Aggression with strangers

[megansmomma]

I was just reading this and had a thought

Pebbles can be horrid and when I take her out. Not aggressive with strangers but she pulled on her harness whenever I would take her out with me. I talked to the vet and he suggested a Gentle Leader collar. It really works when I walk her and now I won't go out of the house without it.

The idea is that it goes around the upper part of their mouth (it's not a muzzle and sits far back along the jaw) and then around the back of their head and simulates the submissive response. ****I asked about using one here last week and all responses were positive and other use it as well.

Now when I take her out with me, she sits, doesn't pull and LISTENS to me in public. I realize that listening is not what your issue is but it sounds like there is a loss of control when strangers approach you and she is in protection mode. This makes you more in control. Also, part of using the Gentle Leader is treats so this is not a punishment and seems to be very effective.

I wonder if you tried this at the dog park and gave treats when strangers came near and she stayed calm and sat, if it would help?

[Perroamor]

I truly understand and I hope for the best...

[Catrina]

I definitely know how you feel... princess does the exact same thing... i cant stop it.. ive tried everything there was (even wrote a post similar to this a couple years ago) and i even hired a private trainer.. didnt like her techniques.. and tried to retrain her.. nothing.. i dont bring her out anymore for this reason... too many ppl always want to pet her and i always have to say 'sorry she bites'.. it sucks because i cant even show her off i just gave up.. she is 3 now and i guess i realized this is who she is.. and so yeah... but good luck to you though.. it is hard to talk about this with people who have no experience with aggressive dogs because they tend to blame it on the owner but i do believe it is part of who she is and not how i trained her because she too was never abused, neglected or anything.. the trainer said i spoiled her too much but i dont want to stop either.. otherwise.. what is the point of a dog.. she told me things like to ignore her when i get home for 15 minutes, dont sleep with her, cant chase her, she always has to walk behind me, push her off me when she jumps on my lap... so yeah thats a no! if you ever find a solution that doesnt involve ignoring her... let me know!!

[anta76]

Hello
All, Similar to Kyancer and Madsy, I have experienced my 5mths old Yorkie becoming aggressive with strangers. I noticed he has some aggression issues with items he would pick off the ground, kleenex rocks, sticks etc...I tried to take them away and he growled. Well this Sat was the first time I experienced what he is capable of. We had 2 guest come over and he wanted to attack both of them and would not give in. It was an awful scene where my friend was afraid of my tiny puppy. He was soo nippy and growling and barking,I did not know what to do. We tried everything from treats to using the leash and he would not let up. He will be getting neutered next week so I am hoping that that will help because I can't live with out having my guests be afraid of my yorkie. also on Walks he wants to attack anyone that is passing by. I hope it's a stage. It is very frusterating.
Anta

[JenniferLeigh]

Kris I wish you the best of luck with Lexie. I know how frustrating it can be to have a dog that you feel you can't take out in public. It is very embarrassing but don't give up, or things will never get better. You say that she was socialized as a baby, and she is 3 now? I'm curious why did you stop socializing her? Has she always been aggressive towards strangers?

Originally Posted by Magneticgal

I would love to try an off leash dog park, but at this point I am scared to death (which probably contributes to the problem). The last thing I want is for her to bite someone. When she has her episodes, I have no doubt in my mind that she would bite, if given the opportunity.

My golden retriever is an old grump. She started getting aggressive after she was attacked while on leash by a dog who had escaped from his yard. For years my mother was too scared to take her to an off leash park because she was certain that she would snap on another dog. When Lucy came to live with me, I started socializing her more and taking her to dog parks with familiar people and dogs. She is fine off leash, on leash she still shows aggression to other dogs but is getting better.

My golden also has a problem with my roommates dog, we've tried all sorts of things to try to help the aggression between the two dogs. I even once tried a Dog Whisperer. She did aligned all my dog's chakras and communicated with my dogs spiritually.

Catrina - it isn't about ignoring her, it is about showing her who is the alpha and I've seen this method of training be very effective. An aggressive dog isn't always a result from being abused or neglected.

