Dealing with other dogs in public - YorkieTalk.com Forums

momofonly · 04-05-2014, 02:20 PM

Hi, I just joined and this is my first post. I have a yorkie/chihuahua mix. I got her from a shelter. He was found as a stray so not much is known about his history but his age is estimated to be about 3 years old. He is very sweet and loving with the family but fearful and "growly" with strangers.

My town has some lovely, wooded public conservation land. Today my daughter and I took our dog on a walk there. In my town, there's a leash law and all dogs are supposed to be leashed on public property. We saw about ten other dogs on our walk today, all big dogs and only one of them was leashed (besides our dog).

So, on about 3 different occasions, one or more dogs bounded up to us (sometimes with the owner not in sight yet) and I would pick up our dog until the others passed. Our dog would growl but also cower. I told him, "It's OK" and that seemed to reassure hime. A few times when the other dogs were gentle and obeyed their owners commands, I left him on the ground and we passed without incident. A couple of times we passed people without dogs, and he didn't growl (although he growls at people from the car window, and in our home.)

So what do you all do when you meet another dog? I have a feeling I'm making him more nervous by picking him up, but I don't want a nasty confrontation or dog fight.

Thanks! I've been reading the forums a lot and find it really helpful.

yorkiemini · 04-05-2014, 02:45 PM

Welcome to YT! Glad you joined us!

First of all your dog may not be well socialized since you don't know the background, so you are going to be have to be very patient with him/her.

About the lose dogs -- I live I a small suburban area that has leash laws as well -- when we are approached by unleashed dogs I call the police to enforce the law. We have been accosted by large unleashed dogs way to often for me to risk my little dog ( or myself) around them. Believe it or not my actions have earned me a number of new friends. On the big trails I carry a large umbrella, CCW and a police quality taser.

Seems every spring I end up with a few stitches due to unleashed dogs so my tolerance is zero. Most of the big dogs weigh more than I do I have learned.

Your pup may feel threatened if he has a history with aggressive dogs/people.

sandy simpson · 04-05-2014, 07:25 PM

You better carry something or not take your dog out. You take a big chance of being attacked and you will get the bite if you are holding your dog. Carry some type of mace. I know when I went to Bass Pro shop they carried a spray can of mace type stuff. Big dogs will terrorize your Yorkie. Be careful!

BLowry · 04-06-2014, 05:33 AM

We have 3 yorkies...sizes range from 9 lbs down to 4 lbs. when we are out for walks and see bigger dogs we always pick them up or move to the other side. My older yorkie tends to be dog aggressive...she wouldn't have a chance against a larger dog...actually if the other dog decided to attack none of them would have a chance...I am very protective of my fur baby's

Maximo · 04-06-2014, 05:46 AM

Welcome to Yorkie Talk.

We have leash laws too that so many people ignore. It is a big source of my frustration that I can't safely walk my dogs in most places, including our neighborhood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by momofonly

So what do you all do when you meet another dog? I have a feeling I'm making him more nervous by picking him up, but I don't want a nasty confrontation or dog fight.

Picking up our dogs is terrible for training, but necessary for safety. I will not allow my leashed dogs to greet an unleashed dog, especially larger dogs I don't know.

Even when the other dogs are leashed, I observe them and their humans before I allow a greeting.

gemy · 04-06-2014, 10:58 AM

I won't say never, just never yet have I picked up Razzle when a large dog approaches, either leased or unleashed. But I try always to be prepared. That means shortening up the lead, observing very closely the approach. He is always walked on a halter as well. This means very quickly I could pull him up out of harms reach.

This is a delicate balancing act for sure. To help your dog "safely" not to be afaird of larger dogs, but to actually try to keep your dog safe from other dogs.... without instilling a fear in your dog.

I don't know quite frankly what is the right answer for you and your dog. I think that there are many variables in play. How quick you are to re-act, how aggressive your Yorkie is, how strong or dominant you are.....

KazzyK810 · 04-06-2014, 11:29 AM

Thankfully, it is very rare to encounter an unleashed dog on walks on our community trails. We do however encounter plenty of idiots walking their dogs with those extendable flexi type leashes, which is almost as bad, as the uncontrolled dog gets to run up and lunge at you. I've giving up being nice, and now loudly yell at them to "control your dog!" The more people are around, the louder I say it, as I want the person to be embarrassed about their annoying dog...as I said, three years of now walking ZoE..I've lost the patience for nice.

