Need Help Please - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LuvMyTribute · 10-09-2006, 06:50 PM

HEY EVERYONE. I MIGHT BE ASKING SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE HAS ALREADY ASK BUT I HAVE NOT LOCATED IT YET SO HERE IT GOES. I HAVE A 12 WEEK OLD YORKIE NAMED TRIBUTE THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE HE WAS 7 WEEKS OLD. HE IS A SWEET LOVING PUPPY ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT HE STARTS BITTING ME AND WHEN I SAY NO BITE HE BITES ME HARDER AND DOES IT WORSE. WHEN I GO TO PICK HIM UP HE TRIES TO GET OUT OF MY HANDS AND BITES ME-ACTUALLY BROKE THE SKIN ON MY HAND. TODAY HE WAS GOOD OUTSIDE AND WHEN WE BROUGHT HIM IN AND DARKNESS CAME HE STARTED TO BITE US CONSTANTLY. I HAVE TRIED WHELPING WHEN HE BITES I HAVE TRIED GIVING HIM TOYS AND ACTUALLY TRIED A LITTLE PAT ON HIS BUTT AND NOTHING. HE SOMETIMES WILL RUN WHEN I GO TO PICK HIM UP. I DONT MISTREAT HIM AND I LOVE HIM TO DEATH. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND I KNOW HE IS A PUPPY BUT IT HURTS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING. I EVEN TRIED THE SUGGESTION OF HOLDING HIS MUZZLE SHUT AND PINCHING THE BACK ON HIS NECK AND I COULDNT HANDLE DOING THAT-I WONT HURT ANYTHING AND HE DIDNT LIKE THAT SO I WILL NOT DO THAT EVER. PLEASE HELP

xbeebeex · 10-09-2006, 07:13 PM

WOW..my wyatt does it too..but its not hard...he doesnt like to be held for long either...I cant help u on this cause i dont really have this issue...but im sure someone here on YT can help u with this one.....

GoOd LuCk!

baileysmom31 · 10-09-2006, 07:13 PM

I'm not an expert but here is a couple of suggestions I have read on here
When he bites say Ouch quite loudly. Usually the noise will scare him. If he does it again, put him down and ignore him. Even if he tries to get your attention, continue to ignore him. Pick him up after a few minutes. If he tries it again, put him down again and ignore him. Please don't hold his mussel, you could brake his jaw and hitting a dog will only get them to be fearful. You have to associate the action with something he finds unpleasant like being ignored. I hope this might help.

LuvMyTribute · 10-09-2006, 09:24 PM

I only tried holding his muzzle once after hearing it on here-but thats all it took and I could never and would never do it again. I am not a bad person and hope that nobody thinks I am. I promise not to do that again and also promise not to pop his butt. I will try the ignore thing-I have done that though it hasnt helped. I know he is a puppy and I will have to have patience. He will not come around me sometimes but when I go to leave the room he comes just a running. Guess yorkies are like children-their ways change with the days. I am just afraid he will not attach to me. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

LinsZooCrew · 10-09-2006, 09:28 PM

Way back before the days of doggy psychology and such we used to get real lemon juice or vinegar and rub it on our hands. Then try to get them to bite. They usually found it so unpleasant that it ended after a few tries.
But now in the days of Ceasar Milan and dog behaviorists.....Well, it just sounds like you have a bratty teen ager who tries to run the show. It sounds like he doesn't respect you. If it was me I'd start taking him for long brisks walks and run some of that hostile energy out of him. Bet he'd be begging mom to pick him up and carry him home! Start controlling everything. Don't free feed, make him come to you and sit. Ignore him so he is looking for your attention. Just become the boss. Gentle but firm. He is testing you. The rest of your relationship with this little guy will be formed from how you react now. I know you love him and will beat this thing. The beat of luck to you both!

