What in the world???

[lwilliams]

Just now my 7 month old, who we have had since he was 12 weeks old, just "went after" my little girl! What in the world??? He was playing with a string on the carpet and she tried to move him away and he growled and barked at her and tried to bite her legs! Why did he do this when he has never done it before? I don't understand. I know Yorkies are "protectors" of people, but I didn't know they would just do this. I pray he doesn't do it again...if my husband had seen it he would have gone nuts. I love my little guy...but he can't be biting my daughter. Maybe he's just not feeling well? What do you guys think?

[HarleyHOO]

Hello - you need to establish yourself as well as your daughter as 'pack leaders.' He needs to know that BOTH of you rule him. What was your reaction when he did this? Did you immediately correct him?
He's still young so I'd correct this behaviour as soon as possible or it could get worse. However, I think with consistency he will learn fast that this isn't acceptable behavior.
How old is your daughter? If old enough, maybe try letting her feed him once through the day...as in, taking his food bowl up for several hours, and then at meal time, allow your daughter to give him his food and water. If he sees that she is in charge of when he eats and drinks, maybe this will help him recognize her as a leader.

[lwilliams]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

Hello - you need to establish yourself as well as your daughter as 'pack leaders.' He needs to know that BOTH of you rule him. What was your reaction when he did this? Did you immediately correct him?

OK. This leads to another question: How do I correct him? I reprimanded him by telling him "No". Is this enough?

[DamSweet]

Bridget has done similar to me - although not actually "gone after". If she has a toy or a treat and I got too close to her - she would do that low mean growl and snap her head around to bite. This all just started one day - she never did it before - then it was quite often. That worried me because I have a 10 month old grandson that visits often. I know it's important to teach kids not to approach a dog that has something, but sometimes they forget.
So I'm not sure I'm doing right - but whenever she has a treat that she is very fond of I make sure I sit next to her and pet her and every so often I take it from her - tell her "good girl" and give it back so she knows she'll get it back and is not losing it forever so there is no need to protect so much. She is much better now - and if she really doesn't want to be bothered - she will just grab her toy/treat and go someplace else - but no nipping! I know that my cat still can't get within 2 feet of her when she has something or she'll go after him (all 22 lbs of him). I think it's their trait to be possessive - but I do know how upset you must be - I was so upset when I realized she would actually bite me.
I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will have better advise, and I look forward to seeing what else I can do. Good luck!!!

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

How old is your daughter? If old enough, maybe try letting her feed him once through the day...as in, taking his food bowl up for several hours, and then at meal time, allow your daughter to give him his food and water. If he sees that she is in charge of when he eats and drinks, maybe this will help him recognize her as a leader.

That is a great idea - I had a shar pei that had a thing with my daughter and I called a trainer and that is exactly what she told us to do - it worked great!
But what about in a home where there are no others just my fiance and myself and Bridget would still react that way to me - the one that feeds her....any suggestions? Should I have done different than I did? She seems to be fine now - but for future reference - because I can see I already would like to get another...I'm soooo addicted!!!

[lwilliams]

I just love my little guy, and I'm soooooooo disappointed right now that he tried to bite. I don't want him doing that. My husband grew up with a Yorkie who would growl if you got too close to her food, but she would never "go after" anyone. I just hope we don't see him doing it again.

[lwilliams]

I might as well say that I have 2 children, 5 and 4. I did my research before I got a yorkie, and I knew that my kids would have to be well aware of how to act around him (not leave toys around that he could choke on, know how to pick him up, how to be gentle with him, etc.) My kids have done wonderfully with him, even though it took my youngest time to come around and not be skittish of him. It was her (my youngest) that he tried to bite.

[HarleyHOO]

Originally Posted by lwilliams

OK. This leads to another question: How do I correct him? I reprimanded him by telling him "No". Is this enough?

What I would do is this : when he does something like that (or for that matter ANYTHING which is unacceptable behavior), snap your finger and point at him and tell him no. Then calmy pick your daughter up, and the two of you go to a different room, completely ignoring him. Yorkies HATE to be ignored. They want attention whether good or bad. So by simply turning your back to him and walking away, he will instinctively follow you. Just ignore for several minutes and then go on about your business. He should learn quickly that when he behaves like this, all attention and interaction with you will cease.
The key is being consistent. Thats the only thing which will work for long term.

[HarleyHOO]

Originally Posted by DamSweet

That is a great idea - I had a shar pei that had a thing with my daughter and I called a trainer and that is exactly what she told us to do - it worked great!
But what about in a home where there are no others just my fiance and myself and Bridget would still react that way to me - the one that feeds her....any suggestions? Should I have done different than I did? She seems to be fine now - but for future reference - because I can see I already would like to get another...I'm soooo addicted!!!

I would say do the exact same thing... snap and point at him while telling him no, then turn and walk away. No interaction or attention when they behave like this. He wants attention....and if he knows that you'll ignore him for this behavior, then he'll most likely stop.

Start practicing other simple commands also. When I first brought Harley home, I immediately began teaching her to sit, before I would put her food bowl down. Until she was in a calm frame of mind, she got no food.
Also, something else which worked well for me, was never letting her lead ME into the house. Anytime you're outside, make him wait until you've entered the door first. This lets him know that the house and all thats in the house belong to you and is ruled by you. Teach him to "stay or wait." When I get to the front door, Harley sits and until I say "come on" she does not enter.

If you begin to put your foot down and not give in, they learn fast. Also, YOUR frame of mind has ALOT to do with a dog's behavior. If you're anxious, they can sense that. If you're nervous, they'll respond, etc, etc. By maintaining a calm sense about you and just firmly telling them what you expect, they'll get it. You just have to SEE yourself as the leader in your own mind and they'll pick up on it.

[MI Yorkielover]

You've been given excellent advise. He's been testing you. I can't add anything except to say by consistantly following this advise he should be fine. Good luck

[DamSweet]

Originally Posted by HarleyHOO

I would say do the exact same thing... snap and point at him while telling him no, then turn and walk away. No interaction or attention when they behave like this. He wants attention....and if he knows that you'll ignore him for this behavior, then he'll most likely stop.

Start practicing other simple commands also. When I first brought Harley home, I immediately began teaching her to sit, before I would put her food bowl down. Until she was in a calm frame of mind, she got no food.
Also, something else which worked well for me, was never letting her lead ME into the house. Anytime you're outside, make him wait until you've entered the door first. This lets him know that the house and all thats in the house belong to you and is ruled by you. Teach him to "stay or wait." When I get to the front door, Harley sits and until I say "come on" she does not enter.

If you begin to put your foot down and not give in, they learn fast. Also, YOUR frame of mind has ALOT to do with a dog's behavior. If you're anxious, they can sense that. If you're nervous, they'll respond, etc, etc. By maintaining a calm sense about you and just firmly telling them what you expect, they'll get it. You just have to SEE yourself as the leader in your own mind and they'll pick up on it.

Thanks - see...this place is awesome. I taught Bridget to sit right from the time I brought her home. Even when we play fetch - she has to sit, and I count to three before I throw - if she lifts her fanny up - I tell her she's had a false start - and start over at one. I do the same with her food. She need to sit and be calm before I put it down so that she can sniff it and walk away!!! LOL - gotta love 'em!!!! When we go for walks - we don't cross the street until she sits and I tell her is ok to cross. So she knows some of that - it's certain things that she is funny about. I guess just a little more work on my part. Being just the two of us in the house makes it easy to forget to teach her certain things - and it IS up to us - we can't bame her if she has never been taught.
Thanks for the great advise.