I usually don't pick Zo up, but I'm always prepared to do it. I hold the leash handle in my left hand, have the leash across the front of my body, and hold the leash lower down with my right hand so she's right next to my right leg, heeled, as she should be.

We've practiced "up!" Which means I pull on the leash with my right hand and she jumps up as I lift her into my left arm, leaving my right hand completely free should I need to throw a punch at any potential attacker!

yorkietalkjilly · 04-06-2014, 12:46 PM

If you truly sense danger, I would pick the dog up as a large dog can be on your dog is the fraction of a second if they launch toward you and cover 25 feet in literally 2 - 3 seconds if you happen to look away just as they launch. Years back, I had my 3 lb. Yorkie attacked by a 65 lb. dog out on a walk and the ONLY thing that saved her was a walking stick I picked up on our way out the door, so some form of protection is actually necessary in today's reality. After emergency surgery that evening, my baby healed, rehabbed and, thankfully, wasn't fearful of large dogs after that!

The truth of the world that has more big, powerful, off-leash dogs than ever in it is that you and your dog are just not safe out walking without something that you can rely on to dissuade or fight off a large, aggressive dog. I carry a large, button-open umbrella when out on walks and if an off-leash bully approaches, I just use my spare hand to press the button and whoosh that big thing open out in front of us and most big dogs just fade away out of fear of the whole process they just saw and heard.

momofonly · 04-06-2014, 01:20 PM

Thanks for all of the great replies. I think that I will just take him for walks in my neighborhood and the public parks where I don't see off-leash dogs. I think some people think of the woods as the place to let big, energetic dogs have free reign, even if it's not allowed. My goal is to get him to be less fearful of visitors and strangers, and that probably won't happen if I keep having to pick him up when we encounter strange unleashed dogs.

What do you all think of dog playgroups? There are a few for small dogs in my area. Would it help my dog to be less fearful of the unknown?

Thanks!

yorkietalkjilly · 04-06-2014, 01:38 PM

I think I misunderstood you. If you are interested in socializing him, allowing him to approach and play with other, non-threatening dogs will help him lose his fear of them. Taking him for very short, very frequent visits to the pet store where a lot of dogs are usually restrained on leashes or in arms or carts might be a start. If he shakes dreadfully, some private sessions playing with another single dog might help him begin to adjust to another dog and then take the two of them walking together or meet up on a few walks.

Desensitizing him to allowing strange people and dogs to pass might be helped if you took along a pouch of boiled chicken to treat him and keep his attention on the food while others approach and pass w/out any bad thing happening to him at the same time he's being offered delicious, warm chicken to snack on. In time, he could associate people and dogs approaching with good things happening and begin to accept them as you keep on working with him. In time, if he begins to stop shaking or acting nervous as they approach, asking them to stand still and allow you two to approach them and walk right by for a few times might show him there is nothing to fear and make him wish to stop one time and sniff butts and begin a visit with another dog.

Many dogs are more fearful and nervous when on the leash when encountering strange dogs as they feel like victims on the leash - sensing they are captive to it and subject to anything that other dog or person might want to do to them. The best way to warm two dogs up to each other is to allow them to approach on leash, watch their body language to be sure no fight is brewing and then, unleash them both if you are in a fenced area. That way neither of them feels constrained or victimized by the leash keeping him from defending himself and he's way more at ease with a strange dog, realizing he's free to meet, sniff, play, run or rise up or fight or whatever he might need to do to protect himself, so he's not in a frozen, anxious or belligerent mood, he's more relaxed and naturally friendly with another calm, submissive dog.

momofonly · 04-06-2014, 03:57 PM

I had initially wrote a long background about my dog, but it didn't post so I wrote a shorter version. My dog was very friendly to everyone and other dogs in the shelter (or so we were told), and when we took him home he was great with us. Before him, I had two purebred chihuahuas that died of old age. Until the "beta" dog got very old, I used to put them upstairs when small children came over, because I didn't want any bites or other incidents. They were quite yappy and fearful towards kids especially. When the alpha dog died, the "beta" dog became very passive and stopped barking at visitors.

So, I thought this new dog would be great and social with everyone and I could have them out when people visited. Well, as soon as we had our first visitor, that theory went out the window. He was barking and growling as soon as they looked at him. I had a trainer work with him. She basically said I had to take control and show him I'm in charge- pretty much by squirting him with water when he won't obey the "quiet" command. That stopped the crazy barking, but not the growling. The vet told me that he's growling out of fear. Both our vet and our groomer were able to calm him, although he acted aggressively with them initially.

