help. we're dogsitting a 1-year-old yorkie

[barbtries]

who has not been fixed yet. he is making life miserable for my 10-year-old chihuahua, and the 3 humans in this small apartment. if he is not trying to hump my dog, he is whining, barking, wailing and crying to get at him. either does not know or does not care that he's after another male.
it was funny at first.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154163383850716&set=vb.538110715&type=2&theater

that was a couple days ago. any suggestions? he's here until Monday.
thanks DU!

[shenmue]

1. Can you put them in separate rooms?

[barbtries]

7. yes, they're separated

but the little guy knows the other guy's in the bedroom and scratches, barks, and cries at the door ceaselessly.

[dballance]

2. Dogs that hump have little to do with their gender. Some suggestions. Hope they help.

It's not unusual for a male dog to hump anything - other dogs, your leg, your arm, the table, etc. I doubt the puppy is whining to get at your Chihuahua in order to "hump" him. He's probably just looking for companionship since dogs are pack animals. Separating him from you humans and the other dog is only going to get you more whining as he apparently doesn't wish to be alone. I don't think putting him in a room alone is a good idea. He'll whine and then may find destructive ways to entertain himself. Try to find a way to keep him around you and the other dog but still keeps him out of physical contact with the other dog. Something like a crib for babies would work. Any kind of enclosure you can rig up that keeps him present with you but not totally physically in contact all the time. It's okay to put him in something like that where he's around all of you but cannot always get to you. He'll stop whining especially if he has other distractions - like toys.

Also, he's probably stressed that he's in a new and different environment. There are techniques to calm dogs in a series called T-Touch. You can find videos on YouTube. These may help. They're my best first suggestion off the top of my head. I volunteer at our local Humane Society Shelter and we use these techniques to calm dogs. Also, have you tried enrichment toys, Kongs and such to engage the dog so he's focused on those instead of humping? Enrichment toys are those things like balls in which you can put treats that the dog has to roll around to get them. They do a few good things. It engages them so it distracts them from the behaviors we don't wish to see and it can tire them out. You can do the same thing without buying anything by simply hiding treats under a blanket or other objects the Yorkie can investigate to find them. Also, put the Yorkie under a blanket and let him work his way out. Just depends on the amount of time you have to devote to the dog whether you buy something or do interaction.

You're dealing with a one-year-old Yorkie. That's a terrier breed and they have LOTS of energy. I have a Rat-Terrier/Jack Russell mix. Even though he was fixed his energy level didn't slow down for years. Fortunately, he was never a humper.

Chihuahas I've encountered as puppies are not as hyper as terriers. It sucks if you thought this would be okay dog-sitting because you don't remember your ten-year-old as a puppy being like the Yorkie. Probably wasn't.

Good Luck!

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Thanks for this. I have a new rescue Yorkie in the house.

He's neutered... and a bit older; probably about three.... but still restless as hell.

Good ideas re. Youtube and enrichment toys, etc.

[dballance]

4. Rescues can be particularly difficult. Good for you for adopting!!!!

Depending on the situation from which they were rescued they can be tough. At the Oregon Humane Society in Portland we get a lot of "Second Chance" dogs and some dogs confiscated due to abuse through forfeiture in the court system. The Second Chance dogs are most often dogs that have been picked up by Animal Control somewhere (as far away as S-CA and HI) and then transferred to us for their second chance rather then being euthanized. Often we know nothing about the dog's history so we have to evaluate them as best we can before we present them for adoption. The confiscated dogs we know about but their situation can be much worse than a "stray" because of the conditions in which they were born and grew up. They are rarely socialized at all and can often be some of the more challenging breeds like Pit-Bulls and Akitas. I'll have to say I've met some of the sweetest, loving dogs of both those breeds though. You just have to know that they may LOVE humans but may be VERY aggressive toward other dogs of any breed.

A dog is a real commitment. I've had mine for 16 years. He's doing well for his age. Getting pretty blind now but still able to get around, take long walks and occasionally annoy the crap out of me still. He has steps that help him get onto the bed now so he doesn't injure himself jumping.

Again, thanks for adopting! Yep, he's going to be pretty active for some time. You might also try doggie day-care if you have one easily accessible to you and can afford it. That was a big help for my baby.

[barbtries]

9. thank you for your well thought out response

the person i'm sitting for did keep my dog for me several years ago, when he was only about 4. i asked her if he was this bad and she did say no. so it's a different temperament. chase as a puppy indeed was never this hyper. we dog sat a jack russell once but she was female and older and they got along fine.
i've tried the ball - not interested. put him in his carrier and just carried him around where i was - lots of crying but at least he would stop temporarily when i told him to.
BUT if the dogs are in any kind of proximity, the yorkie will not stop going after him. and it sure seems from my angle that all he wants to do is hump him, which goes over like a lead balloon with my dog. then they're both making lots of noise.
i'm here in my room with my dog, he's out there with my son and grandson. i have to give warning before i open the door or, let them interact, which was my plan. i was thinking after they had some time to get used to each other things would calm down. it's been 2 nights so far and 2 to go.
they may not get to be friends, but we'll get through. thank you again for helping!

[dballance]

13. You are so welcome!

I'm a total sucker for animals - cats, dogs, etc. That's why I spend a lot of time volunteering at the Oregon Humane Society.

[dballance]

5. More Suggestions from my friends at OHS

Last edited Sat May 24, 2014, 12:02 PM - Edit history (1)

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It sounds like the dog is anxious, after all his world has been turned upside down! He doesn't know that his owners will return. You offered good tips! An exercise pen (xpen) works great if it's in a room where someone spends a lot of time. It kind of functions like a playpen but might provide him some comfort. It's good to put a comfy bed, food, and water with it. I assume he's not crate trained, so this is not the time to try to crate train him Making his surroundings most like what he has at his home will make things easier on him. I'd put the chihuahua somewhere safe. The humping is not sexual - more like anxiety/arousal. Rescue Remedy drops in his water may help calm him. There's also DAP products.
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/snip

DAP products are Dog Appeasing Pheromones that can help calm the dog. I've never used Remedy Rescue drops but would be willing to give them a try. This is a lost-cost option too. Around $10 at your local pet store.

I think my friend is correct. Don't separate the Yorkie from people, but let the Chihuahua have some relaxing time away from the Yorkie.

[dballance]

6. One more thing. Limit any "Negative" feedback.

It's totally okay to tell the dog "Off" or "No." At my shelter we work really hard to make all training "Positive" and not "Negative."

So when big dogs jump up on us because they're so happy to see us we do a couple of things. We ignore them so as not the reinforce the behavior and/or we tell them "OFF" and GENTLY get them back down on all four paws. Then reward them with praises and treats for getting all four paws on the floor.

We work really hard to make everything positive so the dog learns it and becomes a love. I'm of the mind that the carrot is more effective than the stick.

[lovemydog]

8. Tons of exercise, if at all

possible.

[barbtries]

10. we have that on the agenda.

that little yorkie walked around the lake twice yesterday!. he really seems indefatigable. but the second night was better than the first, and i expect tonight will be better still. thank you

[lovemydog]

11. That's good to hear

He'll really be happy when you keep giving him tons of exercise!

[avebury]

12. The humping is a dominance thing.

He is trying to be the alpha dog in your home. Neutering him may not fix that problem.

I had 3 dogs, 2 females, one male, all of whom were fixed. The smaller female and male dog would do the what I called the dominance on the large female who just ignored them. The large dog was a pretty mellow girl. It was hysterical to see the 10 pound female trying to dominate a 55 pound dog. She would lay on top of the large dog like a bear rug and do this gyrating humping dance.