serious problem

[Ritkaa]

When we first got Napoleon at 2 months old, he wasnt agressive at all. Over the next few months I started to notice that he could go from CALM to CRAZY in the matter of minutes. I posted this problem on here several times throughout Napoleon's first few months with us and now he is almost 11 months old and he is STILL VERY AGRESSIVE. At first, people on here told me it was a puppy stage and nothing to worry about. But he is going to be 1 in January and the agressiveness hasn't gone away.
We also thought that it was teething, and for a while it was. But now that he has all his teeth in and still biting away at our hands is just wierd. I know how to prevent the biting temporarily..(put deoderant on my hands...cream..etc) but that is for temporary use..HOW DO I GET IT TO STOP ALL TOGETHER? Its driving my family nuts that he bites so hard. When we have company, we are afraid that he will bite them too. Outside, if we meet another dog on our walk, I am afraid that he will bite them too.
On top of that, he has this CRAZY HABIT of taking anything that is made out of paper and ripping it all over the house..what is up with that??????

CAN SOMEBODY GIVE ME SOME POINTERS PLEASE..AND PLEASE NONE OF THAT "SAY NO BITE PUPPY NO BITE" OR SHAKE A CAN OF COINS OR ANYTHING...HE THINKS THAT STUFF IS LIKE COMEDY OR SOMETHING.

THANK YOU
RITA

[LunasMomma]

One thing that stops my dogs in their tracks (whatever it is they're doing wrong) is to make that UH UH noise. Real guttural and serious. It's hard to describe I also refuse to play anymore if the biting doesn't stop. Is there anyone in the family that allows the biting to themselves? If so, it'll NEVER stop, ugh! My husband thinks it's cute when Luna bites his hands, of course his are tough and calloused. I have to remind him all the time that she doesn't know the difference between his hands and everyone elses so it has to be no biting at all

I hope that it stops and you get some more good tips here

[chachi]

Have you tried clicking a clicker. When my dogs do something we dont want them to do thats what we do.
They hate the sound of it. You could also try whistling with a whistler. I dont knw what to tell you about the shredding of paper except to keep it up. My dogs still do that too

[Saleswman]

Maybe someone can help you that trains dogs professionally.....

[topknot]

Do you have small children? Is anyone teasing him? Is he on the small size?

Usually this is in response to them having quick hands/arm movements toward them and their way of protection. You also have to remember that yorkies are Terriers! They are fast, can change on a dime, but yet loveabe and cuddlers as well. They are extremley stubborn and very intelligent. I highly recommend the Dog Whisperer books! As he states - there are never any bad dogs, just misunderstanding owners.
T.

[prettypuppypink]

Originally Posted by topknot

Do you have small children? Is anyone teasing him? Is he on the small size?

Usually this is in response to them having quick hands/arm movements toward them and their way of protection. You also have to remember that yorkies are Terriers! They are fast, can change on a dime, but yet loveabe and cuddlers as well. They are extremley stubborn and very intelligent. I highly recommend the Dog Whisperer books! As he states - there are never any bad dogs, just misunderstanding owners.
T.

However, unfortunately there are bad dog breeders that breed dogs with poor temperments, keep them caged, abuse them, and sell them on their show laurels to pet owners. I'm not including you in this group but I'm a victim as well as the puppy I bought from one. It's sad to expect a well socialized puppy and end up with a nightmare. I didn't pay for an abused puppy for $3,000. I've been working with a trainer and it's hard to turn around a dog that was abused for 7 months. He isn't lovable or a cuddler, only a burden. I can't rehome him since his has health issues to boot. He attacked my tiny dog and ripped his throat open, almost lost him.
Jessica

[topknot]

prettypuppypink - I was not blamming anyone. Just trying to find a clue as to the behavior. Just as I stated - it is a condition response - which you are also right - can also be caused by a bad breeder. If they are not well socialized and treated correctly - pups learn bad behavior as a way of protecting themselves. Thus there are no bad pup (in the beginning)- it is a learned/conditioned response from their environment.
Again - try the information in Dog Whisper' book- I have heard it is a very good book! In most cases you can retrain the pup - but it does take time, patience, and being consistant.
T.

