Hello,
I recently rescued and adopted a 3 year old female Yorkshire Terrier from horrible conditions. She was in a place where there were 27 other dogs, 10 cats and 2 huge birds. All were kept in a stifling hot room with such a strong smell of ammonia it was unbearable. She was so dirty I had to wash her 3 times before I could address the terrible matted fir.
My problem is she was never allowed to be a dog, has never been socialised and spent all her life crated. She has never had a collar or been on a lead, doesn't know how to play and needless to say, not housebroken.
I have another Yorkie, 7 year old nutered male, and the two dogs get on well. I have been working with the little girl intensively to make her feel loved she is still withdrawn but getting better, she won't leave my side.
What I need are suggestions on how to housebreak her. I have Victoria's book and I have tried what she has suggested, with the exception of the crate, with no luck. I just didn't have the heart to put her where she has spent most of her life. She is good during the day it is at night where the problem exists. Even though she has been taken out numerous times during the evening we have one morning where there is nothing but three more where she has left puddles and surprises for us.
She didn't know what grass was and it took me a week to get her to walk on it and she does do her business outside now but the problem over night is still there.
Just to let you all know, the situation she came from is now under investigation and hopefully all the other animals will also be rescued from such a horrible existence.
Can anyone help with the housebreaking and socialisation issues?? I would appreciate any and all advice.
Debi
Help with a rescued Yorkshire Terrier
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Help with a rescued Yorkshire Terrier
Last edited by Debi on Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bearing the circumstances, I understand why you don't want to put her in a crate, but I'm afraid that I don't see another way about it. What you need to understand is that the dog's view of it depends on how it is used, and it can feel like a safe den or a cruel prison depending on that one factor. Our Dal was (and as far as I'm aware, still is) terrified of kennels and he is fine with a crate.
Make sure that your dog can sit, stand and lie down comfortably (dogs curl up to go to sleep, appear taller sitting down and longer standing or lying in what I refer to as the 'sphinx position'). Your Yorkie will not wee in there because they do not like to wee where they go to sleep. Praise her first thing in the morning before letting her out and she'll know that she will be rewarded for her patience. I especially recommend this in the first couple of weeks, because she might cry because she is not in her usual circumstances, but try to ignore her, because she will settle down.
Make sure that your dog can sit, stand and lie down comfortably (dogs curl up to go to sleep, appear taller sitting down and longer standing or lying in what I refer to as the 'sphinx position'). Your Yorkie will not wee in there because they do not like to wee where they go to sleep. Praise her first thing in the morning before letting her out and she'll know that she will be rewarded for her patience. I especially recommend this in the first couple of weeks, because she might cry because she is not in her usual circumstances, but try to ignore her, because she will settle down.
Hiya,
Thank you for your advice, it is well taken. As for the crying, she did cry for the first 3 nights but I did ignore it. She is sleeping in the kitchen with my other dog and I left the light on and she seemed to settle. I will look into getting a crate even though I hate the idea. How long do I have to keep her in the crate at night? I know you will say until she is trained, well out of curiousity, want to venture a guess on how long this could be with a 3 year old dog??
Thanks so much,
Debi
Thank you for your advice, it is well taken. As for the crying, she did cry for the first 3 nights but I did ignore it. She is sleeping in the kitchen with my other dog and I left the light on and she seemed to settle. I will look into getting a crate even though I hate the idea. How long do I have to keep her in the crate at night? I know you will say until she is trained, well out of curiousity, want to venture a guess on how long this could be with a 3 year old dog??
Thanks so much,
Debi
I can't say how long exactly, because it varies from dog to dog, even those of the same breed and age. All I can say is that make sure that she goes before she goes to bed and first thing in the morning, do not use ammonium cleaners in the room (the chemical, among other things, is present in dog urine) and be patient.
Try a month or two, then a trial outside, if it doesn't work, use the crate again. When she gets the idea she won't go again. The problem is that since she was stuck in a room all the time she doesn't understand that she shouldn't go inside.
Try a month or two, then a trial outside, if it doesn't work, use the crate again. When she gets the idea she won't go again. The problem is that since she was stuck in a room all the time she doesn't understand that she shouldn't go inside.
Does she necessarily associate the crate with her past home? She might be quite comfortable in there.
On the other hand, she may not be comfortable and worse - she may have learned to use the crate as a toilet!
Have a feeding and toiletting routine, don't vary it too much.
Figure out how long she lasts at night before toiletting. Set your alarm about 30 minutes before then. Wake up, take her out to toilet. Bring her back in and go to bed.
You may need to set your alarm to wake you more than once in the night.
Each night, before going to bed, set the alarm/s 5 minutes later.
Pretty soon, hopefully, she will get into the habit of being woken and taken out. Each night you're adding 5 minutes, so before long she will learn to hold on all night.
Although it may seem a hassle to have to wake up once or twice each night - this one seems worth it
On the other hand, she may not be comfortable and worse - she may have learned to use the crate as a toilet!
Have a feeding and toiletting routine, don't vary it too much.
Figure out how long she lasts at night before toiletting. Set your alarm about 30 minutes before then. Wake up, take her out to toilet. Bring her back in and go to bed.
