Is she testing me, is it aggression, or something else? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

YorkieMom6 · 12-30-2009, 11:12 AM

I read through the other thread about agression (link below) and I am not sure Zoey's new issue is the same but regardless, I did not want to interject in the other thread and distract from her questions.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...ml#post2932736

Zoey has often had an issue with going for our feet (only when we have socks or slippers on) and we are constanting trying to get this to stop. It is a bit difficult to walk away when she is nipping at you tho

- but we generally will make our way out of the room and containing her in it if we can and leave her for a few minutes. When we return she is her sweet self, anxious for our attention and doesn't seem to care one bit about our sock or slipper covered feet. We have attributed this to her being a puppy.

This is not the main issue tho (or at least I do not think it is). Recently she has begun something new when we are playing with her and her favorite toy mouse. She will grab ahold of one of our hands and latch on, growl and even shake a tiny bit.

Not a shake like she will with her toys, but a shake just the same....

Not a growl showing teeth but rather a growl like she does once in a while when she wants attention but doesn't get it - but a growl just the same...

Not latching on with her teeth enough to bring blood or even pain but still a signficant latch and one in which I want to nip in the butt immediately.

I am hoping this is all a new stage of testing us and still puppy 'stuff' but I do not want to address it incorrectly and increase the probem. Any insight or advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Additional info:

- Zoey is 26 weeks old and was spayed two weeks ago tomorrow.
- Zoey ALWAYS is expected to SIT before and during getting any treat reinforcement and ALWAYS is expected to SIT and STAY for at least the count of 5 before she can go to her food after it is set down for her.
- We often use boundaries during play such as: having Zoey SIT and STAY for at least the count of 5 while we hide a toy for her to go and find; and SIT before we throw a toy to fetch.
- We are diligently working on waiting until she shows calmness before lavishing affection although sometimes we get as excited to see her and she does us - but we are working on it

(This is predominately after we have been away from her or the house).

Again, can't wait to get advice - Thanks in advance!!

HarleyHOO · 12-30-2009, 11:22 AM

Hey there,

I don't think she's aggressive...sounds to me like she's testing the limits on how far she can go during play time. I'm not an expert or anything and am rather new myself at "parenthood", as my Harley's only 10 months. However, what worked for me was anytime we would play, the second her mouth or teeth touched any part of my hand, I would say OUCH! and then get up, turn around and leave the room very calmly.
She probably just gets too excited and doesn't know any better yet. She's so young that right now, any attention is attention whether bad or good. But bottom line is she WANTS you to play with her...and if you get up and walk away when she bites your hand, she'll learn very soon that biting equals no play time.

OR - you can try saying! NO MA'AM firmly and then give her something which is acceptable to chew on like a toy. Kind of re-direct her attention.

Hope this helps! What works for some may not work for other's but GOOD LUCK!!

YorkieMom6 · 12-31-2009, 09:14 AM

Thank you for responding! I currently do say ouch or no firmly and then walk away. I just was unsure and did not want to make the problem worse. Thanks again!

I am still open and hoping for any additional insight.

JeanieK · 12-31-2009, 09:39 AM

She was not properly socialized by her mother and other pack members. You need to teach her that putting her teeth on yhiou, even in play is a NO NO.

As the other person says, say ouch, or yelp, and move away from her.
They do get carried away with play, but it is your job to teach them boundries.

spiritwings1202 · 12-31-2009, 10:37 AM

Pixie does the same thing as Zoey she will grab my pants and growl when I am trying to walk.
I will tell her No and if she doesn't stop I will pick her up and put her in her ex-pen. She is getting better now, bc when I say NO she stops.

diane boden · 12-31-2009, 11:35 AM

Alfies fav game as a pup was grabbing our slippers and trying to stop us walking away, with time and patience it has stopped, only very occassionally does he try it but a firm no stops him these days.

YorkieMom6 · 12-31-2009, 12:41 PM

I know that Zoey's mom was VERY laid back and maybe she did not enforce the boundaries as much as she should have or maybe it is just Zoey's way - testing the boundaries. She is my girl after all

Thanks for all the sharing!! It appears I should just continue with what I am doing and continue practicing patience

It is all good - just wanted to make sure it wasn't more serious and needed to be handled differently. Glad to hear it is somewhat 'normal'.

JoeyP · 01-04-2010, 01:23 PM

This is fairly typical of puppy play
and it's something that most owners need to control

when she "latches" on don't wait for her to start shaking
that's when you say NO! OW! or NO BITE! Loud enough for her to let go
Then you stop all play
you get up and leave her alone
because if you start playing with her again you're just one big pink hairless squeaky toy that she can bite at will

same for the running after and biting of feet
but if she doesn't respond and continues to bite your toes scoop her up and say NO BITE! and immediately she goes into her crate

