Help!!!! Last resort

[ProudYorkieMomm]

My yorkie has pushed me to the limit. When we play with him, he bites. A few montgs ago I thought it was "puppy nipping", and that his teeth are growing in. But niw, he is 10 months old and it is straight up just BITING! To the point where he either scratches or draws blood.
He also wont stay off our new couch. I didnt let him on the old on but now that we have a new leather couch, he feels that he can get on it, run across it, and jump over it which I fear will hurt him on day bc the back is tall and behind it is our hardwood floor. When he jumps on the couch, I push him off, say bad dog, and put him in his smaller crate. I do this almost every time and he still doesnt stop. My mom, of coarse, gets upset bc this is a new couch.
Lastly, and most frustrating is the barking that has started around 2 1/2 months ago... Maybe 3. I am still in highschool, threrfore I take him for a morning walk every single morning at 6:50. But now he decides to bark at 4 5 & 6 am on the dot almost. Why? I wish I knew!! I will not continue to miss out on sleep bc he decidesto wake me up. He barks fir at least 20 minutes or I snap and yell and scream. I will never hit him, Screaming and moving him from around me is as far as I will go. But when i wake up sleepy it makes me resent him. And when I get home, i dont want to play with him either.
If these behaviors dont stop soon, i will be forced to send him to the pound which I would HATE to do. Pleassssssssssse help me pleaaaaassssseeeeee I am begging you!!

[dawn27]

You must understand that he is still a puppy and is in puppy mode 24/7. Playing, running and jumping is what puppies do. It sounds like you need to start some intense training and right away. You definitely have your hands full.

Your on the right track by putting him in a time out, but just once wont do it. Just as you would do a child if the behavior continues you must apply the punishment over and over and over again until they "get it". Try not screaming at him but instead using a (shaker can). It replaces the loud harsh yelling with something to get his attention while you say in a stern voice (his name) and "NO" or "DOWN".

There are instruction and some tips on using it on my site: Training Tips - Dawn's Yorkies

Plus, He may benefit from some play time out in the yard in the evening after dinner and before bed time to help with the barking. Do something to wear his little but out and get rid of some of the puppy Energy!! Even if it playing a game of fetch or ball or a few brisk runs around the yard. I think that the biting is just part of his puppy play. Make sure that he has plenty of toys and when you play with him you are not doing so with a bare hand. Always have a toy so that if he bites it the toy and not you. Myself I do not agree with play fighting, I feel that it leads to aggression later on in their life. So I would not get to caried away when playing with him. Keep it nice and calm and not intense. But that is just my opinion.

I wonder if he is pottying on the floor at night? This may also be the cause of his barking. He could be alerting that it's potty time and needs to go out.

I hope you get some form of relief soon I would hate for you to surrender you little guy. One thing that will help any situation is constant training even if you think that he is doing well continue. And consistency with your discipline/time out. Correct him the moment he acts out (bites or jumps on the couch) and try not to yell at him. Test out the shaker can and see if that works for you.

[courtney1121]

Dawn's tips are great!

I just want you to know that if after you've tried training him, and still cannot take it, please consider a yorkie rescue. If that is full, then really think about trying to find him a new home with someone you know that you are certain will be able to give him the care and love that he'll need.

[1kumiko]

It's sounds like a anxious/frustrated puppy and owner.
He is being a puppy but seems to be aggressive or frustrated over something. Try not to become someone negative for him by screaming too much.

Need training. On furniture jumping, the best is prevention. I never allowed my pup to go on the couch, and assigned different furniture just for him. A pretty and confortable doggie leather cauch, a bed, etc.

Good luck.

[YorkOfTheShire]

Originally Posted by ProudYorkieMomm

My yorkie has pushed me to the limit. When we play with him, he bites. A few montgs ago I thought it was "puppy nipping", and that his teeth are growing in. But niw, he is 10 months old and it is straight up just BITING! To the point where he either scratches or draws blood.

You stated you don't want to play with him anymore when you get home from school and he's pushing you to your limits. He knows this. He senses you're irritated and he's feeding off of it. If you stay calm and speak calmly and teach him calmly that biting is not okay (and spend more time with him even if you're upset with him) I think the aggressive biting will stop. He senses you're annoyed and he probably feels the same toward you that you feel toward him.

