Yorkie attack! Please help - YorkieTalk.com Forums

FagansMommie · 05-15-2010, 08:18 AM

We have a very puppy/dog friendly home. We have a teacup chiweenie, a cathoula, and a miniature chiweenie and then we have Fagan the mini yorkie. All of my dogs get along fine, except Fagan. Every time any other dog gets near me or him he attacks and bites them, even the big cow dog. I don't really know how to react to this behavior because we have never dealt with it before. I got Fagan for Mother's Day and we adopted him from an agency we used for our other dogs. I just don't know what to do... he is the sweetest dog out of all of them but turns so mean so fast. I just don't want any of our babies to get hurt, even him. How do I stop this behavior?

RoxyLuv · 05-15-2010, 09:19 AM

When Fagan attacks, what do you do? I would suggest reading some training books, watching 'It's Me or the Dog' on Animal Planet and 'Dog Whisperer' Nat Geo channel. It's up to you to change this behavior asap. Allowing this behavior to continue will only get worse.

Welcome to YT! Lots to learn here. Keep reading & learning from all the info here.

FagansMommie · 05-15-2010, 09:27 AM

My dad watches the Dog Whisperer and he taught me a trick that he used on his cow dog with the finger and the "cht" sound and then he said walk them intoa corner to get them to understand you are the master. I have attempted to act out these methods and he does not heed to any of them. I have also been putting him in time out (in his kennel) to watch the other dogs play with me and lay around so he can see that is being bad. The minute he is out, he goes right back to attacking. My husband and I play around and it upsets Fagan so much he will attack my husband and when my daughter and Jeff are playing Fagan will often attack both of them. Almost as a fear of violent behavior or what he perceives as violent. 97% of the time he wants to be near me, at my feet or next to me, but he doesn't like to be cuddled at all! If you try to hold him, he refuses to stay put and wiggles his way out. If I lay on the floor he will come and give me kisses, but NO SNUGGLING AT ALL. I am not sure what he went through with his first human, but it must have been hell. The adoption agency had to shave him all the way down to relive him of the dandruff and mats in his hair. I just don't know how to undo the damage he may have endured with the other family.

Also, thanks for the welcoming. One of my dreams in life growing up was to get a Yorkie, and I had the chance to adopt one...and I know that he is a wonderful pup, I just need help. I am glad there is a an entire web forum for my FAQs and concerns.

RoxyLuv · 05-15-2010, 10:50 AM

Oh, so Fagan is a rehome? How old? I'm sure this is hard for you. I've not worked with a rehome before, so not sure I'm the best one to help you. Many here have, and may have some useful advise. I personally like Dog Whisperer & have learned a lot from him, but some here do not. I like IMOTD too. Some of what Cesar does on DW isn't effective with Roxy, but other things have. Sometimes it takes a variety of approaches to find the one thing that works w/Fagan. Something that Cesar does that has worked well w/Roxy is to hold her down on her side (gently but firmly) and hold her there until she completely relaxes for at least 20 seconds. Then slowly release her, and quietly walk away. Haven't had to do that in a long time, but it has helped her to settle down when she was totally out of control in her youth.

To start, you must say 'Ah Ah! No Bite!' the very second a bite happens, no hesitation at all. Timing is very important. Your voice must reflect that you mean it (stern), & not a whimpy plea. You do not back off for a second. You do this however long & often that it takes... every single time.

Fagan may be trying to be the pack leader and may have come from a situation where fighting was survival. You may need some expert help with it. Hopefully some other people here have more ideas for you to try or recommend good books. When you do have Fagan in a time-out for biting, do not talk to him or look at him or pet him. Just ignore him completely.

Do realize not all yorkies are snuggler/cuddlers. It was disappointing to me too, but I've learned to live with it. Roxy's likes to cuddle on her terms only. Otherwise, she wants to be near me, beside me, against me, very friendly, but not so much on the cuddles. Independant little stinker! However, I got my yorkie and she is so delightful in other ways. I wouldn't give her up for anything.

