I need a little comfort, I really do

[violet voon]

If you read my previous entry, you know my yorkie Sugar started this barking non-stop behaviour last month, I have her since she was 2 months old, for the past 8 months she was all OK, independent and hardly bark, but last month she started to bark non stop for attention. I tried pennies in can, spray, command and everything but it just didn't work.

My family members started to feel impatient, just now my sister, her husband and their children came over for dinner, Sugar barks non stop again, I don't know how but the crate door opened itself, maybe because of jumping. Sugar ran to my 3 year old nephew. My sister screamed out loud, she thought Sugar's going to bite her son, her son cried and very scared, but in fact Sugar didn't have the intention to, she was just being friendly. My bro-in-law was extremely frustrated, shouted at us, said LEAVE, WE ARE LEAVING! My nephew and niece haven't even eaten their dinner, yet he insisted to go away, he was very fierce to us

I understand my bro-in-law loves his babies, but he should put himself to my shoes too, I love my furbaby as much as he loves his son. And Sugar never wants to bite his son.

I'm crying as I'm typing this, my family especially my dad has a very big issue on barking dogs, and this incident actually created a scene in my family.

I just feel like running out, I think moving out is the best solution, but I don't have a place to go

[MI Yorkielover]

I am sorry you are having a hard time and hopefully it will pass soon. Yorkies have stages in their life just as children do. It sounds like Sugar has found her voice and is testing it out. Patience is very necessary at this stage. She probably was excited at having so many people around. Yorkies have a lot of energy to expel at her age. Perhaps getting her out for walks more frequently will help. Holding, cuddling her and quietly whispering to her when she starts her barking may help if the other solutions you've tried haven't. Even though the things you have tried have worked on some yorkies it could be the spray and the noise of the pennies only entices her to bark more. I think as time passes Sugar will settle down and be less talkative. Perhaps you should do a search on this topic here on this forum for other suggestions, too. Good Luck

[violet voon]

Thank you so much for the reply, I really need it..

I opened a thread here about barking issue some time ago, a lot of YTalkers suggested a lot of methods, you are right, some methods only work for some yorkies, not all yorkies are the same, this is why we love them

[shari313]

Originally Posted by violet voon

My family members started to feel impatient, just now my sister, her husband and their children came over for dinner, Sugar barks non stop again, I don't know how but the crate door opened itself, maybe because of jumping. Sugar ran to my 3 year old nephew. My sister screamed out loud, she thought Sugar's going to bite her son, her son cried and very scared, but in fact Sugar didn't have the intention to, she was just being friendly. My bro-in-law was extremely frustrated, shouted at us, said LEAVE, WE ARE LEAVING! My nephew and niece haven't even eaten their dinner, yet he insisted to go away, he was very fierce to us

wow, that's a strong reaction to a tiny yorkie. if your sister hadn't screamed the boy would have been fine, and probably would have had fun playing. i'm sorry you're dealing with this. and my son is 2, and it's never the dog that gives the problems, it's my boy, lol. he's always messing with him. lol.

smokey is barking more than usual lately. and he always barks at my hubbie when he comes in the door. ugh. he knows it's him. i mean, how silly. i'm hoping when he gets neutered that he'll calm a little about hubbie.

[MI Yorkielover]

I also wanted to tell you that your Sugar looks like a little angel.

[BaxtersMommy]

I agree, if your sister would have been calm so would the son have been. Afraid of a YORKIE, are you kidding? That poor child will never have a pet. Sounds like they dont like dogs and are trying to teach that to the kid.

My Bayleigh has recently found her voice, she will just stand in the hall, staring at the bathroom door and bark. Usually it lasts 15 minutes or so. Then she stops. I am sure your baby will come around. Just continue to be as patient as you can and tell your family they need to be more understanding. They are cruel.

smokey is barking more than usual lately. and he always barks at my hubbie when he comes in the door. ugh. he knows it's him. i mean, how silly. i'm hoping when he gets neutered that he'll calm a little about hubbie.

[violet voon]

Sugar isn't spayed yet...I'm waiting for her 1st heat, then only I will bring her to vet. I hope she will be less aggressive after spayed.

[violet voon]

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

I also wanted to tell you that your Sugar looks like a little angel.

how sweet of you
Your comment made me smile, you're an angel

[JeanieK]

Are you working on correcting the barking? What method are you using.

[Cha Cha]

Stop! Take a deep breath, and count to ten. I am sorry you are going through this! I know how frustrating having a barker like that can be, I am sorry. My dog's problem was that she was injured as a young dog, and because of that she was confined to the home/yard, and therefore, I was unable to properly socialize her. She became very possessive of her surroundings and family. I couldn't trust her around small children, and she would bark continuously when I had company and it was very annoying, but we loved her none the less. She did actually get better with people that were there on a regular basis, but forget it if you were a stranger! I have yet to master how to train them not to bark, but I try taking them everywhere when they are little to socialize them and it does seem to help. Hugs!

