Major Dilemma! Help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

luvmylife1010 · 03-04-2006, 12:35 PM

Dixie's aggression is getting worse. It's getting more frequent and this morning she bit my six year old daughter's leg (made her cry and almost broke the skin) while she was playing ball with our other dog. I don't know what to do anymore. It seems that the more comfortable she is becomes in our home the more aggressive she becomes. The attacks are still when we are playing, ball or wrestling or whatever. It is the freakiest thing and I just don't understand it. My family has always shared in feeding and taking care of her. I make sure she knows that we are alpha. It's almost like she has a split personality. I am torn - do I try to rehabilitate Dixie, which I know will take a lot more time and risk one of my children being bitten again or do I find her a quiet "old lady home" for her where there is no playing going on? Because, when it is just me and her alone all day with my husband at work and the kids at school she is relaxed and sweet and will sit in my lap all day and follow me around where ever I go. No aggression what so ever. No aggression when anyone else holds her either. It's just at playtime. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted some good feedback from you all. What would you all do? I have emailed the woman who I got her from to maybe learn a little more about her previous life. I haven't heard back from her yet.

Connie · 03-04-2006, 01:35 PM

I have no advice or answers for you, but hopefully someone will. I'm so sorry you're having such problems with Dixie and hope you will find a solution!!!

Patti · 03-04-2006, 01:40 PM

How old is she? Cali use to bite us and if we correted her she would just jump at us and bite harder. She grew out it by about 6-7 months old. Good luck

livingdustmops · 03-04-2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

How old is she? Cali use to bite us and if we correted her she would just jump at us and bite harder. She grew out it by about 6-7 months old. Good luck

I was going to ask the same question - How old is she? Is this your first Yorkie?

SnowWa · 03-04-2006, 02:22 PM

Same question... My pup did a lot of hurtful biting (playful aggression) when he was young and teething. He was really very unpleasant to be around.

He has outgrown this - but still wants to jump and bite a little when we play. Fortunately, he does most of this with my other dog (drives him crazy) and not with us.

I sympathize with you totally. You certainly can't have a little dog that bites your children. My own personal believe is that "people come first." The reason we get dogs is because we want an enjoyable little pet...something to love and play with.

If your pup is young - these pups can be very annonying and hurtful to a little child when they are going through the biting/teething stage...especially children even younger than yours. I noticed that my little Yorkie did even more of this biting than other breeds I have had. They are just tough little terriers who love to playfully attack..and it hurts.

If you have a pup - I would not encourage any play with your little girl around for a month or two more. There may be a great improvement by then. Wouldn't that be nice? My pup is so much better.

But if your dog is no longer a pup - then, your problem is going to be much more difficult to deal with. I would work hard with whatever advise I get and try hard to change his behavior - but, if you can't - I certainly wouldn't hesitate to find him another wonderful home. I have no children here, but if I did and had a little dog that hurt them, I just couldn't subject them to this.
No mother could.

I wish you the best of luck and hope some "time and training" can solve your problem.

londonteatime · 03-04-2006, 04:02 PM

Maybe you and she can go to obedience training classes? I would try that first. They're really smart dogs and you could learn some techniques to use.

Julie

typerk · 03-04-2006, 04:12 PM

Simply put you have to correct and do your best not to back off when she starts to bite as that only empowers her. I have to tell you though, if I had a daughter and my dog bit her there is no way I would keep her after that.

luvmylife1010 · 03-04-2006, 04:15 PM

Thank you so much for your advice and support. Dixie is 3 years old. I rescued her in early December and she started this aggressiveness about a month or so ago. Like I said it started out where we thought she was just going after the ball, toy, etc. and biting us by accident - then it became more frequent and we noticed that she was actually charging at us and biting. And again, she is a sweetheart as long as we aren't playing. The kids can pick her up and hold her and she's fine with that. We have another dog that loves to play all the time and the kids love to play with her so not playing is not an option. I agree with SnowWa that we get dogs to be a part of the family to play with and love and I chose to rescue Dixie as opposed to getting a puppy because there are so many deserving dogs who need good homes. If I didn't have kids I would definitely keep her and help her through this behavior problem, but since I have kids I have a tough decision to make and I want to be sure and make the right decision for all of us. I still have not heard from the lady that I got her from. Hopefully she will be able to give me some more information about her background other than that she was a breeding kennel dog that supposedly had "house time", has had two litters, one by C-section and one prematurely which is why Marlene ended up with her in her rescue. Dixie has a timid nature and is hand shy (which is diminishing). She's getting the idea that a hand coming toward her is not a bad thing.

luvmylife1010 · 03-04-2006, 04:54 PM

Here is what we are doing to show our dogs that we are alpha.

When we feed them they have to sit and stay until we say ok. We all take turns feeding them every day.

