Bengi attacked another yorkie!!!!

[ellie81]

I'm so sad. I'm crying right now . He didn't hurt her or anything, but this problem is what I just can't stand.
We were coming out of my aunt's house and a lady was walking a yorkie girl. Bengi usually barks at any dog at a distance, but he's actually scared of bigger dogs, not dogs his size. Well, he was pulling to get closer to the yorkie and the lady was like, can she say hi? and I say yes and put him down, and he started to get slowly closer to her, like to say Hi, but they went right at her, attacking. It look like he was trying to bite, but he didn't.
I know some time ago I said I was going to talk to a trainer, but I didn't because I thought he was getting better. Now this tells me I have to really address this and also control him better and not let him get close to other dogs until I know he's cured. Sometimes he's ok with some dogs, but you never know which one he's fine with and which ones are not, and I cannot take chances... I was so embarrased!!!!
The lady was like, oh are you ok baby??? (checking on her yorkie). I know how she must have felt... I would be the same way if other dog would attack Bengi.
I know he's not trying to hurt anybody, but just telling them to stay away...
I need to work on this with him. I'm searching for dog trainers in the area. Please pray for me and Bengi because this takes discipline, specially from my part, and we all know that this is not fun like teaching them cute tricks... this is 10 times harder... please pray for us and if you have any experience on this, please share. Thank you so much

[marcerella02]

Ellie i know how you feel... it breaks your heart because the way he acted is NOT the dog that you know... been there! Layla does it aswell... But what he is doing is protecting YOU (layla's sitter's daughter is a dog behaviourist... this is what she told me). Layla felt that she was alpha and needed to protect me and would "attack" (growling, snapping) other dogs (not all, but some) we had to work on our alpha issues and now she only snaps at dogs if they piss her off (ie. my aunt's puppy who didn't get the hint that Layla had enough!) and the behaviourist said that type of snapping is allowed, she is little and has no other way to defend herself. If you want help with alpha, pm.. i'd be HAPPY to help.. i was in tears too.. thinking.. this ISN"T MY DOG! Layla is so sweet but we got through it and she is SO much better. Hang in there bella.

[abbey lee]

Just wanted to say good luck with everything... I feel for you.

[ellie81]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

Ellie i know how you feel... it breaks your heart because the way he acted is NOT the dog that you know... been there! Layla does it aswell... But what he is doing is protecting YOU (layla's sitter's daughter is a dog behaviourist... this is what she told me). Layla felt that she was alpha and needed to protect me and would "attack" (growling, snapping) other dogs (not all, but some) we had to work on our alpha issues and now she only snaps at dogs if they piss her off (ie. my aunt's puppy who didn't get the hint that Layla had enough!) and the behaviourist said that type of snapping is allowed, she is little and has no other way to defend herself. If you want help with alpha, pm.. i'd be HAPPY to help.. i was in tears too.. thinking.. this ISN"T MY DOG! Layla is so sweet but we got through it and she is SO much better. Hang in there bella.

thank you so much Marci, you're very sweet, always trying to help
I think you're right, and he is trying to protect us. Silly boy, how is he going to protect us with all his 5 lbs???
I'll pm you for sure!

[Beabble]

Awe, I'm so sorry to hear this and I'm really glad he didn't hurt the other lil pup. I hope you're able to find a good trainer and get this problem resolved. Does he do this when others are walking him as well or just when you walk him? I wonder if he's doing it out of feeling like he has to protect you or out of jealousy? To bad you couldn't find a friend near you with a dog that would allow you to try out some of the dog trainers methods they show on TV, like The Dog Whisperer and that other show. Good luck to you and I hope you can find a way to break him or this.

[Rudys Mom]

I'm sorry that happened Ellie. You are a good Yorkie mom and I know you will get it straightened out. It does sound like Bengi was trying to protect you. Ellie & Bengi, "Good Luck".

[SANDYSAND]

I am so sorry this happened, I am sure you are feeling horrible My poor Benji!

