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Old 07-30-2011, 05:50 AM   #1
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Default Big Aggression/Barking Issues with my two yorkies

Hi everyone,

I have two yorkie boys - from the same litter. They are 5 years old and unfortunately when we got them from the breeder we didn't know, and she didn't tell us, it was a bad idea to home two boys from the same litter.

We've had behaviour issues since day one, consulted a dog behaviour specialist but still the problems persist.

In all honesty, the rest of my family living with me are rubbish at following through discipline and yet the first to moan when the boys cause problems. However things are so bad now it is affecting our lives and I need help.

The biggest problem is that Bailey - smallest of the two - has a terrible aggression problem. You can go to stroke him, bath him, pick him up - basically do anything inside his personal space and he will snap, growl, bite and snarl. Because of his size he doesn't do much damage but it's horrible and today when I bathed him he bit me hard. It's becoming even more habitual with him. I don't know how to discipline him to stop this behaviour.

Problem two is that when we go to bed and leave the boys in their separate crates downstairs, they howl, bark practically all night long. We have tried coming down, saying 'no' and returning to bed. We have tried ignoring them - nothing works. It interrupts our sleep and I'm worried that our neighbours will soon complain.

Seriously - if we could solve those problems life would be sleep. I'm fed up of being mad at my dogs, I want to enjoy them.

I am prepared to do whatever training, techniques it takes - and I will make my family do it too. Any advice would be so much appreciated.

Please ask any questions if I haven't mentioned things that are important.
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Old 07-30-2011, 07:00 AM   #2
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Sounds like you need a visit from Victoria Stilwell. Check out her website for some tips: Victoria Stilwell Positively|The Official Victoria Stilwell Website

The easier problem to fix is the barking and howling at night. Sounds like your boys need more exercise and activity to wear them out so that they are ready to sleep. Wearing them out will help with behavior in general. Do you walk them or do they have a chance to run around outside?

Have you done any obedience or trick training with them? Dogs are usually eager to please and enjoy these activities. If you make it fun and focus less on the goal of having them obey your every command, this will help focus the dogs, stimulate them mentally (which will help drain energy), and strengthen the bond between the dogs and humans.

Have a family conference and convince everyone to work together for your own sanity and for the good of the dogs.

Dealing with aggression is more of a challenge. Make sure no one in the family is doing anything to encourage this type of behavior. No teasing or taunting or playing along. When Baily growls, snaps, or bites, remove all attention. Ignore him. Give him attention and rewards only when he is behaving correctly. You can also teach him "no bite," or you can yelp like a dog would when bitten.

Exercise, lots of it.

Direct the dogs towards positive behavior and activities. Set a good example and maintain a calm, positive demeanor. If the humans are excited (negatively) and animated, the dogs are going to mirror that level of energy and behavior.

Keep in mind that training often requires a great deal of patience and persistence. You are probably not going to see changes overnight, although lots of exercise could have an immediate effect.
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Old 07-30-2011, 07:22 AM   #3
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You say you worked with a behaviorist, what did she suggest and what have you tried to do? You say your family isn't following through with discipline, what would this be?
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Old 07-30-2011, 07:47 AM   #4
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Thank you for both of your replies. Very helpful and I think they do need more exercise. They have space to run around but often get distracted by noises and that causes them to just run inside the house or stand still and bark.

The specialist we saw before advised us to squirt them with water and also to stop them from sitting on the sofas with us, so that they knew we were in charge. She thought they were quite territorial. So we introduced that and it worked very quickly, but I guess as the problems got less severe the squirting stopped and now it's so many years on the squirting water has no effect at all.

I'm totally up for hard work - I think my family think they'l never change so what's the point. I don't agree with that obviously, wouldn't be here if I did!

Thanks guys.
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Old 07-30-2011, 08:03 AM   #5
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I think you should sit down with your family and watch at least a dozen episodes of "The Dog Whisperer". Unfortunately, it's often the humans that create the problems with the dogs. If the entire family isn't willing to pull together and help your pups, then I'm not sure that any trainer or behaviourist is going to help. Your dogs need balance and probably more constructive exercise and a "pack leader". Cesar Millan knows what he's talking about when it comes to problem behaviours in dogs. He has books as well as videos and a website. Check out "Cesar's Rules - Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog" (written by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier). It's really informative as to the psychology of how the dogs' minds work. I'm positive it will help you.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to rehabilitate the dogs, and will likely take a lot of work from the whole family.
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Old 07-30-2011, 08:05 AM   #6
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Walk them and then walk some more (weather permitting). That helps to calm my feisty Westie.

