Ankle biting?

[yorkiefan_]

My Cookie Monster loves to attack my ankles when I'm walking (in the house, not playing in the yard or when out for walks at the park). If I turn around and watch she just looks up at me like "I'm just your little miss sweet girl following you around" and then by the second step after I look forward again I feel teeth mixed with a playful growl. She never bites hard so it just makes me laugh. lol

[yorkietalkjilly]

LOL. As long as you are laughing, that's acceptance of her behavior so she's getting lots of positive reinforcement there. They are so darn cute, aren't they - no matter what they are doing?

[BobbiB]

Sheldon does it to my pants. Ironically, I have a pair of "bazinga" pajama pants that he seems to like more then the rest

[Faboosh]

Cookie sounds adorable!! I'd die of laughter if mine did that to me, just adorable!

[sophiesmominva]

From what I have read; it sounds like a case of alpha dog syndrome. My sister's yorkie use to grab everyone's pants cuffs when they tried to leave the house -- we thought it was cute too. My 6 month old Sophie, when going outside will stand in front of me and start playful growling and bite by toes as to not to allow me to cross through the door. For this reason, I always try to exit doors BEFORE her but sometimes she is just too fast. This is a sign of a dog saying "I'll let you cross when I give you permission" according to the book I have read. Not sure if this is similar or close to what your baby is doing. Those little teeth hurt my toes and she knows just how to grab them. I try not to give her attention when she does this but it is hard not to say "ouch" very loudly because it does hurt even though I know she does not mean to hurt her mama.

[chachi]

Mine used to do it to the mailman or anyone at our door they would dart out the door and do it before I could stop them and I hated it. It was embarassing and as they got older they stopped doing it and I was glad. So even though you think its cute and no harm I wouldnt let her get away with doing it because you dont want her doing it to other people. Yorkies are known as yappers and ankle biters anyway it doesnt give them a good name

[sophiesmominva]

Oh mine only does it with me. I would not tolerate it if she did it to strangers. Sophie with strangers is like this: tail wagging a mile a minute and her legs going as fast as they can while I am holding her back on her leash. She loves people and goes out of her way to go up to anyone for a pat on the head.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Ankle biting is better than where big dogs bite......anywhere they WANT! They don't exactly get a good name either.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Ankle biting is better than where big dogs bite......anywhere they WANT! They don't exactly get a good name either.

Here here!!! You never hear of any good names given for that

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by chachi

Here here!!! You never hear of any good names given for that

No kidding! Owners of those big, powerful dogs straining at the end of the leash and barking so loud your ear drums just give up never have a catch-phrase for their dogs and what they do if they get hold of you but they love to call little dogs "ankle biters"! Harrumph!!!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

No kidding! Owners of those big, powerful dogs straining at the end of the leash and barking so loud your ear drums just give up never have a catch-phrase for their dogs and what they do if they get hold of you but they love to call little dogs "ankle biters"! Harrumph!!!

When we went on a walk one time there is this big pit bull and hes on a chain and he will just barking ferosishly and straining the chain trying to get to us. I saw the owners out there and I just thought why in heavens name do you want a dog like that. They looked embarassed he was acting that way. I told my daughter that dog out ever again we gonna have to find a new route to walk because he scares me

[yorkiefan_]

Cookie only does it to me. I'd never let her do it to anyone else, but we like to chase each other and wrestle around. She nibbles at my ankles and I blow raspberries on her belly. I'd never change a thing about her personality. I just got in a few minutes ago and she practically tackled me to give me excited kisses for about 5 minutes straight LOL.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by chachi

When we went on a walk one time there is this big pit bull and hes on a chain and he will just barking ferosishly and straining the chain trying to get to us. I saw the owners out there and I just thought why in heavens name do you want a dog like that. They looked embarassed he was acting that way. I told my daughter that dog out ever again we gonna have to find a new route to walk because he scares me

I know what you mean. I cannot understand who would want a monster that scares everybody on the end of the leash and cannot be controlled by the owner. I'd rather have an ankle-biter any day than a dog that acted like he was going to eat everyone that passes by! But it almost always comes down to the owner and their ability to properly handle their dog and carefully teach him any boundaries you won't allow him to cross. Thing is, when a little dog crosses a boundary, at least he usually doesn't draw blood or send anyone to the ER or morgue!

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

My Cookie Monster loves to attack my ankles when I'm walking (in the house, not playing in the yard or when out for walks at the park). If I turn around and watch she just looks up at me like "I'm just your little miss sweet girl following you around" and then by the second step after I look forward again I feel teeth mixed with a playful growl. She never bites hard so it just makes me laugh. lol

Yes this wonderful habit is in Crystals repertoire too. Stage 2 is to hang on to my trouser leg, so I have a 7lb anchor to drag along! Closely related here is the 'Good, the old boy's putting his socks on' game. This consists me attempting getting them on, (with one hand) whilst clutterbuck brain pulls them off with a lot of silly growling accompaniment. I'll swear she's laughing her head off as well! Irina and I get a huge kick out of it too. It's the wonder of their playful little natures engaging in everyday human life and the ongoing expectancy of the fun that we love. Rarely a dull moment, as we all go mad together!

[yorkiefan_]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Yes this wonderful habit is in Crystals repertoire too. Stage 2 is to hang on to my trouser leg, so I have a 7lb anchor to drag along! Closely related here is the 'Good, the old boy's putting his socks on' game. This consists me attempting getting them on, (with one hand) whilst clutterbuck brain pulls them off with a lot of silly growling accompaniment. I'll swear she's laughing her head off as well! Irina and I get a huge kick out of it too. It's the wonder of their playful little natures engaging in everyday human life and the ongoing expectancy of the fun that we love. Rarely a dull moment, as we all go mad together!

I'm dying laughing! Cookie loves attacking my pants too. You should see her when it gets near 7-8 PM and it's walk time and she sees me put long pants on. YES! Chris is taking me to the park for a walk! Let me jump up and down and then try to rip the cuffs from his pants! Jump jump jump. Twirl twirl twirl. Kill the pants, kill em good. Bite down and shake in the jaws, with some yorkie cussing mixed in for good measure.