Aggressive Behavior Please HELP!!
 

Hello,
We adopted a 2yr old yorkie "Sassy" and she seemed very sweet right from the start. :p Only that she's been with us about 4 days now and she starting to show a really agrressive:mad: side to her, I was petting her and she tryed to nip at my hand, so I got up and told her no, then she just stared at me snarling and looked as if she was threating to attack me if I walked passed her???? Why would she go from totally sweet to angry? I have a 4 year old and am very concerned. Is this a common behavior for Yorkies? Is this something that can be reversed with training I don't know her past?

Molly was 2 years old when i adopted her. She was fine for the first 2 weeks, then had some agression issues. She would growl and try to bite me if i woke her during the night (she was sleeping on my bed and seemed to think it was her bed!).
Also, if i ever leant over her to reach something she would get very cross and i think she would have bitten me if i hadnt got out of the way quickly!
She is a real sweetheart now, but it was a slow thing. Probably took about 18 months before i felt i could really trust her.
She does sometimes growl if i disturb her in the night, but i'm 99% sure she wouldnt bite me now. I would never trust any rescue dog 100% with small children though, as they are unpredictable.
hope your dog will be ok...hopefully the agression is just for the settling in period.

hi
 

well i have chico and he has growling issue and also he likes peace and quite because if he see my kids runnig he try to bite there legs and i still have problem .just keep saying no also my uncle came up from florida and gave me some tips and started to use them to have him relax .i think its a yorkie thing :animal-pabut i am 100% he wont bite me but i doback off when he growls jejejejej:animal-pa

If you just show that you are the "pack leader", they shouldn't show aggression to you. I've said it a lot, but my boys know I am in charge. They wouldn't dare cross me, but they also know that I love them SO much! They are both mamma's boys, which I love! I would call myself a disciplinarian. I don't let them get away with a whole lot, but they are also VERY spoiled...they're constantly getting new toys, chewies, they go all over the place with me, they are cuddled constantly when I'm home, etc...Just try to let her know that you're the boss, and that you'll protect her and care for her. I wish you luck!!!

How did you get her? From where? Was a rescue involved? Did you find her on the street? Did you get her out of the shelter?

This is a very dangerous time so do not allow your child around her until you find out what is going on. Many Yorkies come in scared to death and are very fear aggressive - which means they will bite. Also many Yorkies do not like children especially when they have not grown up with them or grew up with them and it was not a positive experience. Yorkies will usually be sweet at first and then they do become more terrier.

Do not and I repeat, do not start attempting to show her who is boss (pack leader) or it will only get worse. She needs some space of her own and some quite time until she relaxes.

How much exercise is she getting with you? Where does she sleep?

I got her from a rescue that had her placed in a foster home, and i recently talked to the owner of the rescue and i was informed that sassy has been adopted before and return to rescue before and before that they got her from a shelter. So im thinking she does not trust anyone just yet since she been moved around alot . i walk her 30min to 1hr a day and she sleeps in her crate

Yes. she is definetley showing some alpha behavior. In the four days you have had her you must have unknowingly shown her some cues that she is alpha over you. What are your feeding habits like w/ her? I have often heard you are supposed to make the dog "sit/stay" before taking their food and also let them see you fake eat from their food bowl (b/c the pack leader always eats first). Also collar/leash lead walking is good way to teach pack order. I would start crating her at night b/c she thnks the bed is her's, if she become agressive in bed immediatley place her on the floor. You said she was how old? You can retrain it will jst take persistence and patience. :aimeeyork

Sounds Jackson for sure! He's such a Mama's boys and very attached to me, but he knows who is boss (99% of the time :p) He's still doted on and spoiled VERY much so though. :D

It does not sound like alpha behavior. It sounds more like fear and mistrust.

Rescue dogs do not always respond to the pack leader theory because they have never learned how to be a dog.

That is why Cesar will sometimes take a dog back to his pack so they learn how to be a dog first.

