Ears - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Rowdy2013 · 08-26-2017, 02:06 PM

Is there cause for concern if my 4 year old yorkie sleeps a lot?

Also, when I reach to pet him his ears droop backwards. Is that fear, stress or a normal behavior? I've had him for 1.5 years but just noticed it.

He also has separation anxiety when I leave to go to work. He may relate picking him up and crating him to petting, causing him to be get stressed. Any thoughts? I hate that my little one is afraid. He hates the crate, but I don't want him to have an accident in the home and hurt himself by jumping around when he hears things outside.

This is my first post. Please excuse if I'm in the wrong group. I'm learning. I hope I can find my way back if there is an answer.

Thank you.

Silver Lace · 08-26-2017, 04:05 PM

I can't say if there is cause for concern that your Yorkie is sleeping a lot for sure. You might want to talk to your vet about it and if there are any other things you notice besides sleeping a lot. There no doubt will be others to come on here that will give you better answers about all you have asked. Not sure about the ears either. I just tried petting my Yorkie to test what you said. He was standing up and so I did not get a good enough look but they did seem to go back. It probably is a normal thing. A simple reaction I would think to being petted. Now you have me wondering if his ears go back when I pet him. LOL Have to check it out more times now. It can also happen other times though. Like when he is being scolded or could be like you said when you go to put him in his crate they go back as he does not like to go there. They have their ways of talking too and his ears and tail are two different means of communicating their thoughts or feelings. No doubt you will get an email when you are answered and on the email it will tell you to click on the link to go the place where the message is at so no worry about finding your place again and then you can respond if you so desire. Welcome to YT.

JadeD · 08-26-2017, 06:00 PM

Dogs do sleep a lot. Some dogs will sleep 18-20 hours a day even. If they have nothing to keep them up they will sometimes just sleep. I try to keep mine doing things when I am home. They can sleep all they want while I am at work.

One of mine does act funny when I go to pet him, he was a rescue I took in a few years ago when he was 9. My other 2 love to be petted though.

Does the dog need to be crated when you are gone? Does he destroy things? I have 4 dogs and all are loose with 3 rooms of the house to roam while I am gone. They are very happy. Of course they have each other while I am at work. I have 3 Yorkies and a larger dog. If you are worried about an accident maybe leave them in a room that is easy to clean up if they do have one at first? Leave out pee pads? I have 2 that are pad trained and will go on the pads if they have to go while I am gone. The 3rd Yorkie is not pad trained but he holds it all day unless he really has to poo, and then he goes and it is easy enough to clean up when I get home. The big dog is very good in the house and never goes in the house.

Good luck and I hope it is all working out well for your dog.

Rowdy2013 · 08-26-2017, 08:16 PM

JadeD and Silver Lace, I feel so much better. Thank you! I love him soooo. I know he would have an accident if I leave him out. Now that you mention it, I can purchase doggie pampers for him. Duh!

What a great way tho share experiences. I'll get some when we get through the flood in Texas.
Thanks again.

matese · 08-27-2017, 05:14 AM

You don't want to leave a dog in wet diapers or a belly band all day while you are at work, just like a human baby they will get diaper rash, would you leave a human baby in a wet diaper for 8 hours?. I would give him the kitchen only with pee pads down, gated off so he cannot get into other rooms, and easy to clean if he has an accident. Many dogs do not adapt to crates, a crate should be his safe haven, a place he chooses to go to for naps or just alone time. Crating a dog that does not like crates causes them a lot of stress. Sleeping a lot is mostly out of boredom. When your at work yes they will sleep. I had a pack of 3, all 3 years apart, although they had each other they slept most of the day while I was at work. When I came home they followed me all over and played with each other, did not sleep until it was bedtime. When you come home from work although you are busy doing things, talk to him, this will keep him active, awake, it doesn't matter what you say, it's your voice that comforts him. If you just go about doing things that must be done and ignore him he will go to sleep. My boy will put his ears back when I reach down to pick him up for cuddles against my chest, he's not to fond of that lol. So when I reach down he knows what's coming and back go the ears lol.I rescued him when he was 2 1/2 yo, we are a team for 3 1/2 years now, he wasn't raised to be held against ones chest, but we are working through that. Yorkies need a lot of human contact, some males especially need a lot of body contact with their humans.