[prettypuppypink]

Originally Posted by topknot

prettypuppypink - I was not blamming anyone. Just trying to find a clue as to the behavior. Just as I stated - it is a condition response - which you are also right - can also be caused by a bad breeder. If they are not well socialized and treated correctly - pups learn bad behavior as a way of protecting themselves. Thus there are no bad pup (in the beginning)- it is a learned/conditioned response from their environment.
Again - try the information in Dog Whisper' book- I have heard it is a very good book! In most cases you can retrain the pup - but it does take time, patience, and being consistant.
T.

I have the Dog Whisper book. I was doing obedience training with him. I've got him to do a sit/stay (sloppy, circles before following the command) with reward and praise. He heels now as well. He still doesn't trust. On the "come" command he will come but his body language is pulling away only wants the treat. It takes alot of time and patience. They are smart. His trainer is used to deal with his emotional behavoir. I've had dogs for 46 years and can do obedience on my own but never had these abuse issues previously. It does take the joy out of owning a puppy. That's life!

[rsmit02]

Hi there,

My boy was like that and his problem turned out to be dominance. The trainer I got advice from was a friend of a friend who worked for the police with dogs who had been reported as aggressive to the police. Here owners with aggressive dogs reported to the police get to work with the police trainer to see if the dog can be trianed before putting the dog down is considered.

He told me that I had to remember dogs are pack animals and we are our dogs pack. The bitting we stopped in days. Everytime Jake used his mouth or teeth on our skin we had to scream or yelp or yell out real loud, in a litter if a puppy bites the other pup or mum they will squeal and this signals the dog to stop. Jake stopped using his teeth immediately. The other thing I was doing wrong was playing tug of war with jake with his toys which just teaches a dominant/aggressive dog to use thier teeth we stopped that to.

The other stuff we did to stop the dominance/aggressiveness was brilliant and all based on what happens in a dogs real pack. Trainer said we had to teach Jake his place he was so aggressive because he was trying to be the pack leader but also was confused as to his place in the pack which made him anxious and more aggressive. So I had to be the boss, when I played with jake I had to "win" most the games, I had to stop the play now and then when I wanted so he learnt it was on my terms. He wasnt allowed on the couch or bed unless he sat and I gave him permission to. When I fed him I had to take his food off him when he was in the middle of eating and not give it back for 10/20 mins. In the pack the dominant dog can take any food it wants and the pack has to like it. I also had to brush jake when I wanted once a day, pin him down and just brush, in a pack the dominant dog lets himself be licked and groomed by other dogs when he wants but if he grooms a dog in the pack they have to submitt and be licked/groomed. All these behaviours taught Jake he was in a pack and I was the leader and he WAS NOT. Jake was happier and more relaxed for it. He still needs reminding now and then I still take his food away when I want and win games of chase or ball. The other thing I was doing was letting him jump on my knee when he liked even if I was busy and it was inconvenient and give me a lick or kiss again a dominant dog controls this so I had to teach him he can jump up but if it is inconvenient to me I say no and push him off, he learnt to jump beside me and put a paw on my knee so I knew he wanted up before he got on my knee.

I really think some good dominance work from his main carer will reap big rewards it feels cruel at the time but once I saw jake was actually happier for knowing his place I knew it was right. He is the same out on the lead he is relaxed and well behaved I am in control but off the lead runs at people barking and anxious he is trying to be boss but feels out of control because all these people are around and he cant round them up.

Good luck,

Ruthx

[marineguerrero]

Have read all the threads and still am not sure on what approach to take with Bruno. We understand the whole pack theory and believe it to be the right way, but understanding and acting on it are two diff. things. Bruno bites alot so were going to try the yelp or gutter noise. The biggest thing is we wanted a calm dog to hold and play with and thats not the yorkie, but damn why is it that everyother yorkie i see is so calm and cool and easy going, always seems like its just OUR dog, although I know thats not the truth.

Still frustrated

[prettypuppypink]

Originally Posted by marineguerrero

Have read all the threads and still am not sure on what approach to take with Bruno. We understand the whole pack theory and believe it to be the right way, but understanding and acting on it are two diff. things. Bruno bites alot so were going to try the yelp or gutter noise. The biggest thing is we wanted a calm dog to hold and play with and thats not the yorkie, but damn why is it that everyother yorkie i see is so calm and cool and easy going, always seems like its just OUR dog, although I know thats not the truth.

