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09-10-2007, 08:33 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 21
| My pup is really really acting out! *help!* Please I'm hoping someone can shed some light on my Yorkie's crazy behavior. My Prince is about 8 months old...he'll be 9 in a couple of days. The only reason I can think of for his behavior change is that I have a new boyfriend, (the first one since I've had Prince) and he's been spending a lot of time at my house. At first I was worried that Prince just didn't like him. His trainer kept saying "trust your dog" but it's not that. Prince loves my bf...always wanting to play with him and be around him, but any time that my bf gets close to me or hugs me it sets Prince off. He'll either charge at us and start barking or stand between us and bark. For starters he's been barking...A LOT. Whenever I leave the house, if he doesn't get what he wants, if he doesn't like something I tell him (especially if he's being corrected) IT's like he's talking back alll the time. I don't know what to do other than tell him no or quiet...but that only triggers more barking. He's also chewing everything and heavily. Within the lat 3 weeks he's chewed up 2 harnesses and completely destroyed 3 sets of Nylabone keys. He only wants to chew things that are very hard...like he chews the hard plastic of the harnesses. He's got all his adult teeth, so I don't think he's still teething, plus he has so so many toys to chew on. He's also starting to pee on the floor....Prince is pretty much housebroken. We haven't had accidents in the house since he was about 6 months old. Since the new bf has been in the picture, we've started having them again. It's not the territory marking, cause it's a lot of urine. The other day he peed on the couch and just this morning he peed in the middle of my bed. (He was at home with my bf and somehow found his way into my room and went for it) Part of me is thinking he's pissed off cause he doesn't sleep in the bed with me anymore but I don't know how true this is. He jumps on people incessantly, no matter how much I correct him. He has a foot fetish and licks the feet of everyone that he can, no matter how much it annoys them. He seems to like it more if it does. Apparently he's very calm when I'm not around, like if it's just him and the bf. I'm at my wits end right now. I love Prince to bits....but his behavior is driving me nuts and I don't know what to do! |
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09-10-2007, 09:01 AM | #2 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 733
| I saw an episode on "It's me or the Dog" this season. It wasn't a yorkie but the behaviors were exactly the same. I think it was a husky. Apparently, your dog (according to this show) views himself as above your boyfriend in the pack and either above you or at least on equal level. A dog should always be on the low end of the totem pole in the pack. And yours is NOT. He is demonstrating behaviors that show dominance. He probably never had to show those behaviors before, because you always allowed him to be equal or dominant and now his position of dominance is being usurped by your boyfriend. The peeing on the couch and in your bed is the dog's way of announcing his presence in the pack. He is putting his scent in the areas that he feels he has dominance over, or wants to control. You are in for a lot of work to be done to get back on top of the pack and to get your yorkie back to the bottom. You need to look up dominance issues on the internet and you will find many great ways to re-establish yourself (if you ever were) as the leader in your pack. It is going to take work to correct the behaviors, but you and your dog will be much happier when you do!
__________________ Sheila and Sweet Millie Sage and Jasmine Rose |
09-10-2007, 09:03 AM | #3 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 733
| Oh, I wanted to add, If you have a trainer, you may want to ask them about the dominance issues and how to combat them in your dog. The trainer may have some good advise and help you work thru this trying time.
__________________ Sheila and Sweet Millie Sage and Jasmine Rose |
09-10-2007, 10:10 AM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 21
| Thanks a lot for your comments. I didn't really say in the first post but Prince doesn't act like that when it's just he and I. He is very spoiled....but when we're alone, he's very sweet and listens to what I say, no challenging me in any way so we've never had dominance issues, but yes I see what you're saying...he's challenging the bf for the dominant place. I will look that up on the net, and Prince starts his intermediate classes in 2 weeks, so i'll be able to ask the trainer for advice. |
09-10-2007, 03:58 PM | #5 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 21
| Thanks for all your help...I talked to his trainer today and she pretty much summed up all that was going on. She said that iwas stress from his "norm" being changed, and that the acting out was just a method to seek attention. We've already put some things in place to help him adapt and I think it's all going to be okay. |
09-10-2007, 04:27 PM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose
Posts: 285
| OK, your dog is adorable, but remember he is a dog, and as a dog he believes that there should be a leader in your pack. And apparently it is him. Is he neutered? That may help, or not. Either way you should (need to) step up to your pup and , no matter how much it may hurt you, teach him who's boss. Surprise!!! It's YOU! He is pretty young and you can still instill in him your dominance, if you don't feel you can do this then goodluck just having your furbaby as a partner, I don't think anyone would want to put up with a dog that growls at them. I have seen many instances where a dog won't even let their "owner" mother near them. That, my dear is WRONGO. Don't be a victim to that adorable face ( we all have been at one point ) you should be proud of your dog and eventhough training may be hard it is worth it when you receive compliments on how "well mannered" your little dog is. Trust me I know Good luck !
__________________ Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood. Proud Member of the LIttle Gentlemen's Club |
09-11-2007, 02:38 AM | #7 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 21
| thank you for your reply . I've talked to ihs trainer, and he doesn't growl or show anny aggression towards me. Maybe I've painted the picture that he's completely out of control and I can't handle him. That's not the case. He's just exhibiting some new behaviors now that someone new is in the picture. When he growls it's more of a "get away from my mommy" growl/whine/bark...tail wagging and all. I haven't seen the first sign of aggression in him. I think what I should have done is asked if jealousy could be playing a role in his behavior changes. I've talked to his trainer and she told me that everything he's doing is attention seeking and directly related to the change. She's known Prince since he was 3 months so, i think she's got a pretty good idea. I asked her if she thought it was a dominance/pack leader thing and she said no. She's seen how Prince and I are inside and out of class and didn't think that was it. She did however recommend neutering and gave me the ups and downs on it. I think we're going to be neutered very soon. Last edited by Apache; 09-11-2007 at 02:41 AM. |
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