Yorkshire Terror!
 

My male Yorkie just turned one. Lately he's getting more aggressive and out of control. He bites and snaps at me if I take something from him that he shouldn't have. He tries to bite me when I brush his hair. He's always been a little on the wild side but lately more so.

He goes crazy if anyone tries to leave the house without him. He barks like mad and tries to bite me while I restrain him so they can get out the door. He bit my husband from behind today when he was trying to leave.

If my husband approaches me while I'm sitting with the dog in my lap he goes crazy and tries to attack him. Sometimes all he has to do is walk into the room and it sets him off. When he acts up like this I scold him and put him in his crate for a little while. Is there anything else I should be doing? He has been neutered and it didn't make a bit of difference. He gets plenty of exercise playing and walking.

It sounds like some discipline training is in order. What have you done to correct the bad behavior? How do you correct the behavior besides scolding & putting him in his crate? At what age did you get your pup? How long have you had him? Do you know that he is, in fact, healthy... no physical problems?

You've come to a good place to learn. We've all had problems at one time or another, so don't be shy & give lots of details.

Welcome to YT!

Oh wow he sounds just like my lil guy.. only mine is 3 years old... he is the same way.. no one can leave the house without him he freaks out and starts barking like crazy... he tries to go after my legs to keep me here... when he's in my lap or next to me no one can get near me not my kids nor my husband, he starts going after them... sometimes it's like he is my husband...lol... when he gets like that I make a sound and tell him no.... it works sometimes .... he has always been like this ... I thought the neutering would change him also but it did not.... sometimes I wish I could call Cesar Milan the dog whisperer...lol

I got my little boy when he was about 2 months old. He just had a checkup and seems to be fine. I've had him a little less than a year. As far as correcting his behavior I scold him and put him in his crate. I really don't know what else I can do. Any suggestions? I don't want this to get any worse.

He is being the Alpha Dog. He thinks he's in charge .In charge of you and that is his home!
Your boy definately needs doggie training. He needs to be ignored when showing aggressive behavior, put down off the bed as soon as he behaves aggressive towards your husband. You need to do this with him until he learns that he is not going to get his way.
biting should never be tolerated. The barking when you leave could be a sign of separation anxiety.
Has your male been fixed? i'd suggest enrolling in dog training classess as soon as you can. :aimeeyork

Our little guy tried that with my DH at the door a couple times. Both times DH laid him on his side and held him there until he became submissive. He has not tried it since.

I agree with the ones above. You are privileged to live in his house, with him ruling it. This behavior cannot be tolerated. His crate should be a happy place, not jail. I've laid Roxy out on the floor like suggested 3-4 times. Held her down until she stopped struggling for at least 20 seconds. Only allowed up once she had done that. It really straightened up her attitude. Don't really have to do it anymore.

There are a lot of biting threads in the 'Training' section of this board. Be sure to look for those. When biting, all play stops, you don't protect him, he is immediately placed on the floor & ignored. Do not look at him, turn your back. You will all need to deal with this at every biting attempt.

The separation anxiety issue is also on this board. Look this up also. There are ways of dealing with that also. May I suggest that you start watching 'It's Me or the Dog' w/Victoria Stillwell on Animal Planet. She is currently on Sat nights & often during the day for reruns. Check your listings. Another is 'Dog Whisperer' w/Cesar Milan on National Geographic channel on Fri nights, also reruns during the day most days. They are both excellent programs. There's a lot of training books, magazines, dvds & free help on the internet. Educate yourself. The more you learn, the more tools you have to work with. Obedience classes a good idea too.

These problems need to be dealt with right away. Good luck!

You need to put him in a submissive postion everytime he acts this way. On his back until he calms down and surrenders.

PLEASE PLEASE: do not use the crate as punishment. The crate should be a "good" safe place.

Training is in order. Do not let the dog rule the house.

We did the same. YOU need to become the Alpha. You need to show him YOU are in charge. I can now take a bone out of Lola's mouth without any issues.

I have had a few issues with Ziggy trying to run the house and found that the link posted here by another member (sorry I can't remember who) has really given some good tips.

Nothing in Life is Free Gaining control of your dog humanely

I have chosen just a few tips to work on at a time and after a week I have seen some improvement.

Charlene

:thumbup:good advice

:thumbup:I agree, it will cause many prob later if he thinks its a place of punishment.

Yup ... You seem to have it confused

You're living in HIS house now
If you want that to change you're going to have to change some things
pronto

All aggressive behavior .... growling snapping barking
will not be tolerated any longer
The more you let it slide the worse he's going to get

If he growls or snaps ... NO!
and down he goes from where he is
If he does it when he's guarding food or a toy
Away the food or the toy goes immediately

With a dog like this you have to make it a point that when he eats you put a hand into the bowl or move it while he is eating the same thing with a toy or a bone
He is NOT to be able to claim any piece of furniture either
If he growls when you come close to him - off he goes

my dog attacks anyone who leaves also!

Yorkshire Terror
 

I've received a lot of good advice. I've already stared employing it this morning. I no longer let him have his spot on top of my recliner. He liked to get up there to look out the window where he proceeds to bark at anything that moves, birds, animals etc. jumps all around and goes crazy. I think he's protecting his turf. The problem is It's not his turf it's mine. I'm taking the house back!

Every time he gets ready to jump up I tell him NO in a firm voice. It seems to be working! He's hesitant about trying to get back up here. He's laying on the floor perfectly content by my feet. It is a lot more peaceful. I guess I thought it was cute before and didn't always correct it. I can see how I made him the alpha dog. Thanks for pointing that out.

I need to work on the separation anxiety issues. Do you think it will help if I keep him from constantly sitting on my lap and making him stay on the floor. If I can rid him of the biting and barking when someone leaves I'll be even happier. I'm not going to give up. I appreciate all the tips.

I won't use the crate for timeouts any longer. I'm so thankful for this site..:)

Chasing after and barking at people when they leave is a form of possession aggression

Not sitting on your lap constantly would certainly be a start. It's time to cut the cord mama. Anytime the growling/barking/biting starts, your response has to be immediate. Like a reflex, no delay at all & you have to be stern about it... but not abusive. Be alert to any corrections you can make by sternly saying 'ah ah' or 'hey' or whatever works for you. Your voice has to really mean it without yelling.

If he starts again with hubby... he instantly goes on the floor & ignored. If he remains calm, hubby & others can offer him a treat. It's up to you to make this happen. When he is on your lap & being good, flip him onto his back like someone suggested & quietly tell him to 'settle' for a few seconds. This will also help promote submissive behavior.

He may regress at times, but I think this is kinda normal. Gotta test it to see if you still mean it. Don't get discouraged, just start reinforcing what you've already done. He should give it up quicker once he knows. Don't be afraid to be strict. I've been strict with Roxy since day 1. She loves me very much & I'm the toughest one in the house. :)

Good luck. Inhale deeply & smell the fresh clean air of the power you have just filled your house with! :D

Yorkshire Terror
 

Does anyone have any advice about putting him outside for a little bit. He doesn't want to stay out without me. He just sits at the door and barks to come back in. He has a nice dog run and shade if he wants it. Should I make him stay out for about 10 minutes or so by himself? I usually give in and let him right back in.:confused:

I think u really need 2 b the boss it sounds like youve let him get away with a lot of things so some very good training needs 2 b done. Try taking him 2 training classes he needs 2 get some manners and know that u r the pack leader x