Shelter Yorkie
 

I've been looking for a yorkie companion for my active 77 yr. old Mother. A local shelter recently received a stray female yorkie, roughly 4 months old, maybe a little bit older. The puppy still has it's baby teeth. The waiting period has just expired (yesterday) and I'm the first person on the list for adoption. I've visted the shelter three times and every time I've visited, the pup seems very calm and relaxed in a somewhat busy shelter. Unfortunately, I was not able to have contact with the pup until the waiting period had expired, but the caretakers comments are that she is affectionate and very clean. Here's my problem.... when the caretakers tested the pup yesterday to see if she was friendly with other dogs, they said "she attacked a German Shepherd and a minature schnauzer". My question --- Is this behavior something that can be corrected? I'm certainly willing to pay for professional help if it can be. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help. :)

Most toy dogs are frightened of the larger dogs and do go after them, which has many times led to their demise. They can be with other dogs, even large ones if they are introduced slowley so that they know they will not be hurt. It may have been attacked by a large dog before. Does the shelter have any information on this pup? was it an owner turn in? If so did they give a reason why? Was it found on the streets where it may have had to run from larger dogs? Most toy dogs are frightened just by the size of the larger dogs. If stepped on by a large dog it can be really hurt. My little Meeko, was stepped on by a large shepard when he was just a year old, and now he hates all large dogs..

If your Mother doesn't have any other dogs, the Yorkie should make a good companion for her. Just when it gets walked, just be careful to try to avoid other dogs, but as mmyorkies says, try to find out why it ended up at the shelter.

Shelter Yorkie
 

Thank you for posting. The pup was found abandoned on a street in Maine. So, unfortunately, there is no history. My thoughts were that maybe she had to defend herself at some point. If you think her behavior can be corrected, she certainly has a loving home to go to. She will be the only pet in the household.

Since she is so young, I would take the chance that she will
be okay with a nice calm home. Little pups are sometimes too gutsy for their own good (my Higgins is one), and they learn quickly when a big dog gets agressive. As a stray, I suspect that may have happened to this little baby.

WOW! If I was home in Maine, I'd grab her right up!

Welcome to YorkieTalk, and please keep us posted. If, for some reason you choose not to adopt her, please send me a message and I have a home for her in Maine.

Having a pup not much older I find it hard to believe that agression has set in!! Fright maybe?! Maybe I'm wrong but sure a lot can be done to correct this. Let us know!

When I got my Kady a year ago I did all the "wrong" things. I went to a pet store rather than a breeder, I picked out a sick animal (she had a cold). I picked out an "anti-social" puppy (she was laying in a cage facing the back of the store and didn't act interested in me at all. Don't know exactly why but I had to have her even though I had come into the store thinking I was going to buy a Bichon. Anyway, I brought her home and straight away she didn't want to be petted, she knawed on my hands whenever I tried to, she'd jump away when I tried to stroke or pick her up. She was NOT a lap dog by any stretch of the imagination, nor did she want to sleep with me. I took her to the vet and at her initial appts he told me the papers I got with her were actually from a puppy mill and that I would really have to "work with her" in order to keep her from becoming too aggressive when she got older. I'm writing to tell you that she is now the sweetest, most outgoing and gentle baby I could ever, ever hope to have. I didn't do any "work" that I can think of, except say "ow!!" when she gnawed on my hand too hard. I take her to a home for handicapped people to visit and she can sense that she has to be quiet and calm all by herself. She's good with the elderly and kids and all other animals. You just wouldn't believe what a turn around she made all by herself. Oh, sorry, a long winded response here, I just wanted to tell you that they sometimes really can come around with alot of love and patience....at least that's what we discovered with Kady. I think it's just great that you want to get that puppy for your mom....I would think a puppy that young could make a turn around like Kady just fine!!

Like Yorkie24u said you can't predict how they will turn out. My two are like day and night. They were raised the same, Maddie is layed back and Rudy is always into something. Right now he is barking at Maddie and Lucky wanting to play, but it's almost midnight and they are sleeping. I think the puppy will do great, all it needs is to feel safe and loved. I bet your mom will have it spoiled before you know it........Cindy

Susette, that's a great story Kady turned out to be such a good little dog. I'm glad that with your love and support she was able to feel comfortable and come around. :D

Thank you for responding BLD....I was afraid I had written too much yesterday. It was my first day on any kind of msg center, writing to people I haven't met. I sort of blathered on and on, which is easy to do when talking about our Yorkies' isn't it? (I hope Crocker really does get that shelter puppy for his mom...how wonderful a gift that would be for both Mom and the pup....and I hope he tells us if he does....wonder if he's listening.... :) Anyway, my Kady is 9 1/2 pounds and I'm thinking that's awful big for a yorkie...does anyone else have a yorkie that big??? (BLD I'm from Maryland Line)

Oh yes, I quite agree....I don't know what I'd do without her even if she grew to be the size of a St. Bernard (though I'd need a bigger bed!) I was in a bad car accident on labor day and she has been by my side non-stop...so gentle...that's what got me thinking of bringing her to nursing homes etc. She's been great so far but I'm thinking of getting her certified as a therapy dog...Has anyone done this with their yorkie?? Or does anyone know how to get started with this??

Susette, We all talk about our yorkies, I know I sometime ramble on myself, but when it comes to my furbabies I could go on and on. Kady is lucky to have found a mom who is so devoted to her. It just goes to show you regardless how the might have started out, when given love and care that great yorkie personality always comes out. Keep sharing your great stories of Kady long or short..........Cindy

Shelter Yorkie
 

Hi Everyone,

We brought home the puppy from the shelter yesterday. She is wonderful!!! She is close to 6 months not 4 months like the shelter thought. She is beautifully marked and currently weighs 6 lbs. She is already puppy pad trained and crate trained. She is very lovable and the kids absolutely adore her. It's going to be hard to give her up to my Mother when she arrives home from Florida on Friday! Thanks to everyone who offered their advise. I'm certainly glad I adopted her.

Congratulations Your mom will be so excited to come home to a new yorkie puppy, thats if you can give her up. lol They are very addictive. Glad the puppy got a good home with you all.................Cindy

Congratulations, Crocker!!! What a lucky Yorkie!! Please let us know your Mom's reaction and keep us posted on their progress!! ;)