My goal is really to be able to have a dog that isn't afraid of/aggressive with my guests. Also, it would be nice if he didn't bark at people from the car window. I want to be able to take him out in public without him stressing out basically.

Thanks!

sportschick · 04-08-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momofonly

Hi, I just joined and this is my first post. I have a yorkie/chihuahua mix. I got her from a shelter. He was found as a stray so not much is known about his history but his age is estimated to be about 3 years old. He is very sweet and loving with the family but fearful and "growly" with strangers.

My town has some lovely, wooded public conservation land. Today my daughter and I took our dog on a walk there. In my town, there's a leash law and all dogs are supposed to be leashed on public property. We saw about ten other dogs on our walk today, all big dogs and only one of them was leashed (besides our dog).

So, on about 3 different occasions, one or more dogs bounded up to us (sometimes with the owner not in sight yet) and I would pick up our dog until the others passed. Our dog would growl but also cower. I told him, "It's OK" and that seemed to reassure hime. A few times when the other dogs were gentle and obeyed their owners commands, I left him on the ground and we passed without incident. A couple of times we passed people without dogs, and he didn't growl (although he growls at people from the car window, and in our home.)

So what do you all do when you meet another dog? I have a feeling I'm making him more nervous by picking him up, but I don't want a nasty confrontation or dog fight.

Thanks! I've been reading the forums a lot and find it really helpful.

Hi, I can totally relate to what you are saying. My dog has decided that she is going to turn into the Tasmaian Devil when she passes by certain dogs. I live in a city and pass by tons of dogs. She got attacked last year by a Husky and since then she has found her voice when seeing other dog. I mean, she goes NUTS. I have decided that I am taking my squirt bottle with me on walks and squirtiing her when she does this. I cannot have her acting like this as it is not safe for either of us. If any of the dogs I encounter EVER get away from their owner, she is dead and I am mauled.

I walked past a police station last night and there was a Hound From Hell German Shepard in a police cruiser. That do took one look at my dog and went so nuts that the cruiser was shaking!! MY DOG, thought it was a good idea to try and get to the dog in the cruiser. I pulled her back and she flipped over and almost landed in a pile of glass that I didn't see because I was so busy trying to get her away from the dog in the cruiser.

What the he!! is it with these dogs that they think is a really good idea to act like this with other dogs??? The thing is, there are some dogs we come across that she is FINE with!!!

deea · 04-22-2014, 04:37 AM

I NEED HELP!!! I have a 5 years old yorkie, male, neutered.I have him since he was 12 weeks old and when he was a puppy his was aggressive ( when i tried to clean his ears etc) so I spoke with my vet.He told me about puppy classes and neutering. We did all of this and he was never aggressive again, we went to puppy classes for long time because he enjoyed so much and everybody from there liked him. He was playing all the time with all kind of dogs, male, female, big, small. We never had any problem with other dogs. In the last 2 years i realised he is acting weird. Started to snap at some dogs, most of them males, now he snaps at all dogs, any sizes, any gender.He is nice just with 2 dogs( neighbours) he met when we moved, 2 years ago. I payed a behaviourist, we follow a program like no sofa, no bed, no jumping etc. one day per week is going to daycare.He told the dog is acting like this because he is afraid of other dogs. Is stressful to go for a walk, I don't let him to have contact with other dogs because I feel he can real bite anytime.Do you have any tips? I love my dog so much and I try to do everything I can to help him. I know is not ok to take your dog in your arms when you walk. thank you guys for reading

MarkFromSea · 04-22-2014, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momofonly

Hi, I just joined and this is my first post. I have a yorkie/chihuahua mix. I got her from a shelter. He was found as a stray so not much is known about his history but his age is estimated to be about 3 years old. He is very sweet and loving with the family but fearful and "growly" with strangers.

My town has some lovely, wooded public conservation land. Today my daughter and I took our dog on a walk there. In my town, there's a leash law and all dogs are supposed to be leashed on public property. We saw about ten other dogs on our walk today, all big dogs and only one of them was leashed (besides our dog).