onelovelylynn · 10-09-2006, 09:46 PM

Brandy,

Its a dominate thing, You must teach him that you are the alpha dog.. In other words the leader of the pack. THE BOSS!!!! He sounds like he is testing you to see just how far he can go with you. Penny, My yorkie tried that when she was quite young also. But under no uncertain terms did I let her get away with it. When she bit me I said NO very loudly and put her on the floor and totally ignored her. Yorkies love attention and if they dont get any, it makes them wonder why. But you must be consistant! Dont give in even a little bit. Just remember you are the BOSS. And believe me tribute will love you all the more for it. It worked for me anyways.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Lacy's Mom · 10-09-2006, 09:49 PM

Something you can try:

When he does this, put him on his back (submissive position) and hold him down and look him in the eyes and firmly say No, then let him back up and ignore him for a few minutes. If he starts again, repeat. When your holding him on his back he should actually avoid your stare showing that he is not confronting you, accepting you as the pack leader, and backing down.

Don't know about holding his jaw shut, that does seem a little risky, but watching a Mom raise pups she will nip them when they get too rough. Never had to do it with a Yorkie, but my Malamute I pinch her ear. Before anyone gets upset, take into consideration I weigh 100 pounds - she weighs 120 lbs. and is built to pull sleds. She has incredible strength and can easily pull me wherever she wants to! If we are walking and she sees another dog she wants to go visit - we're going - but, since most don't want a huge dog approaching them, I have to do this to take her out of this trance she gets into so she is aware I'm there and she will listen to me.

irishawk · 10-10-2006, 06:49 AM

All good replies so far! I have tried the loud NO! and the laying on their back trick and have had success using those. I also do this silly thing sometimes when Howie starts to chew my fingers where in a loud high pitched tone I say "BUP!" I have no idea why, but it works. And I keep repeating it. And after doing it a few times he starts going in to bite and then not following through and he gets frustrated and relents. It's pretty funny.

Also, age helped. The older he gets, the better he's behaved! Hang in there!

RLC12345678 · 10-10-2006, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

Something you can try:

When he does this, put him on his back (submissive position) and hold him down and look him in the eyes and firmly say No, then let him back up and ignore him for a few minutes. If he starts again, repeat. When your holding him on his back he should actually avoid your stare showing that he is not confronting you, accepting you as the pack leader, and backing down.
Don't know about holding his jaw shut, that does seem a little risky, but watching a Mom raise pups she will nip them when they get too rough. Never had to do it with a Yorkie, but my Malamute I pinch her ear. Before anyone gets upset, take into consideration I weigh 100 pounds - she weighs 120 lbs. and is built to pull sleds. She has incredible strength and can easily pull me wherever she wants to! If we are walking and she sees another dog she wants to go visit - we're going - but, since most don't want a huge dog approaching them, I have to do this to take her out of this trance she gets into so she is aware I'm there and she will listen to me.

Excellent advice.

That's just what I was going to suggest.

FirstYorkie · 10-10-2006, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileysmom31

When he bites say Ouch quite loudly. Usually the noise will scare him. If he does it again, put him down and ignore him. Even if he tries to get your attention, continue to ignore him. Pick him up after a few minutes. If he tries it again, put him down again and ignore him.

Excellent advice!

This has nothing to do with dominance. This is normal teething puppy behavior. Human babies chew everything in sight, too, when they are teething. Are they doing it to show dominance? I think not.

The advice that you were given about yelping and immediately turning your back on him was right on target. Positive trainers recommend that you do that when puppies bite hard enough to hurt.

When Tribute is biting you but it doesn't really hurt, simply substitute an appropriate item to chew on - a toy or a bone. By reacting differently when it hurts or not, you teach him an important concept: bite inhibition.

To teach him to tolerate being held, you can do a couple of things. One, give him treats when you pick him up. He'll soon learn that in your hands is a good place to be. Also, reward calm behavior by giving him what he wants - to get down. Wait for 1 second of calm, "good boy!" and put him down. Repeat many, many times. Then, you can gradually expect 2 seconds then 3, etc, etc. Being calm gets him released; squirming and biting does not.