I think you will need a lot more help than that - but that's a good start. Here's another good start:

Nothing in Life is Free by Lynda Adame


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Old 07-30-2011, 08:10 AM   #7
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My guess is that your dogs believe themselves to be dominant. I'm a fan of Cesar, and he's not into squirt bottles, but he believes the humans should always give off a dominant vibe. Squirt bottles are considered slightly aversive punishment, and that needs to be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement. Punishments usually only work short term, and should not be used except for the most extreme behaviors. I suggest watching the show, and getting a feel for what he says about dogs, a human should always have a calm confidence around dogs, and do everything you can to keep from becoming frustrated. Maximo is correct, a tired dog is a happy dog, and exercise is so important. One of the ways that Cesar suggests to get your dogs to feel like part of a pack is to walk them together in a purposeful walk. He believes daily walks should be part of every dog’s life, and a dog even thinks a walk is his job. A purposeful walk is when you are in command walking a fairly fast pace, it takes practice, especially with two dogs who will try to be the alpha. You need ot be the alpha or the one in command. Perhaps you can get another family member to go with you. If done correctly, 10 minutes a day can help tremendously. Another way to reestablish yourself as the alpha is food time. Make sure both dogs are sitting before food is placed on the floor, and make them wait until you have given the release command. Keeping picking the bowl up, until the obey. This may not sound important, but it reminds the dog you are the boss, you are the one that says when they can eat. Dog behaviorist usually say don’t sleep with a dog or allow them on the furniture if you are having any aggression problems with your dogs, this is really the first thing you should stop. So much good information is out there now, and I hope you can get a handle on this problem.
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Old 07-30-2011, 08:18 AM   #8
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Exercize is the fastest and easiest way to make an impact right away. having a yard for them to be in is not the same as spending an hour completely tiring them out. Dexter suffers from aggression and if a slack with the exercize, i can see a difference right away. we walk to a park at least once a day and i throw a ball for him for about 45 mins - an hour. i also run the pups around in the house or the back yard throughout the day when possible. I have a feeling exercize will drastically help the barking at night issue. there are times where we get back from the park and both pups crash to the point of snoring within minutes!

agression takes so much more work. Dexter is 4 years old and i am still working with him with very slow results. he will bite us when bathing, nail trimming, hair cuts, etc. the key is to not disipline...but to recondition with positive reinforcement. this is hard because it takes a very long time to do and sometimes they need a bath NOW. haha. this involves taking something they hate and making it into something they like...through treats, praise, treats, toys and more treats! Dexter is at the point now where i can get him to come to me when i have scissors (he comes slowly with his head down...but on his own accord) and he lets me grab a clump of hair, cut it and he gets praise and a treat right after that. it takes a few days for him to get a full haircut and almost a full bag of treats! lol. the only way we built up to this is by him getting treats and praise when i had scissors in my hand, then pet him while i had scissors...then open and close them while he got treats....etc etc.

there is a book i recommend called "MINE!" that is a guide to resource guarding that helped me a lot. i can't remember the name of the author.
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Old 07-30-2011, 09:11 AM   #9
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Thank you all for the replies - so much useful info and I will check out the books and videos, especially Cesar who I have heard a lot about just by browsing the forums.

I know that I can get a good start and hold on the exercise and they will love that, because they love playing and running and games.

Question - do I need to ease them into the exercise. Will it be bad for me to go full throttle, ie walks and garden games/exercise all at once? I've already given them a 10 min walk today - is it ok to do that again tonight? I don't want to make a mistake and do too much on the first day.

Thank you all.
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Old 07-30-2011, 09:26 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donna View Post
Thank you all for the replies - so much useful info and I will check out the books and videos, especially Cesar who I have heard a lot about just by browsing the forums.

I know that I can get a good start and hold on the exercise and they will love that, because they love playing and running and games.

