possible neglected yorkie question....need advice We belong to a local yorkie meetup group and a new member needed a sitter for their 8 year old yorkie....so we wanted to volunteer just because we know how it is to need a sitter during vacations. We've had her since friday and boy is she a mess. Her issues: 1. antisocial, completely and utterly antisocial with space boundary issues 2. she lunges at Zoe when she comes near and tries to play with her...we were told she doesn't play because of 'old' age 3. doesn't know a single command, not even the basic sit?????:( I don't get it, Zoe knows all her basic commands and even knows a few fun tricks 4. doesn't play at all, just sits in one spot, doesn't walk or run around the house 5. is completely overweight...she is Zoe's size, but weights 9lbs and Zoe weighs slightly over 5lbs....she is on diet food and we were told it's because their child gives too much treats which I don't believe that treats alone will make a dog overweight...must be another factor. 6. her nails are completely overgrown to the point where it is starting to curl over...I'm a bit bothered and concerned by this 7. her private areas are not at all groom which disgusts me because these areas are keep really short on Zoe for hygenic reasons 8. hubby was petting her on the back the other day and she went crazy yapping and ran off? She yelped and struggled as if she was being physically hurt. Was she abused or perhaps not touched much? You can touch Zoe anywhere on her body and she will curl or roll over and close her eyes as if she's enjoying it 9. doesn't know how to walk on a leash...will drag and pull and walk extremly slow 10. teeth is in extremly poor condition, perhaps due to age? We were never given a toothbrush or any direction about brushing her teeth...which we woudln't have mind brushing every day 11. will lunge at Zoe when she comes near or turn her head away and face the other direction when Zoe comes to play with her 12. we took her and Zoe to a nearby park and when we got to the grassy area, we unleashed both and we were running around and playing fetch and Zoe was running around like a mad woman while the other dog just sat there, not knowing what to do with herself, not knowing how to run around or play 13. won't play with toys at all. Her parents didn't bother to bring toys...and Zoe is sweet enough to push her balls and squeaky toys to this dog and either is ignored or lunged at or nipped at 14. snorts as if she is having breathing problems...we guess it's due to her overweight issues Is this possibly a case of neglect or just someone that treats their dog like a 'dog'...I'm a bit concerned for her and realize that Zoe gets treated like a complete princess in comparison...in terms of training properly, good health and diet, good behavior, socialized, and lots of touching and loving from us. We have extreme pity for this dog because she doesn't know how to behave like a dog, she doesn't seem to know what it feels like to run around and play fetch and enjoy treats and chasing and wresting other dogs and playing with toys. We have her for another week and it's quite unbearable to see her in this state. Any suggestions or advice about her behavior and physical well being? Should we address our concerns to the owner when they return or mind our own business? |
It doesn't sound good to me. Are you interested in adopting this dog, or do just want to help it. Maybe you can have it groomed while the lady's away, and have it's nails clipped. You can just tell the lady you wanted to give her a spa treatment while she was on vacation. Maybe she'll get the hint. |
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That's a GREAT idea about the 'spa' just so we don't offend anyone. But part of me feels like I don't have a right to 'alter' the dog with nail trimming and shaving her private down becuase it's not our dog. |
I treat my dog like a dog & he is well groomed, loves to play & super active. I would not think neglect about the anti-social thing. There is a lady where i work that takes wonderful care of her yorkie, but her dog is very anti-social & has fear agression issues. I'm sure that's a combination of not getting out much & bad breeding. However, the grooming is what concerns me. I guess some people don't realize that have to clip the nails or hair. I guess you could suggest that this needs to be done & the name of your groomer. I would also watch how she reacts to her owners when they come back....if they can love on her & pet her then i would just accept that she's not used to strangers. |
How long have you already had her?? |
What concerned me the most is the dental condition . The little one should have a complete check up by a vet . |
