Hi there everyone, my last thread was titled "My Yorkie is No Lab". I was saddened that my yorkie pup Bubba had very few similarities to my lab Charlie.
Since then, I put Bubba on a feeding/potty/exercise/crate schedule limiting his roaming and unstructured freedom. I speak in a normal tone to him and praise him tons, constantly telling him "good boy" and loving on him even for the smallest feats (like just sniffing my hand, or letting me scratch his chin).
Two days after beginning the schedule, I had him out, gently trying to tend to his eye mucus, after about one minute of letting me he growled and bit me very aggressively. That was it, it was crystal clear he was confused, I pinned him down and held him until he submitted, he put up a fight for 17 minutes before giving in. I got up didn't look at him or say anything, came back 5 minutes later, he wasn't afraid, on the contrary, came when called tail wagging and licked my hand, I gave him the biggest hug and kiss and we went about our evening.
He now obeys for "0" treats, just praise and affection. He doesn't nip anymore, there are two toys that trigger his aggression (growling/tearing) he doesn't get those anymore, I plan on slowly re-introducing them eventually, just to know we definitely conquered it. He lets me bathe, groom, touch his face, top of his head, roll him over check his belly (and scratch/tickle
) this pup is unrecognizable from two weeks ago. He's had a couple of potty accidents, so he isn't perfect... yet
I love that I don't have to raise my voice or be stern, he can sit, stay, lay down, and come when called, just by being spoken to. He automatically sits when it's meal time, no command needed anymore.
Coincidentally, Charlie my lab, has begun taking wood (never allowed to do this, it's a definite "NO") out of the wood cart, from the back porch, and shredding it. He may be hearing all of the praise going on inside the house. My husband has been the one primarily exercising him (daily), but I may need to rotate in, see if it's my absence causing his behavior.
To anyone that may be having difficulties, I say hang in there, there is hope.
Thank you all for your advice and knowledge, I have researched this site thoroughly and found my answers here