I'm so upset! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Pup-e-Love · 11-06-2009, 05:27 PM

Reesie is 15 weeks and tonight my son was down on the floor playing with him and Reesie got really excited and reached up and bit my son (7) in the face. My son had a huge gash above his lip. I know people will say that you should not have small dogs with kids, but Reesie has been very good with the kids and vice versa. The kids love him and he loves them. I'm just very worried about this. I had my son hold Reesie on his side until Reesie gave in. I could tell that Reesie knew he did wrong cause he just laid there. I don't know if I handled it right, but it was in the heat of the moment. Should I be worried, or just chalk it up to Reesie being a puppy and still learning? What would have been the best way to handle the situation?

MommaTED · 11-06-2009, 05:32 PM

Sounds to me like you handled it well and that it's just a learning experience for Reesie. Pups have to be taught just like children. I have a 5 year old and an 8 year old and two Yorkies. Tucket is 6 months old but when he was younger, he did the same thing. We just had to teach him that that's not ok. My boys are also VERY careful and loving toward the dogs so I know it was just a pup thing.

BanditSocks2 · 11-06-2009, 05:41 PM

If you yelp loudly "OW!" the puppy will learn when he nips it hurts. You should also leave the room for a few mins and ignore the puppy after she nips. I know some people think that holding it down can be bad for the puppy, but some people advocate it. Puppies in general are very jumpy and mouthy, so I wouldn't chalk it up to anything else

How is your son dealing with it?

Pup-e-Love · 11-06-2009, 07:09 PM

Thanks for the responses. I feel a little better about it now. My son was ready to play again after we got him cleaned up. (He was bleeding.

) He's def. a boy!

G2momma · 11-06-2009, 07:17 PM

My Little girl is doing the same thing, she gets all kinds of excited and nips. I have been saying NO, and then she goes to area for a few minutes to calm down. Puppies need time outs too. Glad to see its not just my puppy though! Hope it gets better for both of us!

MauiGirl · 11-06-2009, 07:20 PM

When you or your kids play with pups on the floor, you basically become one of his litter mates. Puppies rough-house with each other at this age and need to be taught how much is too much. The loud ouch, then ignoring the pup is a good idea I think.

Good luck, I bet it will all be ok. Just don't let the kids tolerate or encourage any roughness from the pup.

Ladymom · 11-06-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

When you or your kids play with pups on the floor, you basically become one of his litter mates. Puppies rough-house with each other at this age and need to be taught how much is too much. The loud ouch, then ignoring the pup is a good idea I think.

Good luck, I bet it will all be ok. Just don't let the kids tolerate or encourage any roughness from the pup.

Good post!

I am certain that the bite was the result of your son's lip being too close to his little puppy mouth.

Please, please don't have your son hold Reese on his side, though, or that can cause real aggression. That is known as the outdated Alpha Roll which can provoke a dog to fear bite.

ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- The History and Misconceptions of Dominance Theory

MommaTED · 11-06-2009, 08:01 PM

Very interesting article. Makes sense...

joeyandtanksmom · 11-06-2009, 09:17 PM

Oh, I don't think you have anything to worry about...your furbaby just needs to learn what is and isn't acceptable. As long as it was out of excitement, they just need to learn that they can't bite. My Tank gives me kisses and gets so excited that he kinda nips sometimes along with kisses. I just flick his nose and say "ow!", and he instantly backs off. Both of my boys know that "ow" means we are hurt, and they need to stop what they are doing. Now everyone will think I'm a pansy to let a 4 and 5 lb dog hurt me, haha...I just mean in the aspect of nipping or pawing at my face...

joeyandtanksmom · 11-06-2009, 09:20 PM

oh, and p.s., I am an advocate of putting a dog on their back to show that you are alpha. I know a lot of people think I'm terrible for doing so, but it has worked very well for me and my dogs. They know I'm the boss, so they not only listen, but they come to me when they need something, as they know I will be the one to make sure they're taken care of.

KimberlySRN · 11-06-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

oh, and p.s., I am an advocate of putting a dog on their back to show that you are alpha. I know a lot of people think I'm terrible for doing so, but it has worked very well for me and my dogs. They know I'm the boss, so they not only listen, but they come to me when they need something, as they know I will be the one to make sure they're taken care of.

I have to agree. I have seen it work and I think it is also how you handle the situation. I have seen people rough house their puppy into rolling them over and that is not acceptable. But I have also seen when it is properly used and it has done wonders. My old roommate had a boxer/chi? pup and she showed aggression at first. One day she snapped at her and she rolled her over on her back until she calmed down. When she would get out of control she would turn her over and calm her down and in a very short time that behavior disappered. She does not act scared of her owner and is a very well behaved dog now. So I think it can work if used properly.

orlnurse · 11-06-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Good post!

I am certain that the bite was the result of your son's lip being too close to his little puppy mouth.

Please, please don't have your son hold Reese on his side, though, or that can cause real aggression. That is known as the outdated Alpha Roll which can provoke a dog to fear bite.