i dont want to come off as not spoling my yorkies because i think i do but some of those "neglected traits" really dont sounds like neglect to me. not walking on a leash, mayve they carry her and they might not take her to parks and such i dont. some of mine give me trouble on leashes and wont walk on them. some of mine know simple obedience and some dont. some play with toys and some dont. some want to play with other dogs and some dont. i would never trust my dogs to run leashless anywhere but the back yard and even then they tried to escape to seek that adventure. if hses older teeth will start to decay, if the mainly fed her soft food thats a factor in bad teeth. if she is an only dog thats why she isnt comfortable playing with other dogs. and if she isnt around other dogs often, which that sounds like whats going on, then that would explain her being anti social and space hogging. we had little girl first for years and we took her out and about but not with other dogs. we didnt take her to parks to run wild and i dont see us as neglectful for doing that, but when we added other dogs she was/is antsocial with them, jealous of people and space and she doesnt play with toys never has. even though we did buy her toys. its the dogs personality grooming i bathe and comb them and trim them my self but rarley do i go down under unless there is a specific area that needs something done. sometimes i shave the hineys but not all the time. yes nails should be done, sometimes i get a little lazy and might go a few weeks before doing it but i do, trim the nails and that is a neccessity as for yelping when she is pet by your hubby. is their a man in her life now at home? maybe she hasnt been around men. maybe her personality is when i want to be petted by you i will come to you. maybe being older she is sensitative in spots. i had a dog live to be 18 and that was her sometimes. you didnt know you were hurting her but she would yelp, they get older and they get brittle so i personally dont think its a case of neglect and i dont mean to be rude but sometimes some people overreact because they do things differently then others. some people see there yorkies as princess/princes to be spolied beyond means and some people see them as loving pets to hold and cuddle but know the line between pet and people and some people see them strictly as dogs (which by the way they are) im in the middle i love my to death but i do draw the line at certain points. so i dont believe this is a yorkie in distress that needs rescuing. |
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i also dont see anything wrong with you wantingto clean the pup up. nails, bath and all. it would probably be a nice suprise for the lady. but i would do anything more than a trim on the hair. she might be upset if the dog gets shaved or something. and you can explain what you did and show her how good the dog looks like that and it might start a chain reaction on her end to start doing more in the grooming department. good luck with another week of the puppy and relax:p |
She's not been socialized at all, and probably never gets to go anywhere at all, especially on walks which would help keep the nails shorter. Yes, snacks will certainly cause a dog to gain weight, and quickly too. My guess is that the owner just doesn't have the proper "know-how" to take care of the dog, and it would be nice if you could show her these problem areas and offer to help out. |
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Now he is 8.1lbs. I was feeding him still too much . When i cut out treats all together and fed him 1/4 cup of food like he was supposed to have he dropped weight immediately. I treat him with maybe 10 more kibble per day instead of other treats. So yes treating alone coupled with too much food to begin with does cause them to be overweight and Ryon with his huge appetite is proof. If the owner is nice I would maybe talk to her first. Other than that what can you do? too bad there isnt a Yorkies social services that makes people accountable in a healthy way for the care of thier pets. |
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as far as all the rest - she may not be used to children or other pets - it happens - maybe in a few days she'll come around but you have to remember she's in a new envoirnment and probably scared - She's also a bit older and maybe toys don't interest her anymore - I wonder if you can give her the kind that has a treat inside to keep her attention better ? |
i think for me it would be nice to have someone surprise me with a dog groom. i think you may want to try and keep it to a bathing, nail clipping, and maybe a cute bow or something. one thing you don't know is how the dog will react to a groomer. if she isn't very social in your home, she may not be social with the groomer. have your dog done at the same time and say, "i was taking xxxprincessxxx to the groomer and decided to treat xxxpauperxxx done too! it's so relaxing for them." then you sound excited like you did something great, they come home to a groomed pup (maybe they can't afford it...) and might even say, "yes, xxxpauperxxx was overdue, but we didn't have time before we left, etc." if they offer you money, that's great! but you also know not to leave your pup with them... |
I think if you did get her groomed It would be easier to say, hey you need to keep this area shaved for sanitary purposes. Doing that would kind of clear the air and make speaking about changes a positive thing, not a negative. WHo knows maybe she will continue to keep in touch and come to you for more advice? |
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