So, on about 3 different occasions, one or more dogs bounded up to us (sometimes with the owner not in sight yet) and I would pick up our dog until the others passed. Our dog would growl but also cower. I told him, "It's OK" and that seemed to reassure hime. A few times when the other dogs were gentle and obeyed their owners commands, I left him on the ground and we passed without incident. A couple of times we passed people without dogs, and he didn't growl (although he growls at people from the car window, and in our home.)

So what do you all do when you meet another dog? I have a feeling I'm making him more nervous by picking him up, but I don't want a nasty confrontation or dog fight.

Thanks! I've been reading the forums a lot and find it really helpful.

Be as careful as you want to be and maybe even a bit more... cause it only takes a second for a big dog to kill a little dog.... once, a big dog approached, all the signs of friendliness showing, I relaxed my guard, the dogs sniffed, then the big dog nipped just the skin, of our yorkie, Gucci felt pain,. Happened so fast..... no chance of stopping it.... I punched the dog in the nose, it left quickly. I should have just prevented it in the first place... and I have ever since...

momofonly · 06-30-2014, 07:45 AM

Here's an update:

My dog has become a lot less fearful on walks, and usually doesn't growl at people. Last week we were walking in our neighborhood when we saw another small dog (possibly a pug mix) with its owner, on a leash in its yard. I kept my dog close to me as we passed, the other dog owner and I said hi, and the other dog growled at my dog (Poco). Poco did not growl back. After we passed them, the other dog (on a retractable leash, it turns out) ran up to us and went after Poco. It sort of looked like play-wrestling that my chihuahuas used to do, only this dog wasn't playing. Strangely, Poco didn't fight back at all. I expected the dog's owner to remove him immediately, but I guess she was having trouble with the leash, because she couldn't get him off. So I picked up Poco, and didn't get bit and Poco was OK. No bites or scratches on him. The owner apologized profusely and had to untangle me from the leash. I thought this attack would set Poco back but he seems pretty unfazed by it. I am more nervous now though, because I think it could have been a lot worse. The owner thought her dog was scared, but I think it's interesting that he waited until we had passed to attack. Sounds like an aggressive dog to me more than a fearful one. I hope she will be more careful with her dog and stop using a retractable leash. In the meantime, I will be very wary if and when we pass that house again.

04-05-2014, 02:20 PM	#1
momofonly YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9	Dealing with other dogs in public Hi, I just joined and this is my first post. I have a yorkie/chihuahua mix. I got her from a shelter. He was found as a stray so not much is known about his history but his age is estimated to be about 3 years old. He is very sweet and loving with the family but fearful and "growly" with strangers. My town has some lovely, wooded public conservation land. Today my daughter and I took our dog on a walk there. In my town, there's a leash law and all dogs are supposed to be leashed on public property. We saw about ten other dogs on our walk today, all big dogs and only one of them was leashed (besides our dog). So, on about 3 different occasions, one or more dogs bounded up to us (sometimes with the owner not in sight yet) and I would pick up our dog until the others passed. Our dog would growl but also cower. I told him, "It's OK" and that seemed to reassure hime. A few times when the other dogs were gentle and obeyed their owners commands, I left him on the ground and we passed without incident. A couple of times we passed people without dogs, and he didn't growl (although he growls at people from the car window, and in our home.) So what do you all do when you meet another dog? I have a feeling I'm making him more nervous by picking him up, but I don't want a nasty confrontation or dog fight. Thanks! I've been reading the forums a lot and find it really helpful.

04-05-2014, 02:45 PM	#2
yorkiemini Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Posts: 4,285	Welcome to YT! Glad you joined us! First of all your dog may not be well socialized since you don't know the background, so you are going to be have to be very patient with him/her. About the lose dogs -- I live I a small suburban area that has leash laws as well -- when we are approached by unleashed dogs I call the police to enforce the law. We have been accosted by large unleashed dogs way to often for me to risk my little dog ( or myself) around them. Believe it or not my actions have earned me a number of new friends. On the big trails I carry a large umbrella, CCW and a police quality taser. Seems every spring I end up with a few stitches due to unleashed dogs so my tolerance is zero. Most of the big dogs weigh more than I do I have learned. Your pup may feel threatened if he has a history with aggressive dogs/people. __________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car

04-05-2014, 07:25 PM	#3
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog You better carry something or not take your dog out. You take a big chance of being attacked and you will get the bite if you are holding your dog. Carry some type of mace. I know when I went to Bass Pro shop they carried a spray can of mace type stuff. Big dogs will terrorize your Yorkie. Be careful!

