dominance issue/advice - YorkieTalk.com Forums

daimbert · 08-21-2006, 05:43 PM

I really love my little nemo but we have been having some serious behavior problems that I cannot seem to stop. For the most part he seems to be pretty good but once or twice a day he becomes overally hyper and won't stop biting when playing and won't listen to commands at all.

One thing that is really concerning me is he mounting aggression towards play. He won't pay attention to the words stop and thinks its all part of the play. I want to stop any dominance issues from occuring in the future so what are things to do that will remind him whois the boss.

I need for my little Nemo to understand that I and my Family are the Alpha of the house and he needs to pay attention to our commands.

John

Gracie2006 · 08-21-2006, 05:53 PM

Gracie gets the same way when playing too hard. It's like she becomes posessed. When I first got her, I would growl "naah" at her and that would stop her in her tracks. Now I have had her for two weeks and I guess she is getting a bit too comfortable. Last night she was biting my toes, and I mean hard. I would scold her and she would just look at me and growl and bark and bite some more, the sassy little girl! I got out the squirt bottle and went for it. It only took correcting her twice with a squirt of water before she stopped biting my feet. She came close to biting my feet once today but did not do it. Good luck!

JeanieK · 08-21-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daimbert

I really love my little nemo but we have been having some serious behavior problems that I cannot seem to stop. For the most part he seems to be pretty good but once or twice a day he becomes overally hyper and won't stop biting when playing and won't listen to commands at all.

One thing that is really concerning me is he mounting aggression towards play. He won't pay attention to the words stop and thinks its all part of the play. I want to stop any dominance issues from occuring in the future so what are things to do that will remind him whois the boss.

I need for my little Nemo to understand that I and my Family are the Alpha of the house and he needs to pay attention to our commands.

John

The Dog Whisperer addresses these issues all the time, It is what he does best.

Here is a link to his site, there is a lot of good information on there. I also suggest that you try to catch some of his shows on the National Geographic Channel, or I believe his first season is out on DVd.

You are wise to be conderned about this and wanting to do something about it before it gets out of control. Most dogs are naturally submissive, but occasionally there is one that will challenge you for the Alpha position. sounds like you have one of those.

Good Luck., and keep us posted on your progress.

http://www.dogchannel.com/experts/ce...aspx?WT.srch=1

ldenise · 08-21-2006, 05:58 PM

a loud "ouch" worked for all of mine. they play and dont' know they are hurting you. when you let them know that it hurts they will stop. they soon get the message. at least mine did.

daimbert · 08-21-2006, 06:00 PM

I've tried the ouch...not paying attention....etc... he just thinks it's part of the play. It's getting REALLy annoying and it take all my self control to grab him from the scruff on his leg and just force him to submit even if he yelps. Or is that something I have to do?

John

ldenise · 08-21-2006, 06:02 PM

how old is he?

JeanieK · 08-21-2006, 06:09 PM

You should not have to use physical force if you follow the dog whispers advice. He would nip at the dog with his hand and make the dog stay away from him until the dog calmed down.

Your body language should tell the dog that you are not playing.

It's important that you stay calm assertive, do not show emotion. They pick up on that and it is a sign of weakness.

In other words, never let them see you sweat. LOL

Erin · 08-21-2006, 06:09 PM

Is he just a puppy? He's not being dominant, he just doesn't understand how to play nicely with you. When he starts to do it say OUCH and turn your back and look at the cieling. Ignore him until he settles down. If he continues, give him a time out either on a tether or in his crate. You'll teach him that if he wants to play with you and get your attention, he can't bite.

