What's normal? Need Advice or Reassurance

[York-a-lator]

I have two Yorkies. They are Scooter, who is three years old, and I've had her for two years. The other is Jilly, who is two years old, and I've had her for a year.

I adore both of them. However, they are a different as can be. Here's my problems with them:

Scooter: She is a recluse at home. She used to go to the closet in my office and cloister herself in the back. I put a bed in there because I was concerned that the floor was too hard for her. Then she decided to make our master bath her domain. She scrumbles up the rug in front of the shower and lays on it. So I took the bed from the closet and put it in the bathroom. She stays there all day.

When I got her she played with toys and enjoyed our company but now she acts like she hates us. She's always front and center whenever it's time to eat. She wakes me up in the morning, doing her little spin dance to get me up so that I will eat and she can have a few nibbles. Her only pleasure is eating. She was spoiled and hand fed from the table before I got her. I hate scolding her for this behavior because it seems the only pleasure she has.

She hates Jilly and I think that might be at the root of the problem, but Jilly is a given.

She loves visitors, but we don't get a lot of them. She likes to go out for walks or ride in the car. I do this whenever I can.

Jilly is a love. She is a mommie's girl, doesn't beg but keeps her eye on Scooter so she knows when treats are coming. But when I take her out for a walk or for a ride in the car, she gasps, pants, shakes, her tongue goes up and she's just plain scared. But she always wants to go. I carry her in a satchel made for small dogs. That's the only place she feels safe.

I just want to know if these dogs are normal, and if anyone has advice, I'm open!

Thanks.

[TLC]

Yup - normal.

My 2 are night and day...and also the same (hahahahaha)

They each have their own set of personality traits

[chachi]

It sounds normal to me. They are all so different in personality

[LuvmyYorkies2]

All of us with more than 1 can probably relate....it's like children(skin), each have their own personality, some have the same characteristics, some are like night & day. I have 1 who is super cuddly, the other, not as much. Both are spoiled rotten the same!

I would just allow them to be who they are but continue to show them both the same amount of attention and maybe eventually the one that's more subdued will open up a little more...but will probably always have the recluse characteristic!

[Nancy1999]

Ladymom posted this link in another thread yesterday, and it had some very interesting advice on choosing the sex of the second dog. From reading this it sounds like what you are going through is typical. You want them to be best of friends, but this doesn't always work with two dogs of the same sex. The article also suggested that alone time with each pet is important, just like real kids. For more information: Two Puppies or One? - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!

[York-a-lator]

Gosh, thanks. I appreciate your comments.

I worry about Scooter. Is she happy? Does she like us? Is she lonely for the home/people who had her for her first year? Am I obsessing? LOL!

When we got her we had another Yorkie, Roxy, who was happy, active and outgoing. Scooter liked her. I could tell she was happy. But Roxy was stung by a bee and died from the toxins. We did everything we could to save her. We got Jilly to keep Scooter company and help her over the loss. She NEVER took to Jilly and sometimes I wonder if she misses Rox.

I guess I'm just used to dogs who acted as though they love us, although she did act concerned about Jilly when I brought her home after she was spayed. The only time I can remember Scooter being concerned about me was when I was moaning about a horrible painful cramp in my leg and foot. She climbed up on the sofa and started kissing me. My husband chased her down and I wish he hadn't done that. I guess that should tell me something.

I cuddle both of them as much as I can. Scooter doesn't really like it. Sometimes my husband puts her up on the bed at night because she's asked. When I come to bed, she's in my spot. If I move her, she just stands there. I pet her, rub her tummy and try to get her to relax and cuddle, but she eventually wants to get down and heads for her bed in the bathroom. Jilly stays on the bed all night, and snuggles with me.

I guess I should stop worrying and just enjoy them for who they are, huh?

[Nancy1999]

[QUOTE=York-a-lator;1982052]Gosh, thanks. I appreciate your comments.

I worry about Scooter. Is she happy? Does she like us? Is she lonely for the home/people who had her for her first year? Am I obsessing? LOL!

When we got her we had another Yorkie, Roxy, who was happy, active and outgoing. Scooter liked her. I could tell she was happy. But Roxy was stung by a bee and died from the toxins. We did everything we could to save her. We got Jilly to keep Scooter company and help her over the loss. She NEVER took to Jilly and sometimes I wonder if she misses Rox.

I guess I'm just used to dogs who acted as though they love us, although she did act concerned about Jilly when I brought her home after she was spayed. The only time I can remember Scooter being concerned about me was when I was moaning about a horrible painful cramp in my leg and foot. She climbed up on the sofa and started kissing me. My husband chased her down and I wish he hadn't done that. I guess that should tell me something.

I cuddle both of them as much as I can. Scooter doesn't really like it. Sometimes my husband puts her up on the bed at night because she's asked. When I come to bed, she's in my spot. If I move her, she just stands there. I pet her, rub her tummy and try to get her to relax and cuddle, but she eventually wants to get down and heads for her bed in the bathroom. Jilly stays on the bed all night, and snuggles with me.

