What to do about MEAN yorkie? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Ashleigh · 01-14-2006, 02:57 PM

Zoe is a good dog, SOMETIMES. Most of the time though, she's MEAN. She will attack your feet, bite your face, rip your socks, hanging on my sons pants, etc. She will play with you, but she doesn't know how to play without going too far, and then when you stop, she won't and will continue to attack you.

When people come over, it's even worse, she attacks them, scratches them, bites at them, etc.

What can I do. I try a frim NO, misting with a spray bottle (didn't phase her she tried to drink out of it) and removing her from the room, but she still does it. We don't have ANY trainers within 35 miles of here, a petsmart, and she gets carsick

Wrenee4 · 01-14-2006, 04:13 PM

This is horrible behavior! I would run- not walk to take her to class ASAP OR have someone come to the house for personal training. If this keeps up it sounds like you may have a really mean dog - the kind that are not meant for a family. I'm not sure of her age to see if perhaps she is just playing to hard or if she really means it all. They do go through a teething time and will bite a lot more, but like I said - not sure of her age. I had a mean dog when I was a little kid and it is not something I would recommened to anyone. You never know when they will strike! He was a Schnauzer and even though he was a little dog too he sure made some marks on a number of people. If your dog bites it could very well become a law suite against you. We never had that happen, but it could have!

tmatherly · 01-14-2006, 05:10 PM

You may have to suspend ANY play wrestling/fighting with her altogether. Concentrate on ball play(fetch, etc), hide and seek, etc. A very good book to read is "The other end of the leash" by Pat McConnell. I'm reading it now and it's very insightful. If you can't get a trainer or go to classes, read every book you can get your hands on....first about behavior, then training, then don't give up on your dog. If you want a good dog, it will take you being a calm, assertive leader and lots of training and reinforcement and consistency. Good luck!

Patti · 01-14-2006, 05:35 PM

Cali was like that until she got a bit older. I was really worried about her, she would bite and charge at me when i told her no. She is 7 months old and doesn't do it anymore. She kisses me all the time. I think she just played to hard. She is only 3.12 lbs but it still hurt when she would bite. Hopefully Zoe will grow out of it too.

ilovelouie · 01-14-2006, 05:51 PM

Bella "plays" too rough sometimes to . I think it is just her age (5) months....she is full of energy, but also full of love. I noticed that if I yelled at her to stop! she would get more aggresive.....so I went with the gentle picking her up and baby talk approach... I love her hug aher kiss her and cuddle her and she calms right down.....and usually goes to sleep on me......I think they are just young and dont really know any better. Good luck!

FirstYorkie · 01-15-2006, 02:00 AM

Ashleigh,

Could you give us a little more information please? How old is Zoe? When she's biting is she growling? Has she broken the skin on anyone?

Thanks. I think we can help you better if we have more info.

d4nimal · 01-15-2006, 07:20 AM

right on. i think its vital to know how old she is, and if she is simply playing too rough most of the time or really doing things with violent intent.

Ashleigh · 01-15-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstYorkie

Ashleigh,

Could you give us a little more information please? How old is Zoe? When she's biting is she growling? Has she broken the skin on anyone?

Thanks. I think we can help you better if we have more info.

Zoe is 15 weeks old. Usually she is just biting and barking, rarely growling unless DH is playing with her

Shes never broken skin, only scratched DH's nose when she jumped off the couch on him. My son is 15.5 months old and she's NEVER hurt him though. If she is "playing rough" with us and he walks over to her, she'll stop and lick him, then when he leaves, she'll resume acting crazy.

I'm 90% sure it's just that she plays too rough, but I'm not sure how to teach her between play and non play time

She sleeps with us and is calm as can be. Right now she's asleep at my feet and when I got up she followed me nicely and came back. But one false move that is seen as playing she's a crazy girl.

KimMee's Mom · 01-15-2006, 03:09 PM

This sounds like typical puppy play to me that has just gotten out of hand. If she were still with her mom and litter mates, her mom would put her in her place as would a dominant litter mate. YOU want to be the dominant one. There are many ways to go about this. Find some good books or a mentor near by. Ask you vet. Have you turned her over onto her back at the time she is aggresive and gotten in her face. Puff yourself up like a mad mom. My puppy was the same way and it took many training sessions and time to get her under control. It is still an on going process. Plus do you understand the term bite inhibition? ie- she puts your finger in her mouth but doesn't really bite it. I wish you all the best and to me, it just sounds like you have a dominant girl there. added note- it won't get better unless you take contol. Don't let this behavior continue or she will think that it is normal for her to behave this way.

Esme's Mommy · 01-15-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleigh

Zoe is 15 weeks old. Usually she is just biting and barking, rarely growling unless DH is playing with her

Shes never broken skin, only scratched DH's nose when she jumped off the couch on him. My son is 15.5 months old and she's NEVER hurt him though. If she is "playing rough" with us and he walks over to her, she'll stop and lick him, then when he leaves, she'll resume acting crazy.

