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Originally Posted by CotonMom  My 4 year old yorkie has recently started nipping. She's always been nervous with strangers. I figured that was because of her size. She's only 3 lbs. But she's used to tolerate being petted by everyone but my son's girlfriend (jealousy issues) and eventually she did warm up. Last winter, for example, we had a two hour layover in an airport and she spent most of it being handed from lap to lap. She only got short-tempered once when a little girl rushed at her and she snapped at her though I don't think she intended to make contact.
Last month, for the first time, she nipped a woman on the street who tried to pet her and last week she tried to nip the vet which she has never done before. The vet I can sort of understand. Even though she's always been good with the vet she really wasn't feeling well, but the lady on the street was just being friendly. Today she met a new friend of one of my sons. He approached her very slowly and after 30 minutes she was in his lap and enjoying attention but I still felt she was more ornery than she used to be. I think if he'd tried to pick her up without the slow approach she would have bit him. She was growling at the beginning.
How should I react to her behavior? I say "no" very firmly. Any other suggestions?
We will be taking her on holiday again this winter. She'll be in airports and passing through customs inspectors and she really needs to behave. |
First go get a vet check and make sure there are no health reasons to worry about.
Second do not say no. as your reinforcing the behaviour you do not want.
I suggest you ready On talking terms with dogs and look at what dogs see what dogs see as our rude behaviour to them as well as other end of the leash.
I just keep her away from people she does not know.
Or take along great treats and have the strangers work feed her.
JL