Make sense?

Piccolo's mom · 10-10-2006, 07:12 AM

It may seem silly to you but when Piccolo was biting me - I growled at him and barked. He just looked at me very surprised and backed off. Then he came back to me and kissed me like crazy. It was sooo funny !

Lou · 10-10-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

Something you can try:

When he does this, put him on his back (submissive position) and hold him down and look him in the eyes and firmly say No, then let him back up and ignore him for a few minutes. If he starts again, repeat. When your holding him on his back he should actually avoid your stare showing that he is not confronting you, accepting you as the pack leader, and backing down.

Don't know about holding his jaw shut, that does seem a little risky, but watching a Mom raise pups she will nip them when they get too rough. Never had to do it with a Yorkie, but my Malamute I pinch her ear. Before anyone gets upset, take into consideration I weigh 100 pounds - she weighs 120 lbs. and is built to pull sleds. She has incredible strength and can easily pull me wherever she wants to! If we are walking and she sees another dog she wants to go visit - we're going - but, since most don't want a huge dog approaching them, I have to do this to take her out of this trance she gets into so she is aware I'm there and she will listen to me.

This is working with Adie too. I hold her down on her back until she stops struggling. Then let her up. She calms right down and looks off to the side like it is her idea to be there lol. At least she stops for a while. As far as the affection thing goes, I'd just be patient.

sdgdh1 · 10-11-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyTribute

I only tried holding his muzzle once after hearing it on here-but thats all it took and I could never and would never do it again. I am not a bad person and hope that nobody thinks I am. I promise not to do that again and also promise not to pop his butt. I will try the ignore thing-I have done that though it hasnt helped. I know he is a puppy and I will have to have patience. He will not come around me sometimes but when I go to leave the room he comes just a running. Guess yorkies are like children-their ways change with the days. I am just afraid he will not attach to me. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Lack of discipline leads to unruliness. The new "psychology" for dogs is all wrong, just like it is for kids. If you want your kids not to do something, you teach them to associate pain with what they are doing. It's really simple. Your kids will love you for it. I love my parents for it. If it works for kids, it certainly works for dogs who are much less intelligent.

If you listen to people who tell you not to discipline your dog, you'll end up with a dog that bites. Negative reinforcement is just as effective as positive reinforcement. Dogs, like humans, need both.

Using bitter apple spray or locking them in a cage is the same concept. I've found that dogs exhibit many more negative traits from being ignored as they do from a temporary infliction of pain. If you'll notice, 99% of all successful dog trainers use pain (like electric shock for example) as an effective means of training.

LuvMyTribute · 10-11-2006, 11:27 AM

I am just confused on what to do with him. I know he is a puppy but he is also small compared to the other brothers from the same litter. He is almost 12 weeks old and weighs 1.6 pounds. I have tried holding him down and saying no but he sqirms and growls and does not give in. He gets up and bites harder. I have tried taking him on walks and he will just lay there and not move-I am just so upset here lately over him and he is trying me and I am failing. I have cried over this for days. I just wish he knew i loved him and that i just didnt want him to bite me. He is happier to see strangers-maybe his problem is me.

Lacy's Mom · 10-11-2006, 11:36 AM

Give it some time. I know when I have a litter and my puppies are about 4 weeks I begin holding them in the submissive position on their backs for a minute several times a day. I was advised to do this. You definitely have those in the litter that have no problem with it and others that wrestle you (those are the ones that bite the hardest and definitely demonstrate leader qualities). Usually, by the time mine go to their new homes, the effort on my part of doing this throughout the day every day has eliminiated this behavior.