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Magneticgal

I know this has been gone over before, but I am so upset right now I am ready to cry!!! Tonight I went to PetSmart and took Lex with me. She was in her carrier (I am afraid to let her out- haha) and this woman walked right up to her carrier. Lexie freaked out and started snapping and gorwling. the whole store could hear her- talk about me wanting to crawl under a rock!!
Yes- I know all the training "rules"- I have spent more $$ than I can count trying to train her (and I did have a very good trainer that HAS helped to a large extent) She was not abused, has been socialized as a baby. This is making me CRAZY!! For those of you that have never had issues like this, please don't bother replying to pass judgement- I am upset enough and do not need more stress!! Is there ANYONE else in the forum that simply for whatever unknown reason, cannot get their Yorkies to be nice and social? Lexie is FANTASTIC with my family and close friends. She is also GREAT with the groomer,vet,ect. But God forbid someone walk up to her that she doesn't know!! Then its WATCH OUT!!
I am frustrated and feel so alone! I am ready to just start leaving her at home. But I like having her with me. It would help me so much to know that I do not have the only dog in the world like this! By the way, she is almost 3 and I have been dealing with this since the day I got her (10wks old)

She afraid of strangers and is allowed !!! Anyone, I mean anyone walking into up to or near my dog without expressed written ok and rules laid out needs their hand bite. Go touch your own dog and hands off mine. Sorry but a stranger walking up and touching a human child without ok from a parent be in hot water back off my dog.

Socialization does not fix genetic fear and aggression and chemical issues in the brain.

What you are dealing with I live with and I have one suggestion just one.
I am not sure where you live but go find a behaviorist a PHD board certified one or a vet with behaviour... yes there is a big big difference in that and a trainer.... they can do the testing to see if it a chemical embalance, they skills most trainers can not even get close to. They got tricks and ways that those of us using them get a chance to see and play with and pass around.

Sadly no one told you that you have to help rewire the dogs brain before they are three years old or what you see is what you get ... oh but changes still can be made.

Not sure what or who you have worked with but I also look into Control unleashed book.

Your never alone I am a PM away and lived this nightmare and wonderful learning for a lot longer then you and because of my brat I have become a trainer.

JL

[Kimber44]

Hi, It helped to read this. Lily, sweet little less than 5 pound girl went after a HUGE dog this week. It's head was bigger than her by double. The Bouvier was held back by its owner, but I thought is she stupid or what? She is fine in our dog class, it is out walking. I'll keep reading but I'll try treats when she pays attn to me, not others...sigh........she is really protective which I'd rather do without. She is at the office with me, and I need her to behave. She gets lots of cuddles and socializing.

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Kimber44

Hi, It helped to read this. Lily, sweet little less than 5 pound girl went after a HUGE dog this week. It's head was bigger than her by double. The Bouvier was held back by its owner, but I thought is she stupid or what? She is fine in our dog class, it is out walking. I'll keep reading but I'll try treats when she pays attn to me, not others...sigh........she is really protective which I'd rather do without. She is at the office with me, and I need her to behave. She gets lots of cuddles and socializing.

Yes she does need to be a good girl but she should also be allowed to say no in a nice way. Some dogs just do not like being handled sometimes and just cause she cute does nhttp://www.trulydogfriendly.com/blog/?page_id=4ot mean she must. If she was a pit bull and said no we back up... if it was a pit bull and wanted hugs many would back up. Yorkie or not she still needs her space just to hang.
Tight leashes cause leash aggression and fights and tension down the leash and from the other dog and owner is a great trigger for problems.
My dog can work in class on leash and a little away from other dogs as long as the other dogs have good manners. If not it on them and willing to tell them off.

JL

[shawnzeppi]

I was about to post a question similar to yours, until I read your post and saw you were asking about much the same issue. I have had 3 yorkies the first 2 were/are sweet as can be and love(d) to greet other people and dogs, but our 7 month old Gatsby is a terror when ever he sees anything strange outside (usually strange dogs or people, but he also may freak out if he sees a sprinkler or a ball or anything that is different).

I used to think that this problem was limited to more aggressive breads such as Dachsunds, Chihuahuas or Chow Chows, because all the Yorkies we ever met were always so sweet, while some members of these often more aggressive breeds would act anti-social, but now I know that yorkies can have this problem too.