You may need to set your alarm to wake you more than once in the night.
Each night, before going to bed, set the alarm/s 5 minutes later.
Pretty soon, hopefully, she will get into the habit of being woken and taken out. Each night you're adding 5 minutes, so before long she will learn to hold on all night.
Although it may seem a hassle to have to wake up once or twice each night - this one seems worth it
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Hi Aidan,
We finally got a crate and I don't think it is working, she is messing on her bed in the crate. We are now going on three weeks and she seems to be getting worse instead of better as far as the toilet training. I have been talking with the rescue people and they are telling me it looks like there is no hope of training her and that I must now decide to return her to them, not the place she came from, to be homed somewhere that can handle a Yorkie that is not trainable.
All I have done is sit here and cry as I have become attached to her even in this short time. She is not settling at night and my poor Husband is really starting to suffer from lack of sleep as am I. We are taking her outside every hour and she is still messing in the house, in fact, she seems to have stopped pooing outside altogether. We can't let her out of our sight in the house because she will mess and gating her in the kitchen doesn't work because all she does is bark and cry.
She has started to come out of her silence a bit but still doesn't have a clue about training. I have been working very hard at just getting her to understand sit and again, nothing.....she just looks at me. I have trained other dogs including our other Yorkie with great result but this time I am lost. I feel so sorry for her, she is such a sweet little thing and I know none of it is her fault. I am so angry with the place she came from and I only hope that the investigation proves neglect and the man is banned from ever having animals again.
I am not sure if you can advise any further, if you can I would appreciate it. The Rescue People wanted me to bring her to them today but I just can't. They have suggested one more thing and to give it until Saturday at which time they will take her and try to get me another little one, this time one trained, socialised and spayed. They are truly sorry for sending me to a place like that and had they known they would have never suggested the kennel. As I said, the place is now under investigation.
Thanks for any and all help.
Debi
We finally got a crate and I don't think it is working, she is messing on her bed in the crate. We are now going on three weeks and she seems to be getting worse instead of better as far as the toilet training. I have been talking with the rescue people and they are telling me it looks like there is no hope of training her and that I must now decide to return her to them, not the place she came from, to be homed somewhere that can handle a Yorkie that is not trainable.
All I have done is sit here and cry as I have become attached to her even in this short time. She is not settling at night and my poor Husband is really starting to suffer from lack of sleep as am I. We are taking her outside every hour and she is still messing in the house, in fact, she seems to have stopped pooing outside altogether. We can't let her out of our sight in the house because she will mess and gating her in the kitchen doesn't work because all she does is bark and cry.
She has started to come out of her silence a bit but still doesn't have a clue about training. I have been working very hard at just getting her to understand sit and again, nothing.....she just looks at me. I have trained other dogs including our other Yorkie with great result but this time I am lost. I feel so sorry for her, she is such a sweet little thing and I know none of it is her fault. I am so angry with the place she came from and I only hope that the investigation proves neglect and the man is banned from ever having animals again.
I am not sure if you can advise any further, if you can I would appreciate it. The Rescue People wanted me to bring her to them today but I just can't. They have suggested one more thing and to give it until Saturday at which time they will take her and try to get me another little one, this time one trained, socialised and spayed. They are truly sorry for sending me to a place like that and had they known they would have never suggested the kennel. As I said, the place is now under investigation.
Thanks for any and all help.
Debi
Last edited by Debi on Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
oh Debbie, I feel for you!
Are you in a situation where you can devote a lot of time to your dog, or do you work a lot?
I have just been reading a bunch of training tips here: http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm#dog
and this specific one is on house training an adult dog - don't know if it will help or not: http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/retrain-dog.pdf
do you have time to treat her like you would a brand new puppy - and socialise her, start from scratch with basic commands like sit etc using treats? Instead of treating her like an adult dog, treat her like you would a puppy, but introduce her to "the world" slowly.
It may just take her a little longer - it took my 1 year old AGES to be housetrained - even though she would get tricks in a second! If it's only been 3 weeks, I wouldn't be too worried........ and I do NOT believe that she is untrainable (in Victoria's own words from her Sunday night show here, "there is no dog that can't be trained").
Could you speak to a local puppy school and explain your situation, and see if they would let you go along to their classes, for socialisation with other dogs?
I am by far not a professional trainer, but my first thought regarding her unfortunate situation, would be to treat her as you would a brand new puppy, and start from scratch, and just have a lot of patience..
Are you in a situation where you can devote a lot of time to your dog, or do you work a lot?
I have just been reading a bunch of training tips here: http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm#dog
and this specific one is on house training an adult dog - don't know if it will help or not: http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/retrain-dog.pdf
do you have time to treat her like you would a brand new puppy - and socialise her, start from scratch with basic commands like sit etc using treats? Instead of treating her like an adult dog, treat her like you would a puppy, but introduce her to "the world" slowly.
It may just take her a little longer - it took my 1 year old AGES to be housetrained - even though she would get tricks in a second! If it's only been 3 weeks, I wouldn't be too worried........ and I do NOT believe that she is untrainable (in Victoria's own words from her Sunday night show here, "there is no dog that can't be trained").
