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07-23-2010, 07:30 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dartford Kent UK
Posts: 18
| Hates to be picked up Issues Hello!! I am new here, and am new to owning a dog. I need some help please with Tye. I have recently taken Tye in as my friend has moved to live in America, She was unable to take him so I have homed him. Tye is 7 years old and is Epileptic. He has only ever in his life been handled by my friend. I have tried on numerous occasions to pick him up exactly the same as Debi did but he growls and shows his teeth at me. It is scarey when he does this. I really do need some advice on how to overcome this, overall Tye is a friendly, sociable little fella but we really need to be able to pick him up. Help please... Thanks in advance claire |
Welcome Guest! | |
07-23-2010, 07:44 AM | #2 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Welcome to YT! You are wonderful for giving Tye a home. I would go slow with him and be patient. He is probably adjusting to his new life and new caretaker. Work on bonding with him on the floor. Does he like to play? Will he sit on your lap? Will he accept some gentle massage? Work with treats. Try to establish a daily routine of all activities -- eating, walking, bedtime -- to help establish trust. Maintain a calm and confident demeanor when you do pick up Tye. Pick him up very briefly, tell him he is a good boy, and put him down on the floor and give him a small treat. Gradually increase the amount of time you hold him. I hope some of this might help you with Tye. Last edited by Maximo; 07-23-2010 at 07:45 AM. |
07-23-2010, 07:57 AM | #3 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dartford Kent UK
Posts: 18
| Maximo Thank you so much for your advice! very helpful! Do you think Tye would actually bite/hurt me or do you think he's all noise?? He sounds like a huge dog when he growls at me lol, I have to admit I am nervous when I try to pick him up. I will give him a little long to settle and perservere. He loves to play ball, sit on our laps, strokes and cuddles. He is lovely but its the picking up that he hates. |
07-23-2010, 08:25 AM | #4 | |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Quote:
Make sure only you or your spouse (?) pick him up. If you have children, I would advise them not to pick up Tye. Same with guests. Not until you know how Tye will behave and that he will be safe. No one can say whether or not Tye will bite. Did your friend say whether or not he has a history of biting? I don't think you need to frightened, but be prepared. When he growls or struggles, put him down. You don't want to risk dropping him. He should have good bite inhibition, meaning if he does use his teeth at all on you, it will be a nip if anything. Of course you don't want him to nip, but I don't think you need to worry that he is going to attack you. From what you have described, I believe that practice and trust building will solve your problems. | |
07-23-2010, 08:32 AM | #5 |
Poppy's Mamma ♥ Donating Member | Some dogs (especially older dogs) dont like to be picked up. I know my older cross breed Jess (she is 12 years old) HATES being picked up and will buck like a crazy horse if you try lol
__________________ Rachael & Poppy |
07-23-2010, 08:33 AM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Georgia
Posts: 397
| Baxter is mine all mine and has been since he was 8 weeks old and he doesn't like to be picked up by anyone including me! He doesn't growl and carry on but he runs away! I have never experience a dog like this. I have just gotten used to chasing him down. He will fetch, wait for you to put his leash on him, sit, come lay in your lap but that has to be his idea. I have never understood the not being picked up. |
07-23-2010, 08:43 AM | #7 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,795
| Hi there, I have some tips from when I used to train rescue horses (and I am in no way referring to your pup as being rescued, it's just that those guys are shy just like your new pooch, and usually not young and gullible). When you come across a shy animal and are getting them used to a new home, and of course a new mom, it takes time. Thankfully your little guy came from a good home, and his previous mom is only a phone call away, right? I would gain his trust on his level first. he has to want to come to you on his own. This in the horse world would be referrred to as joining up. You kinda want to do the same thing with him. I'd take an afternoon and just go in a room with him, where he's comfortable, and plop yourself on the floor. Sit and observe what he does. Does he approach you, does he run away, does he ignore you. And base your afternoon on that. Try to get him to play with you. If he likes ball you can use that to your advantage when training him that its ok to be picked up. This starting exercise can help you know how he thinks. It sounds like he's willing to approach you, based on the liking to cuddle. So I'd start in steps. First when he's cuddling, stroke him and slowly work your way to his belly, as if you were going to pick him up. but give him a good belly rub instead. This soft love and attention will lighten him up towards you. If its the actualy pick up motion that scares him, I'd try picking him up while you're on the floor. Maybe he just doesn't trust you enough to pick him up that high. It is a long way down. If you do little steps slowly, he'll lighten up. Do you pick up his ball with him when you pick him up. Maybe keeping his toy with him, will help. Good luck! keep us posted on how he's doing. I've only dealt with one shy dog, he hated his tail being brushed (he was abused so for good reason) and it took two of us working together slowly to praise and love him, now one person can do it and he's happy. Also in terms of the growling and teeth. it's hard to tell whether he'd actually do anything. But try to stay calm. they can sense fear, if you approach in a positive manner and do things slowly, you should hopefully see the teeth fading away. |
