Drama king, help!!

[MyTrixie143]

I have a 4 month old male yorkie and he is a drama king. For even simple things like brushing, picking him up, adjusting a collar, just everything he screams as if I am killing him. I heard they go through fear stages but I have had him for a month and he has not got any better. I've been working with him really hard to build up his confidence but nothing seems to work, he continues to scream when ever I do these things and once he starts screaming it takes a couple of minutes for him to calm down before he will quit. I have used all positive reinforcement so it can't be because I am harsh with him. It makes training so hard, even with simple things like teaching him to sit or lay down. Will he out grow this or do I need to do something else? If he will out grow this, how long will it take? I hope someone can help, because it is really frustrating.

[sandraj]

Keep trying to make him feel secure and boost his confidence. How is he otherwise at home? Does he play happily with toys,sit on your knee etc ? He may have been roughly handled at the breeders-where did he come from?Just keep talking to him in a calm voice and keep up the praise. How is he with other people, new places, other dogs?Hope some others have some advice too, but sounds like he needs some gentle loving and will outgrow these fears.

[Jaspermom]

If your pup screams when you pick him up, there may be something physically wrong with him. How long have you had him? Have you taken him to your vet and explained the problem? I would be curious as to what my vet had to say.

[MyTrixie143]

He has been to a vet, there is nothing wrong with him, he is in perfect health. He plays well with me and the other dogs and will sit with me. He is actually quite out going. I know the breeder I got him from because she is a friend so I know she as not rough with him. He just has a problem being handled. I hope as time goes by he will out grow this and get better.

[SnowWa]

My pup was the same way -- If I touched him, or accidentally hurt him the tiniest little bit - you'd think I was killing him.

Anyway - I just told him to "knock it off" (in a playful way) and went on doing whatever I had to do. I just didn't let him be the "big baby" baby he wanted to be. He got no sympathy from me. In fact, I often just told him to "stop being such a big baby" and would start playing with him -- making a game of it all..... and he'd instantly turn away from his whinning and start being a playful little clown. It's amazing how he could go from "dying" one second to "turning somersaults and having fun fun fun" the next.

He's 9 months old now and hasn't acted that way for a long long time. Guess he decided it didn't work. Anyway, he's a rough tumbling, playful, outgoing, little guy now.

**** So - I think the best way to treat this type of behavior (when you know he's not really hurt) is just ignore it, distract him, and get him doing something else....playing is good! Don't give in to him -not with one comment, gesture, or whatever....he'll pick up on anything you do or say - so quickly - make it something that brings about a totally different behavior from him.....

******* Have to tell you that the first time he visited the vet (8 weeks old), he threw one of his "you're killing me fits" when the vet picked him up, and the vet say - "Oh boy - let's hope he never really gets hurt or sick - or you'll really have something on your hands." He laughed about my pup - and we agreed that he was a "big baby." I had only had him for two days at that time.

Carol Jean

[chris_e]

I totally agree with Carol Jean. Whenever I used pick up my pup she would cry and cry, so I just held her and looked at her. After about 2 seconds she would glance over at me to see my reaction. I would just look at her like she was nuts. Each following yelp would get quieter until she would just stop and try to lick my face. I think the secret is to not give in to the behavior. Whenever she is running around my feet and I accidently nudge her with my foot, she used to shriek, due to suprise; I am careful not to move to fast if she is around, so I just tell her to get out of my way and it won't happen. I don't pick her up or anything like that because it would encourage the behavior. A lot of the puppys actions are based off of your reactions. As long as you are consistent, the pup will get used to what you are going to do and will act accordingly.

Good Luck

[MyTrixie143]

I have been working with him and he has got better. He still tends to scream but not with every little thing anymore, so he has come along way and I am proud of him. I can even give him a bath without him screaming or fighting!! I did feel sorry for him though when I took him in to get his rabies shot and bordetella. I think it was the bordetella the one the give through the nose, either way which ever one is was, after a minute or two that they did it, he screamed for like 5 minutes.