Becoming Agressive

[YorkiesRule]

Good morning all and happy holidays! I've been reading the posts on training and although I've gotten some insight into our new problem I thought I'd bring my problem/question to the table anyway.

Lexi is now 20 months old and she is a loving and mushy pup with out family. However, a couple of months ago she started to become a bit nippy but now it's getting out of control. When the doorbell rings she goes berserk barking! When new people visit she goes berserk. When anyone goes to leave she goes berserk. OK - the barking and barking and barking is bad enough but now she's started biting. If we try to hold her back from whatever has her attention she'll lash out at us as well. This is all new behaviour and I'm fairly sure it's based on being jittery and nervous. What 'other' behaviour should I be teaching her? I need to help my little girl. She's so jumpy now and she never was before. I was thinking of trying the clicker training as I've been reading alot about how to do it but I don't just want her to stop barking, I want her to stop nipping as well. What should I do? I'm getting worried and I don't want to be putting her in the crate everytime someone comes in or rings the doorbell.

[Deber]

We have many dogs and had that problem with barking and nervous biting with a female of ours. I think that the tension of barking escalates the nervousness. I decided to become a bigger pack leader! I think we tend to let these smaller dogs rule because they are so small and loveable. I first taught the "sit" which yorkies learn very quickly. Then had my husband come to the front door. When the yapping started I stepped in front of the dog which placed ME as pack leader. Then I forced her back, away from the doorway, of course she is barking the whole way. Make the "Shuss" sound as you crowd her backwards..do not use "no", just the sound. When you have moved her back a bit, showing you are in charge, ask her to sit and give her a treat. When she didn't feel threatened she stopped the barking and the door crowding. I also carried it further and forced her to "wait" at the door until I go out first (she used to lunge at the door to go outside). We also treat her for NOT barking, when the postman or people pass by the window. She took a few weeks but now watches people pass and looks to us for her treat. It is not perfect but much much better. For the aggressiveness you might try walking her and wearing her out a bit. When dogs do not get enough exercise it can lead to biting and other aggressive traits. Lots of hard excercise, remember these are terriers and can take a fair amout of good excercise, treats for GOOD behavior, nothing for bad behavior...it is working on ours. I only use the "NO" for really bad things..there is something about the "Shuss" sound that really gets their attention!!
Hopefully you can use something in this LONG post that may work on your baby..it has helped us a lot.

[FirstYorkie]

Very good post from Deb! I second her thoughts.

Personally, I would also consult a trainer. Make sure it is a positive trainer - punitive measures are likely to make your little one worse!

[YorkiesRule]

Excellent information and advice Deb! I will certainly try it. I think you probably hit it on the nose about the excersize. The past couple of months I haven't gotten her out for our walks as I had done everyday before that. I will begin this again immediately and I will follow your advice for becoming the pack leader. She really has been 'in charge' of us and I guess it's time to fix that. I'm also glad to hear that it takes time to get this fixed. I was thinking it was just Lexi and she was too stubborn to train. She sit's when she's not excited but not when I need her to and she hasn't gotten control of the stay command yet.

I think the trainer is also a good idea but unfortunately the couple that were recommended to me thus far have been out of my range financially. I am still looking though for a person I can afford and that comes well recommended.

Thanks again for the advice. This forum is so helpful. I don't feel experienced enough yet to give my own advice on this forum but hopefully I will continue to learn and then someday I'll be able to give good advice too.

[Yorkie Mum]

I have a few very good titles on aggresion as I have one girl that lives with me and have done tons of research and training.


Joy

[SnowWa]

My little pup doesn't bark very often and he's totally friendly, but what I do with him might help you with your door problem.

I keep my front door locked so that everyone has to ring the bell (even family if I'm expecting them) and can't just walk in (I don't want my little dog running outside).

Then - whenever the door bells rings. The first think I do is find my pup, pick him up, and carry him with me when I answer the door. I also hold onto him for the first few minutes after anyone comes in. If you do this, your little dog would know who's there and be a little less excited when you put him down.

Good luck!

[YorkiesRule]

Thanks again everyone for your input. Joy, I'd love to do some reading so if you can send me some info. it would be great.

SnowWa - I understand your way of thinking. That's what I thought too but Lexi is MORE aggressive if we hold her. It's as if she turns the anger up a notch if we try to hold her back from her target. If guests are leaving she'll bark and jump up and down on their legs but if we try to pick her up she becomes a total attack dog snarling and growling, she'll nip at the one of us holding her and if the guest comes close enough she'll definitely bite them.

I've been reading all the posts. The ones associated with this thread all make perfect sense to me. The ones on another thread (I think the title was "why I use positive training or clicker training) also make sense. I'm going to try both together. I'm going to get between her and the door and guests and gently push her back. I will also reinforce her behaviour with praise and treats the second she behaves correctly.

Keep the thoughts coming!

Thanks,
Isabel

[FirstYorkie]

Getting between your dog and visitors IS a positive method. It shows her that you've got the situation under control. It's not punishment.

Joy can give you some titles of good books.

In the meantime, why don't you check out this website?
www.clickersolutions.com
You'll want to browse some of the articles on "Basic Clicker Training". Then scroll down to "Problem Behavior". There are several articles on aggression and barking.

[YorkiesRule]

Thanks, I'm printing the articles out now. It will make good lunch time reading.

[Yorkie Mum]

Most of the books I have read are from Clicker solutions.
I have a few more as well will get them out to you to night.
Just heading out to work.

I strongly recommend that Truid Rugarss hope that spelled right book be on your must read list. On talking terms with dogs is a wonderful book.


Joy

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Great advice...I am having a similar issue with one of mine. The Dog Whisperer uses that same method of asserting himself as the pack leader and using the shuss sound. Thanks for the great info.

[Saragp]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

Great advice...I am having a similar issue with one of mine. The Dog Whisperer uses that same method of asserting himself as the pack leader and using the shuss sound. Thanks for the great info.

I was SO going to recommed that. I am addicted to the Dog Whisperer! His techniques and ideologies make so much sense.

If no one has watched him he is on The National Geographic channel and his new season starts this Friday, Jan. 6 @ 8pm est. I HIGHLY recommed watching this show.

[YorkieShadow]

My two bark when people come in and bark when they leave. I know they are not agressive cause they bark at me going out and get so excited they run to the window and watch me out side barking the whole time.

[Yorkie Mum]

YorkiesRule.
I Pm you with my book list.
The first one is the one Like best but their are several that are very good.

Joy

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by YorkieShadow

My two bark when people come in and bark when they leave. I know they are not aggressive cause they bark at me going out and get so excited they run to the window and watch me out side barking the whole time.

Well sorry I have to say that well it is a behavior that can lead to aggression and or a dog if bigger than a Yorkie going through a window.
It is all in how you see it and if you see it as a problem it is, if not then it is not. Some find it cute, others not so much.
Jean Donaldsons book. The Culture Clash Understanding the relationship between Humans and Domestic Dogs.
Was a whole section on dogs and barking as people come and go and how to handle it.

Joy