07-23-2010, 12:05 PM | #8 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dartford Kent UK
Posts: 18
| Hello Everyone! Wow! What a response I am so grateful for your replies and offers of advice! I certainly need it lol Tye is extremely keen to play, he infact starts the games! He brings the ball or best toy in the living room and plops in on the floor in front of you lol.. He plays ball in the garden with my 10 year old son, whom I have made aware that he could bite! So my son is very careful not to over do it. I have asked my friend who is now in America if he has ever biten anyone when being picked up, she says no he hasnt. He just growls and shows his teeth. We have been allowed to tickle and stroke his belly as he lays down with legs up in the air lol, Im guessing this too is a good sign he is accepting us as new owners. He greets us when we wake of a morning which is great! Tye responds to commands and understand when he's been naughty, ie growling, aggressiveness. something else that I have to question, Tye has never been neutered, Is he too old now to be done? and also as he is Epileptic would this be a prob? Overall Tye is a good, loving, friendly little boy, I am going to take it steady with the "Picking up" issue. Would we both benefit from "Dog Training"?? I am so grateful for your replies, I very much look forward to becoming an experienced Dog owner. In our household we have 8 cats, most of which are CPL and lost/found, A Horsfield Tortoise, Tye and 2 older childen 14 and 10 and a husband. Pretty much full i'd say lol...Wouldn't have it any other way!! Claire |
07-23-2010, 05:02 PM | #9 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hiawassee, GA
Posts: 47
| Quote:
And I think the gradual programs described above are fabulous... take your time. He's 7, and it will take a little time for him to trust... but he will. | |
07-23-2010, 05:36 PM | #10 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri
Posts: 903
| When Bailey was a puppy - she ran when I tried to pick her up. So, I started bending over to pet then release. I wanted her to know that I wasn't going to pick her up every time I bent over - soon she quit running away. Then, I would occasionally pick her up, say 'good girl' and treat. After a while, she didn't mind being picked up and the treats disappeared. Now, she insists that she be carried to bed each and every night! Good luck!
__________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it! |
07-25-2010, 06:24 PM | #11 |
Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory
Posts: 3,447
| Sometimes, if Lucy falls asleep on a pillow or soft blanket, she doesn't like to be picked up or moved. If I want her to go to bed with me; I just pick up the pillow or blanket with her on it. She never makes a peep if I do this. Any other time, she doesn't mind to be picked up; she demands to be picked up! Good luck and sorry I don't have more insight into this issue!
__________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew |
07-25-2010, 06:56 PM | #12 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Jackson doesn't usually like being picked up either, I found this video useful
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
07-27-2010, 09:15 AM | #13 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dartford Kent UK
Posts: 18
| Hi Thanks for all your replies, We are now on Day 7 and Tye is getting better, I have seen less of his pearlies, less growling. Guess he's getting used to us. I have picked him up on his terms and have worked out how he likes to be carried. I am so pleased he's getting there. so all is good so far Can only get better now |
07-27-2010, 09:38 AM | #14 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,795
| Quote:
patience and a positive attitude is the key to training any animal. | |
07-29-2010, 01:29 PM | #15 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dartford Kent UK
Posts: 18
| Hi There, Ive been coming back to this thread during the course of the week to keep me informed on what to do lol...Its now 1 week and 2 days, Well last sunday whilst Tye and I walked around Pets at Home for goodies he wanted me to pick him, I was keen to do this! We walked around with him in my arms lol. Since then nothing! Still growls at me when I ask for cuddles, He seems to know that me wanting to pick him up means cuddles hehe. Am I expecting too much too soon? He is such a dear little dog we love him lots and lots. I just dont understand the growling and going for us business. Is he scared? angry with us? or just that he's been spoilt in past? He's had no discapline whatso ever. I can deal with the obedience, we are getting there with this. Its the picking up business that worries me. I am going to have to take him to the vets next week for more meds for his Epilepsy, I really dont want him to go for the vet. He needs a check over too just to be sure he's ok. Will I see light at the end of the tunnel lol |
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