Good luck, and hope someone else here can give you more help.

FagansMommie · 05-15-2010, 11:04 AM

thank you. i will try.

I don't plan on giving up on him as did his previous family. I want to work with him until it sticks, I already love him very much. He is two by the way.

kalina82 · 05-15-2010, 11:26 AM

welcome to YT!

I recommend having a professional trainer come to your house so they can evaluate the situation and give you the best course of action to take. You don't want any of the dogs to get hurt and you don't want to cause more damage with the wrong method of correction.

FagansMommie · 05-15-2010, 11:31 AM

I will look into that. It just seems kind of expensive, but I am going to look around for someone in my price range.

kalina82 · 05-15-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FagansMommie

I will look into that. It just seems kind of expensive, but I am going to look around for someone in my price range.

yeah unfortunately it can be expensive but in this case i think its the best way to go. Fagan is a rescue and you don't know what he experienced earlier in his life. Plus you have other dogs and children added to the mix. Your unsure of what to do training wise so a professional will help.

Cornering a dog is never a good thing. that will most likely make the situation worse because a cornered dog will defend itself. A lot of the time that means biting. the "cht" sound is good and i use it with my dog but the timing has to be right on. Also i don't think penning him up and making him watch you play with the others is doing anything. he doesn't understand that he has to play nice by watching others play.

What you can try is to always keep a leash on him when he is with you. If another dog comes over to you and Fagan attacks, take him by the leash and put him in another room. close the door and leave him for 30 seconds or so. If he's crying and carrying on while in there then wait till he's quiet for 3 second before opening the door and walking him back out on the leash. When he attacks again, repeat the process. Its not a quick fix but it will make him understand that if he snaps at another dog or a person then he gets taken away and doesn't get to spend time with you. Victoria uses this method for a few things on her show "its me or the dog"

kalina82 · 05-15-2010, 11:49 AM

Oh, and i just read roxyluv's post on using Cesar's method of putting the dog on its side/back. Honestly i would not do this with fagan. It can make the situation worse. This method shouldn't really be used at all by owners. I'm not gonna say it shouldn't be used at all, PERIOD. i do think it works when Cesar does it but he is a professional and knows the proper way to do it. with Fagan's history or lack there of, i wouldn't push it.

Ringo1 · 05-15-2010, 12:23 PM

I took Ringo for a private session with a trainer and it was $20 for one hour. Of course, he did not come to my house - that was before we added another dog.

But he did address Ringo's dog aggression issues by bringing out his dogs; he started with a small, even-tempered dog and Ringo was fine.

However, as the dogs he brought out got larger - Ringo's aggression came out and we worked on it then.

In your case, it might be good for the trainer to see the dynamics within your own pack - if you can find one to come to your home.

Thank you for rescuing and I hope everything settles down soon.

Ringo1 · 05-15-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalina82

yeah unfortunately it can be expensive but in this case i think its the best way to go. Fagan is a rescue and you don't know what he experienced earlier in his life. Plus you have other dogs and children added to the mix. Your unsure of what to do training wise so a professional will help.

Cornering a dog is never a good thing. that will most likely make the situation worse because a cornered dog will defend itself. A lot of the time that means biting. the "cht" sound is good and i use it with my dog but the timing has to be right on. Also i don't think penning him up and making him watch you play with the others is doing anything. he doesn't understand that he has to play nice by watching others play.

What you can try is to always keep a leash on him when he is with you. If another dog comes over to you and Fagan attacks, take him by the leash and put him in another room. close the door and leave him for 30 seconds or so. If he's crying and carrying on while in there then wait till he's quiet for 3 second before opening the door and walking him back out on the leash. When he attacks again, repeat the process. Its not a quick fix but it will make him understand that if he snaps at another dog or a person then he gets taken away and doesn't get to spend time with you. Victoria uses this method for a few things on her show "its me or the dog"

I think the 'time out' in another room is an excellent method and is also good because you are not using his crate for punishment. You want him to like his crate.

