my reaction to her possible action?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DamSweet · 11-30-2010, 07:15 AM

I just received a call from my son saying they were coming home for the holidays, and as any grandma I’m really excited. But this is where my concerns come in. When they left in August my youngest grandson was just a year old and my older grandson just turned 6. Before they left whenever Devon (the 6 year old) would come up to me, Bridget would growl and jump on him, which of course scared him. Bridget has never bit…..yet. I reprimanded Bridget with a firm NO and tried to show her that Devon meant neither her nor me any harm. I’ve also had Devon come bearing treats, and toys which helped Bridget relate to his presence as being a positive thing…for her. Bridget would play fetch with him and lay with him. The problem usually arose when Devon would come near me, if I went to Devon, all was well. Luckily he is old enough to understand how Bridget reacts so if he wants me to sit by him he would sit first, and I would go to him. I would also make a point of including her in my time spent with him so she wasn’t feeling like she was being neglected, or replaced. My youngest grandson Bradley is just 11/2 years old, and there is no way I’m going to explain Bridget to him. As I’ve said – Bridget has never bit – but in the event that she does……what is the correct reaction? I know that my reaction to her action will make a world of difference. While we were in the mall this weekend and people would approach us – she was great. It may be that the boys are on “her territory”?
I may be jumping the gun here, as she has become much better with that type of thing since Greta has joined our family, but she still growls at my fiancé when he comes to kiss me good night. But he is considerably bigger than the boys, and just tells her to “shush”, or just talks to her in a calm voice. I also firmly tell her “NO” when she starts and reassure her that he is ok, as I think since it is me she is “protecting” I should be the one to tell her that her behavior is not correct. If I’m holding her when he comes over to kiss me – she’ll give him kisses too….no growl or anything. Her growl usually comes with a tail wag, so I don’t think she means any harm. Again – she has never bit, and I don’t think she will, but I would like to be prepared to do the right thing “if” it happens.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Ladymom · 11-30-2010, 08:04 AM

Please don't ever put Bridget in a situation where she might bite your grandchildren. Even a tiny Yorkie can do serious damage to a child's face. A woman who works at my doctor's office adopted a Maltese who bit her husband in the face when he rolled over into "her space" in bed. He needed plastic surgery.

I have young grandchildren, too, (2 & 6) so I know how difficult it can be when they visit. I would keep Bridget safely gated or penned away. I would especially not have her on your lap when your grandchildren are around as that's when she gets aggressive, right? She considers you a resource and is guarding you.

I would start doing the NILF program with her as a dog who resource guards can be a ticking time bomb.

Nothing in Life is Free

Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States

Darlin Beauxs · 11-30-2010, 08:48 AM

I have the same problem with Cooper, he will not allow anyone near me, he even growls at my husband. He does not like kids at all, so, I just put him in his kennel when we have company, with a treat. He does not like it, but I would feel horrible if he bit one of our young nephews, like you would feel if she bit one of your grandchildren.

It took him a long time to make friends with our old housekeeper (when we used to have one

), but he did, and the first time she brought her son, Cooper jumped off the couch and bit his hand on the way down when he got too close to his Mom..it did not break the skin, but that is not the point!

Baxter and Darcy would probably jump in a strangers car and ride off, they love everyone...Cooper only likes his Mommy, and sometimes his Daddy

Dianab28 · 11-30-2010, 11:20 AM

What if everytime she growled she was put in her kennel or away from you?

boopster · 11-30-2010, 11:55 AM

I'm very interested in this too, as I have the same issue with Tallulah. She growls and wags her tail whenever someone comes near me. I would not look at the wagging as a friendly sign -- I think it's more that she is unsure how to behave which in my mind makes the outcome unpredictable.

We are going to work on this issue, but in the meantime, I warn adults not to approach us when I'm holding her. If there are children or adults who won't respect that warning (and we all have some of those) present, I am putting Tallulah in her playpen right next to me with the lid zipped closed so she does not have the opportunity to make a bad decision.