When we take them out to go potty we go through the door first and they have to sit and stay by the door until we say ok. It's the same when they come back inside. Again, we take turns taking them out.

Both dogs know the basic commands and a few tricks. Dixie is still learning and knows sit, stay, come (she's actually pretty good with this one), give me five, speak and sit pretty. She is pretty obediant. She hasn't gotten the "down" command yet.

They sleep in their crates at night and are in their crates when we are not home. I work at home so the most they are in their crates is at night when we go to bed. When I am working both dogs lay at my feet side by side. When I get up they both follow me every where I go, whether it's to the kitchen or the bathroom! (I don't let them in the bathroom with me, they sit by the door until I come out).

When Dixie shows this aggressiveness I tell her no and put her in a submissive position on her side and then I will ignore her for a while. When Dixie bit my daughter's leg this morning I had my daughter correct her with my assistance.

SnowWa · 03-04-2006, 05:21 PM

LuvMyLife1010 -- Since you pup is older - with more aggressive behavior that is becoming worse -- I'd just look for a wonderful new home for her and not feel a bit guilty. You would be doing what is best for everyone.

I've been through this with a pet (not a dog) - and sometimes it takes a while to find the right new home. Many people will offer to take her that you know may have the same problems that you are having. Don't accept that. Look a while and be very selective.

She will obviously do better in a home with no children - and may even enjoy being the only dog. Because she behaves well with just you, she will probably bond well and behave for a new owner --especially if she has no competition or other pets or children to distract her. I'll bet she could be a lovely affectionate pet for the right person(s).

You can't let her bite your daughter. I think you have your hands full with a family and another dog, and this makes it even more difficult to re-train one pet. Plus - chances are that a lot of work won't change her behavior anyway.

Only my own personal opinion -- If I were you, I'd continue to work with her and in the meantime start looking for the perfect home for her. As I said, finding it, may take a while.

I'm also thinking that there really isn't any reason you shouldn't be able to have a second dog. Most dogs behave well with other dogs and children. Unfortunately, I think you just got one that doesn't. And, I agree that since she was a rescue dog - her previous treatment is probably a part of her problem today.

Please remember ---it won't end up a sad story at all - if your little pup finds a new home where she's happy and loved.....and can't cause the problems that she's causing you. At three, she is still very young, and I would think a lot of people would enjoy starting with a dog that age.

I wish you the very best... Carol Jean

03-04-2006, 12:35 PM	#1
luvmylife1010 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Absecon, NJ Posts: 73	Major Dilemma! Help! Dixie's aggression is getting worse. It's getting more frequent and this morning she bit my six year old daughter's leg (made her cry and almost broke the skin) while she was playing ball with our other dog. I don't know what to do anymore. It seems that the more comfortable she is becomes in our home the more aggressive she becomes. The attacks are still when we are playing, ball or wrestling or whatever. It is the freakiest thing and I just don't understand it. My family has always shared in feeding and taking care of her. I make sure she knows that we are alpha. It's almost like she has a split personality. I am torn - do I try to rehabilitate Dixie, which I know will take a lot more time and risk one of my children being bitten again or do I find her a quiet "old lady home" for her where there is no playing going on? Because, when it is just me and her alone all day with my husband at work and the kids at school she is relaxed and sweet and will sit in my lap all day and follow me around where ever I go. No aggression what so ever. No aggression when anyone else holds her either. It's just at playtime. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted some good feedback from you all. What would you all do? I have emailed the woman who I got her from to maybe learn a little more about her previous life. I haven't heard back from her yet.

03-04-2006, 01:35 PM	#2
Connie Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 10,732	I have no advice or answers for you, but hopefully someone will. I'm so sorry you're having such problems with Dixie and hope you will find a solution!!! __________________ Custom doggie dresses and vests Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace?

03-04-2006, 01:40 PM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	How old is she? Cali use to bite us and if we correted her she would just jump at us and bite harder. She grew out it by about 6-7 months old. Good luck __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

03-04-2006, 02:22 PM	#5
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	Same question... My pup did a lot of hurtful biting (playful aggression) when he was young and teething. He was really very unpleasant to be around. He has outgrown this - but still wants to jump and bite a little when we play. Fortunately, he does most of this with my other dog (drives him crazy) and not with us. I sympathize with you totally. You certainly can't have a little dog that bites your children. My own personal believe is that "people come first." The reason we get dogs is because we want an enjoyable little pet...something to love and play with. If your pup is young - these pups can be very annonying and hurtful to a little child when they are going through the biting/teething stage...especially children even younger than yours. I noticed that my little Yorkie did even more of this biting than other breeds I have had. They are just tough little terriers who love to playfully attack..and it hurts. If you have a pup - I would not encourage any play with your little girl around for a month or two more. There may be a great improvement by then. Wouldn't that be nice? My pup is so much better. But if your dog is no longer a pup - then, your problem is going to be much more difficult to deal with. I would work hard with whatever advise I get and try hard to change his behavior - but, if you can't - I certainly wouldn't hesitate to find him another wonderful home. I have no children here, but if I did and had a little dog that hurt them, I just couldn't subject them to this. No mother could. I wish you the best of luck and hope some "time and training" can solve your problem. __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.

