Aggressive or Playful??

[Inez]

My Ginger is almost 11 weeks now. When we first brought her home 3 weeks ago, she was really shy and calm. For the past week, it seems like she is getting more and more aggressive. She is my first pup, so I don't know what is "normal". My husband and I leave her in the kitchen while we're at work. I come home for lunch to feed her. She has been barking and running around like crazy. She also has been biting all of us including my 9 year old daughter. Is this normal or is she just an aggressive pup? Any suggestions on what we can do to stop this, especially the biting, from happening? How old are they before they really understand what they should and shouldn't do? I'm so lost!!

[Perroamor]

Dogs want to please so they don't know when to not do something. You as the hate to say Alpha is the one who sets the standards. I find that with my Yorkie who went thru the same thing I was consistent with No you do not do that in a calm assertive voice letting her know that her behavior was not acceptable. She is not allowed to bite it probally is teething however that is a no no. I provide her with teething toys that she uses and loves. Your whole family must be consistent with her discipline or she will not get this whole process. I personally never stand over her it frightens her being so big and her so small I squat down and calmly tell her Princess NO! It is sinking in. All dogs test boundaries to see how far they can get and the looser the boundary the more they do..My friends laugh at me my dogs are on schedules food walks and sleep and lots of play and it works out. Sometimes dogs exhibit energy aggressively they might need longer walks or more play time it is a cry hey I am here. What we perceive as being bad is not bad, the behavior needs to be trained to be constructive not destructive. Also being alone dogs get lonely before I leave I give my dogs a good long walk so they are good and tired and go straight to their crates for the time I am gone. I crate them when I am gone for safety. Structure it is working for me and a whole lot of reading about Yorkies. Ps remember prasing her is the best medicine dogs really want to please you. Good luck

[FirstYorkie]

All puppies go through the biting stage! They are teething and they need to chew to make their gums feel better (just like human babies do). This is not aggression. Nor is barking and "running around like crazy" - that's all puppy play.

To help bring an end to the biting phase quicker, there are some things you can do. Make sure you have plenty of chew toys and bones for Ginger. Have them in every room that she is allowed in. When she tries to bite you, substitute an appropriate item.

Also, you want to teach bite inhibition. The way you do this is by reacting differently to bites that hurt. When she hurts you, yelp loudly, immediately break eye contact, stand up and turn your back. Ignore pup for approximately 30 - 60 seconds. At the end of that time, all is forgiven. You will have to repeat many, many times, but she will eventually get it!

When you catch Ginger chewing on an appropriate item, PRAISE her! You might even drop her a small treat so that she learns it pleases you when she chews on her stuff.

[Pumpkin]

My yorkie just turned 9 weeks yesterday and hes going through the same problem Ginger is. Chewy started biting me on his second day we brought him home. I just could never get him to stop. When I say NO, he will turn away but then come back and bite again. Also his barking is driving me nuts. He only barks when I confined him when its time for bed or work. He gets louder day by day and I dont know what to do. Should I just let him bark till he gets tired of barking? I need help.

[serrelind]

Same thing with my 15week Yorkie. When I first brought him home at 8week, he was docile and calm (but NOT shy lol... he has never been shy). Then when he got more comfortable with me and his new home, he started to bark, run around like a maniac, and in general being being more playful and energetic, and also biting and licking more. I don't mind the biting of my toes and fingers, IF he keeps it to gentle biting.. if he does it too hard, I make sure I show him my disapproval by yelping out loudly and stop interacting/playing with him. I think he does get the msg. Sometimes he forgets in his zeal to play with me and bites hard but I think in time he'll get it. I attribute his biting to his desire to play.

[chachi]

The good news is most pups outgrow the biting stage. When Chachi would do it we would tell him no and put a toy in his mouth.

[MischaBaby]

Originally Posted by chachi

The good news is most pups outgrow the biting stage. When Chachi would do it we would tell him no and put a toy in his mouth.

That's exactly what I do when Maddie bites hard. Last night while she was playing with my husband she bit him so hard he started to bleed. That's a BIG no, no! Not only did Maddie get into trouble but so did my husband.

[Pumpkin]

Gosh that sucks. I hope their both ok. I just got Chewy his crate. Hes not liking it to much. He still barks, but the barks arent that loud like before....yet. I hope he gets used to it soon!

[SnowWa]

First - all little pups go through the "teething biting stage" -- that drives the best of us crazy. Is is "oh, so natural" and they do outgrow this. But, at the same time, discourage it - and do everything you can to keep them from biting you....until they do outgrow it. It's no fun. It hurts!!!!!

Secondly - getting excited is a puppy things also - even older dogs get very excited when people come back home. Would we want this any other way? They are just so happy to see us.

Barking - too bad about this . This is the only thing your little puppy is doing that I wouldn't want to be happening. And, there is no doubt that some little dogs just bark a lot more than others do.

So -- I think you should read all the posts here on YT you can about "barking issues" --- and not worry about the other things your little puppy is doing. He's going to do all the things that little pups do - you can't escape this!

Good Luck! Carol Jean