Help!!!! Last resort
 

My yorkie has pushed me to the limit. When we play with him, he bites. A few montgs ago I thought it was "puppy nipping", and that his teeth are growing in. But niw, he is 10 months old and it is straight up just BITING! To the point where he either scratches or draws blood.
He also wont stay off our new couch. I didnt let him on the old on but now that we have a new leather couch, he feels that he can get on it, run across it, and jump over it which I fear will hurt him on day bc the back is tall and behind it is our hardwood floor. When he jumps on the couch, I push him off, say bad dog, and put him in his smaller crate. I do this almost every time and he still doesnt stop. My mom, of coarse, gets upset bc this is a new couch.
Lastly, and most frustrating is the barking that has started around 2 1/2 months ago... Maybe 3. I am still in highschool, threrfore I take him for a morning walk every single morning at 6:50. But now he decides to bark at 4 5 & 6 am on the dot almost. Why? I wish I knew!! I will not continue to miss out on sleep bc he decidesto wake me up. He barks fir at least 20 minutes or I snap and yell and scream. I will never hit him, Screaming and moving him from around me is as far as I will go. But when i wake up sleepy it makes me resent him. And when I get home, i dont want to play with him either.
If these behaviors dont stop soon, i will be forced to send him to the pound which I would HATE to do. Pleassssssssssse help me pleaaaaassssseeeeee I am begging you!!

You must understand that he is still a puppy and is in puppy mode 24/7. Playing, running and jumping is what puppies do. It sounds like you need to start some intense training and right away. You definitely have your hands full.

Your on the right track by putting him in a time out, but just once wont do it. Just as you would do a child if the behavior continues you must apply the punishment over and over and over again until they "get it". Try not screaming at him but instead using a (shaker can). It replaces the loud harsh yelling with something to get his attention while you say in a stern voice (his name) and "NO" or "DOWN".

There are instruction and some tips on using it on my site: Training Tips - Dawn's Yorkies

Plus, He may benefit from some play time out in the yard in the evening after dinner and before bed time to help with the barking. Do something to wear his little but out and get rid of some of the puppy Energy!! Even if it playing a game of fetch or ball or a few brisk runs around the yard. I think that the biting is just part of his puppy play. Make sure that he has plenty of toys and when you play with him you are not doing so with a bare hand. Always have a toy so that if he bites it the toy and not you. Myself I do not agree with play fighting, I feel that it leads to aggression later on in their life. So I would not get to caried away when playing with him. Keep it nice and calm and not intense. But that is just my opinion.

I wonder if he is pottying on the floor at night? This may also be the cause of his barking. He could be alerting that it's potty time and needs to go out.

I hope you get some form of relief soon I would hate for you to surrender you little guy. One thing that will help any situation is constant training even if you think that he is doing well continue. And consistency with your discipline/time out. Correct him the moment he acts out (bites or jumps on the couch) and try not to yell at him. Test out the shaker can and see if that works for you.

Dawn's tips are great!

I just want you to know that if after you've tried training him, and still cannot take it, please consider a yorkie rescue. If that is full, then really think about trying to find him a new home with someone you know that you are certain will be able to give him the care and love that he'll need.

It's sounds like a anxious/frustrated puppy and owner.
He is being a puppy but seems to be aggressive or frustrated over something. Try not to become someone negative for him by screaming too much.

Need training. On furniture jumping, the best is prevention. I never allowed my pup to go on the couch, and assigned different furniture just for him. A pretty and confortable doggie leather cauch, a bed, etc.

Good luck.

If you're that frustrated and have that many issues with the dog, your patience is going to be very thin already.

I'd suggest calling a private dog trainer to come to the house to do an evaluation and to train YOU how to properly train your dog. You'll get expert advise, which will make you feel more confident. The more confident you feel the more the dog will relax.

You are not the first, nor the last who started off with the best of intentions only to find out that having a pup is not exactly what you had hoped it would be.

I don't know your financial status but I will assume because of your age etc.,it may be limited? If not you need to go to a pet training place at once.

If infact, you have found that this pup just doesn't fit in to your current life, don't be upset just do the right thing.

If you need help in finding a rescue I am sure we can help you here. If you become so desperately frustrated I will be happy to pay for air fare for this pup to my home. You do have options, we are here for you and your pup.

I'm sure your frustrated and many of us can relate to that frustration, your post I'm sure was typed at a moment of complete breakdown??

How do you feel now?
Have you decided how you will proceed?

I think you should talk to your mother and determine the best plan for all of you.

Just remember, we can and will help you no matter what you decide. Keep posting!