We used this with Ringo when Lucy first came home. Also, walking your dogs together helps them bond. You might not be able to take them all out at the same time - but if you could walk Fagan together with another one . . that would be good. He can begin to see other dogs as the source of all good things (fun walks, treats, playtime, etc).

It took a good month for Ringo to completely settle down when Lucy first came home. Now he is fine . . she's the one trying to bite his feet; face, etc and he is remarkably patient with her!

FagansMommie · 05-15-2010, 02:15 PM

Thank you for the advice. I will try some more and keep trying. To comment on the adoption thing, my husband and I are both adopted so we both decided to rescue and adopt dogs to show them there is relief for their pain. I plan to adopt more in the future as well.

YorkieMother · 05-15-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalina82

Oh, and i just read roxyluv's post on using Cesar's method of putting the dog on its side/back. Honestly i would not do this with fagan. It can make the situation worse. This method shouldn't really be used at all by owners. I'm not gonna say it shouldn't be used at all, PERIOD. i do think it works when Cesar does it but he is a professional and knows the proper way to do it. with Fagan's history or lack there of, i wouldn't push it.

I would agree totally with not using Cesear's method in this case you will increase the fear reaction as he will bark and snap with the dog further away as mum hurts him when dogs get close. "I will freak out when they are 5 feet awy instead of three and maybe then I will be safe. "I would call in a professional using positive based training methods only and it does not need to be that expensive if you can find the cause and set up a program you can do your self with limited hands on by the pro or only uses as back up.

We do not know his history so he may well have been rolled by a big dog or not seen them before. Not sure how long you have had him but i suggest a baby gate between him and the others so he can see and make no contact.
If he is calm as one of the other dogs walk by toss him a treat so he knows calm is what you want. Do not let him rehearse the bad behaviour as someone else suggested as it will ingrain it deeper.

Other suggestion is a muzzle tends to take the wind out of thier sails so they can think with the brain not the teeth but you most be right there at all times so he is not made to afraid of a dog getting to close or rolling him when he can not defend himself.

Other suggestion find a very nice very stable dog that speaks dog well and let him teach the dog life is ok with other dogs. I have the great good fortune of access to one and have watch him let a dog run repeatedly into him until the dog got he would not get hurt by him. the next time they meet the dog went to run at the dog and he simple said no and they have been friends ever since. After that you pair the safe dog with a nice smell and a treat and go find another safe dog and pair it with the same sent and treat and you teach the dog through treat and smell other dogs are safe but you best know for sure second dog is a sweet heart too.

Some of these guys just never learn proper dog body speck and can not read when another dog is safe or they need to worry. You learning the speack skills will help in teaching him that life is ok. So looking into On talking terms with dogs.

JL

Patti · 05-15-2010, 03:11 PM

Welcome to YT. In February I took in a 13+ years old male. The lady I got him from had gotten him from a rescue 2 years ago with no history. I knew Nikki about 6 months when his mom had a stroke and couldn't keep him. When I brought him home he immediately became glued to my side. He sleeps partially on top of me. If any of my 3 girls approach me when he is next to me he goes for them especially one of mine. Fortunately he has no teeth so he can't hurt them but he is intimidating them. A soon as one of my girls start to come near me I can see Nikki tense up and stare at them intently. If left alone he will then attack them. Now at first sign of him tensing I tell him NO and put him on the floor. .That seems to break the tension.He has improved by 75% by doing this. He is fine when they are all together on the floor or if I am not around. It's so hard to know what to do when you have no idea what they have been through in their past life. This is my first rescue/rehome so I really have no experience. Hopefully some of our experienced rescuers will have some good ideas for you. Good luck and I am glad you aren't giving up on him.

Kirby · 05-15-2010, 03:28 PM

You are so good for taking in rehomes. I know it's hard, but still, every pet deserves a loving home.

I am so, so sorry. I didn't have time to read every post, so if this was mentioned, my apologies. I try and help when I can on this board because everyone has been wonderful to me.

