Help with Agression - YorkieTalk.com Forums

momma mia · 06-13-2011, 07:16 PM

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.

Maximo · 06-13-2011, 07:27 PM

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.

momma mia · 06-13-2011, 08:05 PM

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.

DvlshAngel985 · 06-13-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momma mia

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.

Did you walk away? You have to become as uninteresting as possible. Biting and nipping is a form of puppy play. However, if the pup didn't learn from mom and litter mates how far she can go with this kind of play, they might take it too far. You can just walk away and she'll know there is no fun involved, no treats, and no attention for biting too hard.

gidget529 · 06-14-2011, 08:21 AM

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.

06-13-2011, 07:16 PM	#1
momma mia Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Seal Beach Posts: 12	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.

06-13-2011, 07:27 PM	#2
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	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. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

06-14-2011, 08:21 AM	#5
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	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. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

06-13-2011, 08:05 PM	#3
momma mia Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Seal Beach Posts: 12	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.