I may lose my yorkie if I don't get help!!!!

[eshuser]

I keep praying every night that things are different in the morning but it never seems to change. You all are always talking about sweet your yorkies are and how much affection they give you, but Callie is not like that. We both work so she is in her crate during the day. (Usually no more than 3-4 hours max. at one time) We let her out to potty and she isn't doing well at that either, but as soon as she comes back in she gets mean. (We have NEVER abused or mistreated her in any way) She has a problem with biting. Not just little puppy bites, she bites everyone and hard. She breaks skin almost every time. Apple Bitter does not work...tried it. Callie rarely gives kisses to anyone, she will occassionally give a hug to me, but right afterwards she bites. She used to sleep with us, but she has gotten so aggressive that it's not a good idea any more. I can not get her to calm down or be nice, I don't know what to do. I tried the time out thing-just like with my kids all it did was make her even more mad. If I can't get her under control I'm afraid mu husband will make me give her to someone else. I love her to death and do not want to give her up, but he's a fairly short tempered man and his patience is almost gone. Someone please help me!!!!

[simonandhallie]

Oh goodness I am so sorry! Have you taken her to the vet for a complete check-up? I just wonder if it is a health issue that is making her aggressive. This is so sad and I want to help but I don't know how. I am sure someone here will have experience (sadly) and be able to give you better advice.

[eshuser]

The vet says she's fine. I trust my vet completely so I'm sure he didn't make a mistake. I don't know what to do, I keep thinking about everything and all I do is cry anymore.

[stacisnyder04]

Let em know if there is anything i can do. I could take her for a little bit and try to get her potty trained maybe she will take after Cosmo or something. Just let me know if there is anythink I can do to help you. Hopefully she is just going through a stage right now.

[MeganS]

i am so sorry, really. you must be so heartbroken, i get upset at just the thought of it. has it just started recently or has it been going on for a long time?? also how old is she? i'm so sorry, i hopw things improve!

[tartisst]

May I be direct with you? Maybe Callie is picking up on your sadness and your husband's short-temper. You mention that you had children, right? Treat Callie with the same patience as you would your children. It sounds like you really love your puppy and with a little time she will probably come around. Just be extra gentle and soothing when you speak with her. It's probably a phase she's going through and just needs some training. You should reprimand her with a "no" when she bites. I'm betting that Callie is just looking for attention -- just like our kids do.

Good Luck. I'm sure that in no time she will have "outgrown" her little nippy, aggressive stage. Hang in there...it'll get better. You can do it!

[Francie]

Originally Posted by eshuser

I keep praying every night that things are different in the morning but it never seems to change. You all are always talking about sweet your yorkies are and how much affection they give you, but Callie is not like that. We both work so she is in her crate during the day. (Usually no more than 3-4 hours max. at one time) We let her out to potty and she isn't doing well at that either, but as soon as she comes back in she gets mean. (We have NEVER abused or mistreated her in any way) She has a problem with biting. Not just little puppy bites, she bites everyone and hard. She breaks skin almost every time. Apple Bitter does not work...tried it. Callie rarely gives kisses to anyone, she will occassionally give a hug to me, but right afterwards she bites. She used to sleep with us, but she has gotten so aggressive that it's not a good idea any more. I can not get her to calm down or be nice, I don't know what to do. I tried the time out thing-just like with my kids all it did was make her even more mad. If I can't get her under control I'm afraid mu husband will make me give her to someone else. I love her to death and do not want to give her up, but he's a fairly short tempered man and his patience is almost gone. Someone please help me!!!!

OMG! My prayers are with you...I hope someone here has some advice for you...did you try rolling her on her back and holding her mouth closed and say "NO Biting" in that classic dominance role? Do you make sure she is always "lower" than you? I'm reaching here...maybe she needs more "one on one"...or puppy classes! In any event...I hope you find a solution....I wouldn't want you to lose your baby....

Francie

[feminvstr]

she is sounding like a kennel dog...she doesnt like being crated all day and feels left alone, lonely, ignored and unloved... she is mad...if you like having her sleep with you please go back to the routine as well...two reason, for her to continue to trust you and receive affection, feel close to you at night as well she will hold her pee through the night.

During the day can you contain her in the kitchen, bathroom or laundry using a baby gate or a play pen??? she needs some space to move around, play with her toys, food and pee pads. Would'nt you be upset if you had to stay in a crate all day?

[RowdysMom]

I learned from watching the Dog Whisperer that dogs feed off their master's energy. Thus, the more anxious you are, the more anxious she is and her anxiety is coming out as agression. I certainly don't know how to change things, but I do know that when I get upset or mad, my animals react in kind. I'm sure someone here will have a better suggestion that me, but in the meantime, you might google Dog Whisperer and go to the website and look over some of Cesar's information. Also, I know that sometimes my Rowdy wants to backtalk and not listen. I have to get very firm with him and sometimes I shake him gently by the back of his harness and say "NO!" This always brings him back to reality and gets him out of a frenzy. I know that there are lots better suggestions and that they will be forthcoming. Oh yes, Cesar would say that she needs more exercise than she is getting. You need to be walking her on the leash - if you are not, then you might try that. If she won't walk, then take her to training classes to learn. I know that when Rowdy would go into those wild puppy frenzies, I would take him out for a walk and he would be oh so good when we got back. Cesar says a tired pup is a good pup. Maybe your pup just needs to burn up some of that energy.

