Aggression in 3 yr old Yorkie is scaring us. Advice?

[Yorkiekids]

Welcome to YT. You may have to work with a behaviorlist.

[Bustah's mom]

You know i have had the same problem here. My little Buster is the cutest most loveable dog there is EXCEPT when we are walking him or at first when someone comes to the house OR if someone takes him from my arms. Obviously, he feels like he has to protect me. I got him a few years ago from the shelter and i have been trying to clicker train him, the "gentle leader" leash for walks and the "nothing for free" thing from the advice of a behavioralist in my area from Tufts University. I felt like this was good advice from a respectable place but it hasnt been cutting it. he hates the gentle leader and i havent been consistent and to be honest i just gave up on that. We just moved to a house from a condo so he is LOVING the yard and because i am 7 months pregnant and working full time the poor little guy doesnt get walks much. The clicker training eh is ok. Again i havent been consistent. He does listen to me but when he is in the zone and becomes like a Cujo with strangers or other dogs all i can do is pick him up and say no. But i just LOVE the advice of taking him down. Never thought of that before. I have seen Caesar do it on big dogs but i didnt think of using it on my little Buster. Hmmmm, DEFINTELY have to try that. He gets so nervous around kids that it makes me nervous and i know i need to correct that pronto. Our neices are good with him but sometimes when they are playing jumping around he lunges and that is not good. He doesnt bite but kind of scares them. I know he does this out of fear and feels he is the alpha protector. With a little one on the way i need to take action.

[missPenny]

Originally Posted by Bustah's mom

You know i have had the same problem here. My little Buster is the cutest most loveable dog there is EXCEPT when we are walking him or at first when someone comes to the house OR if someone takes him from my arms. Obviously, he feels like he has to protect me. I got him a few years ago from the shelter and i have been trying to clicker train him, the "gentle leader" leash for walks and the "nothing for free" thing from the advice of a behavioralist in my area from Tufts University. I felt like this was good advice from a respectable place but it hasnt been cutting it. he hates the gentle leader and i havent been consistent and to be honest i just gave up on that. We just moved to a house from a condo so he is LOVING the yard and because i am 7 months pregnant and working full time the poor little guy doesnt get walks much. The clicker training eh is ok. Again i havent been consistent. He does listen to me but when he is in the zone and becomes like a Cujo with strangers or other dogs all i can do is pick him up and say no. But i just LOVE the advice of taking him down. Never thought of that before. I have seen Caesar do it on big dogs but i didnt think of using it on my little Buster. Hmmmm, DEFINTELY have to try that. He gets so nervous around kids that it makes me nervous and i know i need to correct that pronto. Our neices are good with him but sometimes when they are playing jumping around he lunges and that is not good. He doesnt bite but kind of scares them. I know he does this out of fear and feels he is the alpha protector. With a little one on the way i need to take action.

This is Penny to a T. She does the lunge thing with kids, too. We are saving to visit a local trainer for one-on-one. I know it will take many sessions to help all of us work on this behavior.

The take down doesn't work on Penny. She'll lie there and deal with it, but that doesn't mean she won't repeat the behavior in 5 minutes. Sometimes she'll even growl (half-heartedly) as she gets back up. Always has to have the last word!

[Bustah's mom]

Originally Posted by missPenny

This is Penny to a T. She does the lunge thing with kids, too. We are saving to visit a local trainer for one-on-one. I know it will take many sessions to help all of us work on this behavior.

The take down doesn't work on Penny. She'll lie there and deal with it, but that doesn't mean she won't repeat the behavior in 5 minutes. Sometimes she'll even growl (half-heartedly) as she gets back up. Always has to have the last word!

Oh boy...hopefully he wont have that reaction! He is usually very submissive to me though so i tend to think he wont. Should be interesting! I cant wait to try it jsut to see how he does!
BTW Miss Penny- your little ones are the CUTEST! I just love Yorkies!

[LuvMy5Yorkies]

We have two alpha females. Luckly they are only 3.5 and 4 pounds. Me-Me will jump up and pull on peoples pant legs. Cupie tries to rush and bite anyone hands that she does no know when they come in. Cupie has snapped at strangers since she was a year old. Try reading the book "How Dogs Think" and "Dog Whisper". Great help in them. Good luck.You need to become the alpha in the house.

[MyLadies]

This is my Abbie also. And she is only 1/2 Yorkie! The other 1/2 is Bichon Frise, so I thought perhaps this aggressive Yorkie trait would be diluted out but it isn't. She is soooo sweet and loving... UNTIL she is sleeping in my lap or next to me in bed, then no one can come near, not even my husband. My other dog is a very mellow Shih Tzu and we've had her much longer than Abbie but she cannot even come near me without "asking permission" from Abbie or else Abbie lunges towards her and grabs her by the mustache. I fear for her eyes. Anyway I've been doing the Rolling thing, I hold her on her back until she subdues. It takes a long time with her! She must be very "alpha". Her little teeth (actually her teeth are quite BIG for such a little dog!) are exposed and she's snarling. All this just because someone woke her up, or came close to me! if she's sleeping in my lap, I cannot pick her up or then even I suffer this wrath.Mine has no problems with strangers, and is extra loving towards them... its just us her family she does this to. For a little thing she is scary!!! But I'm getting where I will start setting her down on the floor when she does this. My problem is consistency. I need to do this every single time! I always hold her back, but I don't always roll her or put her down. But I will start as of now being consistent.