Livingdustmops understands rescues. she is a good source of advice.

I would think the rescue that you got her from would have explained her agression issues before you took her.

I agree :thumbup:

I agree. I think the trick will be to get her to associate positive things happening to her during the times when she is most anxious. Really tune into her physical cues, 'think like a dog,' and break down what you are trying to accomplish into baby steps.

I admire you for taking on this challenge. Best wishes.....

Sorry but more questions...???

How did she respond at the Foster mom's...??? Was she with other dogs? What rescue did you get her from?

Was this an only Yorkie rescue? I am guessing not because a reputable Yorkie rescue would probably not adopt to any one with a young child for this very reason.

Is the rescue willing to take her back?

You are doing a good job and it has nothing to do with you...just that this poor girl has been bounced around...it is her only defense...

How much does she weigh and how long is she? Do you think she was breed before?

the foster mom said that she snap at her and her daughter because they would bother her when she was sleeping , no other dog around at the fosters house and i adopted her from a rescue called tip of tex in harlingen tx and they will take her back but i fell bad knowing that she has been bounced around alot and nobody trying to take the time with her so then they just move her around but im trying really hard she has been breed before when we got her they told use she was still lactaing i think i spelled it right she weighs 10 lbs thanks for the advise

Jeanie is right This sounds like a scared little dog
She was in shelter ..... and then got shot off to home to home

Of course she's going to be afraid and mistrust people
The outcome is unfortunately going to be determined by the shelter conditions she came from when she was a puppy

If she had some human contact when she was a pup
With some care and loving she'll come around
If she didn't the outcome will be much harder
She'll likely attach onto one in the family and be very wary of everyone else

What rescue did you get her from?

Post #13 tip of tex in harlingen tx

LadyJane do you know them?

Good Lord and shame on this rescue...This little girl needs to be placed with someone who is experienced in fear aggression and does not have children. Also, I wonder what happened to the puppies if she was still lactating..This girl has been through so much and it is just not fair.

I do totally understand your concern but are you willing to keep your daughter away from her for a long, long time. This little girl needs to start to feel secure in a home. She can never be totally trusted as she has learned to never trust people. It has nothing to do with the shelter but who her breeder sold her to the first time and possibly the breeder home itself. If the breeder just bred the dogs for $$$ then she/he started the process of making this little girl bite out of fear. It will be a very slow process...it could take a long time.

I have turned a number of these types of dogs around but I never adopted them out due to you can never trust them entirely. Every thing I do is in slow motion with these dogs and one I still have to muzzle when I groom him.

For the time being she really needs to be left alone and no fast actions around her. Make sure she has her crate door open all the time so she has a safe place to go...let her determine when she wants to find you.

Once you put down her food do not attempt to pick it up again and you know the old saying "let sleeping dogs lie" in other words do not wake her up suddenly by touching her. If you have given her toys or chew sticks only pick them up when she is not around. Don't try to take them from her.

As she becomes more comfortable she might relax more and feel that she is safe but it is critical that you always, always have an eye on your daughter and the dog. I would not let them be together unless you are right there and I still wouldn't for awhile.

:yorkietal Thanks alot for the advise i will follow the suggestions and always watch my daughter and sassy when they are together thanks alot:):aimeeyork:)

That sounds like awesome news!!

I had a "rescue" dog. She was in a puppymill and sold to a woman who wanted to use her for only breeding. Well she was terrified of men and people, pretty much everything. After about 6 months she started to come around and trust people. It was a long long process and we all just had to "leave" her alone and let her be. She only trusted me for the longest time and was like glued to my feet.

There is hope for her and I think you are willing to make this work. I just want to make sure you understand this will be a long process but at the end could be a very positive experience for all of you.

Just protect your skinbaby and by doing this you will be protecting your furbaby.

I wish you all the luck in the world and I am here if you need me.:)

Good for you...I know it was tough at first but miracles can happen...and I am sure you have been rewarded for your kindness to this dog.