12-30-2009, 11:12 AM	#1
YorkieMom6 ♥ Luv Zoey & Austen! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO, USA Posts: 2,015	Is she testing me, is it aggression, or something else? I read through the other thread about agression (link below) and I am not sure Zoey's new issue is the same but regardless, I did not want to interject in the other thread and distract from her questions. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...ml#post2932736 Zoey has often had an issue with going for our feet (only when we have socks or slippers on) and we are constanting trying to get this to stop. It is a bit difficult to walk away when she is nipping at you tho - but we generally will make our way out of the room and containing her in it if we can and leave her for a few minutes. When we return she is her sweet self, anxious for our attention and doesn't seem to care one bit about our sock or slipper covered feet. We have attributed this to her being a puppy. This is not the main issue tho (or at least I do not think it is). Recently she has begun something new when we are playing with her and her favorite toy mouse. She will grab ahold of one of our hands and latch on, growl and even shake a tiny bit. Not a shake like she will with her toys, but a shake just the same.... Not a growl showing teeth but rather a growl like she does once in a while when she wants attention but doesn't get it - but a growl just the same... Not latching on with her teeth enough to bring blood or even pain but still a signficant latch and one in which I want to nip in the butt immediately. I am hoping this is all a new stage of testing us and still puppy 'stuff' but I do not want to address it incorrectly and increase the probem. Any insight or advice will be greatly appreciated!! Additional info: - Zoey is 26 weeks old and was spayed two weeks ago tomorrow. - Zoey ALWAYS is expected to SIT before and during getting any treat reinforcement and ALWAYS is expected to SIT and STAY for at least the count of 5 before she can go to her food after it is set down for her. - We often use boundaries during play such as: having Zoey SIT and STAY for at least the count of 5 while we hide a toy for her to go and find; and SIT before we throw a toy to fetch. - We are diligently working on waiting until she shows calmness before lavishing affection although sometimes we get as excited to see her and she does us - but we are working on it (This is predominately after we have been away from her or the house). Again, can't wait to get advice - Thanks in advance!! __________________ Denise, Zoey, and Austen Dear Jazzy & Sasha forever in our hearts There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

12-30-2009, 11:22 AM	#2
HarleyHOO YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 255	Hey there, I don't think she's aggressive...sounds to me like she's testing the limits on how far she can go during play time. I'm not an expert or anything and am rather new myself at "parenthood", as my Harley's only 10 months. However, what worked for me was anytime we would play, the second her mouth or teeth touched any part of my hand, I would say OUCH! and then get up, turn around and leave the room very calmly. She probably just gets too excited and doesn't know any better yet. She's so young that right now, any attention is attention whether bad or good. But bottom line is she WANTS you to play with her...and if you get up and walk away when she bites your hand, she'll learn very soon that biting equals no play time. OR - you can try saying! NO MA'AM firmly and then give her something which is acceptable to chew on like a toy. Kind of re-direct her attention. Hope this helps! What works for some may not work for other's but GOOD LUCK!! __________________ ---~<3 Harley...aka...mama's sweet sweet~---

12-31-2009, 09:14 AM	#3
YorkieMom6 ♥ Luv Zoey & Austen! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO, USA Posts: 2,015	Thank you for responding! I currently do say ouch or no firmly and then walk away. I just was unsure and did not want to make the problem worse. Thanks again! I am still open and hoping for any additional insight. __________________ Denise, Zoey, and Austen Dear Jazzy & Sasha forever in our hearts There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

12-31-2009, 10:37 AM	#5
spiritwings1202 Pixie and Daisy Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 2,680	Pixie does the same thing as Zoey she will grab my pants and growl when I am trying to walk. I will tell her No and if she doesn't stop I will pick her up and put her in her ex-pen. She is getting better now, bc when I say NO she stops. __________________ Proud Mom of Daisy and Pixie

12-31-2009, 12:41 PM	#7
YorkieMom6 ♥ Luv Zoey & Austen! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO, USA Posts: 2,015	I know that Zoey's mom was VERY laid back and maybe she did not enforce the boundaries as much as she should have or maybe it is just Zoey's way - testing the boundaries. She is my girl after all Thanks for all the sharing!! It appears I should just continue with what I am doing and continue practicing patience It is all good - just wanted to make sure it wasn't more serious and needed to be handled differently. Glad to hear it is somewhat 'normal'. __________________ Denise, Zoey, and Austen Dear Jazzy & Sasha forever in our hearts There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

12-31-2009, 09:39 AM	#4
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	She was not properly socialized by her mother and other pack members. You need to teach her that putting her teeth on yhiou, even in play is a NO NO. As the other person says, say ouch, or yelp, and move away from her. They do get carried away with play, but it is your job to teach them boundries.

12-31-2009, 11:35 AM	#6
diane boden YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: england Posts: 676 Blog Entries: 23	Alfies fav game as a pup was grabbing our slippers and trying to stop us walking away, with time and patience it has stopped, only very occassionally does he try it but a firm no stops him these days.

01-04-2010, 01:23 PM	#8
JoeyP YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami, FL,USA Posts: 1,005	This is fairly typical of puppy play and it's something that most owners need to control when she "latches" on don't wait for her to start shaking that's when you say NO! OW! or NO BITE! Loud enough for her to let go Then you stop all play you get up and leave her alone because if you start playing with her again you're just one big pink hairless squeaky toy that she can bite at will same for the running after and biting of feet but if she doesn't respond and continues to bite your toes scoop her up and say NO BITE! and immediately she goes into her crate __________________ Mike and Zach's Dadd