I am glad (well not "glad") to hear others have this problem too, I'll be watching this post.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by MyLadies

This is my Abbie also. And she is only 1/2 Yorkie! The other 1/2 is Bichon Frise, so I thought perhaps this aggressive Yorkie trait would be diluted out but it isn't. She is soooo sweet and loving... UNTIL she is sleeping in my lap or next to me in bed, then no one can come near, not even my husband. My other dog is a very mellow Shih Tzu and we've had her much longer than Abbie but she cannot even come near me without "asking permission" from Abbie or else Abbie lunges towards her and grabs her by the mustache. I fear for her eyes. Anyway I've been doing the Rolling thing, I hold her on her back until she subdues. It takes a long time with her! She must be very "alpha". Her little teeth (actually her teeth are quite BIG for such a little dog!) are exposed and she's snarling. All this just because someone woke her up, or came close to me! if she's sleeping in my lap, I cannot pick her up or then even I suffer this wrath.Mine has no problems with strangers, and is extra loving towards them... its just us her family she does this to. For a little thing she is scary!!! But I'm getting where I will start setting her down on the floor when she does this. My problem is consistency. I need to do this every single time! I always hold her back, but I don't always roll her or put her down. But I will start as of now being consistent.

I am glad (well not "glad") to hear others have this problem too, I'll be watching this post.

What you are doing is called the "Alpha Roll" and is very likely making her aggression worse. It is a technique developed by the Monks of New Skete back in the 1970's, but is now considered obsolete and even dangerous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_roll

[Sean]

No the munks did not develope it. It has been around since man first had a dog. Obsolete? Any person that can talk(whisper) dog uses it. The main problem with all the toy breeds is that we let issues go by, we are slack on them do to there size. A little dog can bite BIG! They need to know they can never even think of biteing us, there owners. All parties invoved, mom,dad,kids,boyfriends and girlfriends.
What is you answer to said problem? I m very open minded when it comes to training our dogs and would always want to communicate better with them but to this day, nothing works for our family as well as the Alpha style. I'm alpha, my wife is my mate and our girls are babbies of the alpha pair. It is talking dog to dog which in our house keeps it very simple. Outsiders is a diffrent story it will be my job to set those rules.
Sean

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Sean

No the munks did not develope it. It has been around since man first had a dog. Obsolete? Any person that can talk(whisper) dog uses it. The main problem with all the toy breeds is that we let issues go by, we are slack on them do to there size. A little dog can bite BIG! They need to know they can never even think of biteing us, there owners. All parties invoved, mom,dad,kids,boyfriends and girlfriends.
What is you answer to said problem? I m very open minded when it comes to training our dogs and would always want to communicate better with them but to this day, nothing works for our family as well as the Alpha style. I'm alpha, my wife is my mate and our girls are babbies of the alpha pair. It is talking dog to dog which in our house keeps it very simple. Outsiders is a diffrent story it will be my job to set those rules.
Sean

Please google "alpha roll" and "Monks of New Skete". You will see that the alpha roll came from the 1976 book "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. The Monks later on apologized for introducing the Alpha Roll when they realized how it was misinterpreted and misused.

[lilbumbleybees]

I would say she is dealing with some serious jealousy issues b/c of your son. I would call a good trainer and have them work with your baby. It IS possible to work with a dog so the transition of a new addition to the family and a new home can be easy for her and she can learn that she too is still loved just as much as before.

[yorkiegirl83]

I would reccomend the book -- The Loved Dog by Tamar Gellar.

I was taught that "alpha rolling" was the correct way to train when I brought my puppies home, but I've since discovered that I much prefer to handle all training in a positive reinforcement way.

I think the alpha roll scenario just isn't the proper way about dealing with bad behavior anymore, nor do I think that being seen as the dominant one works either. I believe truly that dogs will work for rewards and positive reinforcement as opposed to reacting to fear or dominance.

My only suggestion until you can afford professional help is to not allow your yorkie near your child at all. Don't give your yorkie an opportunity to act aggresively. Put her harness on and tether her to your belt with a leash so you have a constant eye on her and can nip any aggressive behavior in the bud before it happens.

Good luck!

[Ladymom]

It's such a shame that the outdated Alpha Roll is still used by some people as a training method. It can make an aggressive dog even worse and is very dangerous:

Alpha rolling is dangerous and unnecessary. By performing what seems like an attack to a dog, humans leave themselves vulnerable to a bite to the face and lower the trust and respect their dogs have for them. An alpha roll can have dire consequences for dominant or fear aggressive canines. An alpha roll can increase aggression in an already dominant dog. In a submissive dog, the alpha roll will add more feat to the dog's psyche and can lead to submissive urination, loss of trust and possible fear biting. The alpha roll is not a good way to build a sound, healthy relationship. A stable leader shows his dog the rules in a fair, gentle, and firm manner, built on clear communications and mutual respect.

In the dog world, the only reason one dog will forcefully flip another dog on its back is to kill it.

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/The_Alpha_Roll

[chloeandj]

I don't know what to say, i've worked with 2 different trainers, both used the rolling on the back technique. I used it on Tink when she was younger and it did work wonders for us. All of my dogs will roll on their back when they meet other dogs as well, i've been told that is what they are supposed to do, it is a non aggressive position.

[Ladymom]

I should have copied the rest of the paragraph:

In the dog world, the only reason one dog will forcefully flip another dog on its back is to kill it. In the alpha roll over, physical force is used. We see many dogs flip over on their backs of their own accord to show submission, but this action is not the same as the alpha roll. It is completely voluntary. Confusing the two acts is like comparing apples and oranges

[yorkiegirl83]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I should have copied the rest of the paragraph:

In the dog world, the only reason one dog will forcefully flip another dog on its back is to kill it. In the alpha roll over, physical force is used. We see many dogs flip over on their backs of their own accord to show submission, but this action is not the same as the alpha roll. It is completely voluntary. Confusing the two acts is like comparing apples and oranges

That is what I read also, that's what changed my mind on the alpha roll. Mckenzie is very submissive and she will flip right over to her back for the other dogs, but they never force her to do so -- she does it herself.