Anyway, dogs don't understand time outs. It makes no sense to them. They might realize they're in trouble, but don't understand the concept of time outs. A human child will think about what they did wrong...a dog does not.

I found this article on-line. It may help:
Multiple Dog Household, Help them get along

Please let us know how it goes.

05-15-2010, 08:18 AM	#1
FagansMommie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rosenberg, TX, USA Posts: 9	Yorkie attack! Please help We have a very puppy/dog friendly home. We have a teacup chiweenie, a cathoula, and a miniature chiweenie and then we have Fagan the mini yorkie. All of my dogs get along fine, except Fagan. Every time any other dog gets near me or him he attacks and bites them, even the big cow dog. I don't really know how to react to this behavior because we have never dealt with it before. I got Fagan for Mother's Day and we adopted him from an agency we used for our other dogs. I just don't know what to do... he is the sweetest dog out of all of them but turns so mean so fast. I just don't want any of our babies to get hurt, even him. How do I stop this behavior?

05-15-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
RoxyLuv Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 982 Blog Entries: 1	When Fagan attacks, what do you do? I would suggest reading some training books, watching 'It's Me or the Dog' on Animal Planet and 'Dog Whisperer' Nat Geo channel. It's up to you to change this behavior asap. Allowing this behavior to continue will only get worse. Welcome to YT! Lots to learn here. Keep reading & learning from all the info here. __________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV Last edited by RoxyLuv; 05-15-2010 at 09:20 AM.

05-15-2010, 09:27 AM	#3
FagansMommie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rosenberg, TX, USA Posts: 9	My dad watches the Dog Whisperer and he taught me a trick that he used on his cow dog with the finger and the "cht" sound and then he said walk them intoa corner to get them to understand you are the master. I have attempted to act out these methods and he does not heed to any of them. I have also been putting him in time out (in his kennel) to watch the other dogs play with me and lay around so he can see that is being bad. The minute he is out, he goes right back to attacking. My husband and I play around and it upsets Fagan so much he will attack my husband and when my daughter and Jeff are playing Fagan will often attack both of them. Almost as a fear of violent behavior or what he perceives as violent. 97% of the time he wants to be near me, at my feet or next to me, but he doesn't like to be cuddled at all! If you try to hold him, he refuses to stay put and wiggles his way out. If I lay on the floor he will come and give me kisses, but NO SNUGGLING AT ALL. I am not sure what he went through with his first human, but it must have been hell. The adoption agency had to shave him all the way down to relive him of the dandruff and mats in his hair. I just don't know how to undo the damage he may have endured with the other family. Also, thanks for the welcoming. One of my dreams in life growing up was to get a Yorkie, and I had the chance to adopt one...and I know that he is a wonderful pup, I just need help. I am glad there is a an entire web forum for my FAQs and concerns. Last edited by FagansMommie; 05-15-2010 at 09:30 AM.

05-15-2010, 10:50 AM	#4
RoxyLuv Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 982 Blog Entries: 1	Oh, so Fagan is a rehome? How old? I'm sure this is hard for you. I've not worked with a rehome before, so not sure I'm the best one to help you. Many here have, and may have some useful advise. I personally like Dog Whisperer & have learned a lot from him, but some here do not. I like IMOTD too. Some of what Cesar does on DW isn't effective with Roxy, but other things have. Sometimes it takes a variety of approaches to find the one thing that works w/Fagan. Something that Cesar does that has worked well w/Roxy is to hold her down on her side (gently but firmly) and hold her there until she completely relaxes for at least 20 seconds. Then slowly release her, and quietly walk away. Haven't had to do that in a long time, but it has helped her to settle down when she was totally out of control in her youth. To start, you must say 'Ah Ah! No Bite!' the very second a bite happens, no hesitation at all. Timing is very important. Your voice must reflect that you mean it (stern), & not a whimpy plea. You do not back off for a second. You do this however long & often that it takes... every single time. Fagan may be trying to be the pack leader and may have come from a situation where fighting was survival. You may need some expert help with it. Hopefully some other people here have more ideas for you to try or recommend good books. When you do have Fagan in a time-out for biting, do not talk to him or look at him or pet him. Just ignore him completely. Do realize not all yorkies are snuggler/cuddlers. It was disappointing to me too, but I've learned to live with it. Roxy's likes to cuddle on her terms only. Otherwise, she wants to be near me, beside me, against me, very friendly, but not so much on the cuddles. Independant little stinker! However, I got my yorkie and she is so delightful in other ways. I wouldn't give her up for anything. Good luck, and hope someone else here can give you more help. __________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV

05-15-2010, 11:26 AM	#6
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	welcome to YT! I recommend having a professional trainer come to your house so they can evaluate the situation and give you the best course of action to take. You don't want any of the dogs to get hurt and you don't want to cause more damage with the wrong method of correction. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

05-15-2010, 11:04 AM	#5
FagansMommie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rosenberg, TX, USA Posts: 9	thank you. i will try. I don't plan on giving up on him as did his previous family. I want to work with him until it sticks, I already love him very much. He is two by the way.

05-15-2010, 11:31 AM	#7
FagansMommie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rosenberg, TX, USA Posts: 9	I will look into that. It just seems kind of expensive, but I am going to look around for someone in my price range.

05-15-2010, 11:49 AM	#9
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	Oh, and i just read roxyluv's post on using Cesar's method of putting the dog on its side/back. Honestly i would not do this with fagan. It can make the situation worse. This method shouldn't really be used at all by owners. I'm not gonna say it shouldn't be used at all, PERIOD. i do think it works when Cesar does it but he is a professional and knows the proper way to do it. with Fagan's history or lack there of, i wouldn't push it. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

05-15-2010, 12:23 PM	#10
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	I took Ringo for a private session with a trainer and it was $20 for one hour. Of course, he did not come to my house - that was before we added another dog. But he did address Ringo's dog aggression issues by bringing out his dogs; he started with a small, even-tempered dog and Ringo was fine. However, as the dogs he brought out got larger - Ringo's aggression came out and we worked on it then. In your case, it might be good for the trainer to see the dynamics within your own pack - if you can find one to come to your home. Thank you for rescuing and I hope everything settles down soon.

05-15-2010, 02:15 PM	#12
FagansMommie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rosenberg, TX, USA Posts: 9	Thank you for the advice. I will try some more and keep trying. To comment on the adoption thing, my husband and I are both adopted so we both decided to rescue and adopt dogs to show them there is relief for their pain. I plan to adopt more in the future as well.

05-15-2010, 03:11 PM	#14
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Welcome to YT. In February I took in a 13+ years old male. The lady I got him from had gotten him from a rescue 2 years ago with no history. I knew Nikki about 6 months when his mom had a stroke and couldn't keep him. When I brought him home he immediately became glued to my side. He sleeps partially on top of me. If any of my 3 girls approach me when he is next to me he goes for them especially one of mine. Fortunately he has no teeth so he can't hurt them but he is intimidating them. A soon as one of my girls start to come near me I can see Nikki tense up and stare at them intently. If left alone he will then attack them. Now at first sign of him tensing I tell him NO and put him on the floor. .That seems to break the tension.He has improved by 75% by doing this. He is fine when they are all together on the floor or if I am not around. It's so hard to know what to do when you have no idea what they have been through in their past life. This is my first rescue/rehome so I really have no experience. Hopefully some of our experienced rescuers will have some good ideas for you. Good luck and I am glad you aren't giving up on him. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

05-15-2010, 03:28 PM	#15
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	You are so good for taking in rehomes. I know it's hard, but still, every pet deserves a loving home. I am so, so sorry. I didn't have time to read every post, so if this was mentioned, my apologies. I try and help when I can on this board because everyone has been wonderful to me. Anyway, dogs don't understand time outs. It makes no sense to them. They might realize they're in trouble, but don't understand the concept of time outs. A human child will think about what they did wrong...a dog does not. I found this article on-line. It may help: Multiple Dog Household, Help them get along Please let us know how it goes.