DamSweet · 11-30-2010, 12:41 PM

Thanks for all the advice - Bridget is really strange in the fact that if I'm holding her - she is good with just about anyone, even my fiance' coming to kiss me goodnight, she will give him kisses too - it's when she's on the floor! She was great with strangers in the mall coming up to us. It seems to be when she is either sleeping in her bed, or off playing.....it's like she is worried someone else is getting her attention. Does that make any sense - I don't know how else to describe it. She is good if I'm holding her - or if she is the center of my attention. If Greta curls up at night by my chest, Bridget has to get near my neck. If I'm holding her when my grandson approaches she's fine with it - it's if he gets before she does, she comes running over - it's like she wants to scare him away.

This may all be different now - a lot has changed since they have been gone. We've added Greta, and Bridget has had to learn to share my time.

But I will definately take the necessary precautions so nothing happens to anyone - I won't set her up to fail - that's for sure...Maybe it should be x-pens for all...skin-babies, and fur-babies!

Ladymom · 11-30-2010, 01:57 PM

Yes, please take all precautions to keep her away from your grandchildren. If she should bite one of them and they needed medical attention, doctors and hospitals are required by law to report a dog bite.

Again, I would really suggest the NILF program or consulting a trainer. Biting just once can result in a lawsuit or even euthanasia. This is behavior that needs to be taken very seriously.

DamSweet · 11-30-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Yes, please take all precautions to keep her away from your grandchildren. If she should bite one of them and they needed medical attention, doctors and hospitals are required by law to report a dog bite.

Again, I would really suggest the NILF program or consulting a trainer. Biting just once can result in a lawsuit or even euthanasia. This is behavior that needs to be taken very seriously.

Thanks for the advise - and I will definately follow it - I've hear of the NILF program and will definately check into it. If I can ask your opinion - I know I expressed my concern about her possibly biting - but how would I know (if ever) that that growling is all it would ever be? Would there ever be a time that I would KNOW she wouldn't bite? Please understand - I plan on keeping her safe and happy in her room away from the kids, but I'm just curious.....how does one know? I have pictures of Bridget and Bradley (the youngest grandson) playing with one of Bridgets toys...together with no aggression what so ever. So am I correct to assume that it's ME that is the problem? I feel awful - like I've painted a portrait of some sort of "mean and aggressive pup" - which is not my intention, because she really is sweet, but it's obvious I've done something to get this kind of reaction from her. As far as my fiance' goes - she just adores him any other time...he shares in every aspect of her life - feeding, walking, bathing, playing - she'll even sleep with him if he goes to bed before me. It's just this "kiss goodnight" thing that gets her going....again - not awful, but she'll stop chewing a toy to come and growl. Thank you again for your time and advise, it is very much appreciated.

Ladymom · 11-30-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamSweet

Thanks for the advise - and I will definately follow it - I've hear of the NILF program and will definately check into it. If I can ask your opinion - I know I expressed my concern about her possibly biting - but how would I know (if ever) that that growling is all it would ever be? Would there ever be a time that I would KNOW she wouldn't bite? Please understand - I plan on keeping her safe and happy in her room away from the kids, but I'm just curious.....how does one know? I have pictures of Bridget and Bradley (the youngest grandson) playing with one of Bridgets toys...together with no aggression what so ever. So am I correct to assume that it's ME that is the problem? I feel awful - like I've painted a portrait of some sort of "mean and aggressive pup" - which is not my intention, because she really is sweet, but it's obvious I've done something to get this kind of reaction from her. As far as my fiance' goes - she just adores him any other time...he shares in every aspect of her life - feeding, walking, bathing, playing - she'll even sleep with him if he goes to bed before me. It's just this "kiss goodnight" thing that gets her going....again - not awful, but she'll stop chewing a toy to come and growl. Thank you again for your time and advise, it is very much appreciated.

I'd really recommend having a professional behaviorist come to your home for a session. She will evaluate Bridget and and teach you how to deal with her issues.

Do you have a camera than you can tape an episode with? That would really help a trainer, too.