10-09-2006, 06:50 PM	#1
LuvMyTribute Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mount Airy,NC Posts: 46	Need Help Please HEY EVERYONE. I MIGHT BE ASKING SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE HAS ALREADY ASK BUT I HAVE NOT LOCATED IT YET SO HERE IT GOES. I HAVE A 12 WEEK OLD YORKIE NAMED TRIBUTE THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE HE WAS 7 WEEKS OLD. HE IS A SWEET LOVING PUPPY ONE MINUTE AND THEN THE NEXT HE STARTS BITTING ME AND WHEN I SAY NO BITE HE BITES ME HARDER AND DOES IT WORSE. WHEN I GO TO PICK HIM UP HE TRIES TO GET OUT OF MY HANDS AND BITES ME-ACTUALLY BROKE THE SKIN ON MY HAND. TODAY HE WAS GOOD OUTSIDE AND WHEN WE BROUGHT HIM IN AND DARKNESS CAME HE STARTED TO BITE US CONSTANTLY. I HAVE TRIED WHELPING WHEN HE BITES I HAVE TRIED GIVING HIM TOYS AND ACTUALLY TRIED A LITTLE PAT ON HIS BUTT AND NOTHING. HE SOMETIMES WILL RUN WHEN I GO TO PICK HIM UP. I DONT MISTREAT HIM AND I LOVE HIM TO DEATH. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND I KNOW HE IS A PUPPY BUT IT HURTS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING. I EVEN TRIED THE SUGGESTION OF HOLDING HIS MUZZLE SHUT AND PINCHING THE BACK ON HIS NECK AND I COULDNT HANDLE DOING THAT-I WONT HURT ANYTHING AND HE DIDNT LIKE THAT SO I WILL NOT DO THAT EVER. PLEASE HELP __________________ Brandy, Jon, Tribute and Dutchess Isis and Tut PRAY FOR DUTCHESS

10-09-2006, 07:13 PM	#2
xbeebeex Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ca Posts: 396	WOW..my wyatt does it too..but its not hard...he doesnt like to be held for long either...I cant help u on this cause i dont really have this issue...but im sure someone here on YT can help u with this one..... GoOd LuCk! __________________ Brittni PROUD MOM OF: Kamari and Wyatt,See Wyatt On Dogster

10-09-2006, 07:13 PM	#3
baileysmom31 Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 869	I'm not an expert but here is a couple of suggestions I have read on here When he bites say Ouch quite loudly. Usually the noise will scare him. If he does it again, put him down and ignore him. Even if he tries to get your attention, continue to ignore him. Pick him up after a few minutes. If he tries it again, put him down again and ignore him. Please don't hold his mussel, you could brake his jaw and hitting a dog will only get them to be fearful. You have to associate the action with something he finds unpleasant like being ignored. I hope this might help. __________________ Leslie

10-09-2006, 09:24 PM	#4
LuvMyTribute Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mount Airy,NC Posts: 46	I only tried holding his muzzle once after hearing it on here-but thats all it took and I could never and would never do it again. I am not a bad person and hope that nobody thinks I am. I promise not to do that again and also promise not to pop his butt. I will try the ignore thing-I have done that though it hasnt helped. I know he is a puppy and I will have to have patience. He will not come around me sometimes but when I go to leave the room he comes just a running. Guess yorkies are like children-their ways change with the days. I am just afraid he will not attach to me. Any other suggestions would be helpful. __________________ Brandy, Jon, Tribute and Dutchess Isis and Tut PRAY FOR DUTCHESS

10-09-2006, 09:46 PM	#6
onelovelylynn My Darling Divas Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: magnolia, Texas Posts: 1,220	tribute Brandy, Its a dominate thing, You must teach him that you are the alpha dog.. In other words the leader of the pack. THE BOSS!!!! He sounds like he is testing you to see just how far he can go with you. Penny, My yorkie tried that when she was quite young also. But under no uncertain terms did I let her get away with it. When she bit me I said NO very loudly and put her on the floor and totally ignored her. Yorkies love attention and if they dont get any, it makes them wonder why. But you must be consistant! Dont give in even a little bit. Just remember you are the BOSS. And believe me tribute will love you all the more for it. It worked for me anyways. GOOD LUCK!!!

