How to stop my girl from wanting to bite

[SinatraFrankie]

I have a two year old. She is my world, I love her. She sleeps with me and is by my side from the time I get home until I leave for work. She's so loving toward me, my husband and grandson. But she hates everyone else. She wants to bite everyone but us. Please help me figure out why she does this. I would love to hear from anyone else that has this problem. I will say that my grandson is the only child she likes. I do know its because he normally sleeps with me when he visits and he has handled her since she came home to me at 12 weeks old. I've had two vets tell me this is normal for Yorkies. But I have an 11 year old one that would'nt hurt a flea...

[Lisa and Pic]

I don't have any answers for you but hopefully someone does. Do you think it is fear aggression or resource guarding?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by SinatraFrankie

I have a two year old. She is my world, I love her. She sleeps with me and is by my side from the time I get home until I leave for work. She's so loving toward me, my husband and grandson. But she hates everyone else. She wants to bite everyone but us. Please help me figure out why she does this. I would love to hear from anyone else that has this problem. I will say that my grandson is the only child she likes. I do know its because he normally sleeps with me when he visits and he has handled her since she came home to me at 12 weeks old. I've had two vets tell me this is normal for Yorkies. But I have an 11 year old one that would'nt hurt a flea...

She's resource-guarding you three as many unstable dogs tend to do in time. Time for some re-training. Non-aggressive or more settled dogs never need this type of guidance as it comes innately to some of them. It's only "normal" for owners who haven't established clear, loving, responsible leadership roles with their dogs to soon fall "victim" to their whims. We all pretty much start out that way and either learn as we go to do better or the dogs take over, begin to steer us in the way they like, however unstable. Our dogs see us as their best resource, the avenue to all they desire and never being taught differently, began to get idea to first curry favor with us as puppies and then, begin to manipulate us into behaviors they think they need, wanting us all for themselves, never having been taught differently. Time for Mom/Dad to step in and teach them a different way.

Stay upbeat, not angry, but immediately halt all attempts on your dog's part to take control. The moment your dog fixates on someone with intent to back them off or harm them - wide, fixated eyes, intensely glaring at them, ears alert, the body stiff, tail stiff or gradually wagging and mouth tense(not happy, open & smiling), growls, acts belligerently or even acts too fast and snaps at them before you know it, you suddenly stand up with a loud, firm "NO!", clapping your hands and then pointing at her/him and advancing quickly right into them, forcing her/him to back off and turn away, staring them down as a wolf parent might do an unruly pup or pack member.

Just as important is the "No Free Lunch" program. Take up their bowls, their toys, any stashes of resources they have around the house and now your little one must learn to show obedience to you before getting anything. The most unruly dogs quickly love it as they are required to "ask" first before they get anything they want or need, which they soon learn by accommodating whatever you ask of them before they get what they want: up on the couch, the bed, a cuddle, access to their water bowl(the 1st 2 weeks of training only), dinner, a treat, toy, or to go potty or walk outside. They never get to walk in front of you. They are learning to show you respect and obedience and, in the process, how to be a team member, work with you for positive rewards. Always make your requests in a matter-of-fact, friendly, happy voice and never snapping out harsh commands. They come to realize they can learn to do what you ask and are always getting high praise and reward for doing it and they feel smart, part of the team and slowly they begin to try to stop always trying to run the pack anymore - realizing Mom and Dad are in control, will ALWAYS love, care for and provide for me but I, in turn, as a member of this little pack, learn to obey them as my part. Dogs are like unruly toddlers who are far better and happier, safer, when not left to run things as they want but as Mom says, even though they think they know better. Soon they learn that keeping Mom and Dad happy with them gains them far more than misbehavior.

By requiring certain behaviors that teach our sweet babies patience and restraint, dogs slowly learn that you have taken over their little pack and will always love them, never scare or hurt them or neglect them, but that now, you are requiring they show you the act of respect by performing a certain act before they get their wants and needs met. You are no longer their manipulated"patsy". Believe this or not, smart, savvy dogs LOVE the act of performing a request/command of ours and getting our sudden, loving response, showing we appreciate how very smart they are. They preen and glory in that praise and teamwork situation. Dogs, like kids, need structure and knowing they can count on us to feel settled, secure and happy in their homes as members, not leaders, of it. Once they know Mom/Dad are in full, loving control and their needs will be met, they lose their need to control things, resource guarding tendency and glady relinquish leadership to us, no longer feeling they must keep us all to themselves or they won't get what they need. Frankly, it takes the monkey off their backs and they can settle into their proper roles in our little family, way happier, settled, secure and fulfilled then they were.

If your dog has no obedience training, teach her or him to sit or shake hands or whatever you'd like before getting his/her request met. Always generously praise and reward that behavior w/in 8 seconds with whatever treat or toy your dog most loves. Your dog will soon respond more quickly to each request and even start to learn to always "ask" before doing most things for the quick, positive feedback they ALWAYS get from you. They soon become a happy, willing partner to this new program for the feeling of responsiblity and pride in themselves for they teamwork feeling they acquire along the way. You become a happier, more loving team.

There are many "No Free Lunch" programs on the internet, all of them free, just take the time to read and adopt which one works best for you and your dog. And if you are half-interested or too busy to care to take this positive-reinforcement training on, just learn to accept that your sweet, loving baby might soon become a biter of anyone who does something they disagree with, even you or your grandson. It's all about loving them enough to take on gentle, caring leadership. Trust me, you'll all love each other better and meet each others' needs better when everyone plays their proper role in your family. Hugs and happy times!!!

