adoptee of dog needs questions answered
I’ve just adopted a full breed Yorkshire Terrier (a male, 3 years old and neutered). I have a 9-year-old shiz-a-poo (female and spayed).
The terrier is peeing everywhere and pooping on the floor, which I hope is just an adjustment problems, as I was told he was housebroken. He is also trying to dominate the female (taking her bones and toys when she is playing with them, etc). When I try to correct him, he growls and snaps at me and the female dog. Any suggestions?
Kim Dagle
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We also adopted 2 yorkie boys believed to be around 7 and were also told they were crate trained and potty trained… Wrong… We’ve had them 3 weeks and are still working on that. They have messed in their crates at least 6 times and have just now got to the point where they don’t cry in their crate. Our vet told us they looked as if they had been caged their entire lives and I will probably never get them 100% broken but I’m not giving up… Good luck and hang in there…
April Wonner
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Gotta give them time. Don’t expect to adopt a dog already settled in to your way of life. Like people in a new house, it takes time to settle in a feel cozy. They have to get used to the environment and other personalities in the house.
Beachbaby
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Most dogs are given up for adoption because they have a problem or two (and if they did not have any problems before, they develop them due to the trauma). Relieving themselves where they are not supposed to is the most common one but the good news is that it’s correctable 99% of the time. The most important thing is to be patient and consistent about schedules and praise and he will adjust soon enough. Pecking order confrontations are better left to run their course (unless they hurt each other). As to his growling and snapping at you, that needs to be nipped at the bud (but I might as well tell you that Yorkies are well known for that kind of behavior). Whenever he does it, stand in front of him (loom a bit over him -dogs react very well to intimidation without actual punishment), make a mad face, look him in the eye and, in a very firm and low tone of voice, say his name (always say his name first when giving him an order or scolding him) and tell him: NO! Bad boy! (or whatever expression you use) and repeat it several times: You are bad, bad boy! Then, IMMEDIATELY after he stops growling you tell him ‘Good boy!’ and make a big deal (‘what a good boy you are! Yes, you are! always using a higher than normal tone of voice). The trick to training dogs through just scolding and praise is always to ‘forgive’ them so as to make evident the positive reinforcement once the bad behavior stops and to use a low voice when you are ‘mad’ and a high voice when you are ‘happy’.
Bibi
