My name is Gaylin!

updated 4/9Gaylin is ready for his forever home. He had a few problems along the way, but he has overcome them and is going to make someone a wonderful companion. Gaylin was being treated for Cushing's disease but recent test results were inconsistent with Cushings. A new vet reviewed his results, and agreed he did not appear to have Cushings so he was taken off his medication, carefully observed and had a complete new senior panel of tests including liver and kidney chemistry's and his blood work came back perfect - he does not have Cushings and his kidneys and liver chemistry all looks great.

Gaylin needs to be an only dog in an experienced Yorkie home. He has the famous "yorkietude" that only an experienced Yorkie owner will be able to deal with. On occasion, Gaylin wants what he wants and he wants it now! However, he responds very well to a calm and assertive directive. If you lose your cool or raise your voice, it will set off what can only be described as a "Yorkie temper tantrum." He will do his darndest to match his will against yours, and he will become fixated on getting his way. If you stay calm, tell him no firmly and do not react to his behavior, he will settle down. The key is to watch his behavior and recognize when he is getting ready to give you attitude and stop him before it escalates. His first foster home observed that if he is allowed to "get worked up" he does not forget what he is fussing over, and that was a very accurate description.

Over the last couple of months, Gaylin has learned he will not be permitted to behave badly. He is given lots of exercise (it also helps that the weather was getting nicer when he was moved to his new foster home) and he is allowed to wear himself out running and playing in our securely fenced yard. He is a dog that requires lots of exercise - he must have a fenced yard - walks are nice too, but he needs to be able to go outside and chase birds, squirrels, leaves, a speck of dust in the air and he has to be kept safe when doing so. He is very inquisitive but also leery of new sounds, sights, situations. When he is confronted with something new, he must be reassured. For instance, every time I turn on the garbage disposal, he starts barking at the noise and would work himself into a frenzy if permitted. I run the disposal and direct my attention to him with a firm "No, stop" command. It may take two or three times to stop him, but I don't turn off the disposal until he stops and as soon as he stops he receives immediate positive praise. There are many situations like this in Gaylin's day. He is slowly learning not to react, but if his attitude is not dealt with immediately, consistently, firmly and gently - he could easily turn into a truly obnoxious Yorkie.

Gaylin is also a "talker" and a little love bug. He walks around and makes a little noise in his throat, something between a growl and a mutter. It's as if he is having an internal conversation and we find it both hilarious and delightful. He loves his person and enjoys being in their lap and cuddling next to them at night. Gaylin responds extremely well to positive reinforcement. He would rather be praised than receive a treat (although he is not opposed to a treat if you are so inclined.) The fastest way to get Gaylin to do what you want him to do is to "catch him doing the good behavior" and praise him for it. When he starts to work himself up over something, first I settle him down with a firm "No, stop" and the second he stops I praise him and tell him what a good boy he is along with giving him a little chin scratch. Did I mention he loves his person and loves to cuddle in your lap? He will follow you around and will be a diligent protector, but you do need to let him know you can take care of yourself. He walks well on a leash and is about 80% potty trained. If you are looking for a loving companion with a bit of a Yorkie "tude", have a securely fenced yard, want him to be the only pet him your home, and feel sure you can help keep him in a balanced mindset - please complete an application. Gaylin is looking for you.


Update 02/13/09: Galin has recently gone through update testing for his cushings desease. His cortisol is right where it needs to be, so he is maintaining his Mitotane dosage 2 times per week. He turned 9 yrs old Dec 19th and is 7.5#'s. As he gets older he exhibits some intolerances when he doesn't feel well towards the other dog here and is learning even if he doesn't feel well he must behave. He would do well as an only dog or with other well balanced dogs.



Update 12/19/08: Gaylin is a 9 yr old (DOB 12/19/99) and weighs 7.6 pounds. Gaylin had gotten through his mourning of his buddy Jeb quite nicely and has reached out to the others to groom and play with. He continues to be a wonderful lap dog, and has learned to sit on command. His Cushings is being maintained by Mitotane 2 times a week. He is vocal when he wants outside which is several times a day. He wears a belly band while in the living area of our home. He is paper trained as well. He loves his stuffy bear, other people, and sleeping under a blanket (I know is not typical of yorkies, but has picked this up watching the other short hair dogs). He will only be adopted to a home with a fenced in area and will need an experienced yorkie person.


UPDATE 9/5/08 GAYLIN (OH) – 8#,8yrs, male – Gaylin is mourning the loss of his foster brother Jeb. He loved to groom him. This is new for him as he lived his past 8 yrs with Fayne alone and no other dogs. He has choosen Cassie our 11 yr old IG to try to play with in Jeb’s place and is clingier to me. Gaylin has obtained an exemption from his vet for his booster due to his cushings and age. He has graduated to waiting while the patio door is open til I say ok. He is also learning to coexist with indoor canaries and they are different from outside birds. He is learning "back" and "go" that if he is quiet and calm he can be around their area of the room.

Update 07/29/08: Gaylin 8 yr old 7 1/2 # male yorkie. Gaylin is becoming quite the alarmist. A very good thing, he lets foster mom know when a bee/fly/mosquito/spider is in the house. Sort of like a Pointer wannabe. He will stance and stare at any critter lurking so we can take care of it. We discovered that he will bark before the phone rings as if he knows it is going to. He must feel the vibration we suppose. He is still on his mitotane maintenance for Cushings and will receive his yearly checkup Friday the 1st.
Update 7/02/08: Gaylin - 7.6#, male, 8 yr old, receives maitenance
Mitotane for cushings 2 times a week. He is settleing
down looking for direction in the home and now outside
the house. He wants to control and needs a dog
experienced person to curb his occassional strong
will. He listens, obeys, and takes cues better than
before.
A lovable lap dog. There are many things he doesn't
like but accepts (I'd say only grumpy %10 of the time
now opposed to %80 last year)them as he gets attention
as that is his motivation (that and snacks!). Adoption
fee is $125.



