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05-28-2009, 04:31 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa
Posts: 6
| Help...aggressive puppy? I am the owner of a 3 1/2 month old puppy (he weighs abot 4 pounds). I've had Jett for about a month. Within the past 3-4 days he has become really aggressive, trying to bite my sons and myself on several occassions. He seems to get like this when he cannot get his own way. For example, the first time this happened my 11 year old and 9 year old had him on the leash in our backyard. He was trying to eat a vine, so my son was gently pulling him away from it. He suddenly lunged at the boys, tryng to bite them. The second instance, he was playing with a toy and my son tried to take it from him. Again, he attacked my son. I ran and picked Jett up to protect my son but he kept trying to bite me too. Today, I took him out and we had a nice walk and played outdoors. It had been raining before and the grass was still a bit wet so when we came inside, I began to softly towel dry his legs. He tried to get off my lap but I did not allow him to at that point. I think he got upset and turned on me and again tried to bite me several times! The look he has on his face when he acts like this is really frightening! Normally, he is the sweetest thing...I am so worried and heartbroken by this new agressive behavior. Any advice will be appreciated! |
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05-28-2009, 05:53 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| He's throwing temper tantrums!!! He's pushing his limits. Be firm when you discipline him. Do not be afraid. If he learns that this behavior works, you'll be reinforcing it. If he's really coming at you nasty and mean, say ah,ah, sharply (or whatever term you use for discipline) to snap him out of it, pick him up immediately (but gently) and lay him on his side. Hold him down until he relaxes and stops fighting you. Do not talk to him or use his name until after he relaxes. He may give out a heavy sigh. Be careful to secure his head, butt and shoulders, so he doesn't hurt himself. It may take a minute or two. Your tone must equal or exceed his level of excitement, or this will not work. After he relaxes and becomes calm, slowly remove your hands. You can pet and talk to him when he is calm. If it doesn't work the first time, wait til he throws another tantrum and try again. Dogs live in the moment. You cannot correct something unless it is occuring right in front of you, he will not remember what he did 2 minutes ago. If he keeps wriggling while you're holding him down, try imitating his mom and do a fierce growl. That will get his attention, until he learns English. This is teaching him that his out of control, nasty behavior will not be tolerated, and that you are the Alpha. He really just needs to know that you are the boss. You do need to get this under control while he's young, or you'll end up with a nasty dog. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, hire a professional trainer. This behavior needs to stop now. If you feel you are successful, but the behavior continues, have your vet check him for an underlying medical reason. Keep us updated ...
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 05-28-2009 at 05:57 PM. |
05-28-2009, 07:46 PM | #3 |
♥ Ella Belle ♥ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NM, United States
Posts: 851
| Good advice^^^^^ She is right about him turning into a mean doggie when he is older! But luckily it just started so you have time to fix it. Just be CONSISTENT!!!!!!! Good luck!
__________________ Just me and Ella B |
05-29-2009, 05:11 AM | #4 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa
Posts: 6
| Thank you so much for the great advice! Everything you said makes complete sense. The next time he acts up, i will certainly try this technique and will let you know how it turns out...I really do need to put a stop to it immediately. Thanks again, ladies! |
05-29-2009, 05:21 AM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | You could try squealing... As soon as he bites squeal as loud as you can (like a puppy would squeal if hurt while playing with a littermate) put him down and turn your back to him completely ignoring him. How old is your son?
