YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Growling ... what does that mean? And biting

Mary4 · 04-24-2010, 04:38 PM

I have a couple of questions. I just want to make sure I handle this right.

Charlie (14 weeks) is great. Of course, he's teething and he's been nipping all of us here and there, mostly on the hands. Today, though, it went a bit beyond that. My 12 year old daughter, Maura, (who I really got Charlie for and who is EXCELLENT with him) was playing with him on the ground. The biting really escalated. He was just pouncing all over her and had scratch marks from his teeth up and down both arms. She said it was much harder than his usual biting/nipping (and she was crying, which is very unlike her.)

I asked her why she just didn't get up, but she said he was all over her and it was hard. When she did get up, she very sternly told him "No bite." Then she came up to tell me, so she left him alone for a few minutes.

I'm wondering if this is a sign of anything bad? The nipping in the past has been just that, nipping; not very painful and when you say, "No bite," and give him some toy to chew on, he'll usually listen.

Later in the day he was lying in the hallway and I saw him chewing on something. I went to take it from him, but he really had a firm grip; so I sort of forced it a bit, and he gave me a real growl and tried to pull it back. I did get it from him; it was some sort of rope thing the kids had something on (not a toy.)

I've been reading a lot about all sorts of different things. I've read about aggression and I'm hoping neither of these two incidents are signs of aggression. (I've also read that you don't usually see aggressive behavior until they're older.)

Charlie has a really sweet disposition and is usually happy no matter what you're doing with him, whether it's playing, out for a walk, cuddling on your lap or just being in the same room with someone.

I want to know what to look out for. I don't want a dog that's going to be a problem and that bites people or growls at them. I don't want the kids to be afraid of him (and I don't want to be either.)

Do you think this is just normal puppy behavior or do you think I need to be concerned? I feel like a first-time parent that knows NOTHING!!!!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mary

04-24-2010, 04:38 PM	#1
Mary4 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Norwood, MA Posts: 139	Growling ... what does that mean? And biting I have a couple of questions. I just want to make sure I handle this right. Charlie (14 weeks) is great. Of course, he's teething and he's been nipping all of us here and there, mostly on the hands. Today, though, it went a bit beyond that. My 12 year old daughter, Maura, (who I really got Charlie for and who is EXCELLENT with him) was playing with him on the ground. The biting really escalated. He was just pouncing all over her and had scratch marks from his teeth up and down both arms. She said it was much harder than his usual biting/nipping (and she was crying, which is very unlike her.) I asked her why she just didn't get up, but she said he was all over her and it was hard. When she did get up, she very sternly told him "No bite." Then she came up to tell me, so she left him alone for a few minutes. I'm wondering if this is a sign of anything bad? The nipping in the past has been just that, nipping; not very painful and when you say, "No bite," and give him some toy to chew on, he'll usually listen. Later in the day he was lying in the hallway and I saw him chewing on something. I went to take it from him, but he really had a firm grip; so I sort of forced it a bit, and he gave me a real growl and tried to pull it back. I did get it from him; it was some sort of rope thing the kids had something on (not a toy.) I've been reading a lot about all sorts of different things. I've read about aggression and I'm hoping neither of these two incidents are signs of aggression. (I've also read that you don't usually see aggressive behavior until they're older.) Charlie has a really sweet disposition and is usually happy no matter what you're doing with him, whether it's playing, out for a walk, cuddling on your lap or just being in the same room with someone. I want to know what to look out for. I don't want a dog that's going to be a problem and that bites people or growls at them. I don't want the kids to be afraid of him (and I don't want to be either.) Do you think this is just normal puppy behavior or do you think I need to be concerned? I feel like a first-time parent that knows NOTHING!!!! Thanks in advance for any advice. Mary