Not Social - YorkieTalk.com Forums

danahand · 05-27-2008, 04:25 PM

I have a 3 year old Yorkie and he does NOT like other dogs. The only dogs he likes/loves are his "cousins". Within a week of me getting Tucker, my mom and brother each got a Yorkie. They saw how much fun he was and couldn't resist. So, he grew up with theses other Yorkies which are only a few days apart in age. My mom has since gotten another Yorkie, so he only likes other Yorkies. He barks, growls and tries to nip at any other dog he comes into contact with. He "fights" through the fence with our neighbors 2 dogs. He bites at the fence and growls until I got out and get him. How do I get him to like other dogs? Other than his own breed.

HallTx1203 · 05-27-2008, 04:27 PM

Hi...Welcome to YT....

I have no good advice for you sorry but I am sure someone will post....Just wanted to Welcome You

Reese1 · 05-27-2008, 04:50 PM

I don't know if you have dog parks or dog meet-ups in your area. I would suggest trying to get him out and around other dogs, so he can get used to them and learn socialization skills.
Wrigley is like that too, she likes her sister Crosley and she's starting to like her new sister Camden, but she's very shy around people and other dogs.
So we attended our first Yorkie meet up this week and want to start doing that on a regular basis. Walking them alot should help!
Good luck!

shadream · 05-27-2008, 05:05 PM

Hi,

Glad I'm not alone, my Charlie is 2 1/2 yrs and is very shy with strangers, and doesn't like other dogs at all, just his 2 poodle brothers.

My friend has a yorkie and I thought they might get along but he doesn't like her either.

We have taken him to many gatherings and he just remains shy and aloof.

I was told that if they aren't socialized by 12 wks. they never really are social, dont' know how true that is but I know in our case it seems to be so.

It makes it hard when people want to make over him and he wants nothing to do with them.

Sharry

morningsting · 05-27-2008, 06:42 PM

I have the same problem with my Chi. When I first brought Bear home, she hated him. She would growl at him & snap at him if he got too close to her space. It's taken a good three weeks, but she is now used to him & plays with him too

Yes, it's true that if they're not socialized by twelve weeks than they will have a harder time of becoming socialized. My suggestion would be to take him to an obedience trainer, or enroll him in obedience classes. Places like PetCo & PetSmart offer them at a reasonable price. Some people on here have said that they didn't like the classes held at both of those stores, but it really does depend on the teacher you get. Ask if you can sit in on one of the classes so that you can watch the instructor & see how her or she interacts with the dogs & their owners. If you don't find a class to your liking, there are many people who will do individual sessions with your dog. Some behavioralists even offer aggression classes to people whose dogs have aggression problems. Talk to your vet & see if she knows of anyone that specializes in training dogs. Good luck!

Amy

artie merlino · 05-28-2008, 08:41 AM

Dogs don't recognize "Breeds", they only recognize "Energy".
I have 3 Yorkie's, 1 is a male and the other 2 are females but one is the Mother and the other is their Daughter. They do get along with all other Dog Breeds but they play more with other Yorkie's b/c the play the same way.
They won't play with bigger Dogs b/c of their size, I'm afraid of a broken leg?
They will play with other small Dogs that they know, but you have to understand that every situation is an opportunity to "Socialize" and Train them. There must be something that you must be doing to make him that way? How do you act & feel when you introduce him to other Dogs?

Lexi Rae · 05-28-2008, 08:44 AM

lexi is the same way,,she shys away from people she dont know, and
just hates other dogs,, she trys to bite them when they come close..

danahand · 05-29-2008, 06:23 PM

I am sure that I do have something to do with it. I am afraid he will bite another dog or get bitten himself. I run in and scoop him up as fast as I can. Twice he spun around and bit a chunk out of my arm. That is the only time he has ever bitten anyone. He does great with all people, kids, babies....When my one year old nephew came up to him, he just rolled over on his back waiting for a tummy rub.

ScootieBootie · 05-29-2008, 06:38 PM

Dog parks are not good places to bring dogs with social issues.

It's important to determine whether his dislike of other dogs is fear, dominance, possession, or territory based. There are different methods to modify behavior, and you don't want to treat a fear based issue like you would a dominance issue.

I highly suggest that if you want this resolved, you consult a behaviorist in your area. (Trainers are NOT necessarily behaviorists.) Make sure you talk to the person you want to come out and explain the issues, ask if they have experience, etc.

Good luck!

danahand · 05-30-2008, 04:53 AM

All great advice. I think his behavior is out of fear. I try to grab him beofre he gets to the other dog, so he knows he can be tough because I am going to save him. Once, he took off barking to the neighbors house. He was running toward their big lab. By the time I got there, my baby was on his back peeing himself while the lab was gently licking his chest.

jennzy · 05-31-2008, 04:52 AM

try speaking to your vet.
mickey tries to fight with dogs that are bigger than him and he barks at humans who tries to pet him. our vet told him that if i addressed this problem earlier (i mean not wait until he was 10 yrs old to ask) this mighta been resolved. but mickey's fine to take to the dog park. but i will never EVER let him loose if there's a big dog around.