No one has suggested you contact the breeder you bought the baby from....a reputable breeder will want to know about her baby and issues you are having as the new owner...and most breeders (reputable) stipulate that if you can not keep the baby for whatever reason, the baby goes back to them!! I would absolutely DIE if I EVER found out one of my owners was having the frustrations you are experiencing, and they sent my baby to THE POUND (OR ANYWHERE), without contacting ME FIRST!!!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

:eek: First- find time to play with the puppy! They have tons of energy and need to burn it off. I'm really tired when I get home, but I found that 15 mins of one on one play with Cinders soon as I get home, then again after I eat cook dinner, then before bed time works wonders. Second, keep the time outs going consistantly. No means no, not sometimes no.

I thought maybe the early wake up barking is because it needs to potty or eat/ drink? Have a wee wee pad and dry food /water available, that might help with the 4 am wake up barks...idk.

Just give it good attention. Screaming will make it (the pup's behavior) worse. Notice when it's doing what you want...treat for being good...talking excitedly to the pup for behaving... saying good puppy...all will help you get the right behavior. And you'll feel better too :)

Your little dog is a pack animal and thus requires your involvement that nurtures the things he truly needs as a dog: time and play and one-on-one time bonding and loving throughout. Screaming and yelling will only excite and frighten him. But being a pack animal, he must have a firm, loving, nurturing leader. I would start with the Nothing In Life Is Free method(just Google it) where you slowly teach your little one how to respect you through simple, positive interactions. Next, invest in a couple of good books from noted trainers that promote fun, positive-reward training sessions that are very short and frequent. Read & learn all you can about leadership and training and how important those things are to anyone having any problems with their little one.

Leadership and training will help your dog if you really want to learn to do it right. Your dog needs your full commitment to being a good parent but if for some reason you cannot, I would contact the breeder and if he/she won't take the little baby, try the rescue group here. I'm currently reading Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog, which is a great positive-reward training bookand she has a lovely section on how to deal with biting. I am sure you could find a copy online.

Thank you! this was very helpful. I will try your tips today and training tomorrow! Thanks so much! @dawn27

A good positive-reward training program can really work to revamp an out-of-control dog and get them to look at you with new eyes. And when you keep it loving and fun for them, they begin to look forward to it. Training reinforces you as their pack leader in their mind and teaches them over time to focus on you and to respond to what you say - at first for praise and treats and later, because they have learned to do it. The NILIF type program can really have them looking at you as their pack leader and reinforces the need to do what you say so that if they play bite hard and you say "uh oh" or "no", they stop. So over time, with training and reinforcing your leadership, you can turn even the wildest doggie around.

I typed the above question during a time of complete fustration. I don't honestly think I would ever be able to send him to the pound. I love the little guy, I just have not been able to sleep due to the fact that the barking happens EVERY NIGHT... to the point that I go sleep on the couch and leave him upstairs just so I can sleep haha. ****I would like to that you all for the positive advice. I will DEF try/take into consideration all the things & tips given.**** However, I take him out to potty at night around 10 or 11 depending on when I get off work. Then, I let him run around with his toys til I finish my homewrok, eat , and get ready for bed. then, I take him out again in the morning at 6:50. Could he have to potty from then til 4 am? I know he isn't hungry because I leave food & water in his BIG (big enough for my to fit in it)crate at night. Along with toys. Any Ideas on what makesz him bark so early? whatever it is, he feels very strongly about it.

I can feel your frustration, I think we all have been there (I know I have). 10 months old is like the terrible two's in human years. As Dawn suggested you need to be consistant with the not allowing him to bite, time out worked for me and also I substituted her urge to bit me with something she could chew like her Nyla bone.

Make sure you baby is getting a lot of exercise before bedtime, I would also start a good habit of making him go potty before bedtime.

Don't give up, you will get past this and look to Yorkie Talk for advice we are always willing to help Also try going to your local Petco, they offer free puppy training classes, your puppy may benefit from a few of those also.

This is great! Please come back and tell us how your doing! You can do it! :):):):)

You are welcome! It wont work over night but will get you started. Plus everyone in the home will need to help out with his trainnig useing the same techniques. Good Luck !

Let me make a correction. It was late and I was tired. Putting him in has cage for biting and jumping on the couch will not help as much as you correcting the behavior at that very moment by telling him NO or giving a light gentle flick on the nose or grasp of the mussel as you correct him. Works without hurting them. I have done it with all of mine, just use a stern non threatening voice when you do it.

For the jumping on the couch no pushing as someone said above they can be hurt. I would suggest Saying his name and NO as you pick him up and place him on the ground even if you must do this several time before he stays off of the couch. ONce again consistency and quick correction is always best.

My Ruby loves her cage, I have put her into time outs as I have all of my dogs and they all still lounge in it throughout the day. Ruby will even put herself in a time out when she know she has done something wrong and I have found the evidence of it and ask "who did this" ?

