This is my daughter's dog. He's a Shorkie (Yorkie/Shih-tzu). He is the most active puppy we have ever seen. She got Eli at 4 weeks old, the mom couldn't feed the babies due to an infection. Eli was rambunctious, over active, and aggressive even at 4 weeks. When we introduced him to our Poodle he just kept attacking, biting at him, and bowling him over.
He is still being bottle fed. Now Eli is 3 months old and he's even more active than I can find words to describe. He's as sweet as can be and we love him to pieces. But I'm seriously thinking of trying to talk our daughter into giving him up. Right now they are on vacation so we are taking care of him.
We have to keep our Poodle out his reach so that he doesn't hurt him. Our Poodle (Pierre) is 1 year old and weighs only 7 lbs. Eli weighs over 10 lbs already. Pierre is such a baby and it's a good thing, he wants to be held or lay on the table by our computer or on the counter near us. He thinks he's a baby, he doesn't know he's a dog.
How on earth can we ever train this Shorkie? You may not think he's that bad or active by my description here, but he is. Plus 20 minutes ago he ripped a hole in my good work pants that I had on. He's so darn cute you can't get mad at him. We have crate trained him since 4 weeks. He loves that and is happy to be in there. He only cries when he needs to go out. Can someone please give us advice? My hubby takes care of him in the day. He takes him out and plays with him. Sorry for the long post. But we are desperate.
By Ariela from MI
There's this amazing stuff you can buy for humans or for pets called "Bach Flowers - Rescue Remedy". They sell it at health food stores or at quality pet stores. It's for helping a pet relax and to help to mellow a pet when they are stressed out. My mom's vet recommended it be given to her cats on the long drive from Seattle to Dallas when they were moving and also later on when she had to give her cat an IV every other day. It won't harm your pet and it has absolutely no side effects so it won't hurt to try it. It's about $12 and it also works for humans that have panic attacks or anxiety (like going to the dentist, etc). It's made for calming. It's not an herbal remedy, but more of a homeopathic remedy, but it really does work! I've heard many great things about Rescue Remedy from humans that have tried it and my mom's cats have been helped by it, too. It also works to help calm a pet when he's going to the vet or before being groomed. Try it and let me know if it helps. (I know it really does work and it's not just the "placebo effect" because it works for animals, not just humans.)
I would also recommend you buy the new Caesar Milan video set. Also, make sure you do a 45 minute to 1 hour walk every day with your pet. He needs the exercise to help relieve some of his frustration and excess energy. This should be a walk that is controlled by you, not him. He needs to be kept on a short leash right behind your left or right heal. Don't let him run in front of you ever and make sure he's calm before letting him out of the house. Also, make sure you walk outside the door first, not him. This will help establish your dominance and help him know his place (subservient to you and the rest of the family). Caesar sells a special collar that helps control a hyper dog. It helps by putting the leash up higher on the neck (not with pain like pinch or choke chains)
There's also an interactive online coaching course with Caesar Milan that might help you:cesarmillaninc.comand an ask Caesar column too (see web site below):
Caesar Milan Puppy Training videos:
cesarmillaninc.com
Dog Wisperer TV Show info:
nationalgeographic.com
* If this doesn't work, call a professional. It will be well worth the money! (07/06/2009)
By Cyinda
My puppy dog is very active too and he can be destructive. He ate holes in our leather chair, has eaten my diabetes meter, he's chewed the cell phone case, and just anything he can get a hold of. I found that after he was neutered he has calmed down unbelievably. I seriously considered whether I could live with him even though I did love him. Now that he's calmer, I know I'll always have him. (07/08/2009)
By Janet
Take it from me, all puppies are hyper and they are just like kids. Some depends on the breed. Please let your pup be a pup. As active as they are, they will sleep just as much. All pups do is run, run, sleep, sleep, poo, poo, eat, eat. (07/08/2009)
By Cosy
He sounds like he has a lovely and smart personality that you would like to control, but not damage. Before you try any of the rough methods recommended consider going to puppy classes at Petsmart, or get a good clicker training book. Clicker training is positive reinforcement and does not put you at risk for being bitten, as well as teaching a puppy to be responsive without scaring it. Sadly, Caesar Milan does not use methods which help train dogs in safe and gentle fashion.
By Mary Ross
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