If he's just hyper, try more walks and possibly doggie daycare. You can't blame him for being hyper! Some dogs just have endless energy, you just need to direct it. Sign up for some training classes so you can work on "homework" and ask him to do tricks for you rather than biting you. Try Kongs during problem times - Loki barks while we make dinner (there's food smells and we run around the kitchen and out to the grill so it's too exciting for him) so a Kong in his crate eliminates the problem. Also try bully sticks - let him chew that energy out!!

kriston · 08-21-2006, 07:44 PM

I've had lots of dogs, but I've only had one dog that didn't listen to the "OUCH" and she was difficult to deal with. (Great Dane - years ago) I spent so much money (over $1,400) having her trained which helped, but she never completely gave up the alpha thing. I think that you just have to be consistent, but if he is still a pup, he probably will relax in a few months. Good luck and be glad he doesn't weigh 120 lbs!

FirstYorkie · 08-21-2006, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Is he just a puppy? He's not being dominant, he just doesn't understand how to play nicely with you. When he starts to do it say OUCH and turn your back and look at the cieling. Ignore him until he settles down. If he continues, give him a time out either on a tether or in his crate. You'll teach him that if he wants to play with you and get your attention, he can't bite.

If he's just hyper, try more walks and possibly doggie daycare. You can't blame him for being hyper! Some dogs just have endless energy, you just need to direct it. Sign up for some training classes so you can work on "homework" and ask him to do tricks for you rather than biting you. Try Kongs during problem times - Loki barks while we make dinner (there's food smells and we run around the kitchen and out to the grill so it's too exciting for him) so a Kong in his crate eliminates the problem. Also try bully sticks - let him chew that energy out!!

May I repeat?
Is he just a puppy? He's not being dominant, he just doesn't understand how to play nicely with you.

daimbert · 08-22-2006, 04:13 PM

After reading my post and everyone's else I like to change my first description. Nemo is not violent but obsessive with his toys. I've been trying to teach him how to "heel" or "let go" but no matter how much I say...what loud noises he won't let go of it. If I take it out and hold up the toy and try to make him sit etc he won't he will just start trying to get the toy no matter what. Does this make sense and how can I change this behavior?

John

yorkieusa · 08-22-2006, 04:23 PM

This is not uncommon behavior for yorkies his age. It's something most of us run into. You might also try a whole bunch of pennies in a can to get his attention, so he will stop what he's doing. It works with some, but not all...

yorkieowner24 · 08-22-2006, 08:03 PM

ya i get the same issue with daisy she is 2 months and noticed some times during the day mainly at night she is really hyper running around like she is on a drug, biting and jumping and may let out a bark here and there, when i pick her up she is calm its pretty funny though, thats the way they are esp at puppy stage

daimbert · 08-24-2006, 09:34 AM

I think I figured out what's the problem. All this time whenever I play with him I usually sit on the floor but for the last two day I've been standing or squatting while we play and he seems to pay much more attention and although he is still pretty hyper he does not bite as much.

John

Mydogkelsey · 08-24-2006, 09:45 AM

Kelsey tries to hump my leg sometimes...I always tell her "NO" and she'll stop. I think its a dominance thing...she's trying to tell me whos boss.

08-21-2006, 05:43 PM	#1
daimbert Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 37	dominance issue/advice I really love my little nemo but we have been having some serious behavior problems that I cannot seem to stop. For the most part he seems to be pretty good but once or twice a day he becomes overally hyper and won't stop biting when playing and won't listen to commands at all. One thing that is really concerning me is he mounting aggression towards play. He won't pay attention to the words stop and thinks its all part of the play. I want to stop any dominance issues from occuring in the future so what are things to do that will remind him whois the boss. I need for my little Nemo to understand that I and my Family are the Alpha of the house and he needs to pay attention to our commands. John

08-21-2006, 05:53 PM	#2
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sequim, Wa Posts: 4,541	Gracie gets the same way when playing too hard. It's like she becomes posessed. When I first got her, I would growl "naah" at her and that would stop her in her tracks. Now I have had her for two weeks and I guess she is getting a bit too comfortable. Last night she was biting my toes, and I mean hard. I would scold her and she would just look at me and growl and bark and bite some more, the sassy little girl! I got out the squirt bottle and went for it. It only took correcting her twice with a squirt of water before she stopped biting my feet. She came close to biting my feet once today but did not do it. Good luck! __________________ Gracie loves Bailey. Holly loves Tucker. Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls.

