Behavior Hi Yorkie owners, I have a 5 year old Yorkie that I adopted back in April 2009 (she came into the vet clinic that I worked at..abused) Make a long story short I don't know much about her history, but this past May she had liver shunt surgery. After this surgery (Which she feels better) her personality has changed. When people approach her, she growls and if you are a man she tries to bite you. I don't know how to stop her from doing this. I've tapped her nose and have told her no. When I pick her up she starts barking non stop. I feel that she is protective of me and her sister a cairn terrier. I just don't know how to help her. I know there had to be a man in her past that must of hurt her. Any suggestions. Thanks:aimeeyork |
You are wonderful for giving this girl a good home. Glad to hear that her surgery went well and that she is healthy today. Did she accept strangers/other people during the year between when you adopted her and her surgery? Sounds like she is guarding you, her family. Maybe she is afraid of losing her new home. How are the people approaching her? Often people are more at fault than the dog. I have problems with my Teddy because people fly at him and act like they are going to scoop him up. Or they extend their hands over the top of his head. These are all inappropriate ways to greet a dog. If you have friends and neighbors who are willing to help, enlist them for some training exercises. You can start with having them throw her treats from a distance while you are out walking. Have them move closer and closer as your dog appears comfortable. Do the exercises without your other dog present. I would strongly advise against the nose tapping. This only teaches your dog to associate other people with being hit on the nose. Stick to positive reinforcement and I believe you will achieve better results. You may also want to look into clicker training and a class to practice social skills. |
Wanted to add: don't pick her up when she misbehaves. Walk away from the growling/biting trigger. She may pull on the leash, but keep guiding her away. |
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Behavior :animal-paWhats funny with Lacey is that its usually men she has problems with. I had a friend come into the house and he totally ingored her and as he was walking thru the living room she went into this attack bark and bite him on the ankle and ran away. Only scratched him. But I was in shock of what she did. I take her to work with me once awhile and she is very shy with my co-workers but never has tried to kill them (HA HA) My little girl was diagnoised with multiple liver shunts and there are so many of them they can't fix them. So I have to treat her as though she's in liver failure. After being on a low protein diet and feeling REALLY GOOD her behavior has changed. In the year that I had her she really did not do much and I think that is because she wasn't feeling well. I also feel that she is guarding her family. My other dog loves people and she goes right up to them and lays down and Lacey runs over there like she wants loved and she will growl and bark real nasty.:aimeeyork:animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa |
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As I wrote before, I would try clicker training or a class. Of course, health issues may also be at the root of the problem. Be patient with your pup and use positive reinforcement. Punishment, frustration, or anger will only encourage negative behavior. |
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