Sparta shows defiance :(

[This Is Sparta]

Hey guys im new to these forums and also new to training a puppy, ive had dogs all my life but my dad was always the one training them.

I got Sparta 5 days ago so maybe im jumping the gun here. Sparta is about 4 months old and I feel like shes showing defiance when I am disciplining her and she wont listen. When i try to comb her she will not sit still, i even tried to use the treats she likes to try to get her to stay still to comb her.

While walking her, I started trying to get her to heel last night, quick snaps when she starts getting ahead, and now the next day she will not walk with me. maybe 4 months is to young to teach her to heel?

I will tell you I spank her with a magazine firmly but not too hard when she poops and pees where shes not supposed to. she also gets pretty defiant after that, but my dad had a hand full of dogs he trained using this method and worked flawlessly.

Shes picking up sit-stay-come-kennel rather quickly.

I dont know.

any suggestions? and how do you deal with a defiant puppy? the growling at you and some barking at her owner (me) as well.

[This Is Sparta]

one other thing, how many treats is too many treats during training for a yorkie? i feel like i over did it yesterday

[Quiverful]

I would stop hitting her. I have had dogs my entire life and always found a firm No! to be way more effective. I want my dogs to learn to behave and want to please me...not fear me. When a pup has an accident on the floor, I say No! and take them right outside. Then, praise lavishly when they go outside. I use a timer to take the pup out regularly...give them plenty of opportunity to do it right and get praise.

Same with leash training. A sharp jerk is not needed. If they pull or get ahead, I stop walking and say No! and gently bring them to where I want them. Then praise.

I don't use a lot of treats in my training. I do lots of verbal praise and pets/cuddles. I only use treats once in a while.

[Quiverful]

My little Tink has quite the tude, too...LOL She has "broken bad" with me a couple times. Again, a firm No! works well. Also, establishing yourself as the leader is important. Basic obedience helps with that. Also, do things like pick up her food while she's eating and then give it back. Play games where she rolls over and shows her tummy. Teach her that play nipping is a no no.

It takes time, but I think that positive reinforcement works better in the long run. I don't want to break Tink's spirit and I don't want her to fear me. I just want her to learn how to be polite

Good luck!

[This Is Sparta]

thanks alot for the guidance quiver, i think im going to try that approach because i dont think Sparta is taking too kindly to the physical form of punishment. like, most of the time shes a good girl, but then there are those defiant times and i really do think are coming out of the physical aspect.

thanks so much for your help

[Sammy Mommy]

Sparta is still a puppy, a baby. Please use positive reinforcement regarding potty issues. Please do not hit your dog with a magazine or anything else!!

[TraciG]

Lots of great advice already given. Do you have children? I only ask because I tried to think of training Brutus the same as when I potty trained my son. Patience and lots of praise will go along way. Good luck.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by This Is Sparta

Hey guys im new to these forums and also new to training a puppy, ive had dogs all my life but my dad was always the one training them.

I got Sparta 5 days ago so maybe im jumping the gun here. Sparta is about 4 months old and I feel like shes showing defiance when I am disciplining her and she wont listen. When i try to comb her she will not sit still, i even tried to use the treats she likes to try to get her to stay still to comb her.

While walking her, I started trying to get her to heel last night, quick snaps when she starts getting ahead, and now the next day she will not walk with me. maybe 4 months is to young to teach her to heel?

I will tell you I spank her with a magazine firmly but not too hard when she poops and pees where shes not supposed to. she also gets pretty defiant after that, but my dad had a hand full of dogs he trained using this method and worked flawlessly.

Shes picking up sit-stay-come-kennel rather quickly.

I dont know.

any suggestions? and how do you deal with a defiant puppy? the growling at you and some barking at her owner (me) as well.

First, you've only had this puppy for five short days. You've been hitting her with a magazine when she potties where she isn't supposed to potty. Next time she does that hit yourself in the head with the magazine for not watching her closely enough or not taking her out sooner. It's your fault and not her fault. As has already been mentioned, use ONLY positive reinforcement. With a yorkie, you will get nowhere using your current methods of training.

Second, give her some time to learn to walk as you want her to walk. Use only positive reinforcement for this training, or any training, when training your puppy. Five days is too short of a time span for a young puppy with a short attention span.

Third, I would show defiance, as well, if someone hit me with a magazine or jerked the leash, while I was on the other end.