Good luck!

[Rizzi]

Hey Emily-
I don't know your baby, but I have found that the food they eat has a great deal to do with how they behave. The less quality (cheaper) the worse they act. I suggest a non fat, natural food with no additives or preservatives. Science Diet is not very good. An excellent food for Yorkies is Bil Jac frozen (about $5 a bag), and Bil Jac puppy kibble (about $5 for a 3 lb bag. If this brand doesn't work, try another brand like Royal Canin until you find one that the pup really likes. Always feed her in her crate, also put chew bones and toys like a small 'Kong' in the crate while you are away. Put a little peanut butter in the Kong that way she can try to get at it, interact with the toy, and work off some aggressive behavior.
When you put her in the crate, give her a treat - the same when you get home and let her out. After you put her in the crate, don't leave right away. Try leaving her in it for very short intervals, return and give her a treat - something of quality, not a cheap fatty treat, that will just make her spastic and possibly aggressive again. The term, "You are what you eat," applies to our pets too.
Hope this helps, please let us know.
Rizzi

[yorkiegal719]

During the day can you contain her in the kitchen, bathroom or laundry using a baby gate or a play pen??? she needs some space to move around, play with her toys, food and pee pads. Would'nt you be upset if you had to stay in a crate all day?__________________
That's what I'm thinking would be the best thing to do, instead of crating. I'm not a fan of crating, but I know some people who think it's the answer to everything. I just know that if I was crated up, I would be rarin' to go when you let me out. Maybe if she can move around and get more exercise she might not be so rambunctious when you got home. Just a thought...

[ReconsMomma]

When memphis was little I used to crate him when i was gone during the day and at night at bedtime. He got to where he was getting a little too aggressive so I started gating him off in the kitchen and it made a world of difference. He had more room to stretch out and different scenery.
Since I have gotten Preslee the only time she is crated is at nite. Otherwise she is left in the kitchen when I am gone.

[eshuser]

I appreciate everyone's help and I hope that your suggestions will work because she is an adorable pup and I really love her. She gets walked twice a day, has lots of toys to play with, (probably more than my two kids do) always has room to run. And she's not stuck in her crate ALL day, just while no one is home and after my husband gets home he lets her out as long as he's in the house to keep an eye on her. If she's in there when I get home before I even speak to my family she is let out side...then we go for our walk. As for putting her back in bed with me, I can't...I do not sleep alone and as long as she is biting my husband all night she can't get up there. He has to be up for work at 3:00 in the morning so I need to let him sleep and she will keep him up all night until she calms down a little.

[Ladylavender]

Emily - Here are some suggestions on how to work towards resolving agression in your dog. It has little to do with food, lack of exercise, or being in a crate during the day, nor lack of affection, ect. (although all of these can factor into the profile if there is some lack in any of these areas.

Please read this info: http://www.dogpatch.org/training/aggression.html

I would also suggest you look into getting a copy of any book that addresses behavioral issues in dogs. Even general books about raising a Yorkie or dog will have a chapter on aggression and how to work towards resolving it. You may even want to consult with a trainer for some suggestions, if they are willing. (you may have to pay a consulting fee).

Putting her back in your bed is a big No-No. (so I am glad this is not an option for you).

I think with a little understanding of what's going on and some training techniques, you should have a really great family pet!

Hope this helps!

[shecass]

Originally Posted by eshuser

I keep praying every night that things are different in the morning but it never seems to change. You all are always talking about sweet your yorkies are and how much affection they give you, but Callie is not like that. We both work so she is in her crate during the day. (Usually no more than 3-4 hours max. at one time) We let her out to potty and she isn't doing well at that either, but as soon as she comes back in she gets mean. (We have NEVER abused or mistreated her in any way) She has a problem with biting. Not just little puppy bites, she bites everyone and hard. She breaks skin almost every time. Apple Bitter does not work...tried it. Callie rarely gives kisses to anyone, she will occassionally give a hug to me, but right afterwards she bites. She used to sleep with us, but she has gotten so aggressive that it's not a good idea any more. I can not get her to calm down or be nice, I don't know what to do. I tried the time out thing-just like with my kids all it did was make her even more mad. If I can't get her under control I'm afraid mu husband will make me give her to someone else. I love her to death and do not want to give her up, but he's a fairly short tempered man and his patience is almost gone. Someone please help me!!!!

Have you thought about just putting up a baby gate somewhere and leaving her in a certain room while you are gone during the day. Like maybe the kitchen or a bathroom someplace that has linolum or tile floors. Where it wouldn't be that big of a hassle to clean up after her.

I think I would try this and see if it helps her temperment any at all. Sounds to me like that maybe she hates the crate so much and she is just staying mad at you for having to be in it any at all.

Good luck. Keep us posted as to how she is doing. I know how upsetting this must be for you.