ClickerSolutions Training Articles -- The History and Misconceptions of Dominance Theory

Enjoyed the article..thanks for sharing

_Chrissy_ · 11-07-2009, 06:26 AM

Thanks for the article.

MollysMum54 · 11-07-2009, 09:14 AM

interesting article..thanks for posting.

little dude · 11-07-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

When you or your kids play with pups on the floor, you basically become one of his litter mates. Puppies rough-house with each other at this age and need to be taught how much is too much. The loud ouch, then ignoring the pup is a good idea I think.

Good luck, I bet it will all be ok. Just don't let the kids tolerate or encourage any roughness from the pup.

I just learned the same thing in "Puppy Kindergarden". If you watch puppies play they all nip each other. It's when the puppy receiving a nip that hurts yelps that the puppy doing the nipping learns that it was too strong. In class they teach us to allow "mouthing" but not biting.

11-06-2009, 05:27 PM	#1
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 648	I'm so upset! Reesie is 15 weeks and tonight my son was down on the floor playing with him and Reesie got really excited and reached up and bit my son (7) in the face. My son had a huge gash above his lip. I know people will say that you should not have small dogs with kids, but Reesie has been very good with the kids and vice versa. The kids love him and he loves them. I'm just very worried about this. I had my son hold Reesie on his side until Reesie gave in. I could tell that Reesie knew he did wrong cause he just laid there. I don't know if I handled it right, but it was in the heat of the moment. Should I be worried, or just chalk it up to Reesie being a puppy and still learning? What would have been the best way to handle the situation? __________________ Stephanie & Reesie

11-06-2009, 07:09 PM	#4
Pup-e-Love YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 648	Thanks for the responses. I feel a little better about it now. My son was ready to play again after we got him cleaned up. (He was bleeding.) He's def. a boy! __________________ Stephanie & Reesie

11-06-2009, 07:17 PM	#5
G2momma Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Novi, Mi Posts: 206	My Little girl is doing the same thing, she gets all kinds of excited and nips. I have been saying NO, and then she goes to area for a few minutes to calm down. Puppies need time outs too. Glad to see its not just my puppy though! Hope it gets better for both of us! __________________ ~ Kristina ~ Brooklynn Grace

11-06-2009, 07:20 PM	#6
MauiGirl Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 716	When you or your kids play with pups on the floor, you basically become one of his litter mates. Puppies rough-house with each other at this age and need to be taught how much is too much. The loud ouch, then ignoring the pup is a good idea I think. Good luck, I bet it will all be ok. Just don't let the kids tolerate or encourage any roughness from the pup. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , MEIKA , KAYLA , KARLEE AND NIKO

11-06-2009, 09:17 PM	#9
joeyandtanksmom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boise,ID,USA Posts: 172	Oh, I don't think you have anything to worry about...your furbaby just needs to learn what is and isn't acceptable. As long as it was out of excitement, they just need to learn that they can't bite. My Tank gives me kisses and gets so excited that he kinda nips sometimes along with kisses. I just flick his nose and say "ow!", and he instantly backs off. Both of my boys know that "ow" means we are hurt, and they need to stop what they are doing. Now everyone will think I'm a pansy to let a 4 and 5 lb dog hurt me, haha...I just mean in the aspect of nipping or pawing at my face... __________________ Joey & Tank's Mom

11-06-2009, 05:32 PM	#2
MommaTED Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 165	Sounds to me like you handled it well and that it's just a learning experience for Reesie. Pups have to be taught just like children. I have a 5 year old and an 8 year old and two Yorkies. Tucket is 6 months old but when he was younger, he did the same thing. We just had to teach him that that's not ok. My boys are also VERY careful and loving toward the dogs so I know it was just a pup thing.

11-06-2009, 05:41 PM	#3
BanditSocks2 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Crofton, MD, USA Posts: 205	If you yelp loudly "OW!" the puppy will learn when he nips it hurts. You should also leave the room for a few mins and ignore the puppy after she nips. I know some people think that holding it down can be bad for the puppy, but some people advocate it. Puppies in general are very jumpy and mouthy, so I wouldn't chalk it up to anything else How is your son dealing with it?

11-06-2009, 08:01 PM	#8
MommaTED Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 165	Very interesting article. Makes sense...

11-06-2009, 09:20 PM	#10
joeyandtanksmom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boise,ID,USA Posts: 172	oh, and p.s., I am an advocate of putting a dog on their back to show that you are alpha. I know a lot of people think I'm terrible for doing so, but it has worked very well for me and my dogs. They know I'm the boss, so they not only listen, but they come to me when they need something, as they know I will be the one to make sure they're taken care of. __________________ Joey & Tank's Mom

11-07-2009, 06:26 AM	#13
_Chrissy_ Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 544	Thanks for the article. __________________ Chrissy & Max & Mickey

11-07-2009, 09:14 AM	#14
MollysMum54 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: England,UK Posts: 708	interesting article..thanks for posting.