health is just as important as Food/Water/Shelter.

Originally Posted by Erin (Post 1189476)

But crate training is letting your dog out at regular intervals. It's not locking your dog up all day. And you don't put pads in the crate - the crate is so they learn not to eliminate and then you immediately take them outside to the correct place to eliminate. I crate mine when I'm not home, but that's for their safety and usually less than 3 hours a day.

chardjo - You said you want to train him and then let him roam free? That will not happen with your current setup. You need to hire a professional dog walker or take him to doggie daycare or do something. He will not train himself. There are professional dog walkers that are insured and bonded just like a cleaning service Do a little research and I'm sure you'll find a reputable one.

I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't have a Yorkie. But if you want a reasonably well trained one you need to make sacrifices. When Loki was a puppy we couldn't leave him alone for more than 2 hours. That meant we couldn't even go see a movie for about 6 months. We won't kennel them and don't feel like dumping them on our family so we don't go on vacation unless they come. We leave events early to go home and spend time with them. We *constantly* watch the clock when we are out shopping or whatever to make sure they don't stay in their crates too long. My husband mostly works from home but if he has a meeting or something they go to daycare or I come home from work and let them out at lunch (and give up my lunch to drive 20 mins each way). Yorkies simply cannot be left alone, whether in a crate or a pen or a bathroom, for 10 hours during the day and then all night. (Please clarify - do you work so far away that you can't come home? Why is Chris so opposed to a dog walker?)

Maybe you are willing to make those types of sacrifices, but Chris made it sound like Tanner "it" was in the way of "Chris and Heidi time" and that he could be put away like a doll. He came on a board full of Yorkie lovers - people who spend all day talking about their dogs, posting pictures and videos of their dogs, discussing what their dog's poop should look like (!!!) and he made it very clear that he didn't like your dog, "it". Then he countered every suggestion we had with a reason why that was not possible or why he didn't like that idea. I'm not quite sure what he thought would happen????? :confused:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy (Post 1191142)

I didn't see the picture of Tanner...can you post one here please?

Originally Posted by Anna Banana (Post 1191582)

No, no, no, she wasn't talking about people in your situation at all! You do the best you can for your babies, and we all know that when you're home, you're all theirs, and you love them dearly. Love and affection is what yorkiedaze is talking about. She's talking about being available for them the minute you get home, and loving them. In his first posts, it was clear that Nodak was neglecting these basic needs of Tanner. He is improving by leaps and bounds by just trying to make a better home for Tanner, but its still not healthy for any creature, animal or human to be considered nothing more than an "it."

Thank goodness Chris and Heidi care enough to try to improve. :D

Originally Posted by LunasMomma (Post 1191343)

It's funny, but I don't really see how Nodak was overly rude:( I may have missed that post, however:laugh: My take on it is that he has a sarcastic sense of humor, as I do. I do, though, most of the time, refrain from posting my smart-alecky comments and rephrase so that I don\'t hurt anyone\'s feelings.

Whatever the case, he came here for support, and if he didn\'t care for the pup, he would not have bothered. My hubby didn\'t want us to get Isabella, but now he\'s totally in love with her and can\'t imagine ever letting her go:love: These little furfaces tend to melt even the most hard hearts:D