[violet voon]

Previously when I said "No bark", she would stop, but about 1 month ago this command no longer works, I tried ignoring her when she barks and pat her/treat her when she calms down, but as soon as she finishes the treat she would start barking again.

Then, I tried penny in can, she got very excited thought I played with her, and then the spray I got from store, according to the storekeeper this spray work well on a lot of breeds, but she wasn't afraid of it at all, and she even lick the liquid left on the crate. I even bought a liquid recommended, it helps to calm down aggressive dogs, normally people feed them when they travel or visit vet. I only fed her once, it did work a little, but I decided to stop giving it to her, I felt bad because to me it's something not good for their health, I threw it. Then, I thought a muzzle might help but her size is too small the size 0 is loose on her...I tried switching her crate location...I tried rolled newspaper, smack on the floor and make her quiet, but no she got very upset and bark louder....so on, I've tried all suggestions recommended by Ytalkers on the thread I posted around 2-3 weeks ago. Eventually I found a way to stop her excessive barking, I have to put her on my laps every evening, and nap with me on the coach, once her eyelids become heavy I will put her back to the crate. It's not I don't want to share bed with her, but my sister wouldn't like this suggestion.

The problem is when people come to visit my house, she would still bark in my arms, it seems no way to correct her...maybe I'm a little pessimistic, the only hope now is, I hope she will become less aggressive after spay. But vet said wait until she gains some weight, most probably after her 1st heat. What I can do is just wait...and I've heard some furbabies remain aggressive after spay, I hope this is not true..

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by violet voon

Previously when I said "No bark", she would stop, but about 1 month ago this command no longer works, I tried ignoring her when she barks and pat her/treat her when she calms down, but as soon as she finishes the treat she would start barking again.

Then, I tried penny in can, she got very excited thought I played with her, and then the spray I got from store, according to the storekeeper this spray work well on a lot of breeds, but she wasn't afraid of it at all, and she even lick the liquid left on the crate. I even bought a liquid recommended, it helps to calm down aggressive dogs, normally people feed them when they travel or visit vet. I only fed her once, it did work a little, but I decided to stop giving it to her, I felt bad because to me it's something not good for their health, I threw it. Then, I thought a muzzle might help but her size is too small the size 0 is loose on her...I tried switching her crate location...I tried rolled newspaper, smack on the floor and make her quiet, but no she got very upset and bark louder....so on, I've tried all suggestions recommended by Ytalkers on the thread I posted around 2-3 weeks ago. Eventually I found a way to stop her excessive barking, I have to put her on my laps every evening, and nap with me on the coach, once her eyelids become heavy I will put her back to the crate. It's not I don't want to share bed with her, but my sister wouldn't like this suggestion.

The problem is when people come to visit my house, she would still bark in my arms, it seems no way to correct her...maybe I'm a little pessimistic, the only hope now is, I hope she will become less aggressive after spay. But vet said wait until she gains some weight, most probably after her 1st heat. What I can do is just wait...and I've heard some furbabies remain aggressive after spay, I hope this is not true..

It sounds like she does not see you as the pack leader. So first you need to correct that issue. For that I refer you to Cesar Milans website. Welcome to Cesar Millan's Official Web Site | Cesar Millan

This is not something you can ignore cause it will only get worse. Get some of his books or DVD's. Learn what you need to do to be a good pack leader then her behavior will improve and she will start listening to you again.

The fact that you have to lie down with her tells me that she is the one who runs your house. A spoiled dog is like a spoiled child, no one can stand them.

[Yorkiekids]

I'm not sure how to stop this behavior as it sounds like your really trying a lot of great things. It might be worth contacting a trainer for just one or two sessions to help you out. I found that by contacting my police canine unit that they did have officers that were willing to help me out, and they were very inexpensive. I think your family over reacted, and probably scared her more then she scared them. Every once in a while my two will jump on my grandson, and accidently scratch him, because they are so excited to see him. I just kiss his boo boo, and he's fine. He loves them too.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Yorkiekids

I'm not sure how to stop this behavior as it sounds like your really trying a lot of great things. It might be worth contacting a trainer for just one or two sessions to help you out. I found that by contacting my police canine unit that they did have officers that were willing to help me out, and they were very inexpensive. I think your family over reacted, and probably scared her more then she scared them. Every once in a while my two will jump on my grandson, and accidently scratch him, because they are so excited to see him. I just kiss his boo boo, and he's fine. He loves them too.

In this case I do not believe contacting a trainer is going to do much good, until she changes her behavior. As long as the dog runs the hlouse she is not going to change. A trainer can correct the behavior while he is there, but as soon as he is out of the picture the dog will go back to it's oldways, unless the humans in the house take back control.

JMO but I believe it would be a waste of time and money.