[ChibiLuv]

Just wanted to update we’ve been working on trade and no free lunch and he’s doing much better. We are working on him having a softer mouth, I think he just never had training before he came to us

[nanajoy]

I will admit that we are both fairly lenient with our boys, and they are greatly spoiled, BUT they do understand that there are behaviors that we will not tolerate. Our recent training around their behavior while walking the neighborhood is going wonderfully, and I now feel much more comfortable with their behavior around other people and pets...no more barking, pulling on harnesses, etc. We might even be able to travel more comfortably with them when things in the country improve. They have always been polite when we stop in at their familiar pet-friendly hotels along our routes to visit family, but rest stop breaks were always a bit hairy/unpredictable if crowded when we had three dogs along.

[Ken_AC4RD]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but we had a weird Yorkie experience yesterday.

Cricket, around one year old, stray rescued, been with us around 3 weeks. We have a big place in our yard that is 3 feet lower, at the top, than the yard around it. (They meet up at the bottom of the yard. Yesterday I was talking to my neighbor on that side, and Cricket "made friends" with this neighbor by barking, growling, and savagely showing her teeth. (All of our previous dogs just loved this neighbor, he's a very nice person.)

Anyway, after the talk, I started back to the main yard. Cricket was at the drop-off where the ground sinks, and she showed how much she loves her daddy by barking, growling, and savagely showing her teeth. We both thought she was going to attack me, though I came back up because she's not permitted to attack me.

Yorkie behavior: Once I was up from the low place, she was her usual friendly self. When I went back down there to get her tennis ball ("fetch" is a one-way command most of the time), I was an enemy to be attacked. The instant I was back up in the main yard, I was once again a family member.

And I thought SCOTTIES had strange behaviors. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

By the way, don't get me wrong--she's still my darling little sweetheart and last night she sat in my lap so I could cuddle her. It appears to be only when I'm in that low place that I'm the Hamburglar or Godzilla or something that needs to be attacked. :-/

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Ken_AC4RD

I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but we had a weird Yorkie experience yesterday.

Cricket, around one year old, stray rescued, been with us around 3 weeks. We have a big place in our yard that is 3 feet lower, at the top, than the yard around it. (They meet up at the bottom of the yard. Yesterday I was talking to my neighbor on that side, and Cricket "made friends" with this neighbor by barking, growling, and savagely showing her teeth. (All of our previous dogs just loved this neighbor, he's a very nice person.)

Anyway, after the talk, I started back to the main yard. Cricket was at the drop-off where the ground sinks, and she showed how much she loves her daddy by barking, growling, and savagely showing her teeth. We both thought she was going to attack me, though I came back up because she's not permitted to attack me.

Yorkie behavior: Once I was up from the low place, she was her usual friendly self. When I went back down there to get her tennis ball ("fetch" is a one-way command most of the time), I was an enemy to be attacked. The instant I was back up in the main yard, I was once again a family member.

And I thought SCOTTIES had strange behaviors. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

By the way, don't get me wrong--she's still my darling little sweetheart and last night she sat in my lap so I could cuddle her. It appears to be only when I'm in that low place that I'm the Hamburglar or Godzilla or something that needs to be attacked. :-/

The incident may have recalled to mind some previous fright or harm that befell your little one in their previous life, an incident that strongly marked them, causing a reaction in fear, trying to threaten any human that they think might try to put them there again.

Any time a new rescue/foster would initially threaten me, before a bond of trust had been established, I'd instantly scowl, say "NO!" thunderously, clap my hands loudly as I advanced on them, angrily glowering and pointing at them, as I held their eyes and walked purposely right into them, causing them to back off, turn away or just lie down,- some would even rollover to expose their belly in an act of submission; but they quickly were schooled to understand they were not in control of the situation. I would quickly roll the overly-submissive dog back over realizing they were overly fearful, submissive, not ever wanting to promote that feeling in a dog in my care.

I'd then revert to normal behavior, turning my back on the dog, walking away, slapping my hand against my leg as a signal to follow me, which they always did, usually trying to curry favor now that they'd regained themselves, realizing they'd stepped out of bounds. I never got angry, showed further displeasure but quickly worked to resume normal activities so as to distract the dog's mind from his momentary ugly reactions.

I only advise this type of reaction to dog threatening behavior to a confident dog handler who doesn't fear dogs or even getting bit, as if one is not truly confident in all oneself, the dog senses the insecurity and may attack, bite, as dogs fear an unstable, insecure leader, thinking they'd better establish boundaries for such a weak leader. LOL, of course nobody fears any-sized Yorkie or Westie's bite or attack however hard they might try but it's just a word of caution that unless you aren't fearless around an unstable-acting dog of any size, don't try it, your dog will see right through it.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Ken_AC4RD

By the way, don't get me wrong--she's still my darling little sweetheart and last night she sat in my lap so I could cuddle her. It appears to be only when I'm in that low place that I'm the Hamburglar or Godzilla or something that needs to be attacked. :-/

LOL, that you'll forever love her is a given. Because you adore her, you want to teach her what your boundaries are, learn those of hers we can accept, just as we do with everyone we love at the beginning of a new relationship.

Calm, temporary, appropriate discipline of a dog's misbehavior isn't meant as punishment but as a measure of our love and devotion, used as a teaching tool to show our adored little one that we disagree w/inappropriate behavior they've just demonstrated. Likewise, when our little darling just behaved in a way we like, we happily show them we approve w/loving praise/treats, again, as a teaching tool of our love. Soon, our baby learns what is expected from us, respects the boundaries we've established, loves that we allow her appropriate boundaries we respect, and they work hard to keep us pleased with and proud of them.

[xxintek]

My baby is mouthy too! She loved fingers, and ankles! Every time she was calm i would give her a treat. If she would bite me i wouldnt yell or make a big fuss, i just ignored her play. She caught on quick because she didnt want to be lonely.
*edit* I dont agree with the no free lunch training. It will cause resource hording and food aggression.