We have given up We have a Yorkie who is now seven years old. He was the runt of the litter and is small. His name is Scrappy and we love him to pieces but we have run out of ideas to tame his behavior even a little bit. He goes into a frenzy when someone comes to the door. No amount of yelling, or using something to make a loud noise...tried the whistle, the can of coins, the "silent whistle," and all the other methods...will work. We have to pick him up when someone comes to the door and he twists around in your arms and tries to get free, he will snap and bite at your hands to get down in order to attack the person at the door. When someone leaves the house he will chase them and snap at their feet and bark as if to attack them. We have tried putting him in another room when someone comes over but he barks constantly and scratches the paint off the door. If he is in the yard he will chase anyone who walks along the sidewalk and bark like a maniac. The only way I have found to stop him from that is to throw something soft like a plush toy at him in order to shock him into stopping. A couple the times the neighbor has come over to complain about his non-stop barking. He will bite people if they come to close. We always tell people that, but they don't believe it because he's so cute...but sure enough he will do it every time. Believe me, we have tried all the methods we find online to curb his behavior but nothing works. We are beginning to wonder if he has a mental condition. He is fine in every other way...it's just that he literally goes into these frenzies and there is no way to stop it. So if there are any other ideas out there it would sure be appreciated. |
If it was MY dog, I would look into a behavioralist. But NEVER ever give up on your baby. |
I have heard of people using this with pretty good results. Farnam Comfort Zone with D.A.P. Spray for Dogs - Health Care - Dog - PetSmart I think you can also get collars with DAP. Hopefully it is safe to use. When Daisy seems stressed I put a little outfit on her that is snug. It makes her feel more secure and calm. I hope you can find an answer. Please let us know if you find something that works. Did this behavior just start? Maybe there is a change in his environment that has made him nervous and afraid. |
I have heard good things about this, but have no personal experience with it myself: Thundershirt | The Best Solution for Dog Anxiety |
double post, sorry |
Never give up! First and foremost, try to be calm and confident around your dog. Hide your frustration and anxiety. When visitors come to your house, try putting Scrappy on a leash. Leaving the dog on the floor or ground is always best. When he does something undesirable, tug the leash and say "Uh uh uh." Try some calming music. I recently purchased "Through a Dog's Ear" and it is very relaxing for my boys. Try wearing out your dog physically with plenty of exercise, and mentally with challenges such as trick training. Give your dog a relaxing massage daily, or twice daily. Take your dog places and challenge him. My older boy gets restless when life becomes routine and predictable. He requires lots of interaction outside of his territory (neighborhood). It is a daily challenge. He is not hyper, but he wants to get out and do things. :p Meet with a training and behavior expert. Go back to obedience classes. I'm looking into classes right now for socialization and to give my guys some activity. Hang in there. Don't give up. |
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These are all great ideas, and I have one more since he bites people. Have a toy or some treats waiting by your door when people come over. These are things he does not get from you, only from people coming into your home or strangers you meet on the street as training develops. When someone walks into your home, with him on leash, have them throw the toy or treat in his direction making sure they don't make eye contact with him. If he starts barking, lead him from the room. Once he is calm, lead him back in the room and again, the visitor will give treat or toy. He only gets these things when he is quiet and calm. Good luck! Let us know how it goes. |
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I wanted to add that a couple of my shortcomings in training have been consistency and sticking with a particular method. Be consistent with corrections and praise, otherwise your dog will be confused and won't learn right from wrong. Don't give up on a particular method. One method may work at first, then stop working, at which time I usually start looking for another method. Wrong! The way a dog learns, storing things in short-term memory and then filing it in long-term memory makes sticking to a particular method crucial. You may have to re-teach the training method to your dog, but he will recall it faster. |
The last three posts are awesome suggestions. Does he do basic obedience? (sit, down, stay, come) Another option is to put him in a sit stay when someone comes to the door. Open the door, never giving your back to your pup, and as soon as he barks, or gets up to get to the door, the door is immediately closed. The door is only open completely when he is calm and stays in his place. I would leash him too in case he bolts quicker than you expected. I would go as far as putting a sign at the front door saying, "Pup in training, please bear with us." Good luck! |
I would definately check into Cesar Milan's method. I think he makes the dog calm completely down before opening a door. Anyway I watched him just yesterday training a dog with this exact same problem and his technique really worked quickly. Go on line and see what you can find. |
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I would look into a behaviorist and also int click or calm, Control unleashed, and go that route first. I would not add more fear into this at this time. JL |
I suggest that you do the opposite, you have been making loud sounds and trying to sh him. HE in his brain maybe thinking you are joining him and he is right to bark.So go very quite and see what happens. As far as giving up goes , I understand it not easy having an out of control dog and not know what to do and want to do the best for him. Frankly biters are scary so I get it. Having a wild fur child of my own I get it and there is no magic cure and no person that can ride in in his black jeep with a wrong way to train that can fix this in a heart best. You will need to make a choice see a vet with behaviour training or a PHD behaviourist get an assesment and a program get your nieghbours on board to help and get to work or place in rescue. But you need to see someon that understand what is looks like genetic aggression and fear along with some learned stuff. best of luck and I do understand as I said I have a brat fur kid here and life can be tough but those great days are wonderful to have. JL |
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You may also want to take him to the vet and see if there is a chemical solution. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs work on the older "mammal" brain - so they have the same effect in people and dogs. I think exercise and obedience are great options, but drugs can often help in difficult cases. |
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