05-27-2008, 04:25 PM	#1
danahand YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	Not Social I have a 3 year old Yorkie and he does NOT like other dogs. The only dogs he likes/loves are his "cousins". Within a week of me getting Tucker, my mom and brother each got a Yorkie. They saw how much fun he was and couldn't resist. So, he grew up with theses other Yorkies which are only a few days apart in age. My mom has since gotten another Yorkie, so he only likes other Yorkies. He barks, growls and tries to nip at any other dog he comes into contact with. He "fights" through the fence with our neighbors 2 dogs. He bites at the fence and growls until I got out and get him. How do I get him to like other dogs? Other than his own breed.

05-27-2008, 04:27 PM	#2
HallTx1203 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CENTRAL TEXAS Posts: 1,867	Hi...Welcome to YT.... I have no good advice for you sorry but I am sure someone will post....Just wanted to Welcome You __________________ Joyce and Shelby

05-27-2008, 04:50 PM	#3
Reese1 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,304	I don't know if you have dog parks or dog meet-ups in your area. I would suggest trying to get him out and around other dogs, so he can get used to them and learn socialization skills. Wrigley is like that too, she likes her sister Crosley and she's starting to like her new sister Camden, but she's very shy around people and other dogs. So we attended our first Yorkie meet up this week and want to start doing that on a regular basis. Walking them alot should help! Good luck! __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

05-27-2008, 05:05 PM	#4
shadream Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 189	shy yorkie Hi, Glad I'm not alone, my Charlie is 2 1/2 yrs and is very shy with strangers, and doesn't like other dogs at all, just his 2 poodle brothers. My friend has a yorkie and I thought they might get along but he doesn't like her either. We have taken him to many gatherings and he just remains shy and aloof. I was told that if they aren't socialized by 12 wks. they never really are social, dont' know how true that is but I know in our case it seems to be so. It makes it hard when people want to make over him and he wants nothing to do with them. Sharry __________________ Lil Cheeky Charlie's mom

05-27-2008, 06:42 PM	#5
morningsting YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 663	I have the same problem with my Chi. When I first brought Bear home, she hated him. She would growl at him & snap at him if he got too close to her space. It's taken a good three weeks, but she is now used to him & plays with him too Yes, it's true that if they're not socialized by twelve weeks than they will have a harder time of becoming socialized. My suggestion would be to take him to an obedience trainer, or enroll him in obedience classes. Places like PetCo & PetSmart offer them at a reasonable price. Some people on here have said that they didn't like the classes held at both of those stores, but it really does depend on the teacher you get. Ask if you can sit in on one of the classes so that you can watch the instructor & see how her or she interacts with the dogs & their owners. If you don't find a class to your liking, there are many people who will do individual sessions with your dog. Some behavioralists even offer aggression classes to people whose dogs have aggression problems. Talk to your vet & see if she knows of anyone that specializes in training dogs. Good luck! Amy __________________ dogster.com/dogs/781890 - Bear's Dogster dogster.com/dogs/369570 - Daisy's Dogster

05-28-2008, 08:41 AM	#6
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	Nothing to do with the "Breed" Dogs don't recognize "Breeds", they only recognize "Energy". I have 3 Yorkie's, 1 is a male and the other 2 are females but one is the Mother and the other is their Daughter. They do get along with all other Dog Breeds but they play more with other Yorkie's b/c the play the same way. They won't play with bigger Dogs b/c of their size, I'm afraid of a broken leg? They will play with other small Dogs that they know, but you have to understand that every situation is an opportunity to "Socialize" and Train them. There must be something that you must be doing to make him that way? How do you act & feel when you introduce him to other Dogs?

05-28-2008, 08:44 AM	#7
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	lexi is the same way,,she shys away from people she dont know, and just hates other dogs,, she trys to bite them when they come close.. __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

05-29-2008, 06:23 PM	#8
danahand YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	I am sure that I do have something to do with it. I am afraid he will bite another dog or get bitten himself. I run in and scoop him up as fast as I can. Twice he spun around and bit a chunk out of my arm. That is the only time he has ever bitten anyone. He does great with all people, kids, babies....When my one year old nephew came up to him, he just rolled over on his back waiting for a tummy rub.

05-29-2008, 06:38 PM	#9
ScootieBootie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: NC Posts: 285	Dog parks are not good places to bring dogs with social issues. It's important to determine whether his dislike of other dogs is fear, dominance, possession, or territory based. There are different methods to modify behavior, and you don't want to treat a fear based issue like you would a dominance issue. I highly suggest that if you want this resolved, you consult a behaviorist in your area. (Trainers are NOT necessarily behaviorists.) Make sure you talk to the person you want to come out and explain the issues, ask if they have experience, etc. Good luck!

05-30-2008, 04:53 AM	#10
danahand YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 4	All great advice. I think his behavior is out of fear. I try to grab him beofre he gets to the other dog, so he knows he can be tough because I am going to save him. Once, he took off barking to the neighbors house. He was running toward their big lab. By the time I got there, my baby was on his back peeing himself while the lab was gently licking his chest.

05-31-2008, 04:52 AM	#11
jennzy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: TOronto, Canada Posts: 804	try speaking to your vet. mickey tries to fight with dogs that are bigger than him and he barks at humans who tries to pet him. our vet told him that if i addressed this problem earlier (i mean not wait until he was 10 yrs old to ask) this mighta been resolved. but mickey's fine to take to the dog park. but i will never EVER let him loose if there's a big dog around.