I agree....this does not sound like an alpha dog issue. Actually, most are not...the fear biters often are really submissive dogs. I have one at present...he was living in the woods when he came to me. I handled him just the way livingdustmops suggested. He always had a safe haven to hide in....and when he snapped at me or my pups, I would put him in his kennel or a room to himself for a time out. I would only leave him there for a couple of minutes. That was all it took....it sent him a message that when he did not behave appropriately, he could not stay in the room with us. In the beginning, because he was so fearful, I would just put the crate in front of him....I could not pick him up when he was in that mode.

He lives here without any major issues. The only issue we have not conquered is his fear of grooming. He must be anesthetised to be shaved down. I hate having to do that, but maybe that will also get better in time. He will let me run a brush through his hair now for a few strokes, but he is tense. He sees things like brushes as weapons...you can see it in his eyes. I shudder to think what the poor baby went through before he came to me.

I also had another biter for ten years....he was actually much worse, but we did manage.

Just let this pup be for a while.Hopefully, she will soon realize that she is safe! Make sure your daughter knows to leave her alone! Don't approach her...don't pet her unless she comes to you for attention. Then, try your darndest not to be nervous around her. I know that is a tall order when they might bite, but if they sense you are nervous, they will be as well!

If you ever need help, send me a PM. I do not know that rescue, but I would be concerned about taking her back there. I do not know of any rescue that would place a biter in a home that had a child! Just unbelievable.

I really hope you can hang in with her and that it works out well!

I adopted Max about 4 months ago from a rescue. From day one he showed some aggression toward other dogs. He was sweet as ever with me and my daughter until one day when I reprimanded him for peeing on the carpet. It was almost like he was being defensive rather than showing alpha behavior. Alot like your dog, I think Max was showing signs of distrust and I think its just a matter of time.

Like the other YTer, I tell Max to sit before I put his bowl of food down...then only when I say ok, he can eat. I also pretend to eat his food before I put the bowl down. In the pack, the leader eats first. I also make him "work" for his treats. He knows how to sit, shake, lay down...etc and after he obeys my command, he will get his treat. I believe this has helped him but I still think he has some time before he can trust us completely.

Hang in there!!

to livingdustmops: I didn't realize that with rescues it was different when it comes to the aggressive behaviors. Thank you for setting me straight. You learn something new every day :rolleyes:

Sounds more like shes scared more then any thing.

This dog is still young and can learn to trust again faster then an older dog. so that's one up for you. It will take time but it can be done. no one really knows what this baby's past has been like other then the moving from one place to another and that she has had a litter. the abused ones are the hardest to learn to trust again. always let her come to you. never approach her when shes eating or sleeping. never reach for her. wait for her to come to you. when she does slowly hold your hand out to her, let her sniff it before you even attempt to pet her. when you pet her only pet the top of her head. not her body yet. let her get use to a few soft pets on the head first. if she does well with that you can run your hand over her back.slowly. always talk softly to her. let her know that she can trust you, get down to her level on the floor, ( but with a biter, keep your face back) just lay there and talk to her.have a few treats offer little bites to her while you talk sweet to her. just lay one aside from you and tell her she can have it. don't let your child close to her , children are louder and any sudden movement may scare her. let her slowly get use to seeing your child around but not close. let your child talk to her softly too but never alone and never too close. Be Patient and Understanding this is what she needs most. if you can do this she will learn to trust you, in time you will have a very loving baby, she will become your best friend. remember never raise your voice at her. but always say no if she tries to bite. keep us updated and would love to see pictures. welcome to YT.

God bless you for taking this baby in and giving her a loving home.
You have been given a lot of very good advice here.
Good luck with her. I will keep her, you and your family in my prayers.
Please keep us posted.

thanks alot to everyone for the help and advise we are working with her as a family she hangs out with us alot she been with us 6 days now and starting to sit with us when we are watching tv but we still give her her own space and she comes to us when shes ready to play it is a process though but we are ready thanks for the help