Fourth, give your puppy some time to learn to trust you before you start with any hard training. She has been through a lot of changes from one home to another with different people and probably is missing her siblings. Show only patience, positive training, and love to your puppy. Be reminded that yorkies are very smart and know when they can trust their people and when they can't.

A loud "no" will work when you catch her pottying where she isn't supposed to potty. Be patient. This will take a long time.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by This Is Sparta

one other thing, how many treats is too many treats during training for a yorkie? i feel like i over did it yesterday

You can use training treats, which are tiny, or you can break the treats you are using into tiny bites. Many people use cheerios.

[YorkieMother]

Use her kibble or food.. instead of feeding her her meals for free make her or rather ask her to work for it. down sits and stays become meal time activity and help you bond with the BABY.

JLC

[Lovetodream88]

So let me get this straight, you hit a small breed puppy with a magazine when she does something wrong? Wow that's really is terrible. I am not some training wiz but I suggest you go out and get a few books on positive training. It works very well and the dog doesn't get hurt. Hitting with a magazine can cause a dog to be fearful of things and people. Also try going to to a puppy class. It really makes me want to cry that people still use that method when training a dog or puppy.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

You don't have to hit them with a magazine to properly train them. If you even just hit your own hand for the noise would be better than hitting the pup. Yorkies are so tiny and hitting them with something could cause problems. If you have only had her for 5 days she is still adjusting to her new environment. And yes, unfortunately it usually means accidents in the house. And, sorry to be blunt, but if you don't want accidents in the house don't get an inside dog. In my opinion, hitting her will teach her fear of you. I really don't think that is the outcome you really want. There are many places that train pups. I know that even Petco does some training. I think looking into one of these might be your best option.

[Ellie May]

If somebody hit you, I'm sure you'd vocalize your dislike of it. She doesn't sit still and doesn't walk properly on a leash because she is a puppy. If she is truly being defiant (and my guess is that she is just being a puppy - puppies bark, talk - which could sound like growling, and bite), it is almost certainly because her owner is hurting her and she doesn't appreciate it. The longer it goes on, the meaner she will get. I would change your ways immediately or risk scarring her for life. By that I don't mean that you can never tell her NO, squirt her with water, etc., but no heavy-handedness. Enjoy your pup. Train her but don't be in such a rush to make her perfectly obedient.

[Taryn0405]

With regards to walking, it took us about 3 weeks of constant 15 min sessions to get Gizmo walking good. You need to get her walking well first before "heeling". This can be done by showing her the treat, holding it in front of her so she follows it. After a few yards of good walking, give the reward. That how we worked with Gizmo, and it's been flawless from there..

With regards to hitting her with the paper. NO! BAD MOMMA! This simply teaches the dog to not potty period. The best way to deal with potty in the house is keeping her to a confined area and taking her out every hour and being CONSISTENT! If she potties in your house, like the other posters said, it's your fault. But when she does, and trust me, she will, don't make a big deal about it, and clean it up.

These dogs are very different. You need to be consistent and keep them on a schedule. We use the word "potty" always. "Want to go POTTY"
"Lets go outside and go POTTY". And treats, and lots of praise when they do good. These little guys actually love to please.

Do yourself a favor and throw away all passed notions you have on training, as well as that newspaper that you use. Yorkie training is completely different.

[Bitsy]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

First, you've only had this puppy for five short days. You've been hitting her with a magazine when she potties where she isn't supposed to potty. Next time she does that hit yourself in the head with the magazine for not watching her closely enough or not taking her out sooner. It's your fault and not her fault. As has already been mentioned, use ONLY positive reinforcement. With a yorkie, you will get nowhere using your current methods of training.

Second, give her some time to learn to walk as you want her to walk. Use only positive reinforcement for this training, or any training, when training your puppy. Five days is too short of a time span for a young puppy with a short attention span.

Third, I would show defiance, as well, if someone hit me with a magazine or jerked the leash, while I was on the other end.

Fourth, give your puppy some time to learn to trust you before you start with any hard training. She has been through a lot of changes from one home to another with different people and probably is missing her siblings. Show only patience, positive training, and love to your puppy. Be reminded that yorkies are very smart and know when they can trust their people and when they can't.

A loud "no" will work when you catch her pottying where she isn't supposed to potty. Be patient. This will take a long time.