04-06-2014, 05:33 AM	#4
BLowry My furkids Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,625 Blog Entries: 1	We have 3 yorkies...sizes range from 9 lbs down to 4 lbs. when we are out for walks and see bigger dogs we always pick them up or move to the other side. My older yorkie tends to be dog aggressive...she wouldn't have a chance against a larger dog...actually if the other dog decided to attack none of them would have a chance...I am very protective of my fur baby's __________________ Brenda

04-06-2014, 10:58 AM	#6
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,335 Blog Entries: 2	I won't say never, just never yet have I picked up Razzle when a large dog approaches, either leased or unleashed. But I try always to be prepared. That means shortening up the lead, observing very closely the approach. He is always walked on a halter as well. This means very quickly I could pull him up out of harms reach. This is a delicate balancing act for sure. To help your dog "safely" not to be afaird of larger dogs, but to actually try to keep your dog safe from other dogs.... without instilling a fear in your dog. I don't know quite frankly what is the right answer for you and your dog. I think that there are many variables in play. How quick you are to re-act, how aggressive your Yorkie is, how strong or dominant you are..... __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

04-06-2014, 11:29 AM	#7
KazzyK810 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK Posts: 4,119	Thankfully, it is very rare to encounter an unleashed dog on walks on our community trails. We do however encounter plenty of idiots walking their dogs with those extendable flexi type leashes, which is almost as bad, as the uncontrolled dog gets to run up and lunge at you. I've giving up being nice, and now loudly yell at them to "control your dog!" The more people are around, the louder I say it, as I want the person to be embarrassed about their annoying dog...as I said, three years of now walking ZoE..I've lost the patience for nice. I usually don't pick Zo up, but I'm always prepared to do it. I hold the leash handle in my left hand, have the leash across the front of my body, and hold the leash lower down with my right hand so she's right next to my right leg, heeled, as she should be. We've practiced "up!" Which means I pull on the leash with my right hand and she jumps up as I lift her into my left arm, leaving my right hand completely free should I need to throw a punch at any potential attacker! __________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea )

04-06-2014, 12:46 PM	#8
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	If you truly sense danger, I would pick the dog up as a large dog can be on your dog is the fraction of a second if they launch toward you and cover 25 feet in literally 2 - 3 seconds if you happen to look away just as they launch. Years back, I had my 3 lb. Yorkie attacked by a 65 lb. dog out on a walk and the ONLY thing that saved her was a walking stick I picked up on our way out the door, so some form of protection is actually necessary in today's reality. After emergency surgery that evening, my baby healed, rehabbed and, thankfully, wasn't fearful of large dogs after that! The truth of the world that has more big, powerful, off-leash dogs than ever in it is that you and your dog are just not safe out walking without something that you can rely on to dissuade or fight off a large, aggressive dog. I carry a large, button-open umbrella when out on walks and if an off-leash bully approaches, I just use my spare hand to press the button and whoosh that big thing open out in front of us and most big dogs just fade away out of fear of the whole process they just saw and heard. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

04-06-2014, 01:20 PM	#9
momofonly YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9	Thanks for all of the great replies. I think that I will just take him for walks in my neighborhood and the public parks where I don't see off-leash dogs. I think some people think of the woods as the place to let big, energetic dogs have free reign, even if it's not allowed. My goal is to get him to be less fearful of visitors and strangers, and that probably won't happen if I keep having to pick him up when we encounter strange unleashed dogs. What do you all think of dog playgroups? There are a few for small dogs in my area. Would it help my dog to be less fearful of the unknown? Thanks!

04-06-2014, 01:38 PM	#10
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	I think I misunderstood you. If you are interested in socializing him, allowing him to approach and play with other, non-threatening dogs will help him lose his fear of them. Taking him for very short, very frequent visits to the pet store where a lot of dogs are usually restrained on leashes or in arms or carts might be a start. If he shakes dreadfully, some private sessions playing with another single dog might help him begin to adjust to another dog and then take the two of them walking together or meet up on a few walks. Desensitizing him to allowing strange people and dogs to pass might be helped if you took along a pouch of boiled chicken to treat him and keep his attention on the food while others approach and pass w/out any bad thing happening to him at the same time he's being offered delicious, warm chicken to snack on. In time, he could associate people and dogs approaching with good things happening and begin to accept them as you keep on working with him. In time, if he begins to stop shaking or acting nervous as they approach, asking them to stand still and allow you two to approach them and walk right by for a few times might show him there is nothing to fear and make him wish to stop one time and sniff butts and begin a visit with another dog. Many dogs are more fearful and nervous when on the leash when encountering strange dogs as they feel like victims on the leash - sensing they are captive to it and subject to anything that other dog or person might want to do to them. The best way to warm two dogs up to each other is to allow them to approach on leash, watch their body language to be sure no fight is brewing and then, unleash them both if you are in a fenced area. That way neither of them feels constrained or victimized by the leash keeping him from defending himself and he's way more at ease with a strange dog, realizing he's free to meet, sniff, play, run or rise up or fight or whatever he might need to do to protect himself, so he's not in a frozen, anxious or belligerent mood, he's more relaxed and naturally friendly with another calm, submissive dog. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