__________________ I'm hoping God helps me be the person my dogs think I am.... Rebecca , Jonah & Ksena |
05-29-2009, 05:25 AM | #6 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa
Posts: 6
| I have two boys, 11 and 9. They are old enough to understand how to play with him (ie - not teasing, roughhousing, etc) and have been really responsible with him. Normally, he LOVES them and is always so excited to see them but it was just these few episodes that have me so concerned now.... |
05-29-2009, 05:28 AM | #7 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Quote:
__________________ I'm hoping God helps me be the person my dogs think I am.... Rebecca , Jonah & Ksena | |
05-29-2009, 06:50 AM | #8 | |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Quote:
Also, my rescue plays very rough, and learned to bite to get toys out of my hand (she knew this when i got her) and she growls too which scared me at first. I realized if i left her alone when she growled, i'd be reinforcing that behavior. And I was really scared. So I got rid of my nerves, went to her, she growled, I said ah,ah loudly, and picked her up anyway. She learned growling (which is a warning) doesn't work with me. Not tolerated. She also was allowed to reach a level of excitement that makes her mindless and focuses only on what she wants. She nipped at my face the other day, and I did the hold down technique, but it didn't work, she wouldn't relax. So I waited, when she crossed the line again I put her to the floor (I had to increase my tone to match her level of excitement) and it worked. It's like instant respect. What I need to do now is to not allow her to reach that level of excitement while playing. I think her previous owners allowed their children to play with her for too long a time and too roughly. We play, but only as long as she can remain focused on me. As soon as she starts to get wild, I end the play session, so that she won't reach that outta control level. The OP's dog has aggression issues in many different situations, not just while playing. Be very consistant, everytime he starts, even if your dinner is gonna burn. You cannot allow he to reach that stage and not take action, it will get harder to break him of it. When he gets it, you'll be able to do ah,ah and he'll stop. Puppies need rules, just like kids. and Yorkies are very smart, they'll make their own rules if you don't! Also, reward him when he does behaviors that you like. Be consistant. This way he learns what you expect of him. Don't be mad at him when he does bad things, just jump in and correct him. Dogs are in the moment, be there with him. Oh and BTW: Welcome to YT!!!
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 05-29-2009 at 06:55 AM. | |
05-29-2009, 06:59 AM | #9 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa
Posts: 6
| Thank you so much for the words of advice and for the welcome! Hopefully, i will get this aggression issue settled VERY soon! |
05-29-2009, 08:02 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: NY
Posts: 10
| Give him something to chew...especially on the time when he is changing his teeth..(dried meat,cooked beef bones...) |
05-29-2009, 09:05 AM | #11 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami, FL,USA
Posts: 1,005
| Puppies will try to find where they fit in the family hierarchy Your puppy is trying to exert his place ... unfortunately he is doing it at your expense This is very important If you don't want an aggressive dog Then you have to nip this in the bud right now He cannot react like this to you or anyone in your family If he does he has to be corrected and you do this by lightly but with force grab him by the neck Now if he backs down it ends there but if he still goes to bite or growls he needs to be immobilized and you do this by pinning him to the ground The important thing to remember he cannot go to bite EVER Some tricks you can employ that will help When you go to feed him make believe you are eating it first This sets you up as the leader While he eats move his bowl from place to place ... this stops any food guarding Samething with toys and bones ... he should allow you to take toys and bones from him at anytime
__________________ Mike and Zach's Dadd |
05-29-2009, 04:45 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Hold you dog on his back in your lap with his head against your tummy. Tell him to 'settle' or whatever word you want to get him to just lay there & relax. Once he's relaxed for 20 sec or so, release him. You can do this anytime, not just when there's a problem going on. Reward Teach your dog the 'drop' or 'release' command to drop whatever he has in his mouth. Reward. The kids can help you practice with the dog & this gives a constructive way of getting things away from him instead of pulling & tugging. Another way is to get him more intersted in a favorite toy so he'll trade items.
__________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV |
05-30-2009, 09:40 PM | #13 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Roseville, MI, USA
Posts: 37
| I agree..with the aggressive behavior.. do the holding him down, and settling him down..Now if he's playing with you..and he kinda nips.. thats when you scream like a fool and ignore him..that will show him that that kind of playing isn't very nice.. |
05-31-2009, 04:17 AM | #14 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NY
Posts: 139
| You have the start of a resource guarder here. Your dog is not aggressive in a sense that he attacks randomly but he is guarding what he perceives to be his. I would start practicing NILIF and have your kid doing about 50% of the training. Also train him to leave it and drop it. This is a situation that is easily controlled if you are diligent about training. |
06-22-2009, 07:45 AM | #15 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: usa
Posts: 6
| Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I tried the hold-down technique and it has been extremely successful! Jett is no longer acting aggressive towards my sons or anyone else and has stopped resource guarding altogether. It worked! I'm so grateful for the advice that I recieved in this forum. |
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