Senior Rescue Yorkie Starting Biting
 

We have an 8 year old Yorkie that we rescued from a family before he went to a shelter. We had a fabulous Yorkie for 11 years, but lost him to heart problems. We have had Riley for about a year and a half. We've spent over $2000 on trainers including a two week boarding training. He's a sweet dog 90% of the time. He goes berserk if the doorbell rings or he sees/hears another dog. We know he was being attacked by a large dog at his previous owner, but know little more. Riley does not easily relate to new people who visit our home, but accepts them after we have demonstrated they are not a threat. He has some quirks that we can live with, but he has now started biting. He will be laying on the couch napping beside my wife and will jump up and nip her. No triggering event that we can find. This weekend Riley bit our 6 year old grandson on the ear. Same situation, no triggering event we can imagine. Riley has bitten my wife during one of his doorbell tantrums requiring antibiotic treatments. At the suggestion of the vet he is already on Prozac and Trazodone and those have helped, but not eradicated the behaviors. The problem is that these events are increasing in frequency with 4 biting events in the last week. None have broken the skin but have left red marks. The vet referred us to a veterinary behaviorist, but he has not contacted us as requested. We really do not want to give up on Riley, but we are considering it. We can't have a dog in the house that is a threat to our family.

Any ideas from all you fellow Yorkie owners? We've read most of the related posts on Yorkietalk and can't fink a solution.

Babs and Shaw

Has he had a full check up since the bitting started? It could be a pain reaction. Are you positive y’all aren’t startling him at all?

Hope you find some help for this baby.

Hi Babs and Shaw,

I'm so sorry you and your fur-love are going through this. Bless you for rescuing Riley. Sending you prayers that this phase of Riley's development can be successfully addressed. Also hopeful the behavioralist will be in contact soon.

I am not a behavioralist, but understand the significant concern of having a dog in the home that has nipped at others in the home.

If the vet has ruled out masked pain, then I would (again, not a behaviorist) assume there is a trigger—one that I’m likely not aware of or hearing. Has the vet taken x-rays or blood tests?

How does he behave at the vet—with the vet and the technicians? How does he behave with the groomer?

Do you take him on long walks regularly—on a leash with harness and in a variety of location/surroundings?

What were the training aides that the boarded training staff make use of? (Treats, clickers, etc.)

Does he regularly take short trips with you—to the pet store, hardware store, other places where pets are welcome? How does Riley behave during the walk?

What do you folks do now when Riley misbehaves—barks at doorbell or when he sees/hears other dogs, nips at the kiddies or at one of you?

I assume your sweetie has been fixed. Is that the case?

See article at YorkieInfoCenter, "Yorkie Aggression issues."

Some on YT do not approve of Cesar Millan’s training techniques and have criticized references to his work, but he has an article, The rundown on aggression," cesar's way.

Have you read the article on PetMD, When Your Dog is Overly Aggressive Towards Other Dogs," (n.d.?), PetMD.[/QUOTE]

Again, I am not a behavioralist, but my heart is sad that you and yours are dealing with this tough situation. Bless you for loving and caring for this sweetie.

Again, I am not a behavioralist, but my heart is sad that you and yours are dealing with this tough situation. Bless you for loving and caring for this sweetie.[/QUOTE]

The problem with Cesar is he had no training he issentually made things up and has no science behind his methods that are risky to the dogs as well as many of this methods have been debunked. I doubt you will find any real trainer back his methods. It’s much better to go with a certified trainer or behavioralist especially when dealing with something so sensitive as aggression.