I guess I should stop worrying and just enjoy them for who they are, huh? QUOTE][/

I think that's excellent advice!

[Lou]

I'm no expert, believe me, but if it was me I think I would take a book into the bathroom and sit on the floor beside Scooter and read. I wouldn't put any pressure on her just be beside her a few times a day. That might help form a bond with you. Hopefully after a while she will venture out of that room to be with you. The two dogs will eventually settle things between them and live in peace if not perfect harmony. I'm more concerned about how she is acting with you.

[York-a-lator]

Originally Posted by Lou

I'm no expert, believe me, but if it was me I think I would take a book into the bathroom and sit on the floor beside Scooter and read. I wouldn't put any pressure on her just be beside her a few times a day. That might help form a bond with you. Hopefully after a while she will venture out of that room to be with you. The two dogs will eventually settle things between them and live in peace if not perfect harmony. I'm more concerned about how she is acting with you.

That's a good idea. I have felt like she goes there to be alone, and to get away from us.

In my desk drawer I keep a bag of Smokehouse duck and sweet potato treats. Twice a day, Scooter comes in and jumps up on my leg and "talks" to me about the drawer. She wants a treat. Since these dogs are so small, I cut the treat in half and give half to each dog. Then she disappears into the bathroom again. Jilly lays under the bed where she can watch me. Actually, I just noticed that Scooter has laid down under a table and is sleeping where I can see her. That's great!

[York-a-lator]

Originally Posted by Lou

I'm no expert, believe me, but if it was me I think I would take a book into the bathroom and sit on the floor beside Scooter and read. I wouldn't put any pressure on her just be beside her a few times a day. That might help form a bond with you. Hopefully after a while she will venture out of that room to be with you. The two dogs will eventually settle things between them and live in peace if not perfect harmony. I'm more concerned about how she is acting with you.

Yeah, ok. No, after a hot game of scootie-soccer with Jilly and me with their favorite squeeky toys, she took off for the bathroom. I waited about ten minutes and went in with a magazine, sat down on the floor and petted her, then read a minute. Well, less than a minute, because that's all it took for her to get up and leave me sitting there.

I'm not sure where she is right now, under a bed, I guess, but I'm sure she'll show up soon to say, "Do you know it's dinner time?"

[Lou]

Originally Posted by York-a-lator

Yeah, ok. No, after a hot game of scootie-soccer with Jilly and me with their favorite squeeky toys, she took off for the bathroom. I waited about ten minutes and went in with a magazine, sat down on the floor and petted her, then read a minute. Well, less than a minute, because that's all it took for her to get up and leave me sitting there.

I'm not sure where she is right now, under a bed, I guess, but I'm sure she'll show up soon to say, "Do you know it's dinner time?"

Next time close the door! LOL

[York-a-lator]

Originally Posted by Lou

Next time close the door! LOL

LOL!!!

[mscat]

I do believe that these types of dog have their own unquie personality. It must be a chalenge to meet both of their needs as differnt as they are .They do sound as precious as can be.

[Sunnie]

I am no expert, but I have an idea you could try to get them bonded to each other and more bonded with you. You mentioned that Scooter likes to go for walks. I would continue doing that every day. While you are walking her, communicate with her. Point out flowers, talk to her, tell her what a good girl she is being. Keep your voice upbeat and praise her a lot. With Jilly, I would start walking her where she is safe in her own yard, by herself, without Scooter. Do the same to her as far as talking to her, praising her, etc. Then add Scooter to the mix.. "Walk" them both in the safety of thier own home or yard. Together.. If you can get a coupler leash, that is even better. It won't be long before they are used to being side by side on the leashes. Then venture outdoors. Just make it short walks at first on quiet streets. My Sunshine was afraid of the car noise. She is getting so much better now that I have been walking her with Rainbow who is very enthusiastic about walking. They go on the coupler leash and at first Sunshine was always behind, but I keep the leash close to me so they are both close by my side and Sunshine is coming out of her shell as far as walking goes and they are really bonded as friends. My neighborhood is quiet and since I have a daughter in Phoenix, I know that some neighborhoods there can have a lot of car traffic. You might have to try walking them around in a park away from traffic. Just be consistant and I would be willing to bet that it won't be long before they both come running when they think you are going to take them out toi walk. By putting them on a coupler leash, you are forcing them to stay close to each other which will help them to bond with each other without feeling like you are forcing them together. Good luck and keep us updated.

[York-a-lator]

Originally Posted by mscat

I do believe that these types of dog have their own unquie personality. It must be a chalenge to meet both of their needs as differnt as they are .They do sound as precious as can be.

They really are precious and I adore them! Yorkies are so different from any of the other dogs that have owned me before. I love their "wonking." It makes me laugh.

Thank you.