08-21-2006, 05:58 PM	#4
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,698	a loud "ouch" worked for all of mine. they play and dont' know they are hurting you. when you let them know that it hurts they will stop. they soon get the message. at least mine did. __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

08-21-2006, 06:02 PM	#6
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,698	how old is he? __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

08-21-2006, 06:09 PM	#8
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Is he just a puppy? He's not being dominant, he just doesn't understand how to play nicely with you. When he starts to do it say OUCH and turn your back and look at the cieling. Ignore him until he settles down. If he continues, give him a time out either on a tether or in his crate. You'll teach him that if he wants to play with you and get your attention, he can't bite. If he's just hyper, try more walks and possibly doggie daycare. You can't blame him for being hyper! Some dogs just have endless energy, you just need to direct it. Sign up for some training classes so you can work on "homework" and ask him to do tricks for you rather than biting you. Try Kongs during problem times - Loki barks while we make dinner (there's food smells and we run around the kitchen and out to the grill so it's too exciting for him) so a Kong in his crate eliminates the problem. Also try bully sticks - let him chew that energy out!! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

08-21-2006, 06:00 PM	#5
daimbert Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 37	I've tried the ouch...not paying attention....etc... he just thinks it's part of the play. It's getting REALLy annoying and it take all my self control to grab him from the scruff on his leg and just force him to submit even if he yelps. Or is that something I have to do? John

08-21-2006, 06:09 PM	#7
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	You should not have to use physical force if you follow the dog whispers advice. He would nip at the dog with his hand and make the dog stay away from him until the dog calmed down. Your body language should tell the dog that you are not playing. It's important that you stay calm assertive, do not show emotion. They pick up on that and it is a sign of weakness. In other words, never let them see you sweat. LOL

08-21-2006, 07:44 PM	#9
kriston Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: W. KY Posts: 693	I've had lots of dogs, but I've only had one dog that didn't listen to the "OUCH" and she was difficult to deal with. (Great Dane - years ago) I spent so much money (over $1,400) having her trained which helped, but she never completely gave up the alpha thing. I think that you just have to be consistent, but if he is still a pup, he probably will relax in a few months. Good luck and be glad he doesn't weigh 120 lbs! __________________ Kriston Very Proud to be Lola, Ted, & baby Chip's Human! "Puppy kisses are GOOOOOD medicine!"

08-22-2006, 04:13 PM	#11
daimbert Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 37	After reading my post and everyone's else I like to change my first description. Nemo is not violent but obsessive with his toys. I've been trying to teach him how to "heel" or "let go" but no matter how much I say...what loud noises he won't let go of it. If I take it out and hold up the toy and try to make him sit etc he won't he will just start trying to get the toy no matter what. Does this make sense and how can I change this behavior? John

08-22-2006, 04:23 PM	#12
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	This is not uncommon behavior for yorkies his age. It's something most of us run into. You might also try a whole bunch of pennies in a can to get his attention, so he will stop what he's doing. It works with some, but not all... __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-22-2006, 08:03 PM	#13
yorkieowner24 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: middletown Posts: 119	ya i get the same issue with daisy she is 2 months and noticed some times during the day mainly at night she is really hyper running around like she is on a drug, biting and jumping and may let out a bark here and there, when i pick her up she is calm its pretty funny though, thats the way they are esp at puppy stage

08-24-2006, 09:34 AM	#14
daimbert Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 37	I think I figured out what's the problem. All this time whenever I play with him I usually sit on the floor but for the last two day I've been standing or squatting while we play and he seems to pay much more attention and although he is still pretty hyper he does not bite as much. John

08-24-2006, 09:45 AM	#15
Mydogkelsey YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Orlando, Fl. Posts: 1,133	Kelsey tries to hump my leg sometimes...I always tell her "NO" and she'll stop. I think its a dominance thing...she's trying to tell me whos boss. __________________ R.I.P. Amy girl 01/06/06