Help with Agression Occasionally when I play with my 12 week old female Yorkie, she gets what seems to me like aggressive. Tonight she growled and bit my hand hard enough to scratch the surface. How do I deal with this? What have I done wrong, do you think, and how can I remedy this? Please help. I was reinforcing some tricks she has learned, and when she didn't do it correctly (jumped up on my arm, instead of sitting) I didn't give her the treat yet...then she growled and bit me. |
Here is an article to start with: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...nhibition.html Bite inhibition is essential. Of course, you also want her to learn that biting you, especially under these circumstances, is unacceptable. When she does this, you can yelp like a dog would, fold your hands across your chest to take them away from her, and get up and leave. Ignore her. She should get the message quickly that biting you or growling at you will result in you leaving and not paying attention to her. If she tries to physically engage when you walk away, then leave the room and go where she can't follow (make sure she is safe wherever you leave her unattended). At that age, they test their boundaries. |
Yes, I read the article on bite inhibition, and it just didn't seem to work with Mia. And I said "ouch" but she continued to jump on me and bite. Just now, I tried yelping, "ouch, ouch, ouch" like a hurt puppy, and she stopped and looked at me. Then for being good, I gave her a treat. I also just closed my hand and said "off" and eventually she stopped. It's a long road to travel, but I think there's hope. Thanks for responding. It's nice to know I'm not alone out there in puppy-ville. |
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Biting inhibition takes a while to teach. Unfortunately, when pups are placed too young, you have to become the mother and teach them (I had to do it w one of my yorkies, so you're not alone). I would always say "no bite, get a toy" and would walk away/turn away from her. It took time, but w reinforcement she learned if she wants to play w me, the toy is what we play w, not mommy's hands. After a while, she would get a toy from her basket and bring it to me when she would want to play, but this definitely takes time. Your pup is still very young at 12 wks, so I would not get discouraged that she doesn't seem to catch on right away. She will, just keep reinforcing it every time she tries to bite your hands. |
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