Where to start.
Had him since 8 weeks. He is now 8 months. I have co-owned a Jack Russell who was a completely different kettle of fish, lovely dog. This Yorkshire Terrier though... the only thing I can ever say about him is, "Yeh, he's a bit of a dick"
He started off very shy. Very afraid of other dogs and loved every single human being. Now the opposite. Runs after every dog off leash, and picks and chooses who he wants to bark at. But has started barking aggressively and growling at the Vet so much so we have bought a muzzle. And he is barking at kids which for us was the biggest sign that this isn't acceptable and needs sorting.
Aggression -
Google, Youtube, useless. The dog just wants to bite. We thought it was because he was teething, past that now (all old teeth gone) and all he does is have his mouth open ready to nip. Tried many many many things to ween him out of it. All seemingly useless information.
One popular one - when your dog bites, get up and go into another room. Ok but the dog is tearing up the couch, I pick him up and move him away as he flat out ignores me shouting at him; he gets annoyed I pick him up and then bites. Every. Single. Time.
During the first weeks and months of ownership people came round to visit but the dog was nipping at people. it was embarrassing as I have to then just say to people who want to come see him, Yeh he is being a dick, be better to come round when he calms down.
We are at the last straw, googling dog behaviourist last night.
Disobedience -
Dog doesn't recall. He isn't interested in his toys on walks, his treats, or us! YouTube says, put treats in front of the dogs nose when on a walk before taking off leash... yeah, we buy him many different treats, wave some chicken, cheese in front of him. He does not care! He would rather just run off and sniff some other dogs piss, chase another dog 3 miles away, or run up and bark at someone.
He takes something and you want it back... He won't, all he wants to be done is chased. Wagging his tail when we get nearer to him. How do you combat that?? I want the stuff he has, but I am giving him what he wants.. The chase.
Toys -
All of his bloody toys wind him up. Everything he wants to rip apart, or if it's a tugger.... He just shakes it around like he is trying to rip off someone's arm. Each time I play tug I feel like I am training a bloody fighting dog as he just gets growly and too excited so have to stop.
Balls make him angry. Ball treat toys make him angry and aggressive. Teddy bears make him 'aroused'.. he has had the snip recently and he still humps the hell out of his teddy bears. Squeaky toys are ok, but obviously annoying for long periods.
What can I get for him that doesn't anger him? Keep him busy?
We are both so fed up, I always think of him as if it was someone who is living with you, you both don't really like each other but you just put up with it hoping things change.
We just just bought our first house, me and my girlfriend, we don't want kids, and the dog was meant to be the last piece in the puzzle and so far, it's disappointing, stressful, and during the early months almost split us up because of him.
I am ok my job is 9-5. Boring I know. But my girlfriend is an air hostess and she is on some serious shift work, so up at 3AM and the last thing she wants is to have this prick of a dog being a prick every day till he dies in 10+ years. She is so tired.
Under no illusion do I want to get rid of him, or do I want to "put him down". I want to fix the thing. I live in hope. He is 8 months, he can be fixed right?
Sorry for the rant... I needed to get it off my chest, and a Yorkie forum is helluva lot more helpful than a generic pet forum!
