We got our Yorkshire Terrier from Battersea Dogs Home 8 years ago and is approximately 12 years old.

When we go to bed he is shut in the kitchen as he has always had toilet problems no matter how hard we train him. The problem is that whenever we try to pick him up to put him in the kitchen he becomes very defensive- he growls at you and does not let you get close to him. It takes alot of coaxing to get him there which can mean very late nights for us! When he is eventually put into the kitchen he shakes and cries, and tries to get back into the lounge. When the house is quiet he is ok and we don't hear a peep from him for the rest of the night.

I'm just hoping that someone has an idea of what we can do to solve this problem. In any other situation he is not aggressive, but he can be at night time. We just want to be able to go to bed with a calm dog at a reasonable time!

Thank you

You say you got him 8 years ago, is this behaviour a fairly or very recent thing? Just want clarify if it is or he has always been like it for the 8 years?

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Just to clarify, he has not always been as bad as this in the 8 years that we've had him, he has got progressively worse in that time.

Have you noticed any other behaviours in more recent months, like seeming to sleep more during the day and being active more at night, any wandering, staring into space, wanting to go in the garden to toilet but looking like he is wondering why he is there when he gets there. Looking lost in familiar surroundings, seeming less responsive, or more grumpy in general. Has the loss of toileting got worse too, Ive asked because he is 12 now and if he is showinng any other signs too as well as the night time ones becoming worse. It could be possible he is suffering from cognitive dysfunction syndrome aka
old dog syndrome, and if it should be that then there are things that can help.

Are then any other physical symptoms as well like, is he drinking and peeing more in general, has he put on any weight, does his coat look thin and sparse, any increased appetite/decreased appetite, snappy and more vocal in general. Again there are other things that dogs can get in older age with both behavioural and physical symptoms, a lot of which can be controlled.
is he a lot more lethargic then usual.
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Other than his night time behaviour he is acting completely normally, all of his other habits have stayed the same. The vet has said that he is middle aged rather than old but as I do not know about the condition that you mentioned he may still have it just as a middle aged dog!

Probably because small dogs live a lot longer then big dogs on average so he would be classed as middle aged more then Old.

If he isnt showing any of the other behavioural signs or any of the physical signs I mentioned, doesnt sound like he is suffering from any of the medical problems or Old dog syndrome more common in older age, that might explain it.

Im just wondering if something could have spooked him and made him resistant to wanting to go in there. If could even be something like foxes in the garden? Mine seem to instinctively know when ones out there and we seem to go through periods of it. Or for some reason he has just become extra clingy at night time and doesnt want to be left. Things you could try for settling pups and dogs when they need to be left are.

Putting a T-shirt or old jumper you have worn in his bed, your smell can confort and re-assure them and can help.
Leaving a radio on a talking station down low, the sound of voices can re-assure rather then silence.
With a pup a stuffed toy in their bed can sometimes help, as it mimics a companion to lay with, dont know if that would be worth a go?
If he is left in darkness with all lights off, then maybe one of those little plug in night lights may help, again maybe worth a go. Or if you leave a big bright light on one of those instead. bright lights can have a "waking" effect on the brain, so if he has a bright light now a night light may help him settle quicker.
DAP Dog appeasing pheromones can help in some cases (Called Adaptil now I Believe recent name change) They emit an artificial version of the pheromone mum emits to calm and soothe pups, not just for pups though, I still use them for fireworks and times of stress. It somes in diffuser (like a plug in air freshener) Collar and spray form. I usually use a diffuser, and sometimes a collar too, you just plug it in and leave it going in the area. available from vets and pets at home but usually cheaper on line Vet-Medic - the same medicines as your vet at consistently low prices. is where I get mine.
Lastly if all else fails there are herbal and natural calmatives that can help with anxiety and fears, if it is him getting anxious about being left and/or spooked for some reason.
KalmAid isnt a drug its completely safe and can help in situations where pets become stressed,unruly,nervous or fearful. It was recceomended by a vet/alternative remedies vet, it can work quickly on some dogs withing 1/2 hours of giving it Pet Medication, Pet Food, Pet Meds, Discount Pet Medication - VioVet - VioVet if you want to look that up.
Or there is also scullcap and valerian a herbal remedy for anxiety,nervousness,excitibility and even travel sickness. Dorwest if you want a look at that.

I would also "give him a reason to want to go in the kitchen at night", and something to keep him busy initially until he settles. A reward also for going in there. Kongs are good, they come in all sizes, They are solid rubber with a hollow centre, you can stuff with wet or wet and dry dog food and all sorts of other enticing favourite treats/food, maybe if he has this as his supper and reward and only at night, that will entice him and give him something to look forward to going in there for. For details of the Kong and stuffings
Dog & Cat Toys & Dog Treats - Pet Toys, Dog Chew Toys | KONG Company and click on the how to kong section.

Hope this might give you some things to try and hope they may work.

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