Luvdogs2 · 11-30-2010, 07:19 PM

I'm new to the Yorkie breed, but from what I have seen in general dog training and such is that exposure to new people and such is something to carefully watch. One thing that isn't good is to lock up the dogs in another room and not let them sniff about and see who's in their home. That can lead to them getting anxious and agitated. I've been told the best way to keep guard dogs aggressive to strangers in the home is to never let them out when anyone is over.

I would let your dogs loose and try to ignore the dogs as far as they can tell, but keep a close eye on them. If you are sitting there anxious and in a lot of tension/stress/worried, the dog will pick up on it and it could leave them on edge. If you are "ignoring" them and conversing or playing with the kids, the dogs will follow suit most of the time. The 'heeler we have has never bitten anyone, but he gets very cautious and he will charge new people when they come out. I explain to visitors to ignore him, don't pet him and just talk to me for a little bit. He sniffs around, checks out their car and when he walks in, I have them toss him a treat and from that point, all he wants to do is get somebody to scratch his chest for him,

If the dog is behaving in a way that makes you worry, I would suggest the leash to project a little more dominance and possibly have the kids hold the leash or hold the leash while going for a walk if you can take them for a walk. Having the kids toss a couple treats doesn't hurt either or giving them their food when it's time to eat.

11-30-2010, 07:15 AM	#1
DamSweet Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Erie, PA, USA Posts: 1,236 Blog Entries: 1	my reaction to her possible action?? I just received a call from my son saying they were coming home for the holidays, and as any grandma I’m really excited. But this is where my concerns come in. When they left in August my youngest grandson was just a year old and my older grandson just turned 6. Before they left whenever Devon (the 6 year old) would come up to me, Bridget would growl and jump on him, which of course scared him. Bridget has never bit…..yet. I reprimanded Bridget with a firm NO and tried to show her that Devon meant neither her nor me any harm. I’ve also had Devon come bearing treats, and toys which helped Bridget relate to his presence as being a positive thing…for her. Bridget would play fetch with him and lay with him. The problem usually arose when Devon would come near me, if I went to Devon, all was well. Luckily he is old enough to understand how Bridget reacts so if he wants me to sit by him he would sit first, and I would go to him. I would also make a point of including her in my time spent with him so she wasn’t feeling like she was being neglected, or replaced. My youngest grandson Bradley is just 11/2 years old, and there is no way I’m going to explain Bridget to him. As I’ve said – Bridget has never bit – but in the event that she does……what is the correct reaction? I know that my reaction to her action will make a world of difference. While we were in the mall this weekend and people would approach us – she was great. It may be that the boys are on “her territory”? I may be jumping the gun here, as she has become much better with that type of thing since Greta has joined our family, but she still growls at my fiancé when he comes to kiss me good night. But he is considerably bigger than the boys, and just tells her to “shush”, or just talks to her in a calm voice. I also firmly tell her “NO” when she starts and reassure her that he is ok, as I think since it is me she is “protecting” I should be the one to tell her that her behavior is not correct. If I’m holding her when he comes over to kiss me – she’ll give him kisses too….no growl or anything. Her growl usually comes with a tail wag, so I don’t think she means any harm. Again – she has never bit, and I don’t think she will, but I would like to be prepared to do the right thing “if” it happens. Any advice is greatly appreciated. __________________ Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Donna......owned by Bridget and Greta (and wouldn't have it any other way!)