Still frustrated

Some Yorkies are calm. I think alot has to do with socialization by their breeders at an early age. Some don't have time and others only care about the show prospects and cage the pet quality. I've had 4 Yorkies previous to my new awful one and they were all so calm but had great breeders and not all were show breeders but had a couple of litters a year and were proud of what they bred. They spent time and took them for car rides, etc. They were a joy to have in my life but not the one I have now. No, it's not just your dog. Mine nightmare ripped my other dog's throat open. His breeder lied about everything.

[I Love Bailey]

If you haven't tried formal dog training that would be one of my first steps.
Your local petsmart has inexpensive classes.
One of the dogs in our puppy class was somewhat aggressive,(even bit the trainer and another pet owner in our class) and after trying numerous things a simple spray bottle with water was all it took.
When their dog started being aggressive they would say "stop" or "No" and spray him with a short mist of water. It worked for them...you could try it.
The training would also help with the paper shredding....

Michele & Bailey

[barbg402]

I have had luck with my puppies, when they try to bite my hand I thump the nose and say no...... they certainly don't like a nose thump! It has worked for me, maybe you can try it. Whatever you do don't continue to play with him or pay attention to him until he stops the biting. Hope the situation gets better.

[SnowWa]

I would consistently, quickly, and firmly take physical control of him everytime he even starts or thinks about the sort of behavior that you are describing.

And - no - I would not physically hurt him at all.

With the very first start of this behavior - I would quickly pick him up and turn him over on his back (probably beside me on the sofa) - and firmly hold him down (with my hand over his upper chest and neck area). I wouldn't hurt him at all -- but he would definitely be pinned there until he settles down and gives up. (I might sternly say "No NO!" --but I wouldn't do a lot of talking). I would just hold him there (against his will - this is the whole idea until he is quiet). When he settles down, I would tell him "good boy" (nothing more) and let him back down on the floor.

I would do this over and over and over again - I would be consistent - I would be fast - and I would be firm.

I am sure that he will soon learn that everytime he behaves a certain way - that he is going to be up and over on his back and be held until he's quiet.

He won't like this. But he'll learn that if acts one way - something that he doesn't like is going to happen --- every time (no exceptions).

This is what I'd do.....and every member of the family should do this. Again - I would do very little talking (this really only complicates things - especially if he is being handled by several people). But, I would be fast - consistent - and firm.

You're the boss - he can learn that.

Good Luck!


Carol Jean

[margot.]

Originally Posted by Ritkaa

When we first got Napoleon at 2 months old, he wasnt agressive at all. Over the next few months I started to notice that he could go from CALM to CRAZY in the matter of minutes. I posted this problem on here several times throughout Napoleon's first few months with us and now he is almost 11 months old and he is STILL VERY AGRESSIVE. At first, people on here told me it was a puppy stage and nothing to worry about. But he is going to be 1 in January and the agressiveness hasn't gone away.
We also thought that it was teething, and for a while it was. But now that he has all his teeth in and still biting away at our hands is just wierd. I know how to prevent the biting temporarily..(put deoderant on my hands...cream..etc) but that is for temporary use..HOW DO I GET IT TO STOP ALL TOGETHER? Its driving my family nuts that he bites so hard. When we have company, we are afraid that he will bite them too. Outside, if we meet another dog on our walk, I am afraid that he will bite them too.
On top of that, he has this CRAZY HABIT of taking anything that is made out of paper and ripping it all over the house..what is up with that??????

CAN SOMEBODY GIVE ME SOME POINTERS PLEASE..AND PLEASE NONE OF THAT "SAY NO BITE PUPPY NO BITE" OR SHAKE A CAN OF COINS OR ANYTHING...HE THINKS THAT STUFF IS LIKE COMEDY OR SOMETHING.

THANK YOU
RITA

I read this book "The Art of Raising a Puppy" and it says that when a puppy tries to bite you (which is natural as they can play bite their littermates and they are teething), you should say "No Bite" firmly and (I haven't tried this) stick your finger in their mouth/throat which will be an unpleasant feeling the pup will assicociate with biting and eventually will not bite anymore. Don't know if it works, but it was just what I read...