I'm 90% sure it's just that she plays too rough, but I'm not sure how to teach her between play and non play time

She sleeps with us and is calm as can be. Right now she's asleep at my feet and when I got up she followed me nicely and came back. But one false move that is seen as playing she's a crazy girl.

I don't think you have a mean yorkie... you have a baby yorkie. Esme is WILD and she was much like that as a pup... she has calmed down some as time has passed... but still likes to play rough, growls and chases our feet. I think it's typical terrier behavior.
Good luck!

d4nimal · 01-15-2006, 03:57 PM

yoshi was much the same way (and still is every once in a while when he gets ultra excited). when my friends dogsat him at ~3 months, they said all he would do is nip and try and bite their feet and hands and just be a terror in general. i've been workin with him constantly on it and he is getting much better these days (though its still a work in progress). i really dont believe in letting him grow out of it on his own on the offchance that he might never. when he gets overexcited as soon as he starts getting in that mode and starts going after hands or feet i'll usually use an alpha dog technique on him or give him a short timeout in his crate (there are many here who wont' agree with the roll or the scruff of the neck, but i like it). he also knows my stern voice and i can get him to stop doing something now just by changing the tone of my voice. i think half of it is he is growing up and calming down, and the other half is me definitely being in control with him knowing it.

FirstYorkie · 01-16-2006, 12:58 AM

I agree with the others. You don't have a MEAN Yorkie; you have a Yorkie puppy engaging in normal puppy behavior.

What you need to do is have toys/bones always close at hand in every room that puppy is allowed in. When puppy starts chewing on inappropriate objects (like people!), tell him no and substitute a toy or bone. You will have to do this millions of times but he'll eventually get it.

For harder bites, when it really hurts, either yelp loudly or yell "NO!" while breaking eye contact, turning around and walking away. Ignore pup for a minute or two and then start over. All is forgiven at this point (until he does it again). He needs to learn that hurting you = immediate loss of your attention.

Do NOT engage in play with Zoe that involves biting inappropriate objects and don't allow anyone else to, either! She can't understand that biting sometimes is okay and isn't okay at other times.

Ashleigh · 01-16-2006, 06:03 AM

Thanks so much! She is just overexcited I think and doesn't know how to play nice at times. I knew that Yorkies were fiesty little dogs, but even DH's uncle said she's wild and he had 2 yorkies. I'm going to ask our vet when she goes for her shots and then ask our friends with dogs around here if there is a trainer we could take her to. I'd have no problem taking her the 35 miles to petsmart if she didn't puke the whole way there.

I am definately going to try your advice in the meantime though.

FirstYorkie · 01-17-2006, 12:38 AM

Great! I definitely think that obedience classes are worth the effort!

Gio'sMamamia · 01-21-2006, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmatherly

You may have to suspend ANY play wrestling/fighting with her altogether. Concentrate on ball play(fetch, etc), hide and seek, etc. A very good book to read is "The other end of the leash" by Pat McConnell. I'm reading it now and it's very insightful. If you can't get a trainer or go to classes, read every book you can get your hands on....first about behavior, then training, then don't give up on your dog. If you want a good dog, it will take you being a calm, assertive leader and lots of training and reinforcement and consistency. Good luck!

You mentioned reading up on behavior and training, would you be able to suggest a few of those books? I'm interested in reading and researching those myself.

01-14-2006, 02:57 PM	#1
Ashleigh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 82	What to do about MEAN yorkie? Zoe is a good dog, SOMETIMES. Most of the time though, she's MEAN. She will attack your feet, bite your face, rip your socks, hanging on my sons pants, etc. She will play with you, but she doesn't know how to play without going too far, and then when you stop, she won't and will continue to attack you. When people come over, it's even worse, she attacks them, scratches them, bites at them, etc. What can I do. I try a frim NO, misting with a spray bottle (didn't phase her she tried to drink out of it) and removing her from the room, but she still does it. We don't have ANY trainers within 35 miles of here, a petsmart, and she gets carsick __________________ Ashleigh Mommy to Zoe

01-14-2006, 04:13 PM	#2
Wrenee4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,048	This is horrible behavior! I would run- not walk to take her to class ASAP OR have someone come to the house for personal training. If this keeps up it sounds like you may have a really mean dog - the kind that are not meant for a family. I'm not sure of her age to see if perhaps she is just playing to hard or if she really means it all. They do go through a teething time and will bite a lot more, but like I said - not sure of her age. I had a mean dog when I was a little kid and it is not something I would recommened to anyone. You never know when they will strike! He was a Schnauzer and even though he was a little dog too he sure made some marks on a number of people. If your dog bites it could very well become a law suite against you. We never had that happen, but it could have! __________________ ~Wendy~ Last edited by Wrenee4; 01-14-2006 at 04:16 PM.