He also wont stay off our new couch. I didnt let him on the old on but now that we have a new leather couch, he feels that he can get on it, run across it, and jump over it which I fear will hurt him on day bc the back is tall and behind it is our hardwood floor. When he jumps on the couch, I push him off, say bad dog, and put him in his smaller crate. I do this almost every time and he still doesnt stop. My mom, of coarse, gets upset bc this is a new couch.

Please don't push a Yorkie off a couch - ever. This is playing with fire when it comes to his health. I realize from your other posts he is a larger Yorkie, but still should not be pushed off a couch; it can hurt him. It also is a sign of rejection to him (he's a dog). Does he have a little doggy pillow such as a Cloud 9 bed or something similar just for him? If so, I'd move that over to where the couch is so he has the option of being on it. If he jumps on the couch anyway, pick him up and firmly say "No couch" (don't yell it)...then *gently* place him on his own fluffy and say "good puppy!" cheerfully.

Additionally, crates are to be used as an area of safe haven for the dog. If that is being used as their 'time out' area he's going to learn to resent and hate not only that crate but pretty much any crate. This could be why he's barking at crazy o'clock as well - he wants out of 'jail' instead of feeling like he's in his little safe spot.

Lastly, and most frustrating is the barking that has started around 2 1/2 months ago... Maybe 3. I am still in highschool, threrfore I take him for a morning walk every single morning at 6:50. But now he decides to bark at 4 5 & 6 am on the dot almost. Why? I wish I knew!! I will not continue to miss out on sleep bc he decidesto wake me up. He barks fir at least 20 minutes or I snap and yell and scream. I will never hit him, Screaming and moving him from around me is as far as I will go. But when i wake up sleepy it makes me resent him. And when I get home, i dont want to play with him either.
What time does he go outside for potty at night .. before bed? Screaming and yelling at him is making him 'immune' to a rougher vocal tone from you. If you do it a lot (which it sounds to me like you are) then when you use a firm voice for anything else (such as biting) he won't listen because your tone is the same as it is for other things as well. Screaming and yelling should only be used if the dog is in immediate mortal danger if he doesn't come to you.


If these behaviors dont stop soon, i will be forced to send him to the pound which I would HATE to do. Pleassssssssssse help me pleaaaaassssseeeeee I am begging you!!

My responses are in blue in the quote above. If this is the route you choose to take, please consider a Yorkie rescue rather than the regular shelter. However - Yorkie ownership can be one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences life has to offer (apart from being a skin parent I would assume, I don't have kids) - please try to make an effort in proper dog rearing and I know you'll be glad you did. You'll have a little furry friend for the rest of his life.

[ancora_imparo]

If you're that frustrated and have that many issues with the dog, your patience is going to be very thin already.

I'd suggest calling a private dog trainer to come to the house to do an evaluation and to train YOU how to properly train your dog. You'll get expert advise, which will make you feel more confident. The more confident you feel the more the dog will relax.

[lynzy420]

You are not the first, nor the last who started off with the best of intentions only to find out that having a pup is not exactly what you had hoped it would be.

I don't know your financial status but I will assume because of your age etc.,it may be limited? If not you need to go to a pet training place at once.

If infact, you have found that this pup just doesn't fit in to your current life, don't be upset just do the right thing.

If you need help in finding a rescue I am sure we can help you here. If you become so desperately frustrated I will be happy to pay for air fare for this pup to my home. You do have options, we are here for you and your pup.

I'm sure your frustrated and many of us can relate to that frustration, your post I'm sure was typed at a moment of complete breakdown??

How do you feel now?
Have you decided how you will proceed?

I think you should talk to your mother and determine the best plan for all of you.

Just remember, we can and will help you no matter what you decide. Keep posting!

[Yorkiemom1]

No one has suggested you contact the breeder you bought the baby from....a reputable breeder will want to know about her baby and issues you are having as the new owner...and most breeders (reputable) stipulate that if you can not keep the baby for whatever reason, the baby goes back to them!! I would absolutely DIE if I EVER found out one of my owners was having the frustrations you are experiencing, and they sent my baby to THE POUND (OR ANYWHERE), without contacting ME FIRST!!!