11-30-2010, 08:04 AM	#2
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Please don't ever put Bridget in a situation where she might bite your grandchildren. Even a tiny Yorkie can do serious damage to a child's face. A woman who works at my doctor's office adopted a Maltese who bit her husband in the face when he rolled over into "her space" in bed. He needed plastic surgery. I have young grandchildren, too, (2 & 6) so I know how difficult it can be when they visit. I would keep Bridget safely gated or penned away. I would especially not have her on your lap when your grandchildren are around as that's when she gets aggressive, right? She considers you a resource and is guarding you. I would start doing the NILF program with her as a dog who resource guards can be a ticking time bomb. Nothing in Life is Free Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-30-2010, 12:41 PM	#6
DamSweet Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Erie, PA, USA Posts: 1,236 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks for all the advice - Bridget is really strange in the fact that if I'm holding her - she is good with just about anyone, even my fiance' coming to kiss me goodnight, she will give him kisses too - it's when she's on the floor! She was great with strangers in the mall coming up to us. It seems to be when she is either sleeping in her bed, or off playing.....it's like she is worried someone else is getting her attention. Does that make any sense - I don't know how else to describe it. She is good if I'm holding her - or if she is the center of my attention. If Greta curls up at night by my chest, Bridget has to get near my neck. If I'm holding her when my grandson approaches she's fine with it - it's if he gets before she does, she comes running over - it's like she wants to scare him away. This may all be different now - a lot has changed since they have been gone. We've added Greta, and Bridget has had to learn to share my time. But I will definately take the necessary precautions so nothing happens to anyone - I won't set her up to fail - that's for sure...Maybe it should be x-pens for all...skin-babies, and fur-babies! __________________ Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Donna......owned by Bridget and Greta (and wouldn't have it any other way!)

11-30-2010, 01:57 PM	#7
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Yes, please take all precautions to keep her away from your grandchildren. If she should bite one of them and they needed medical attention, doctors and hospitals are required by law to report a dog bite. Again, I would really suggest the NILF program or consulting a trainer. Biting just once can result in a lawsuit or even euthanasia. This is behavior that needs to be taken very seriously. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

11-30-2010, 08:48 AM	#3
Darlin Beauxs Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Monroe, La, Us Posts: 1,326 Blog Entries: 1	I have the same problem with Cooper, he will not allow anyone near me, he even growls at my husband. He does not like kids at all, so, I just put him in his kennel when we have company, with a treat. He does not like it, but I would feel horrible if he bit one of our young nephews, like you would feel if she bit one of your grandchildren. It took him a long time to make friends with our old housekeeper (when we used to have one ), but he did, and the first time she brought her son, Cooper jumped off the couch and bit his hand on the way down when he got too close to his Mom..it did not break the skin, but that is not the point! Baxter and Darcy would probably jump in a strangers car and ride off, they love everyone...Cooper only likes his Mommy, and sometimes his Daddy

11-30-2010, 11:20 AM	#4
Dianab28 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manhattan, Ks, USA Posts: 170	What if everytime she growled she was put in her kennel or away from you?

11-30-2010, 11:55 AM	#5
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	I'm very interested in this too, as I have the same issue with Tallulah. She growls and wags her tail whenever someone comes near me. I would not look at the wagging as a friendly sign -- I think it's more that she is unsure how to behave which in my mind makes the outcome unpredictable. We are going to work on this issue, but in the meantime, I warn adults not to approach us when I'm holding her. If there are children or adults who won't respect that warning (and we all have some of those) present, I am putting Tallulah in her playpen right next to me with the lid zipped closed so she does not have the opportunity to make a bad decision.

11-30-2010, 07:19 PM	#10
Luvdogs2 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Peoria, IL, USA Posts: 75	I'm new to the Yorkie breed, but from what I have seen in general dog training and such is that exposure to new people and such is something to carefully watch. One thing that isn't good is to lock up the dogs in another room and not let them sniff about and see who's in their home. That can lead to them getting anxious and agitated. I've been told the best way to keep guard dogs aggressive to strangers in the home is to never let them out when anyone is over. I would let your dogs loose and try to ignore the dogs as far as they can tell, but keep a close eye on them. If you are sitting there anxious and in a lot of tension/stress/worried, the dog will pick up on it and it could leave them on edge. If you are "ignoring" them and conversing or playing with the kids, the dogs will follow suit most of the time. The 'heeler we have has never bitten anyone, but he gets very cautious and he will charge new people when they come out. I explain to visitors to ignore him, don't pet him and just talk to me for a little bit. He sniffs around, checks out their car and when he walks in, I have them toss him a treat and from that point, all he wants to do is get somebody to scratch his chest for him, If the dog is behaving in a way that makes you worry, I would suggest the leash to project a little more dominance and possibly have the kids hold the leash or hold the leash while going for a walk if you can take them for a walk. Having the kids toss a couple treats doesn't hurt either or giving them their food when it's time to eat.