Need Help!! Good yorkie gone bad???or something else... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pff2008 · 02-06-2012, 09:30 AM

I have a 14 month old yorkie female named lexi. I have a family of 4 children two boys ages 20 and 5, two girls ages 16 and 7. My husband works all day and all the kids are in school so i spend all day with lexi bonding. within the last two months she has slowly been changing for the worst and I do not know how to correct this. first sign was that she started getting aggressive with my husband when he would take louder than normal and moving his hands alot not necessarily mad or yelling just louder. then when he would tell her to do something like down from the couch or bed. Or something like if we where leaving he would say time to go to your house(crate), she would get aggressive with him as in trying to bit and barking at him. then i started to notice not only did she do this to him but both of the other boys. then when my husband would get ready to leave she would get aggressive with him when he would put his shoes on to leave, okay maybe she wants him to stay but i don't think that is the issue. then just recently we thought that since she is doing so great at potting outside and we love her so much we let her sleep in our bed. she loved it but of course we where a bit nervous when she got up from bed so we slept light. not a good nights sleep for someone who during the work week has to get up at 4. So sunday night we decided that she should go back into her house so my husband could get sleep. When we told her it was time to go to bed and go to her house she ran from us hiding where ever she could to stay away from us. if we tried to catch her or reach for her she would bit and not a soft warning bit either. Okay, only i could pick her up but she did fight even me to go into her house. so the next week end thought okay lets try this agian and start friday night so we can get use to having her out all night long. we did not have to tell her twice that she could sleep in our bed. i got in bed, she got into bed and laid next to me then my husband came into the room and started toward his side of the bed and she charged at him bitting, barking, growling! i held her telling her it was okay and she finally let him into bed. later he had to go to the bathroom and when he got up out of bed she started agian bitting, barking, growling and jumping at him. she even chased him out of the room and i could not control her. the next night she headed to bed before us and when we went to bed my husband in his normal voice said no, time to go to your bed and reached for her and yep you guessed it, it was hands off mister i will rip you to shreds! I don't understand, i have taught her all obedient commands, gotten her chew toys for those problems, she has her own bed to lay in when in the family room. but i can not fix this problem. Please any advice!?! we love her and don't want anyone to get hurt, her or my husband. we don't want to get rid or her either. can anyone help me???

chachi · 02-06-2012, 11:42 AM

It sounds like your yorkie has a dislike of males and you will need the help of an experienced trainer to help you.

lynzy420 · 02-06-2012, 11:51 AM

I don't know your financial situation, if possible see a behavior specialist. They exist. Obviously you can not give us every detail of a day in the life of your little diva! So I am guessing here, I think she has become very possessive of you, your with her night and day. You are all things good to her, food, play and love. She wants to protect that for HERSELF! All to her self.

I had a Yorkie poo for several years like this, if anyone talked to me in anything but a normal voice (including mouthy children) they knew their but would be nipped, she did not tolerate anyone in my perimeter and she meant business. At the time I did not have the financial means for a behavior specialist, so at about the third year mark (she was 4 at this point) I realized huge changes needed to take place.

I wrote out a routine and assigned everyone to a different chore.

Routine and the reward system are key.

It was harsh but necessary, and believe me it was harder on me than it was on her or my family.

I put all her treats in a tupperware bowl and up high in the cupboard.
I rounded up all her toys and put them in a box up there too.
I bought an xpen and inside I put her kennel, a comfy bed, her litter box, and a bowl of water.