I read in one book that you should grab and shut their muzzle and growl at them when they do this; I have tried that and it may have some impact, but it does not really work as well as I would have hoped. And its hard to do this when walking two at once. Also, when Gatsby acts like this, he often gets his sister to act aggressive as well, and before we got him she was as sweet as could be. WHen he gets her started, there is no way I can effectively train them. I am hoping to control him at the YorkieTalk MeetUp next year. I think all those other little dogs will get him used to the idea that there is no reason to be aggressive.

[Kimber44]

Hi, I am making progress with what my trainer told me. As soon as I see something I suspect she'll react aggressively too, I distract her by calling her name, clicking and then treating her when she turns to me. I have deflected several potential issues this week and then praise her like crazy. Today two bicycles went by us, a couple people, and the skateboard - well she barked but I was able to redirect with calling her, treating, getting her to sit, lie down (treats with everything). She loves the Pup-peroni sticks. Good luck. Keep me posted

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Kimber44

Hi, I am making progress with what my trainer told me. As soon as I see something I suspect she'll react aggressively too, I distract her by calling her name, clicking and then treating her when she turns to me. I have deflected several potential issues this week and then praise her like crazy. Today two bicycles went by us, a couple people, and the skateboard - well she barked but I was able to redirect with calling her, treating, getting her to sit, lie down (treats with everything). She loves the Pup-peroni sticks. Good luck. Keep me posted

Way to go ! Keep up the good work.

JL

[Dougal&Little]

Originally Posted by Posybunny

I have heard that if you can get some friends or neighbors that trigger an aggressive response to walk by the pup, no eye contact, and drop a treat, that soon the dog will love to see a stranger coming...

That would be reconditioning her...

I saw Victoria Stilwell re-train two yorkies on her show with this method and it seemed to really work.

I had a foster dog that was just like that, beginning at 8 weeks old. She was beautiful, so everyone wanted to touch her, and it made me very nervous. So I do understand your fear and anxiety over the situation.

Good luck to you...

I was just going to recommend that too I've just seen the same show -- if you can get a copy of it somehow I thoroughly recommend it. (The programme's called 'It's me or the dog'.)

You could also try carrying treats - I do this all the time so I can teach my two (and bribe them back to me if there are joggers!). try sitting somewhere calmly at the shop with your dog and using a calm voice as people approach talk to your dog - try asking her to do something to distract her from the people - ask her to sit or down and reward her. Don't say "it's ok" or anything when she's going crazy because that's reinforcing the behaviour. And keep the exposure to a short period of time. it's a lot for a wee dog to take in! and if she's good for the whole time (even if it's only 2 mins) praise praise praise!

I say give it a go at the park off leash -- being 'trapped' on leash or in a cage with no way to escape from perceived danger can exacerbate the problem. Again take lots of treats and keep her focused on you - ask her to sit or down - run with her - try a little heelwork and she won't be worried about people because she'll be all about getting those treats!! keep it short - 5 mins - and just slowly build her confidence in herself and in you. If someone does approach ask them to ignore her until she approaches them and then treat her. we've met a few really scaredy dogs at the park - best way to handle them is ignore them and let them approach at their own pace.

It'll take a while but it'll be worth it.

hope this helps.

[Dougal&Little]

Originally Posted by shawnzeppi

Also, when Gatsby acts like this, he often gets his sister to act aggressive as well, and before we got him she was as sweet as could be.

LOL Dixie does that to Dougal - if they're on lead she attacks Dougal when there are on-coming dogs! Poor Dougal. These guys were originally bred for going down rat holes! There's quite a bit of agression required for that!

[starleneo]

I have 2 angels and one little devil. I have been taking him out more around people and he is doing pretty good sometimes. If I see some one approaching I have him sit and I tell people to ignore him until he comes close to them and let him sniff them. Then he is ok. But I have notice if I say hello to someone then he will bark and act stupid and he could bit. But if I say good morning or how are you he doesn't do anything. So I have to watch what I say to walkers. If I see someone coming to my door I usually pick him up and let them in and tell them to ignore him. Once he shuts up I get a treat and give it to them to give it to him. After I couple times then he is find with them.
He doesn't like bikes petal or motor. And he doesn't like them running by him either. We're still working on all of this to. C.J. is 18 months old.
I'm glad this problem was asked. It makes me feel better to knowing I'm not the only one with a little stinker either.
Good luck everyone