Off she goes into her cage and than I close the door than later that night there she is, in her cage taking a nap or down for the night all on her own.

But all dogs react differently to certain situations. I happen to think a time out in the cage can work as long as it is not done so with No Yelling or Harsh voice or even a Mean mug. They will pick up on the en tensity of the action and fear it as something harmful and tend to be afraid.

sounds like between school and work your don't have a lot of extra time, who is with him when you can not be. Did your mom want you to have a dog, I assume you are in HS and if so then to me the dog would be a family dog since it would be hard for you on your own to take care of him. Do you know much about how the dog is treated and what his routine is when you are not there with him. I have to say for someone who is in High School you do sound like you are trying very hard especially getting up in the middle of the night.

I would also suggest a smaller crate-if it's big enough for you to fit in, it's way too big for him. Maybe he doesnt feel cozy in his crate?

I'm sure everyone here is tired of me talking about it, but you might switch him over from free feeding to fixed feeding and make him work for his food. It might use up some of his energy and give him some direction, making you look towards him as a leader.

just checking in to see if anything is improving, how is it going

Wondering that myself !

Me too

Hang in there you can do it>
 

Sorry you are having so much trouble with your pupster. Listen to these ladies they know what they are talking about. Does he sleep in your room with you? If not it would be a good idea to get a smaller cage and put it beside your bed so he knows you are near. His crate shoud be his saftey haven. My lucy goes in hers to take a nap when she wants. I leave the door open and drape a blanket over it as it her den. Then at bed time I tell her to go to her basket and she does. Then I close the door for the night. Try to be plesant with him and do not yell at him all the time. Believe me it will get better. My Luci is 10 months old and catches on really quickly. It's just like having a baby if you are stressed all the time he can feel it. Hoping things turn aroud for you soon, and please come back and post and let us know how you and him are doing. We all really do care because our yorkie are like our babies.:p
Anne/Luci:animal-pa

Hello everyone! Sorry I wasnt able to reply. But Scooter and I are doing better. I think he feeds off my positive energy. I have my sweet boy back that I fell in love with. His biting has improved greatly. Still working on him jumping on the couch but hey, I'll take what I can get haha. Not really a change in his barking at night though. He is currently sitting by my feet as I finish up homework. Just an update, will keep you guys posted :) thanks again

:D I am so happy to hear that you little guy is doing better. Not sure what you did, but keep it up !! He'll get better in time, dont expect miracles over night. :thumbup: :thumbup:

The barking: Refresh me on this part.

Does he need to potty when he barks at night?
Where does he sleep at night?

He sleeps in my room. I don't think he has to potty because I take him out late. I think Ill try a smaller crate for him at night... Not sure

A smaller one may work, Plus try adding something that you have worn for a few days. an article of clothing that you can do without (something old) to use for bedding. Something with your scent on it. That will help him feel secure and comfort smelling your scent in the crate with him. Sound odd but it works. Plus try getting him a stuffed animal simular to his size for added comfort. You can even try sleeping with it for a few days to transfer your scent to it as well.

Try this and let me know how it turns out!

[QUOTE=dawn27; You can even try sleeping with it for a few days to transfer your scent to it as well.

Try this and let me know how it turns out![/QUOTE]

That's a great idea! I've given Hope an old t-shirt that was worn to bed but never thought about sleeping with the stuffed animals a few nights to give them the scent too. I have a friend who is watching Hope while my hubby is in the hospital for back surgery on Friday. I think I'm going to do this and send it with her! Thanks!

I'm glad things are starting to look up for you.. It takes ALOT of time and practice to perfect pups' behaviour.

I know exactly how you were feeling when you had your original post. I just started law school, and have had Harley through my undergrad, well I thought I had gotten through the worse of the busiest times, but this month Harley has just about driven me insane (and he's 3 years old).

To help with the couch thing, I would consider trying to teach your pup some crate games, the benefit to crate games is it teaches the pup to go to their safe spot without you having to pick them up and give them a "time out" I'm a little neglectful on these myself, but each time I work on them, Harley gets a little better. So instead of punishing Scooter for going on the couch, you'd eventually be able to send him to his crate and reward him for laying there quietly. I would just google crate games and you should see some different methods of getting the dogs used to the crate, and willing to go there on their own.

Hope all keeps getting better, school is stressful, and working and having a puppy on top of that adds to that. Just remember that when you get stressed and frustrated your pup will too. I was so mad at Harley the other day, I think he realized I was stressed cause the little brat peed on my bed :eek: that didn't help the situation. I decided just yesterday to take the afternoon off and go enjoy his company with some other great doggie people, and it helped me reconnect with him.

:thumbup: you are welcome !

Hope all goes well with your husband !