Rowdy2013 · 08-27-2017, 07:38 AM

Great advice Joan. He's a happy little fellow. Loves to cuddle and play. I talk to him and he seems to understand. Lol He should be old enough to wait until I get home bit with hard wood floors I have no way of knowing if he had an accident during the day. I'll try introducing him to pee pads. I hope it's not difficult for him to get the hang of. They certainly who'll come in handy during this rainy weather. Again thanks.

matese · 08-27-2017, 09:10 AM

At 4 yo it will be difficult to start pad training. My boys prev. owner walked him and he was also pad trained. I leave a pad out for him all the time, there are times I need to be away 6 or 7 hours, he knows what the pad is for but chooses to wait until I come home, he prefers to potty out doors. Pads do have their advantages for rain and snow. If you have hard wood floor in your kitchen then that does present a problem, but crating causes a lot of stress especially if he doesn't like it. Diapers, belly bands is out of the question. Xpens and Iris pens are great for confining with enough room for bed, food, water, toys, walking and pads, 100% better then a crate.

Lovetodream88 · 08-27-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy2013

JadeD and Silver Lace, I feel so much better. Thank you! I love him soooo. I know he would have an accident if I leave him out. Now that you mention it, I can purchase doggie pampers for him. Duh!

What a great way tho share experiences. I'll get some when we get through the flood in Texas.
Thanks again.

This is a terrible idea. It does not train the dog and it can cause urine scald and terrible rashes and infections. Please please do not put diapers on your dog.

Rowdy2013 · 08-27-2017, 10:06 AM

Lovetodream88 Starting off with "This is a terrible idea" is a really good way to make a valid point tactfully. I see why people are offended on this site. How about using more tact next time. I get it! Actually got it the first time someone responded kindly. I can accept advice but in the right spirit.

Rowdy2013 · 08-27-2017, 10:09 AM

Maltese you provided great encouraging words if experience and wisdom. Thank you.

Lovetodream88 · 08-27-2017, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy2013

Lovetodream88 Starting off with "This is a terrible idea" is a really good way to make a valid point tactfully. I see why people are offended on this site. How about using more tact next time. I get it! Actually got it the first time someone responded kindly. I can accept advice but in the right spirit.

It wasn't meant as an attack or anything like that. I am very sorry you took it that way.

08-26-2017, 02:06 PM	#1
Rowdy2013 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 5	Ears Is there cause for concern if my 4 year old yorkie sleeps a lot? Also, when I reach to pet him his ears droop backwards. Is that fear, stress or a normal behavior? I've had him for 1.5 years but just noticed it. He also has separation anxiety when I leave to go to work. He may relate picking him up and crating him to petting, causing him to be get stressed. Any thoughts? I hate that my little one is afraid. He hates the crate, but I don't want him to have an accident in the home and hurt himself by jumping around when he hears things outside. This is my first post. Please excuse if I'm in the wrong group. I'm learning. I hope I can find my way back if there is an answer. Thank you.

08-26-2017, 04:05 PM	#2
Silver Lace YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Hampton,Virginia Posts: 683	Ears I can't say if there is cause for concern that your Yorkie is sleeping a lot for sure. You might want to talk to your vet about it and if there are any other things you notice besides sleeping a lot. There no doubt will be others to come on here that will give you better answers about all you have asked. Not sure about the ears either. I just tried petting my Yorkie to test what you said. He was standing up and so I did not get a good enough look but they did seem to go back. It probably is a normal thing. A simple reaction I would think to being petted. Now you have me wondering if his ears go back when I pet him. LOL Have to check it out more times now. It can also happen other times though. Like when he is being scolded or could be like you said when you go to put him in his crate they go back as he does not like to go there. They have their ways of talking too and his ears and tail are two different means of communicating their thoughts or feelings. No doubt you will get an email when you are answered and on the email it will tell you to click on the link to go the place where the message is at so no worry about finding your place again and then you can respond if you so desire. Welcome to YT. __________________ Gone but never forgotten,my Joey. 06/24/2018