I put this in the middle of the house, so she could see everything. I put her in the pen all day with kennel open. I completely ignored her all day, she barked, she cried, she howled, I would walk by and say something sweet every so often. I did not feed her, her morning meal. I had my husband go in to the pen and sit down on the floor (her level) and feed her. When she was done, he left the pen. I then had my daughter go in there, to play with her, they my son to pet her. If she did anything wrong, they said no and left. That night I put her into her kennel with a treat. She barked, cried, howled etc., all night. Next morning had hubby feed her again, etc.. I put her back in to the kennel, with a treat. And continued the same routine only changing it daily with the everyone (but me) switching roles. Same routine, day in and day out. After about 2 weeks, she accepted this routine. Up until her last day she was on the same routine, and slept all day, play time at night etc., I never let her control the house again. As time went on, everyone was just as important to her as I was, because everyone fed, walked, played and rewarded her. They learn what you teach them.....

gidget529 · 02-06-2012, 12:00 PM

I agree w contacting a professional trainer, the sooner the better. The longer these patterns go, the harder they can be to fix. I did not see what area you are from, but perhaps someone here knows of an experienced trainer in your area that can help.

gidget529 · 02-06-2012, 12:02 PM

Just a thought, maybe you could start a thread asking for ppl in the Illinois area for their advice/referral for an experienced trainer in your area. Also, maybe your vet has a trainer he has had experience with.

Buster Brown · 02-07-2012, 06:17 PM

These might help
Advances In Animal Behavior- Welcome
https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/fi...me_last_value=

Roccosmommy · 02-07-2012, 06:27 PM

You've got a little one who's being very protective of "her" person (you). I agree a trainer/behaviorist is in order to nip this in the bud. In the meantime, have your husband and kids be responsible for feeding her, taking her to potty, walk, etc. This will get her to develop trust as she depends on them for what you would normally give her. And more than anything, do not tolerate her behavior - correct her immediately, in a calm and even tone. Good luck!

pff2008 · 04-28-2013, 10:39 AM

it has been a while since i have been on here and wanted to update this. I took the advise of a trainer and problem solved!!!! The trainer came to my house and one visit was all it took. she was trying to pull top dog over my hubby but after following strict advise from the trainer one week later all was great and has been since.....but now we have a different problem but somewhat similar. I posted a new posting on it so if you are interested on reading about it .....
thanks

02-06-2012, 09:30 AM	#1
pff2008 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chester, Illinois, United States Posts: 8	Need Help!! Good yorkie gone bad???or something else... I have a 14 month old yorkie female named lexi. I have a family of 4 children two boys ages 20 and 5, two girls ages 16 and 7. My husband works all day and all the kids are in school so i spend all day with lexi bonding. within the last two months she has slowly been changing for the worst and I do not know how to correct this. first sign was that she started getting aggressive with my husband when he would take louder than normal and moving his hands alot not necessarily mad or yelling just louder. then when he would tell her to do something like down from the couch or bed. Or something like if we where leaving he would say time to go to your house(crate), she would get aggressive with him as in trying to bit and barking at him. then i started to notice not only did she do this to him but both of the other boys. then when my husband would get ready to leave she would get aggressive with him when he would put his shoes on to leave, okay maybe she wants him to stay but i don't think that is the issue. then just recently we thought that since she is doing so great at potting outside and we love her so much we let her sleep in our bed. she loved it but of course we where a bit nervous when she got up from bed so we slept light. not a good nights sleep for someone who during the work week has to get up at 4. So sunday night we decided that she should go back into her house so my husband could get sleep. When we told her it was time to go to bed and go to her house she ran from us hiding where ever she could to stay away from us. if we tried to catch her or reach for her she would bit and not a soft warning bit either. Okay, only i could pick her up but she did fight even me to go into her house. so the next week end thought okay lets try this agian and start friday night so we can get use to having her out all night long. we did not have to tell her twice that she could sleep in our bed. i got in bed, she got into bed and laid next to me then my husband came into the room and started toward his side of the bed and she charged at him bitting, barking, growling! i held her telling her it was okay and she finally let him into bed. later he had to go to the bathroom and when he got up out of bed she started agian bitting, barking, growling and jumping at him. she even chased him out of the room and i could not control her. the next night she headed to bed before us and when we went to bed my husband in his normal voice said no, time to go to your bed and reached for her and yep you guessed it, it was hands off mister i will rip you to shreds! I don't understand, i have taught her all obedient commands, gotten her chew toys for those problems, she has her own bed to lay in when in the family room. but i can not fix this problem. Please any advice!?! we love her and don't want anyone to get hurt, her or my husband. we don't want to get rid or her either. can anyone help me???