10-09-2006, 09:28 PM	#5
LinsZooCrew Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast IL Posts: 109	Way back before the days of doggy psychology and such we used to get real lemon juice or vinegar and rub it on our hands. Then try to get them to bite. They usually found it so unpleasant that it ended after a few tries. But now in the days of Ceasar Milan and dog behaviorists.....Well, it just sounds like you have a bratty teen ager who tries to run the show. It sounds like he doesn't respect you. If it was me I'd start taking him for long brisks walks and run some of that hostile energy out of him. Bet he'd be begging mom to pick him up and carry him home! Start controlling everything. Don't free feed, make him come to you and sit. Ignore him so he is looking for your attention. Just become the boss. Gentle but firm. He is testing you. The rest of your relationship with this little guy will be formed from how you react now. I know you love him and will beat this thing. The beat of luck to you both!

10-09-2006, 09:49 PM	#7
Lacy's Mom YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 3,065	Something you can try: When he does this, put him on his back (submissive position) and hold him down and look him in the eyes and firmly say No, then let him back up and ignore him for a few minutes. If he starts again, repeat. When your holding him on his back he should actually avoid your stare showing that he is not confronting you, accepting you as the pack leader, and backing down. Don't know about holding his jaw shut, that does seem a little risky, but watching a Mom raise pups she will nip them when they get too rough. Never had to do it with a Yorkie, but my Malamute I pinch her ear. Before anyone gets upset, take into consideration I weigh 100 pounds - she weighs 120 lbs. and is built to pull sleds. She has incredible strength and can easily pull me wherever she wants to! If we are walking and she sees another dog she wants to go visit - we're going - but, since most don't want a huge dog approaching them, I have to do this to take her out of this trance she gets into so she is aware I'm there and she will listen to me.

10-10-2006, 06:49 AM	#8
irishawk YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 695	All good replies so far! I have tried the loud NO! and the laying on their back trick and have had success using those. I also do this silly thing sometimes when Howie starts to chew my fingers where in a loud high pitched tone I say "BUP!" I have no idea why, but it works. And I keep repeating it. And after doing it a few times he starts going in to bite and then not following through and he gets frustrated and relents. It's pretty funny. Also, age helped. The older he gets, the better he's behaved! Hang in there! __________________ Howie & Sarah Check us out on dogster: http://www.dogster.com/?327817

10-10-2006, 07:12 AM	#11
Piccolo's mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 778	It may seem silly to you but when Piccolo was biting me - I growled at him and barked. He just looked at me very surprised and backed off. Then he came back to me and kissed me like crazy. It was sooo funny ! __________________ Barb & Piccolo If your dog barks and doesn't fit in a bread roll, don't eat it.

10-11-2006, 11:27 AM	#14
LuvMyTribute Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mount Airy,NC Posts: 46	I am just confused on what to do with him. I know he is a puppy but he is also small compared to the other brothers from the same litter. He is almost 12 weeks old and weighs 1.6 pounds. I have tried holding him down and saying no but he sqirms and growls and does not give in. He gets up and bites harder. I have tried taking him on walks and he will just lay there and not move-I am just so upset here lately over him and he is trying me and I am failing. I have cried over this for days. I just wish he knew i loved him and that i just didnt want him to bite me. He is happier to see strangers-maybe his problem is me. __________________ Brandy, Jon, Tribute and Dutchess Isis and Tut PRAY FOR DUTCHESS

10-11-2006, 11:36 AM	#15
Lacy's Mom YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 3,065	Give it some time. I know when I have a litter and my puppies are about 4 weeks I begin holding them in the submissive position on their backs for a minute several times a day. I was advised to do this. You definitely have those in the litter that have no problem with it and others that wrestle you (those are the ones that bite the hardest and definitely demonstrate leader qualities). Usually, by the time mine go to their new homes, the effort on my part of doing this throughout the day every day has eliminiated this behavior.