[yorkietalkjilly]

I'm so glad you don't need to use a muzzle but I recommend it just in case someone is fearful or might get hurt, though I would never use one. A Yorkie bite just isn't that bad that I would ever use a muzzle on a little biter I was rehabbing. I'd rather get bitten myself than put a little dog in a muzzle. Now a bully dog, GSD or Rottie bite is something else but a wee one, couldn't be that bad! But given some time, trust, patience, proper training, challenges, exercise and life enrichment - and yes, even the occasional sedative from the vet for a while, even the most cowed or frightened little breeder or abuse victim can begin to see people differently and begin to like and even love them and the new life they offer. It takes a long, long time for some but it is well worth all of the effort and patience and yes, bites, that it might take to bring a little girl whose known nothing but being used, obviously starved and neglected as to her needs and wants in life, to one that is a welcome, loved member of the family. I imagine she will go through a good resource guarding stage, too, as she was so thin when you got her. Starved dogs will often have some problems with that but not all. Still, it's to be expected but you can also work through that, too, as there are several good ways for dealing with it in a compassionate way.

The thing is, with a rehab dog that has issues, you never usually get 100% perfect pet but you can get a wonderfully lovely pet who learns how to live with you and how to love you back. They may regress or develop new issues along the way and that's just part of the process of taking and rehabbing a rescue with a really bad history. People like you who take these dogs are to be admired and thanked for taking on and living with the challenges of these poor little throw-always and giving your heart to helping them. Biting is all she's got - that or going into catatonia or something but she's fighting for her rights, not just giving up to "whatever" that some little abused dogs do. I'd prefer a dog with some fight in her - it tells you she's got hope and wants better for herself and has some tools for keeping herself safe until she's settle into and accepting of her new life.

I think what you are doing for her is just the grandest thing to do and just thank you for your willingness to help her and undertake this hard and frustrating journey! God bless you for taking little Madam Barksalot Bites Your Ankles. I'll bet in a year's time of work and patience and love, she's a "new" girl with a new lease on life.