Yorkie PROBLEM

[ChestersMom]

I rescued a 15 year old that obviously had come from a puppy mill and spent the better part of her life in a cage producing pups. She did the same thing for quite a while. She would just walk all around the house, time after time. It took her quite a while to really become comfortable. I would, as suggested, get tests done as you can afford them and just love her as much as you can. If it is psychological, she will eventually calm down. My sweet Rosebud, however, was a very nervous thing til the end. I had her three years and she never was what we consider "normal" but a sweetheart just the same.

Best of luck to you. Please don't give up on her. Stability will make the biggest difference in her life. God bless you for taking her in.

[chattiesmom]

Congratulations on your new baby. I sincerely hope things get better. Pacing dogs make me a nervous wreck. Sometimes our Boxer is restless and paces -- she usually does this when she is "bored" and wants to go outside and play. I have two suggestions -- get your new baby involved in an aerobic activity that will tire her out -- a good brisk walk, playing ball, etc. I would also take her to a vet who is well experienced with Yorkies for a thorough exam. Good luck!

[debi_s]

Originally Posted by Passionfruition

How odd? Maybe she will calm down as she gets used to her new home?

Sounds like a question for Cesar Milan to me?!

I think Cesear has addressed this issue on a few shows.....and usually it seems the dogs just need someplace to get rid of some excess energy.

Usually he will have the folks take the dogs for super-long walks.....even buying a "back-pack" and adding some weight to use up even more energy...

And I have seen him put these dogs on a daily regime of tread-mill walking.

I want to think the poor pup has never had a good way to get rid of that "Yorkie-Energy" that is soooooo famous!

If you ever do get the 'pacing' under some control maybe a few toys that give the dog some exercise--activity while alone.....like the kibble-balls (I usually like to stick some cheerios inside...seems like more fun than dry kibble) or one of the Kong toys...the ones you put peanut butter/filling in then freeze them....my dogs chew and lick for HOURS!!!!!

Good Luck!

[Thorsmomma]

Originally Posted by debi_s

I think Cesear has addressed this issue on a few shows.....and usually it seems the dogs just need someplace to get rid of some excess energy.

Usually he will have the folks take the dogs for super-long walks.....even buying a "back-pack" and adding some weight to use up even more energy...

And I have seen him put these dogs on a daily regime of tread-mill walking.

I want to think the poor pup has never had a good way to get rid of that "Yorkie-Energy" that is soooooo famous!


If you ever do get the 'pacing' under some control maybe a few toys that give the dog some exercise--activity while alone.....like the kibble-balls (I usually like to stick some cheerios inside...seems like more fun than dry kibble) or one of the Kong toys...the ones you put peanut butter/filling in then freeze them....my dogs chew and lick for HOURS!!!!!

Good Luck!

I think she gave wonderful advice! I also remember Ceasar, the Dog Whisper doing a show with pacing dog. He corrected the behavior by not letting him exhibit the beahaviour, but I wouldn't want to make your dog worse. Have you tried walking your new dog? I would get her used to a leash and start walking her. Results may not be immediate, but I bet this will do a lot of good by providing stimulants. Also interactive toys, like the person who posted above me suggested. Good luck. Please keep us updated.

[ladyjane]

I would take her to a neurologist RIGHT AWAY!

[yorkieK9trainer]

I have a clients dog who did this.

Never really been crated in it's entire life, grew up in a large home and had no health issues to speak of, other than this neurotic/complusive disorder.

Once we began the formal obedience the dog stopped. I don't think that it was from boredom, but rather that she really just didn't know what else to be doing. I really believe it's a mental issue, but one that can be controlled w/ Obedience. If you see her pacing, give her something to do. Put her in a down stay by you or simply tell her to go lay down on her bed. It did the trick in one week.

Good luck!

[ladyjane]

I think this poor baby needs a thorough medical evaluation first to rule any physical issues. Just my opinion.

[yorkieK9trainer]

Sounds like she's had everything but a Cat scan.

[ladyjane]

I must have missed the detailed medical exams??? I only saw that she has had this dog for 24 hours and did not see where the previous owner did anything but crate the dog.
And...if she has had everything but a CTscan then maybe that is in order. She is close enough to Texas A&M and that is where *I* would be if I had a pup like that. They would evaluate physical first...then go to behavioral or psychological.

[yorkieK9trainer]

ladyjane-

I agree.
And the new owner took her to the vet when she first came into posession of the dog. It's in her first post. Unless this dog is a complete doofus when told the symptoms I'm certain he did a complete physical on the dog.

He prescribed Benedryl, so he just might be.

[ladyjane]

Exactly...no tests were reported. And Benadryl? I don't like to question a vet, but???
I sometimes go for second opinions for myself...and do the same for my pups. I have been to A&M a few times. Their small animal clinic is top notch!

[missPenny]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Exactly...no tests were reported. And Benadryl? I don't like to question a vet, but???
I sometimes go for second opinions for myself...and do the same for my pups. I have been to A&M a few times. Their small animal clinic is top notch!

I didn't like the sound of the vet just throwing Benadryl out there, either. All that will do is medicate the dog so she's tired. I don't believe in giving medications unless necessary. To me, this is like giving a kid medicine just so it knocks out and goes to sleep.

I do hope you are able to find a solution. I feel so sorry for your baby and for you! That must be heartbreaking to watch!

[montykisses]

On 60 minutes one night they had a thing on dogs with Obessive Compulsive Disorder and they would interview the owners and all of them said the same thing, pacing back in forth for hours, etc.

One of the dogs actually swam laps in the family pool for hours upon hours and the lady and her husband had to literally tackle the dog and drag it out of the pool.

All the dog owners on the show with the pacing dogs, did one thing in common and needless to say, it worked wonders...

Prozac! It is actually more common then some people think, but it is not cheap, but these dog owners swear by it. The dogs can actually live normal lives.

That dog in the pool certainly made me nervous. They took videos of him and he just would not stop. From the wee hours of the morning to the evening and when brought inside, he would just pace and pace.

You must find a new vet. Also, you may want to research St. Johns Wort and Dogs. It is the herbal and much cheaper version of prozac and could really help. Good luck!

[yorkieK9trainer]

Medicine in many cases is a reality and a must. But not always and in my experience these behaviors can be controlled simply through proper formal obedience.

I avoid medicating MY dogs when possible. If it's something they really do need and there isn't many healthy alternatives then I proceed.

The only real way to know if this poor little girl actually NEEDS Prozac or the like (I've worked w/ a few dogs that were medicated w/ it or something similar) is to have her looked at by a professional w/ this that has an open mind and isn't quick to just throw the dog on pills much like OUR doctors are w/ children that have A.D.D (attention deficit disorder) and so on.

[kalina82]

i just read thru all the posts on this thread and some good information was given. I know you only had the new girl for a day so i'd give her a few more days to adjust. After that i would start with the simple things to try and curb the pacing like long walks and interactive toys like the treat ball. Try to give her other ways to use up all that energy she has. However, if perhaps she was a puppy mill dog or was kept confined most her life in another situation then she might not play with the toys because she doesn't know how. I know you just got her and might not want to spend the hundreds of dollars a specialist will cost but next i would consider a behaviorist, and then a neurologist if the behavorist doesn't work out. If all else fails then medication just may be what you have to do. Your vet prescribed benadryl as a way to calm her down because it does make them tired. He may have prescribed this to you first because he knew you just got the dog and maybe he was giving you a simpe solution that may or may not work. Maybe go back to him in a few days and tell him its not working and you want to try other options. Prozac and Xanax have been used to calm the metal state of some OCD dogs adn they do work.