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SnowWa · 02-11-2006, 02:34 PM

I think that biting is especially bad bad behavior -- about the worst thing a dog can do --- so, in spite of everyone's complaining, I am especially strict and firm about stopping this.

I brought a tiny little Bichon puppy home one time and my other dog somehow got hold of him (jealousy) and threw him out to the grass. This hurt the little pup, scared me to death, and I thought the pup had really been hurt. Spontaneously - I gave my other dog the only spanking she ever had in her life (and I had her for 12 years). She never bit or hurt the puppy again. For a week or two, she did growl whenever the puppy was near her, but the pup soon won her over, and they became wonderful playful friends in a very short time and their friendship lasted for years.

My Yorkie loves people and has never bitten anyone - but like some of your dogs - he could.. I always carry him in my arms when I answer the door. I do this mainly because I don't want him darting out, but also it gives him a chance to see who's coming in and get ready to play.

If my Yorkie did bite someone (for what appears to be no good reason) - I would tell him "No no" very very sternly and pat him on the little behind - not enough to hurt him, but enough to let him know that I was very very upset with what he had done. And, I'd put him in the mud room for half an hour or so. And, when I let him out, I would remind him again that he had been very bad. Then whatever good behavior he showed toward the person he bit would be reinforced with a great deal of praise and fuss.

Again - I don't think my little guy would ever bite anyone, but if he does, this is the one time that he will be sternly disciplined. He can shred a roll of toilet paper all over the house, pee on the carpet, poop in the kitchen, or distroy my favorite book ----but he cannot bite people. He is as spoiled as any of your dogs, but again --he cannot bite people.

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I would like to add that there are no exceptions - but there are. I was a lake where a little toddler tormented one of my dogs all day long. He kept pulling the hair on my dog's face and hitting her in the face. And, my dog kept going under chairs, etc., trying to stay away from the little boy. I told the mom that my dog might bite because it hurt her having the hair on her face pulled. She said, "Oh well, it will just be a good lesson for my little boy. He has to learn that if he hurts a dog, he might get bitten." I spent the better part of the day holding my dog, placing my legs in front of her when she was under my chair, etc. But, eventually, as you would expect, my dog finally nipped the little boy...not hard, but it scared the little boy and made him cry. And, in unison, everyone on the deck said, "I would have bit him too."

And I want to add that this was a family reunion that I hosted for twenty-some people. It cost me many thousands of dollars and everyone's dog was welcome. We had about six dogs there, and I know they had as much fun as the people did.

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Dog's are very smart. They know the difference between "No no - don't pee on the carpet" and when they are being disciplined for something that is far more serious.

Again - following only a few exceptions, I believe in strict, quick, and firm discipline for any of my dogs that ever bites someone.

Carol Jean

02-11-2006, 02:34 PM	#18
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	I think that biting is especially bad bad behavior -- about the worst thing a dog can do --- so, in spite of everyone's complaining, I am especially strict and firm about stopping this. I brought a tiny little Bichon puppy home one time and my other dog somehow got hold of him (jealousy) and threw him out to the grass. This hurt the little pup, scared me to death, and I thought the pup had really been hurt. Spontaneously - I gave my other dog the only spanking she ever had in her life (and I had her for 12 years). She never bit or hurt the puppy again. For a week or two, she did growl whenever the puppy was near her, but the pup soon won her over, and they became wonderful playful friends in a very short time and their friendship lasted for years. My Yorkie loves people and has never bitten anyone - but like some of your dogs - he could.. I always carry him in my arms when I answer the door. I do this mainly because I don't want him darting out, but also it gives him a chance to see who's coming in and get ready to play. If my Yorkie did bite someone (for what appears to be no good reason) - I would tell him "No no" very very sternly and pat him on the little behind - not enough to hurt him, but enough to let him know that I was very very upset with what he had done. And, I'd put him in the mud room for half an hour or so. And, when I let him out, I would remind him again that he had been very bad. Then whatever good behavior he showed toward the person he bit would be reinforced with a great deal of praise and fuss. Again - I don't think my little guy would ever bite anyone, but if he does, this is the one time that he will be sternly disciplined. He can shred a roll of toilet paper all over the house, pee on the carpet, poop in the kitchen, or distroy my favorite book ----but he cannot bite people. He is as spoiled as any of your dogs, but again --he cannot bite people. ----------- I would like to add that there are no exceptions - but there are. I was a lake where a little toddler tormented one of my dogs all day long. He kept pulling the hair on my dog's face and hitting her in the face. And, my dog kept going under chairs, etc., trying to stay away from the little boy. I told the mom that my dog might bite because it hurt her having the hair on her face pulled. She said, "Oh well, it will just be a good lesson for my little boy. He has to learn that if he hurts a dog, he might get bitten." I spent the better part of the day holding my dog, placing my legs in front of her when she was under my chair, etc. But, eventually, as you would expect, my dog finally nipped the little boy...not hard, but it scared the little boy and made him cry. And, in unison, everyone on the deck said, "I would have bit him too." And I want to add that this was a family reunion that I hosted for twenty-some people. It cost me many thousands of dollars and everyone's dog was welcome. We had about six dogs there, and I know they had as much fun as the people did. -------------- Dog's are very smart. They know the difference between "No no - don't pee on the carpet" and when they are being disciplined for something that is far more serious. Again - following only a few exceptions, I believe in strict, quick, and firm discipline for any of my dogs that ever bites someone. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.