Gaylin , 8 yr old, 7 1/2 #'s.
Gaylin now looks at me to get his food dish. I have
been training him wait 5, then 10, then 15 seconds. He
has learned that when he looks at me he gets it right
away. He must wait at the door before going out also
with the same technique. I have been working with him
for times he can bark and times it is
not appropriate. He had a contankerous day yesterday
where he insisted he wanted the squeaky Jeb had (no
one takes Jebs toy away from him.)
Gaylin insisted, so I removed him to another room
which he DID NOT like, set him off into one
of his barking tizzys. To our surprise he settled
right down when he figured out I would leave him in
time out with no attention from me. A real first for
him!! Usually I would have to bathe him or walk him to
redirect his mind and calm him. But then after the
show was over he proceeded to look for the toy
(which I put up). They know color, I am convinced,
there is 4 of them but they both HAD to have the
yellow one, of course. This explains how Gaylin needs
an experienced dog person to guide his tendencies and
stop escalations before they get to a point of out of
control and his occassional stress agressions but not
agressive.

Update 05/05/08: Gaylin - I am learning a lot at my foster family's home. I say family cause I have foster brothers and sisters as well as a foster mom and a dad. I am happier than I first was a year ago. I wanted my way and was ill. They found out my illness was Cushings (which must scare people away from adopting me) , but it is managable. There is no reason I can't enjoy many
more years. I may take a little more attention, grooming, watching (consistency). But if you can keep
my stress level low (I can handle visitors but no banging partying till midnight for me) I'm getter
older and can't handle stress as much anymore. I do better in quieter settings. Don't get me wrong, I am still active, love it when visitors come (more laps to lay on and hands to lick) and love to run and bounce thro the yard. I return all the love I am given, too. My medicine costs about $10 per month and I take it well. I love love love the outdoors rain or shine. So much to do. Check out the birds, the trees, and every inch inside my fence. Don't want to miss nothing. That's why I need a fenced in area so I can have fun and be safe at the same time.


Update 01/26/08: You can see by my new pics my hair is growing out and I am just gorgeous! One shows my "outfit" I have to wear, the other one shows how I can be a real well behaved gentleman. Well, I have to wear my belly band so it might as well be sporty, right? I like the camouflage one don't you? I am all boy! active, playful. I just need someone who will help me to keep out of trouble. I know that is better for me, cause structure helps me not be as grumpy as I was before. For instance, I like to be the first out the door, but am learning that good things come to those who wait. I just can't help to charge and bark at strange noises but it's funny, I never seem to find where they are coming from. I think I must have chased them away. Oh, I talk big, but am very loving and cuddly with everyone. My favorite game is to groom/lick the other dogs. My medicine for my Cushings is not so bad. I take Mitotane liquid once a week since the vet says I am so small it is better for me.

Update 10/08/07: Gaylin shows dominant behaviors, but is not aggressive, or destructive. He is very vocal when he doesn't get his way. (Harmless grumpy/muttering/complaining behavior). He needs an experienced dog/yorkie person to make sure he keeps his boundaries and given affections at the

appropriate times. He is gentle on leash, loves car rides and to go for walks (His adopter must be able to recognize dominant behaviors, give him controlled exercise, t.l.c., patience). He continues to be very loving, lap dog. Gets along with people, dogs and some cats. Because of behaviors he had learned previously to coming into rescue, Gaylin is not housetrained but will use papers when we are away and belly band in the rest of the house. He is crate trained but does well with gates. He is learning to wait for foster mom’s cues to go thro any door, to use his energies in appropriate ways, and calm down when he hears unfamiliar noises. Due to his frequent urination and water consumption, he has been tested for diabetes, Cushings, bladder infections with no findings. Gaylin will be 8 yrs old this winter, but is an active, beautiful dog.



Original Bio 06/09/07: Gaylin - 7 yr old (DOB 12/99) 5#, male, neutered, a beautiful silver-red-blond yorkie. His owner moved and he did not get along with their newly acquired Mastiff. Alert, active, dominant. Leash, crate, gate trained. He is not housetrained but is working on it with a belly band. He loves to be outside, ride in a car, to be with his person. He was raised with Fayne since 12 weeks old and purchased for breeding purposes which did not work out. He exhibits dominance with her, often protective of her, but jealous when people pay attention to her. He loves the attention of people, comes when called, and loves to be on a lap. He does not particularly like other dogs. Often growls and warns them. He is learning that is not acceptable. Gaylin is attentive and submissive with people. He would be best with a yorkie-knowledgable person due to his tendencies to take over. Once he knows what is expected, he does very well.

It would be nice if Gaylin & Fayne could be adopted together, but is not necessary.


Original Bio 06/09/07: Gaylin - 7 yr old (DOB 12/99) 5#, male, neutered, a beautiful silver/red/blond yorkie. His owner moved and he didn't get along with their newly acquired Mastiff. Alert/active/dominant. Leash/crate/gate trained. He is not housetrained but is working on it with a belly band. He loves to be outside, ride in a car, to be with his person. He was raised with Fayne since 12 weeks old and purchased for breeding purposes which didn't work out. He exhibits dominance with her, often protective of her, but jealous when people pay attention to her. He loves the attention of people, comes when called, and loves to be on a lap. He doesn't particularly like other dogs. Often growls and warns them. He is learning that is not acceptable. Gaylin is attentive and submissive with people. He would be best with a yorkie-knowledgable person due to his tendencies to take over. Once he knows what is expected, he does very well.
It would be nice if Gaylin & Fayne could be adopted together, but is not necessary.