03-04-2006, 04:12 PM	#7
typerk YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 252	Simply put you have to correct and do your best not to back off when she starts to bite as that only empowers her. I have to tell you though, if I had a daughter and my dog bit her there is no way I would keep her after that. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534.

03-04-2006, 04:02 PM	#6
londonteatime Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 170	Maybe you and she can go to obedience training classes? I would try that first. They're really smart dogs and you could learn some techniques to use. Julie

03-04-2006, 04:15 PM	#8
luvmylife1010 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Absecon, NJ Posts: 73	Thank you so much for your advice and support. Dixie is 3 years old. I rescued her in early December and she started this aggressiveness about a month or so ago. Like I said it started out where we thought she was just going after the ball, toy, etc. and biting us by accident - then it became more frequent and we noticed that she was actually charging at us and biting. And again, she is a sweetheart as long as we aren't playing. The kids can pick her up and hold her and she's fine with that. We have another dog that loves to play all the time and the kids love to play with her so not playing is not an option. I agree with SnowWa that we get dogs to be a part of the family to play with and love and I chose to rescue Dixie as opposed to getting a puppy because there are so many deserving dogs who need good homes. If I didn't have kids I would definitely keep her and help her through this behavior problem, but since I have kids I have a tough decision to make and I want to be sure and make the right decision for all of us. I still have not heard from the lady that I got her from. Hopefully she will be able to give me some more information about her background other than that she was a breeding kennel dog that supposedly had "house time", has had two litters, one by C-section and one prematurely which is why Marlene ended up with her in her rescue. Dixie has a timid nature and is hand shy (which is diminishing). She's getting the idea that a hand coming toward her is not a bad thing.

03-04-2006, 04:54 PM	#9
luvmylife1010 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Absecon, NJ Posts: 73	Here is what we are doing to show our dogs that we are alpha. When we feed them they have to sit and stay until we say ok. We all take turns feeding them every day. When we take them out to go potty we go through the door first and they have to sit and stay by the door until we say ok. It's the same when they come back inside. Again, we take turns taking them out. Both dogs know the basic commands and a few tricks. Dixie is still learning and knows sit, stay, come (she's actually pretty good with this one), give me five, speak and sit pretty. She is pretty obediant. She hasn't gotten the "down" command yet. They sleep in their crates at night and are in their crates when we are not home. I work at home so the most they are in their crates is at night when we go to bed. When I am working both dogs lay at my feet side by side. When I get up they both follow me every where I go, whether it's to the kitchen or the bathroom! (I don't let them in the bathroom with me, they sit by the door until I come out). When Dixie shows this aggressiveness I tell her no and put her in a submissive position on her side and then I will ignore her for a while. When Dixie bit my daughter's leg this morning I had my daughter correct her with my assistance.

03-04-2006, 05:21 PM	#10
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	LuvMyLife1010 -- Since you pup is older - with more aggressive behavior that is becoming worse -- I'd just look for a wonderful new home for her and not feel a bit guilty. You would be doing what is best for everyone. I've been through this with a pet (not a dog) - and sometimes it takes a while to find the right new home. Many people will offer to take her that you know may have the same problems that you are having. Don't accept that. Look a while and be very selective. She will obviously do better in a home with no children - and may even enjoy being the only dog. Because she behaves well with just you, she will probably bond well and behave for a new owner --especially if she has no competition or other pets or children to distract her. I'll bet she could be a lovely affectionate pet for the right person(s). You can't let her bite your daughter. I think you have your hands full with a family and another dog, and this makes it even more difficult to re-train one pet. Plus - chances are that a lot of work won't change her behavior anyway. Only my own personal opinion -- If I were you, I'd continue to work with her and in the meantime start looking for the perfect home for her. As I said, finding it, may take a while. I'm also thinking that there really isn't any reason you shouldn't be able to have a second dog. Most dogs behave well with other dogs and children. Unfortunately, I think you just got one that doesn't. And, I agree that since she was a rescue dog - her previous treatment is probably a part of her problem today. Please remember ---it won't end up a sad story at all - if your little pup finds a new home where she's happy and loved.....and can't cause the problems that she's causing you. At three, she is still very young, and I would think a lot of people would enjoy starting with a dog that age. I wish you the very best... Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.