Quote:
Originally Posted by bruisernrocky  Hi everyone,
This is my first post, and I'm sad it has to be about my out of control Yorkie pup.
We have two 16 week old Yorkie puppies, Bruiser and Rocky (hence the username), who we've had for a little over a month now. Rocky is an absolute dream...he goes #1 and #2 on the puppy pads, he knows how to sit and stay, he is totally a loving dog (will lick you til his tongue falls off hahaha), and in general just understands that he is to obey what his parents (my boyfriend Jake and I) say is okay and not okay.
Bruiser is the polar opposite. He is absolutely NOT potty trained, and goes everywhere in the house. We praise Rocky when he goes on the pad, and Bruiser seems to understand "good boy" when we are showering Rocky with praise, but Bruiser just doesn't seem to care/get it. We also try to correct him when he begins to go in the wrong place, but he stops going at that point, waits until he has the opportunity, and goes in the wrong place again, like he's trying to rebel against authority or something. Also, he is very aggressive when it comes to toys, food, pretty much anything. I was trying to fit him with a harness today and he bit my hand. When he gets aggressive with food, Rocky is afraid to eat...they don't share a bowl, but they are in the same room, and Rocky is afraid that Bruiser will attack him if he sees him eating. I've tried verbal commands, holding his mouth closed, putting him in time out...it only seems to make him more aggressive. He is just as aggressive with Jake, which blows my mind, as you'd think that he'd maybe at least obey one of us. He also chews on anything and everything he is not supposed to (power cords and such) and will get extremely aggressive if we try to pull him away from whatever he isn't supposed to be chewing on.
I've been using the same training techniques (treats, praise, cuddles...and I'm pretty patient and will take my time with training) with both dogs, but Bruiser just seems like he is completely out of control. Rocky was already neutered when we got him (he had a congenital defect in his abdomen that needed to be fixed shortly after birth, so they neutered him while under anesthesia), and I'm wondering if this has something to do with the fact that Bruiser has not been neutered yet. We plan to get him neutered in the next month or two, before we start bringing them to the small dog park around the corner from our place. Will this change his demeanor to be a bit more submissive? We love his excited personality, but cannot deal with him being so aggressive and quick to bite. If neutering won't change it, what can I do to teach him to be less aggressive?
Thanks to everyone! |
# ONE thing to remember, he is a baby, and #2 he is obviously a type of learner than his brother and you have to find what works for him...
I rarely let 2 pups be adopted at once because of these things, but when I do I only allow it if they take a pup from a different litter than the other one.
While neutering him will help I feel he has some other issues. He is awfully young to be so aggressive. In a case like this I would consult a behavioral trainer.
I would also keep him tethered to you so he cannot just wander off and find a place to piddle. And some dogs just do not train as fast, and do not like wee wee pads or newspaper to go on. I would take him out to do his business. And use the kennel/crate when he cannot be watched. Do not use the crate for punishment or time out or they will learn to hate it.
I would also start feeding them in their crates.
You basically have to start over with the training as if he was a 10 week old puppy and just learning. Don't scold him, only use praise, and treats. A little baby food (meat) on the finger for a after potty treat works great!! That is a super special treat and they remember it..hehe
And again, I do not think your problem with aggression is due to him not being fixed. Being intact does not cause aggression. Especially in a 16 week old puppy. He has not gone through puberty yet, so he has no male hormones effecting him, that comes after 6-8 months of age when they become sexually mature.
Getting him into some puppy classes is the first thing I would do.
good luck
