My Baby's So Aggressive

[Vinniedoggy]

I have a three year-old yorkie/Jack Russel mix I adopted two years ago from the pound. The only thing we were told when adopting him was that he was abused and neglected.

I immediately began working with Vinnie and the results have been astounding. He went from being a dog I could not even take out of the house to a comparatively confident and adaptable little guy. He is perfectly potty-trained and follows basic commands. He's also just the best little dog in the world! We've done doggy school (he passed basic obedience school) and have done tons of socialization (I take him everywhere I go).

Despite all this, he still snaps at people when they approach him in public and barks at people when they go from a sitting to standing position in a variety of environments. He will not do this if I'm not around (he's pefectly behaved at the groomers). In addition, when we're walking outside, he tends to lunge/attack any black males (slightly problematic considering I live in DC). These "barking episodes" are so aggressive and severe that he doesn't seem to notice anything else around him. It's a very high-pitched, fearful bark too.

I am not at my wits end and have learned to deal with Vinnie's unique behavioral challenges. However, I want him to be able to enjoy a range of experiences. Most people just laugh and say he's a little Napolean, but I would never want him to inadvertantly hurt someone (he's bitten a couple of my friends, but only after much provoking). I've tried all the dog training tricks. The only thing I've found effective is "growling" at him while yelling "NO" firmly, but even this doesn't work during one of his barking episodes.

Any suggestions? Do I have the only yorkie out there who is so fearful and loud? He's a little dog, but that bark of his sounds HUGE!

Thanks,

[Carolina girl]

Check your listing for the dog whisperer on the national geographic channel. He is amazing at behavorial issues. He will give great tips if you can catch a couple of the episodes.

[Ponyup]

I found a stray that had been abused. Her abuser was obviously a big male. she was sweet as can be around my mom and me and even my brother, but when my dad would come near she would go crazy. after about 3 or 4 years she got used to my dad being around but never warmed up to him. If we had her out and saw a big man she would go nuts. We just tryed to keep her out of situation where she would be frightened. So I don't have any real help. he's just scared.

[Hamoth]

I think I'm reading a mixture of fear agression and dominance agression.

Here's something you can try...Take a bag of treats with you when you go out. When you meet a stranger...stand in front of the dog (between dog and stranger) this shows leadership and reduces the dog's stress. Give the stranger some treats and have them give them to your pup while petting him.

I'm doing this exact training right now with Chewy. I think it's working.

[Vinniedoggy]

Thanks, I've tried similar approaches (i.e., using treats) but never while changing body positions. I have noticed, and this usually occurs by accident, that Vinnie's behavior changes depending on where I'm standing. If I'm standing in front of him (and next to the stranger), his aggression is greatly decreased. It's almost like standing in that position shows that I too am not afraid of the person. Same thing with other dogs.

Thanks!

[Hamoth]

Then it's dominance anxiety i bet. Sounds a LOT like my dog. You standing in front is a statement "I'll handle this, chill, you are protected by me, the leader." And it's greatly calming.

You shoul read up on Calming Signals too. Just google that phrase.

Make sure that strangers do NOT:

1. Make eye contact.
2. Start ordering your dog to do submissive tricks "Down", "roll over", etc..
3. Say his name like 1 million times while towering over him. *Why do people do that???*
4. Cower from him, or react with fear. If somone seems nervous dealing with an assertive dog, then find somone else to give him treats.

[Vinniedoggy]

Wow, thanks. Another interesting point you raise is not letting people who are fearful of him give him treats. Whenever someone is really brave with Vinnie (usually other owners of small dogs and even kids), he doesn't react. I don't let kids ever play with Vinnie (too scared that he might accidently nip at them), but if one approaches too quickly for me to stop them and doesn't show any fear (usually kids who have dogs themselves), Vinnie does nothing. At the vets and groomers Vinnie is fine. He's especially fine as soon as I leave. The groomer told me that Vinnie is one of the best dogs she has and that, as soon as I leave, he lets her do just about anything to him.