08-26-2017, 06:00 PM	#3
JadeD YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC Posts: 1,201 Blog Entries: 1	Dogs do sleep a lot. Some dogs will sleep 18-20 hours a day even. If they have nothing to keep them up they will sometimes just sleep. I try to keep mine doing things when I am home. They can sleep all they want while I am at work. One of mine does act funny when I go to pet him, he was a rescue I took in a few years ago when he was 9. My other 2 love to be petted though. Does the dog need to be crated when you are gone? Does he destroy things? I have 4 dogs and all are loose with 3 rooms of the house to roam while I am gone. They are very happy. Of course they have each other while I am at work. I have 3 Yorkies and a larger dog. If you are worried about an accident maybe leave them in a room that is easy to clean up if they do have one at first? Leave out pee pads? I have 2 that are pad trained and will go on the pads if they have to go while I am gone. The 3rd Yorkie is not pad trained but he holds it all day unless he really has to poo, and then he goes and it is easy enough to clean up when I get home. The big dog is very good in the house and never goes in the house. Good luck and I hope it is all working out well for your dog. __________________ It's raining Yorkies here! LOL Teek ,Rowan , Raksha (Grand Puppy) , Raelyn

08-27-2017, 05:14 AM	#5
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 67,952	You don't want to leave a dog in wet diapers or a belly band all day while you are at work, just like a human baby they will get diaper rash, would you leave a human baby in a wet diaper for 8 hours?. I would give him the kitchen only with pee pads down, gated off so he cannot get into other rooms, and easy to clean if he has an accident. Many dogs do not adapt to crates, a crate should be his safe haven, a place he chooses to go to for naps or just alone time. Crating a dog that does not like crates causes them a lot of stress. Sleeping a lot is mostly out of boredom. When your at work yes they will sleep. I had a pack of 3, all 3 years apart, although they had each other they slept most of the day while I was at work. When I came home they followed me all over and played with each other, did not sleep until it was bedtime. When you come home from work although you are busy doing things, talk to him, this will keep him active, awake, it doesn't matter what you say, it's your voice that comforts him. If you just go about doing things that must be done and ignore him he will go to sleep. My boy will put his ears back when I reach down to pick him up for cuddles against my chest, he's not to fond of that lol. So when I reach down he knows what's coming and back go the ears lol.I rescued him when he was 2 1/2 yo, we are a team for 3 1/2 years now, he wasn't raised to be held against ones chest, but we are working through that. Yorkies need a lot of human contact, some males especially need a lot of body contact with their humans. __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog Last edited by matese; 08-27-2017 at 05:16 AM.

08-27-2017, 09:10 AM	#7
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 67,952	At 4 yo it will be difficult to start pad training. My boys prev. owner walked him and he was also pad trained. I leave a pad out for him all the time, there are times I need to be away 6 or 7 hours, he knows what the pad is for but chooses to wait until I come home, he prefers to potty out doors. Pads do have their advantages for rain and snow. If you have hard wood floor in your kitchen then that does present a problem, but crating causes a lot of stress especially if he doesn't like it. Diapers, belly bands is out of the question. Xpens and Iris pens are great for confining with enough room for bed, food, water, toys, walking and pads, 100% better then a crate. __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

08-26-2017, 08:16 PM	#4
Rowdy2013 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 5	JadeD and Silver Lace, I feel so much better. Thank you! I love him soooo. I know he would have an accident if I leave him out. Now that you mention it, I can purchase doggie pampers for him. Duh! What a great way tho share experiences. I'll get some when we get through the flood in Texas. Thanks again.

08-27-2017, 07:38 AM	#6
Rowdy2013 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 5	Great advice Joan. He's a happy little fellow. Loves to cuddle and play. I talk to him and he seems to understand. Lol He should be old enough to wait until I get home bit with hard wood floors I have no way of knowing if he had an accident during the day. I'll try introducing him to pee pads. I hope it's not difficult for him to get the hang of. They certainly who'll come in handy during this rainy weather. Again thanks.

08-27-2017, 10:06 AM	#9
Rowdy2013 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 5	Lovetodream88 Starting off with "This is a terrible idea" is a really good way to make a valid point tactfully. I see why people are offended on this site. How about using more tact next time. I get it! Actually got it the first time someone responded kindly. I can accept advice but in the right spirit.

08-27-2017, 10:09 AM	#10
Rowdy2013 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 5	Thank You Maltese you provided great encouraging words if experience and wisdom. Thank you.