I think it might be a sign of him probobly being jealous about the fact that you were getting also close to the other puppy....It was just a reaction and you must work on that slowly, try to associate him with as many dogs as possible. Your Benji loves you and wants to please you. He wants your love. The key words are Patience,
Persistence and Praise. I am so sure that Benji can
be transformed into a peaceful, well-behaved pet."
If you would like to reduce the agression there are ways to go about that too. By not rewarding the bad behavior by laughing or getting excited when he does it. Also by rewarding the good behavior (not growling) with affection and praise. Dont get scared instead be firm with him and let him know that makes you upset.

I wish you the best of luck. Yorkies are wonderful dogs

[SANDYSAND]

Tips I get from Cesar Millan

You absolutely CANNOT give the yorkie ANY affection while the bad behavior goes on. AND you must correct the behavior as SOON as it happens. Don't yell as this just makes the dog nervous. Behavior correction simply means that you command the dog's complete attention at that time so that she understands who's boss.

You must:
1) Always walk the yorkie to help him deal with having a lot of energy.
2) Walk AHEAD of him. You are the leader, not the other way around.
3) Correct the action AS SOON as it happens..... not even one second later.
4) Be calm and assertive.
5) Only give him affection when he behaves.

Strategically witholding affection IS NOT the same as lack of love. You will still treat your yorkie very well. But you will be leading him by acting in ways dogs understand. So you must be their "pack leader."

[FL Tink]

Ahhh Bengi, sweet boy.
I hope you guys can solve this soon. I know its hard for you but I totally believe you can do it. Good luck lil buddy

[Izzy Princess]

Oh Ellie don't cry girl....he is still the Benji you know and love. Sandy and the others gave great advice. Don't think that it's something you did as he is just protecting his mommy. You didn't mention if he hurt the other girli Yorkie? Or did he just snap at her?

I would start to work with him on the pack leader problem. When I took Izzy for training I was always the one who walked through doors, entry ways first and then she would follow. I would halt her with my leg and say to her wait and then when I went through the opening or entry I would say to her a release word like "OK" and then she would come in. I did that with our patio door where she goes out potty all the time. I'm sure you have that in your Florida home and that should help out a lot.

Smooches to you and Benji and don't worry.

[ellie81]

Yesterday we starting with some changes. Marci (marcerella02) gave me some tips on how to address the pack leader situation.
He didn’t get to eat until we were done eating and he didn’t get any snacks without having to do a trick or something for us.
We started to tell him not to jump into the couch without us telling him it’s ok.

I bought a gentle leader collar sometime ago and never used it. I played the instructions DVD and decided to give it a try. I think it’s working!!!!. You know a great way to train him on who’s the boss is by leading during walks. Well, that was always kind of hard because the harness won’t let me lead him, He would pull and I would pull back, but there was nothing I could do to make him stop or pay attention. It was always hard to make him look at me while outside, he was always sniffing and looking at everything except me. The gentle leader pulls his muzzle and makes him look at me, each time he pulls, he feels it. I was afraid before because I thought it was going to be a little cruel, but it’s not! It a very gentle pull because as soon as he feels it he stops. It’s not hurting him in any way. The gentle leader has the advantages of a choke collar without all the disadvantages; it will make him obey, without hurting him.
We just went for a short walk to try it, but I think this it’s going to be a great obedience exercise!
I must say yesterday night Bengi was a little grumpy. I think he’s beginning to understand I’m taking over!
Maybe he’s not going to like this whole thing at first, but I’m sure this is all good and it will benefit Bengi as well as the whole family in a great way 
Oh, I forgot, I’m still going to talk to a trainer. We’re probably going to meet one next week.

[marcerella02]

Oh Ellie YAY!!! Good job to both you and Bengi! Sounds like you are off to a terrific start. I think it is a great idea to talk to a trainer! keep us posted! i know Bengi is going to do GREAT!