Question - do I need to ease them into the exercise. Will it be bad for me to go full throttle, ie walks and garden games/exercise all at once? I've already given them a 10 min walk today - is it ok to do that again tonight? I don't want to make a mistake and do too much on the first day.

Thank you all.
Well with Cesar's theory the walk does several things besides tiring them out. It establishes you as the pack leader, but you can't have them pulling you during the walk, that's why you need to know exactly how to do the walk. Also, the walk gives the dog a "sense of purpose", and this is very good for the dog's esteem or confidence. Aggressive dogs actually don't have much confidence, they are very fearful. Finally, the walk gives them exercise and tires them out. Playing in the yard, probably just tires them out, so I believe the walk is the most important in trying to eliminate the aggression. I doubt if the dogs will overextend themselves, when dogs get tired they just quit playing. I don't think you have to worry about doing too much. When you are walking them, who is in control?
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Old 07-30-2011, 09:37 AM   #11
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By the way, this site explains the different types of aggression, and learning which type your dogs have will enable you to treat it better. Aggression Types | k9aggression.com. Also, it answers many other questions about treatment.
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:04 AM   #12
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Thanks for the link Nancy.

As for walking, they are actually good walkers. That was something I taught them when they were pups because my old Yorkie pulled like crazy. So they walk by my side and only pull when we near home - which I am trying to curb.

However they are very fearful when we are out. Cars, people, plants even make them jump and cower and try to climb for me to pick them up.

Bailey definitely believes he rules the house. He is dominant and even will park himself in front of Biscuit when it anyone is paying Biscuit attention. He wants to be number 1 constantly. So with this we try to give Biscuit his treat first, let him out of the crate first etc, try to create some kind of balance of putting Bailey back in his place. I'm not sure if we're doing the right thing with that or not.
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:09 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donna View Post
Thank you all for the replies - so much useful info and I will check out the books and videos, especially Cesar who I have heard a lot about just by browsing the forums.

I know that I can get a good start and hold on the exercise and they will love that, because they love playing and running and games.

Question - do I need to ease them into the exercise. Will it be bad for me to go full throttle, ie walks and garden games/exercise all at once? I've already given them a 10 min walk today - is it ok to do that again tonight? I don't want to make a mistake and do too much on the first day.

Thank you all.
I think it's great that you're seeking help on these issues. It definitely shows that you care about your pups. I don't think you have to worry about over-doing exercise. At this point they obviously NEED more. I would definitely take them out for maybe a 20 or 30 min walk tonight twice a day if you've got the time. We take Ozzy out for 10 in the morning, another 10-15 in the afternoon and then about 20 right before bedtime. Before bed is when we'll take him to the park or up and down the street a few times. In between we are having him fetch toys in the house, which is another great way he burns off energy, and it's highly rewarding for him.

It is REALLY important that whoever walks the dogs are in charge. Keep a short leash, don't let them pull you or run all over the place. What I've found really helpful, which makes Ozzy look to me for direction, is many stops and starts and about faces, walk this way and that. Don't look down at them or worry about where they are. LEAD them, and they will eventually figure out that they must always look to YOU rather than the other way around. Make sure your attitude is calm and assertive.

I agree you should keep them off the furniture and out of the bed until they've re-learned their roles in the house.

I know Cesar can help you. Read, read, read, and watch his show if you can.
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:11 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donna View Post
However they are very fearful when we are out. Cars, people, plants even make them jump and cower and try to climb for me to pick them up.
This is the cause of the agression. Your pups are definately unbalanced. Fear is ruling them.
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:12 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJDB View Post
I think you should sit down with your family and watch at least a dozen episodes of "The Dog Whisperer". Unfortunately, it's often the humans that create the problems with the dogs. If the entire family isn't willing to pull together and help your pups, then I'm not sure that any trainer or behaviourist is going to help. Your dogs need balance and probably more constructive exercise and a "pack leader". Cesar Millan knows what he's talking about when it comes to problem behaviours in dogs. He has books as well as videos and a website. Check out "Cesar's Rules - Your Way to Train a Well-Behaved Dog" (written by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier). It's really informative as to the psychology of how the dogs' minds work. I'm positive it will help you.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to rehabilitate the dogs, and will likely take a lot of work from the whole family.
Excellent advice, I agree !
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