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

No one has suggested you contact the breeder you bought the baby from....a reputable breeder will want to know about her baby and issues you are having as the new owner...and most breeders (reputable) stipulate that if you can not keep the baby for whatever reason, the baby goes back to them!! I would absolutely DIE if I EVER found out one of my owners was having the frustrations you are experiencing, and they sent my baby to THE POUND (OR ANYWHERE), without contacting ME FIRST!!!

[cindersellie]

First- find time to play with the puppy! They have tons of energy and need to burn it off. I'm really tired when I get home, but I found that 15 mins of one on one play with Cinders soon as I get home, then again after I eat cook dinner, then before bed time works wonders. Second, keep the time outs going consistantly. No means no, not sometimes no.

I thought maybe the early wake up barking is because it needs to potty or eat/ drink? Have a wee wee pad and dry food /water available, that might help with the 4 am wake up barks...idk.

Just give it good attention. Screaming will make it (the pup's behavior) worse. Notice when it's doing what you want...treat for being good...talking excitedly to the pup for behaving... saying good puppy...all will help you get the right behavior. And you'll feel better too

[yorkietalkjilly]

Your little dog is a pack animal and thus requires your involvement that nurtures the things he truly needs as a dog: time and play and one-on-one time bonding and loving throughout. Screaming and yelling will only excite and frighten him. But being a pack animal, he must have a firm, loving, nurturing leader. I would start with the Nothing In Life Is Free method(just Google it) where you slowly teach your little one how to respect you through simple, positive interactions. Next, invest in a couple of good books from noted trainers that promote fun, positive-reward training sessions that are very short and frequent. Read & learn all you can about leadership and training and how important those things are to anyone having any problems with their little one.

Leadership and training will help your dog if you really want to learn to do it right. Your dog needs your full commitment to being a good parent but if for some reason you cannot, I would contact the breeder and if he/she won't take the little baby, try the rescue group here. I'm currently reading Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog, which is a great positive-reward training bookand she has a lovely section on how to deal with biting. I am sure you could find a copy online.

[ProudYorkieMomm]

Thank you! this was very helpful. I will try your tips today and training tomorrow! Thanks so much! @dawn27

[yorkietalkjilly]

A good positive-reward training program can really work to revamp an out-of-control dog and get them to look at you with new eyes. And when you keep it loving and fun for them, they begin to look forward to it. Training reinforces you as their pack leader in their mind and teaches them over time to focus on you and to respond to what you say - at first for praise and treats and later, because they have learned to do it. The NILIF type program can really have them looking at you as their pack leader and reinforces the need to do what you say so that if they play bite hard and you say "uh oh" or "no", they stop. So over time, with training and reinforcing your leadership, you can turn even the wildest doggie around.

[ProudYorkieMomm]

I typed the above question during a time of complete fustration. I don't honestly think I would ever be able to send him to the pound. I love the little guy, I just have not been able to sleep due to the fact that the barking happens EVERY NIGHT... to the point that I go sleep on the couch and leave him upstairs just so I can sleep haha. ****I would like to that you all for the positive advice. I will DEF try/take into consideration all the things & tips given.**** However, I take him out to potty at night around 10 or 11 depending on when I get off work. Then, I let him run around with his toys til I finish my homewrok, eat , and get ready for bed. then, I take him out again in the morning at 6:50. Could he have to potty from then til 4 am? I know he isn't hungry because I leave food & water in his BIG (big enough for my to fit in it)crate at night. Along with toys. Any Ideas on what makesz him bark so early? whatever it is, he feels very strongly about it.

[SophieKatesMom]

I can feel your frustration, I think we all have been there (I know I have). 10 months old is like the terrible two's in human years. As Dawn suggested you need to be consistant with the not allowing him to bite, time out worked for me and also I substituted her urge to bit me with something she could chew like her Nyla bone.

Make sure you baby is getting a lot of exercise before bedtime, I would also start a good habit of making him go potty before bedtime.

Don't give up, you will get past this and look to Yorkie Talk for advice we are always willing to help Also try going to your local Petco, they offer free puppy training classes, your puppy may benefit from a few of those also.