02-06-2012, 11:42 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	It sounds like your yorkie has a dislike of males and you will need the help of an experienced trainer to help you. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

02-06-2012, 11:51 AM	#3
lynzy420 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA Posts: 7,652	I don't know your financial situation, if possible see a behavior specialist. They exist. Obviously you can not give us every detail of a day in the life of your little diva! So I am guessing here, I think she has become very possessive of you, your with her night and day. You are all things good to her, food, play and love. She wants to protect that for HERSELF! All to her self. I had a Yorkie poo for several years like this, if anyone talked to me in anything but a normal voice (including mouthy children) they knew their but would be nipped, she did not tolerate anyone in my perimeter and she meant business. At the time I did not have the financial means for a behavior specialist, so at about the third year mark (she was 4 at this point) I realized huge changes needed to take place. I wrote out a routine and assigned everyone to a different chore. Routine and the reward system are key. It was harsh but necessary, and believe me it was harder on me than it was on her or my family. I put all her treats in a tupperware bowl and up high in the cupboard. I rounded up all her toys and put them in a box up there too. I bought an xpen and inside I put her kennel, a comfy bed, her litter box, and a bowl of water. I put this in the middle of the house, so she could see everything. I put her in the pen all day with kennel open. I completely ignored her all day, she barked, she cried, she howled, I would walk by and say something sweet every so often. I did not feed her, her morning meal. I had my husband go in to the pen and sit down on the floor (her level) and feed her. When she was done, he left the pen. I then had my daughter go in there, to play with her, they my son to pet her. If she did anything wrong, they said no and left. That night I put her into her kennel with a treat. She barked, cried, howled etc., all night. Next morning had hubby feed her again, etc.. I put her back in to the kennel, with a treat. And continued the same routine only changing it daily with the everyone (but me) switching roles. Same routine, day in and day out. After about 2 weeks, she accepted this routine. Up until her last day she was on the same routine, and slept all day, play time at night etc., I never let her control the house again. As time went on, everyone was just as important to her as I was, because everyone fed, walked, played and rewarded her. They learn what you teach them..... __________________ The Above advice/comments/reviews are my personal opinions based on my own experience/education/investigation and research and you can take them any way you want to......Or NOT!!!

02-06-2012, 12:00 PM	#4
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	I agree w contacting a professional trainer, the sooner the better. The longer these patterns go, the harder they can be to fix. I did not see what area you are from, but perhaps someone here knows of an experienced trainer in your area that can help. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

02-06-2012, 12:02 PM	#5
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Just a thought, maybe you could start a thread asking for ppl in the Illinois area for their advice/referral for an experienced trainer in your area. Also, maybe your vet has a trainer he has had experience with. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

02-07-2012, 06:17 PM	#6
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	These might help Advances In Animal Behavior- Welcome https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/fi...me_last_value= __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

02-07-2012, 06:27 PM	#7
Roccosmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,293	You've got a little one who's being very protective of "her" person (you). I agree a trainer/behaviorist is in order to nip this in the bud. In the meantime, have your husband and kids be responsible for feeding her, taking her to potty, walk, etc. This will get her to develop trust as she depends on them for what you would normally give her. And more than anything, do not tolerate her behavior - correct her immediately, in a calm and even tone. Good luck! __________________ "The little furry buggers are just deep, deep wells you throw all your emotions into." ~ Bruce Schimmel

04-28-2013, 10:39 AM	#8
pff2008 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chester, Illinois, United States Posts: 8	it has been a while since i have been on here and wanted to update this. I took the advise of a trainer and problem solved!!!! The trainer came to my house and one visit was all it took. she was trying to pull top dog over my hubby but after following strict advise from the trainer one week later all was great and has been since.....but now we have a different problem but somewhat similar. I posted a new posting on it so if you are interested on reading about it ..... thanks