04-06-2014, 03:57 PM	#11
momofonly YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9	I had initially wrote a long background about my dog, but it didn't post so I wrote a shorter version. My dog was very friendly to everyone and other dogs in the shelter (or so we were told), and when we took him home he was great with us. Before him, I had two purebred chihuahuas that died of old age. Until the "beta" dog got very old, I used to put them upstairs when small children came over, because I didn't want any bites or other incidents. They were quite yappy and fearful towards kids especially. When the alpha dog died, the "beta" dog became very passive and stopped barking at visitors. So, I thought this new dog would be great and social with everyone and I could have them out when people visited. Well, as soon as we had our first visitor, that theory went out the window. He was barking and growling as soon as they looked at him. I had a trainer work with him. She basically said I had to take control and show him I'm in charge- pretty much by squirting him with water when he won't obey the "quiet" command. That stopped the crazy barking, but not the growling. The vet told me that he's growling out of fear. Both our vet and our groomer were able to calm him, although he acted aggressively with them initially. My goal is really to be able to have a dog that isn't afraid of/aggressive with my guests. Also, it would be nice if he didn't bark at people from the car window. I want to be able to take him out in public without him stressing out basically. Thanks!

04-22-2014, 04:37 AM	#13
deea Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: UK Posts: 12	I NEED HELP!!! I have a 5 years old yorkie, male, neutered.I have him since he was 12 weeks old and when he was a puppy his was aggressive ( when i tried to clean his ears etc) so I spoke with my vet.He told me about puppy classes and neutering. We did all of this and he was never aggressive again, we went to puppy classes for long time because he enjoyed so much and everybody from there liked him. He was playing all the time with all kind of dogs, male, female, big, small. We never had any problem with other dogs. In the last 2 years i realised he is acting weird. Started to snap at some dogs, most of them males, now he snaps at all dogs, any sizes, any gender.He is nice just with 2 dogs( neighbours) he met when we moved, 2 years ago. I payed a behaviourist, we follow a program like no sofa, no bed, no jumping etc. one day per week is going to daycare.He told the dog is acting like this because he is afraid of other dogs. Is stressful to go for a walk, I don't let him to have contact with other dogs because I feel he can real bite anytime.Do you have any tips? I love my dog so much and I try to do everything I can to help him. I know is not ok to take your dog in your arms when you walk. thank you guys for reading

06-30-2014, 07:45 AM	#15
momofonly YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 9	Here's an update: My dog has become a lot less fearful on walks, and usually doesn't growl at people. Last week we were walking in our neighborhood when we saw another small dog (possibly a pug mix) with its owner, on a leash in its yard. I kept my dog close to me as we passed, the other dog owner and I said hi, and the other dog growled at my dog (Poco). Poco did not growl back. After we passed them, the other dog (on a retractable leash, it turns out) ran up to us and went after Poco. It sort of looked like play-wrestling that my chihuahuas used to do, only this dog wasn't playing. Strangely, Poco didn't fight back at all. I expected the dog's owner to remove him immediately, but I guess she was having trouble with the leash, because she couldn't get him off. So I picked up Poco, and didn't get bit and Poco was OK. No bites or scratches on him. The owner apologized profusely and had to untangle me from the leash. I thought this attack would set Poco back but he seems pretty unfazed by it. I am more nervous now though, because I think it could have been a lot worse. The owner thought her dog was scared, but I think it's interesting that he waited until we had passed to attack. Sounds like an aggressive dog to me more than a fearful one. I hope she will be more careful with her dog and stop using a retractable leash. In the meantime, I will be very wary if and when we pass that house again.