Attacking Yorkie

[Chrisann]

Hi again..yes do try my suggestion and see how your yorkie reacts when someone else has him without you around. If he is good with other people and doesn't go to lunge or bite..then the problem lies with him protecting you..and he may need some training in that direction..to make him understand that no-one means you an y harm.

If on the other hand he reacts in the same manner with other people when you are not walking him etc. then maybe you should seek help from your Vet..firstly to make sure everything is well with him..and to ask their advice.
Something must have set him down this road...!!

Do let us know what happens..

[laci32]

Originally Posted by yorkiejunkie

Thats just it, he is my docile little man. He is the one I take to work!
his rabise shot was way back, almost a year ago ( he got the 2 year shot)
I breed, I have 3 unaltered males, and there is no aggression here.

What troubles me most is HIM INVITING people to pet him, then attacking!!

Any one have ideas, even if it is protection?
As for abuse, like I said, he is always with me, unless he is home alone (rarely)

Only things I can think of is .You may have to have him fixed ? Another thing is the first time they do it if they are not corrected .and the person walks away a habit is formed .Lol my little guy can't stand strange dogs walking past him .He looks like a little physco pup when it happens

[gfoster]

Originally Posted by Chrisann

Hi I have made a post in your original thread..but I do think he is protecting you...my suggestion is to let someone else take control i.e. when walking etc. and see if he reacts the same then...but not with you there....!!

You say you take him to work every day and he has always been so friendly...I think this is the problem...he is guarding his mom...what has started this behavious is hard to say really...but a lot of dogs do. One of our earlier yorkies always reacted like this when I walked him...but never when my hubby did...

Chris x

This makes a good point. I have a similar issue with Duke(I posted earlier in this thread) I did notice something yesterday though. On Tuesday morning my ex stopped by to drop something off, and I was holding Duke when I answered the door. Duke was going crazy barking at him and growling a bit (good dog...lol). Last night when he brought my son home Duke went right over to him and was fine. He even let him hold him.

Since Duke is very attached to me I think that could be the case that he is "protecting" My trainer told me you have to teach them that if you accept the person they should too....well that is easier said than done!!

[yorkiejunkie]

I appreciate your continued suggestions. Thank so much!

I'll have to get hubby to walk him on the weekend, or maybe dear ol' Dad. Can't do anything before the w/e though. I am nervous to "turn him loose" on an unsuspecting walker, or public! Help...lol

[yorkiejunkie]

He was better with hubby, but not perfectly relaxed.

What do you think of a muzzle? He is a 15 pounder... I just wondered, maybe I could relax, if I knew he couldn't hurt anyone.

Weigh in on the muzzle idea, please. I really appreciate your input. Thanks!

[BanditSocks2]

We're working on a similar issue with Bandit, but more with aggressive barking. He used to be the sweetest cuddling dog, and without any trigger that I can think of seemed to get somewhat aggressive. He'll bark at the dog park at dogs on the other side of the fence and at dogs coming in, but then will run around and play with them. Same thing with doggie daycare. He'll bark at people and dogs coming in and out but will play with dogs and allow people to pet him. On walks he barks so meanly at certain people with no discernible pattern. Good luck with your pup!

[sunyluvsma]

I was going to suggest a basket muzzle, which is what I would do. Maybe if he undersatnds he's not in control he'll back off. You could use the command "LEAVE IT" and continue on your way. You don't want a law suit on your hands....little booger...lol

PS. How have You reacted when he does this?

Originally Posted by yorkiejunkie

He was better with hubby, but not perfectly relaxed.

What do you think of a muzzle? He is a 15 pounder... I just wondered, maybe I could relax, if I knew he couldn't hurt anyone.

Weigh in on the muzzle idea, please. I really appreciate your input. Thanks!

[yorkiejunkie]

Originally Posted by sunyluvsma

I was going to suggest a basket muzzle, which is what I would do. Maybe if he undersatnds he's not in control he'll back off. You could use the command "LEAVE IT" and continue on your way. You don't want a law suit on your hands....little booger...lol

PS. How have You reacted when he does this?

You are right about the law suit!! I say "NO! LEAVE IT (or NEVER MIND)" and if he is on the ground I step on his lead, so he can't move forward. If he is in my arms I grab his bottom jaw, and turn him away.
Any idea where I can find a basket muzzle with the stop of his face, won't it sit against his eyes?? I got a nylon one, he just takes it off! Or one of the other dogs helps him get it off. (He doesn't object to me putting it on... he knows it'll be off in a sec! lol)

[yorkiejunkie]

I didn't find a basket muzzle to fit him, but I did get the nylon one fitted, so he leaves it on (not if left unattended...)
He doesn't walk well with it on, he is very distracted. He doesn't look as tense walking as he did, but if he is in my arms, he is just as bad, barking.
I had to leave the bank yesterday, because once he started, I couldn't calm him down!

[topknot]

Does anyone rough play with him at home? Sounds like a case for the Dog Whisperer. I know that how we act, even in the slightest movement or feelings - dogs can pick up on this. Be sure that you are the alpha and will not put up with this. You need to let him know this - be sure to use the right gestures to correct this behavior. And if someone is rough playing with him at home - tell them to stop it. It is hard for dogs to know the difference between playing or not.

P.S. I hate to see muzzles on dogs.

[yorkiejunkie]

Should I walk away from the situation with him (drag him) or stand and force him to settle??
NO no one has EVER rough housed with him, I believe strongly against that! I have 2 big dogs, that have never been roughed with either!
Keep the ideas coming... PLEEEEEZZZE!!!

[fannie]

All I can say is that I completely sympathize! We had a dog named Sabre. Half black lab, half border collie. She did the same thing your boy does. She would sit there all pretty and inviting, even run up to people and nudge their hands to be petted. She'd let them pet about one time and then bite. Not an attacking or vicious bite. Just enough to let them know she was the queen. No matter what we did, she never grew out of it. That was just her personality. She protected our family like none other. I refused to put a muzzle on her. I did it one time to give her a bath (she hated baths) after she got sprayed by a skunk. Never again though. It was awful for her. Sadly, we had to put her down 3 weeks ago. She was a little over 20 yrs. old.

Everyone that knows us loved her. Regardless of her habit. They all knew it and came to appreciate it. I'm not sure if that's what your little guy is going through but it really sounds like he wants to protect you. I'm not a dog trainer, so I have no advice. Just wanted to offer up some sympathy.

[yorkiejunkie]

The little beast has never bitten... but his growly-bark, makes me think that I have been quick enough to avert it! Luckily!
Sorry to hear about your Lab.. It is heartbreaking, I know!

[friscomom]

Originally Posted by yorkiejunkie

This morning, we were walking to work, and a woman spoke to him, then to me, and he sat down facing her, wagging his tail, like he wanted a pet! Then he went for her, when she reached down! The only thing I can think of, is because he is small, they have all crouched down ~ could that be it?

Help us... what has gotten into him??? Any ideas???

Who is walking in front?

[yorkiejunkie]

Originally Posted by friscomom

Who is walking in front?

Usually he is right beside me, I take the lead. But in that instance, he stepped in front of me, to approach her, for what I thought would be a pet!

I have switched back to the harness from the collar (this morning) and he seemed more relaxed, but we didn't encounter anyone, so who knows!