01-14-2006, 05:10 PM	#3
tmatherly Razorback Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 2,056	You may have to suspend ANY play wrestling/fighting with her altogether. Concentrate on ball play(fetch, etc), hide and seek, etc. A very good book to read is "The other end of the leash" by Pat McConnell. I'm reading it now and it's very insightful. If you can't get a trainer or go to classes, read every book you can get your hands on....first about behavior, then training, then don't give up on your dog. If you want a good dog, it will take you being a calm, assertive leader and lots of training and reinforcement and consistency. Good luck! __________________ Tiffany Pippa, Scout, and Ranger's Mom http://www.dogster.com/?198523 http://www.dogster.com/?198525

01-14-2006, 05:35 PM	#4
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Cali was like that until she got a bit older. I was really worried about her, she would bite and charge at me when i told her no. She is 7 months old and doesn't do it anymore. She kisses me all the time. I think she just played to hard. She is only 3.12 lbs but it still hurt when she would bite. Hopefully Zoe will grow out of it too. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

01-14-2006, 05:51 PM	#5
ilovelouie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: mass Posts: 1,762	Bella "plays" too rough sometimes to . I think it is just her age (5) months....she is full of energy, but also full of love. I noticed that if I yelled at her to stop! she would get more aggresive.....so I went with the gentle picking her up and baby talk approach... I love her hug aher kiss her and cuddle her and she calms right down.....and usually goes to sleep on me......I think they are just young and dont really know any better. Good luck! __________________ Our Photo Album is HERE http://www.dogster.com/?185528 http://www.dogster.com/?246319

01-15-2006, 02:00 AM	#6
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Ashleigh, Could you give us a little more information please? How old is Zoe? When she's biting is she growling? Has she broken the skin on anyone? Thanks. I think we can help you better if we have more info. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-15-2006, 07:20 AM	#7
d4nimal Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gainesville Posts: 224	right on. i think its vital to know how old she is, and if she is simply playing too rough most of the time or really doing things with violent intent. __________________ Yoshi Wants To Be Your Dog's Friend. He Told Me So. Then He Pooped. Join Yoshi's List of Friends On Dogster!

01-15-2006, 03:09 PM	#9
KimMee's Mom Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,857	This sounds like typical puppy play to me that has just gotten out of hand. If she were still with her mom and litter mates, her mom would put her in her place as would a dominant litter mate. YOU want to be the dominant one. There are many ways to go about this. Find some good books or a mentor near by. Ask you vet. Have you turned her over onto her back at the time she is aggresive and gotten in her face. Puff yourself up like a mad mom. My puppy was the same way and it took many training sessions and time to get her under control. It is still an on going process. Plus do you understand the term bite inhibition? ie- she puts your finger in her mouth but doesn't really bite it. I wish you all the best and to me, it just sounds like you have a dominant girl there. added note- it won't get better unless you take contol. Don't let this behavior continue or she will think that it is normal for her to behave this way. Last edited by KimMee's Mom; 01-15-2006 at 03:12 PM.

01-15-2006, 03:57 PM	#11
d4nimal Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gainesville Posts: 224	yoshi was much the same way (and still is every once in a while when he gets ultra excited). when my friends dogsat him at ~3 months, they said all he would do is nip and try and bite their feet and hands and just be a terror in general. i've been workin with him constantly on it and he is getting much better these days (though its still a work in progress). i really dont believe in letting him grow out of it on his own on the offchance that he might never. when he gets overexcited as soon as he starts getting in that mode and starts going after hands or feet i'll usually use an alpha dog technique on him or give him a short timeout in his crate (there are many here who wont' agree with the roll or the scruff of the neck, but i like it). he also knows my stern voice and i can get him to stop doing something now just by changing the tone of my voice. i think half of it is he is growing up and calming down, and the other half is me definitely being in control with him knowing it. __________________ Yoshi Wants To Be Your Dog's Friend. He Told Me So. Then He Pooped. Join Yoshi's List of Friends On Dogster!

01-16-2006, 12:58 AM	#12
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I agree with the others. You don't have a MEAN Yorkie; you have a Yorkie puppy engaging in normal puppy behavior. What you need to do is have toys/bones always close at hand in every room that puppy is allowed in. When puppy starts chewing on inappropriate objects (like people!), tell him no and substitute a toy or bone. You will have to do this millions of times but he'll eventually get it. For harder bites, when it really hurts, either yelp loudly or yell "NO!" while breaking eye contact, turning around and walking away. Ignore pup for a minute or two and then start over. All is forgiven at this point (until he does it again). *He needs to learn that hurting you = immediate* loss of your attention. Do NOT engage in play with Zoe that involves biting inappropriate objects** and don't allow anyone else to, either! She can't understand that biting sometimes is okay and isn't okay at other times. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-16-2006, 06:03 AM	#13
Ashleigh Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 82	Thanks so much! She is just overexcited I think and doesn't know how to play nice at times. I knew that Yorkies were fiesty little dogs, but even DH's uncle said she's wild and he had 2 yorkies. I'm going to ask our vet when she goes for her shots and then ask our friends with dogs around here if there is a trainer we could take her to. I'd have no problem taking her the 35 miles to petsmart if she didn't puke the whole way there. I am definately going to try your advice in the meantime though. __________________ Ashleigh Mommy to Zoe

01-17-2006, 12:38 AM	#14
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Great! I definitely think that obedience classes are worth the effort! __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!