Could you speak to a local puppy school and explain your situation, and see if they would let you go along to their classes, for socialisation with other dogs?
I am by far not a professional trainer, but my first thought regarding her unfortunate situation, would be to treat her as you would a brand new puppy, and start from scratch, and just have a lot of patience..
PS. exactly how are you going about teaching her "sit"?
you may know all the methods of teaching dogs commands, but I ALWAYS enjoy reading about them, and find these good tips:
http://www.ddfl.org/beh-commands.htm
(for basic sit, off, down, come, heel, leave it, settle, stand, stay etc)
Make sure that you're not trying to teach her too many things at once or she'll get confused
you may know all the methods of teaching dogs commands, but I ALWAYS enjoy reading about them, and find these good tips:
http://www.ddfl.org/beh-commands.htm
(for basic sit, off, down, come, heel, leave it, settle, stand, stay etc)
Make sure that you're not trying to teach her too many things at once or she'll get confused
Hi Leigh,
Thank you for your help. I work from home so I can spend loads of time with her, which I have done. She was with 27 other dogs where I rescued her from so she is use to other animals. I also have Victoria's book and have been following that as well as advice from the Yorkie Rescue people, Aidan and others. The only thing I have been trying to teach her, besides the "potty" training, is to sit and as I said, she still doen't have a clue. I thought being with my other Yorkie would have rubbed off but apparently not.
I will read the sites you suggested and hope for a few more ideas, wish me luck. And, thank you again!!
Debi
Thank you for your help. I work from home so I can spend loads of time with her, which I have done. She was with 27 other dogs where I rescued her from so she is use to other animals. I also have Victoria's book and have been following that as well as advice from the Yorkie Rescue people, Aidan and others. The only thing I have been trying to teach her, besides the "potty" training, is to sit and as I said, she still doen't have a clue. I thought being with my other Yorkie would have rubbed off but apparently not.
I will read the sites you suggested and hope for a few more ideas, wish me luck. And, thank you again!!
Debi
Hi Debi, she has unfortunately learned to toilet in her crate.
If you want to keep this dog it will be a 'baptism of fire', and could be a whole lot more painful than necessary. If the rescue organisation have a foster home likely to become available, I would take them up on the offer. If they are genuine, she will be well looked after. Short-term pain for long-term gain.
On the other hand, if you are a glutton for punishment, it is true that there is no dog that cannot be trained. Look into clicker training.
Forget about teaching 'sit'. I'm sure it could be done, but there is a deeper lesson here for you. Dog training isn't about sitting, it's about communicating with the dog. You have a dog, through no fault of your own, who has never had the opportunity to learn to communicate.
I'd be more interested in seeing this dog make the connection between a click and treat. It is the simplest form of learning.
Then, see if you can get her to touch your hand, click and treat the instant that she touches. Again, very simple learning (yet VERY powerful, and useful too).
House-training has some options. Belly bands or 'puppy diapers' are bands that discourage urination in the house. If you tether her to you (difficult with such a small dog not to trip though), you will catch her before she gets the chance to make a mess (see IMOTD series 1, episode with Chinese Crested).
But, I have to say, if I were you and the rescue organisation had a good chance of finding an experienced home I would want her to have that opportunity.
Good luck, and I'm sorry you had to go through this.
If you want to keep this dog it will be a 'baptism of fire', and could be a whole lot more painful than necessary. If the rescue organisation have a foster home likely to become available, I would take them up on the offer. If they are genuine, she will be well looked after. Short-term pain for long-term gain.
On the other hand, if you are a glutton for punishment, it is true that there is no dog that cannot be trained. Look into clicker training.
Forget about teaching 'sit'. I'm sure it could be done, but there is a deeper lesson here for you. Dog training isn't about sitting, it's about communicating with the dog. You have a dog, through no fault of your own, who has never had the opportunity to learn to communicate.
I'd be more interested in seeing this dog make the connection between a click and treat. It is the simplest form of learning.
Then, see if you can get her to touch your hand, click and treat the instant that she touches. Again, very simple learning (yet VERY powerful, and useful too).
House-training has some options. Belly bands or 'puppy diapers' are bands that discourage urination in the house. If you tether her to you (difficult with such a small dog not to trip though), you will catch her before she gets the chance to make a mess (see IMOTD series 1, episode with Chinese Crested).
But, I have to say, if I were you and the rescue organisation had a good chance of finding an experienced home I would want her to have that opportunity.
Good luck, and I'm sorry you had to go through this.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Aidan
http://www.PositivePetzine.com
Hi Aidan,
I will have a go with the clicker to see if there is any response. I will let you know what happens but at this point in time, I am afraid she will be leaving us. Again, I have become very attached to her and it will be an extremely difficult separation.
Thank you for all you suggestions and help, I really appreciate it.
Debi
I will have a go with the clicker to see if there is any response. I will let you know what happens but at this point in time, I am afraid she will be leaving us. Again, I have become very attached to her and it will be an extremely difficult separation.
Thank you for all you suggestions and help, I really appreciate it.
Debi
