Bilbo is going crazy! Or else I am! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Texanna · 10-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Bilbo is 6 months old and neutered. This weekend, he started going crazy! It all started Thursday evening when he started "killing" his stuffed pig. When playing, he would just shake his head so hard, I thought his eyeballs were going to pop out. At first, I thought it was cute, but now I wonder if he is showing aggression.

I took Friday off, and took him for his first grooming. When I picked him up, the groomer told me that he would hardly let her touch his head and she had to do a scissor cut. He gets brushed daily, so it's not like having his head touched is a new experience. Is he too young for the groomer? We took him to visit a friend that evening, but he behaved himself.

Saturday, we drove an hour away to my parents for my dad's birthday celebration. The whole way down, he shivered and panted. He didn't want to chew on his pig or anything. When we got there, he was fine. Since the weather was nice, we let him play in the fenced yard. He got out several times and wouldn't come when I called him.

Yesterday was the worst. I took him with me to visit a friend and he was a total terror. When I put him down, he ran around the whole house, wouldn't come when I called him, nipped at my friend and was humping her arm. When we got home, he started nipping at me.

Is it a coincidence that all these behaviors evolved at the same time? Is it because his schedule was so different than normal? Why would a neutered male (his previous owner had him fixed when he was two months old) hump? Is this normal behavior? Is it adolescent acting out? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

He understands sit, stay, no, comes to his name and is potty trained both to a pad and to outside. Sorry if I used the wrong word to describe his "oversexed" behavior.

FlDebra · 10-05-2009, 11:05 AM

All dogs may hump from time to time, neutered or not, male or female. It is more a way of being assertive, showing they are dominant over who or whatever they are humping. As far as the behavior issues -- I don't think it is unusual to have some behavior issues when environment changes. That was quite a lot of activity for a little one -- groomers, hour away birthday party, off to a friend's house -- he might be tired.

Just try to be consistent no matter where you are. Be firm but patient when he acts up, doesn't come when called, or behaves inappropriately. I have a 7 month old male. He hasn't tried to hump people but he will try it on Ben (his father!). I know he is trying to exert authority. So far, Ben is taking care of it by not allowing it and sometimes growling at him. But if he goes back and tries again, I just give him a firm "no."

Puppies are going to need constant reinforcement of the training you provide. When they have other distractions, they may need more reminders.

zekie's mom · 10-05-2009, 06:33 PM

Yorkies were born to kill rats. That is what he is doing on his toys. My dog does that all the time and it is a miracle sometimes that he does not knock himslef out. He could be teething, and that could explain some of his behavior. Personally, he sounds like a normal Yorkie to me, at least that is the way mine usually behaves.

Texanna · 10-06-2009, 06:05 AM

Thanks for all your reassurances!

I think it was a combination of factors that all reached a head this weekend, including going to so many new places, meeting new people and getting a lot of attention. I think he was just feeling a little too big for his britches!

10-05-2009, 10:49 AM	#1
Texanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 100	Bilbo is going crazy! Or else I am! Bilbo is 6 months old and neutered. This weekend, he started going crazy! It all started Thursday evening when he started "killing" his stuffed pig. When playing, he would just shake his head so hard, I thought his eyeballs were going to pop out. At first, I thought it was cute, but now I wonder if he is showing aggression. I took Friday off, and took him for his first grooming. When I picked him up, the groomer told me that he would hardly let her touch his head and she had to do a scissor cut. He gets brushed daily, so it's not like having his head touched is a new experience. Is he too young for the groomer? We took him to visit a friend that evening, but he behaved himself. Saturday, we drove an hour away to my parents for my dad's birthday celebration. The whole way down, he shivered and panted. He didn't want to chew on his pig or anything. When we got there, he was fine. Since the weather was nice, we let him play in the fenced yard. He got out several times and wouldn't come when I called him. Yesterday was the worst. I took him with me to visit a friend and he was a total terror. When I put him down, he ran around the whole house, wouldn't come when I called him, nipped at my friend and was humping her arm. When we got home, he started nipping at me. Is it a coincidence that all these behaviors evolved at the same time? Is it because his schedule was so different than normal? Why would a neutered male (his previous owner had him fixed when he was two months old) hump? Is this normal behavior? Is it adolescent acting out? Any help would be greatly appreciated. He understands sit, stay, no, comes to his name and is potty trained both to a pad and to outside. Sorry if I used the wrong word to describe his "oversexed" behavior. Last edited by Texanna; 10-05-2009 at 10:52 AM.

10-05-2009, 11:05 AM	#2
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	All dogs may hump from time to time, neutered or not, male or female. It is more a way of being assertive, showing they are dominant over who or whatever they are humping. As far as the behavior issues -- I don't think it is unusual to have some behavior issues when environment changes. That was quite a lot of activity for a little one -- groomers, hour away birthday party, off to a friend's house -- he might be tired. Just try to be consistent no matter where you are. Be firm but patient when he acts up, doesn't come when called, or behaves inappropriately. I have a 7 month old male. He hasn't tried to hump people but he will try it on Ben (his father!). I know he is trying to exert authority. So far, Ben is taking care of it by not allowing it and sometimes growling at him. But if he goes back and tries again, I just give him a firm "no." Puppies are going to need constant reinforcement of the training you provide. When they have other distractions, they may need more reminders. __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard

10-05-2009, 06:33 PM	#3
zekie's mom YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA & FL Posts: 403	Yorkies were born to kill rats. That is what he is doing on his toys. My dog does that all the time and it is a miracle sometimes that he does not knock himslef out. He could be teething, and that could explain some of his behavior. Personally, he sounds like a normal Yorkie to me, at least that is the way mine usually behaves.

10-06-2009, 06:05 AM	#4
Texanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 100	Thanks for all your reassurances! I think it was a combination of factors that all reached a head this weekend, including going to so many new places, meeting new people and getting a lot of attention. I think he was just feeling a little too big for his britches!