very discouraged

[kaiatbh]

I have been trying to train Yoni (he's 12 weeks). Simple things, like sit. So far he knows sit and stand. I always make him sit before I feed him (he also eats AFTER the family). I also make him sit before I give him any affection or attention. I initiate play time, and I decide when it's over. I try to keep on on a leash when he's in the house (it's been helping to keep him calm most of the time, and to keep him from entering a room before me). That being said, he just won't learn. When we took him for his needles, the vet informed us that he's dominant and that he "probably runs the household"... and then she sort of giggled. Doesn't seem like anything to laugh about, in my opinion. I want a well behaved dog that respects my family. He can't play normal. He bites a lot and it hurts. When I say "NO" in the firmest, most assertive voice I possibly can, it makes him bite me more. When I walk away, he follows me and bites my feet or my pants. If I manage to escape, he's not phased at all. We are taking him to a professional dog trainer as soon as possible, but I want to know if there's any hope for him. Has anyone else had to deal with a puppy like this? We aren't very experienced with dogs.... I mean, I'm doing so much research. I read "A Member of the Family" by Cesar Millan, and it makes everything seem so easy. For Yoni, nothing is easy. Please help.

[RDB911]

Honestly, he's very young and still a puppy...you can't except results overnight...give it time, he’s still very trainable..

Also, I highly recommend you get him fixed if you haven’t already. This will help with the dominance issue.

[Lovetodream88]

He is still a baby you have to give it time. The nipping is a puppy thing when Callie did it I used a squirt bottle and said no and that worked well for us.

[jadabug]

He is still a baby,and needs lots of patience and consistency right now.It will take a while to get him fully trained. Maybe someone with training experience will post in a bit. Welcome to Yorkie Talk and good luck. You might want to take a look at the training section on the forum. There is lots of good advice there.

[kaiatbh]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

He is still a baby you have to give it time. The nipping is a puppy thing when Callie did it I used a squirt bottle and said no and that worked well for us.

I used a squirt bottle for a short period of time and it seemed to work, but then I read that you shouldn't do that because it's managing him but not teaching him? I'm going to ask the trainer about it because right now it may be the only thing that works. I just want him to see me as the pack leader.

[kaiatbh]

Originally Posted by RDB911

Honestly, he's very young and still a puppy...you can't except results overnight...give it time, he’s still very trainable..

Also, I highly recommend you get him fixed if you haven’t already. This will help with the dominance issue.

Don't I have to wait until he is 6 months to have him fixed? That's what I was told, but I could be wrong.

[Lizzie07]

Originally Posted by kaiatbh

I have been trying to train Yoni (he's 12 weeks). Simple things, like sit. So far he knows sit and stand. I always make him sit before I feed him (he also eats AFTER the family). I also make him sit before I give him any affection or attention. I initiate play time, and I decide when it's over. I try to keep on on a leash when he's in the house (it's been helping to keep him calm most of the time, and to keep him from entering a room before me). That being said, he just won't learn. When we took him for his needles, the vet informed us that he's dominant and that he "probably runs the household"... and then she sort of giggled. Doesn't seem like anything to laugh about, in my opinion. I want a well behaved dog that respects my family. He can't play normal. He bites a lot and it hurts. When I say "NO" in the firmest, most assertive voice I possibly can, it makes him bite me more. When I walk away, he follows me and bites my feet or my pants. If I manage to escape, he's not phased at all. We are taking him to a professional dog trainer as soon as possible, but I want to know if there's any hope for him. Has anyone else had to deal with a puppy like this? We aren't very experienced with dogs.... I mean, I'm doing so much research. I read "A Member of the Family" by Cesar Millan, and it makes everything seem so easy. For Yoni, nothing is easy. Please help.

I think your biggest problem here is perception. You say you want a well behaved DOG, but you have a PUPPY. These are two totally different things. You wouldn't confuse a two year old child with an adult, but you seem to have the impression that a 12 week old puppy should behave like an adult dog. Ain't gonna happen. For one thing, a 12 week old puppy has the focus and attention span of, well, a BABY!

Have you ever watched puppies play? They bite, they put everything in their mouths, and if they have been properly taught by Momma dog and their littermates, they know not to bite too hard, or in other words, they've learn bite inhibition. It doesn't mean they don't bite. Since it is such a strong instinct, it takes a ton of repetitions to train it out of them and as they mature, especially after teething, it should be easier going. He can start learning not to bite, but it isn't going to happen in just a few training sessions. Also, use different sounds to make him quit. After telling him "NO" a gazillion times, it becomes background noise. Scream, make a gagging sound, like ack, or use the sound Cesear makes. When you startle him and he stops, praise him. Then throw a toy to get him away from you and praise as he goes to get it. I have bulging pockets all the time for the puppy I have right now.

I don't think Yoni is necessarily dominant, but I do believe he is probably a very intelligent, high energy puppy that a lot of trainers would envy you having. He is going to turn out to be a fabulous dog if you get through puppyhood with him. You need to learn training techniques. And I happen to believe that no one trainer or method is "the way to train," that it's good to know different ways to get a dog to do something. Overall, positive methods are the only way I'll train. Have you ever watched Victoria Stillwell? She has a bag full of methods. Sometimes she has people using the clicker, other times, other things, including preventing unwanted behaviours. You have a few more weeks before he has all his immunizations and it's safe for him to socialize with a lot of other dogs, but rather than taking him to a trainer, you might consider taking a class with him or working with the trainer showing you how to train your puppy, but please if you go with a trainer, make sure they use positive reinforcement.

Maybe try clicker training in the meantime? With a little guy who has the energy level of Yoni, it might be the way to get him to focus a little more during your training sessions. Start with the "touch" command, as I think that is the easiest to train. I'll try to write instructions under training later today.

Honestly, I think Yoni will mature into the dog of your dreams if you can stand puppyhood. But that might take a couple years, even, for him to really mature fully, although it will get better before then. I have a seven month old IG foster with me right now and what I wouldn't give to trade her for a seven year old foster a lot of the time! She is very high energy and can jump a lot higher than Yoni, and get into a lot more things than my little low rider Lizzy ever could. And she jumps and will grab at my shirt and hands to get my attention. She is a lot more demanding and time consuming, for sure, than an adult would be.

Hang in there, you'll be glad you did .... eventually.

[megansmomma]

You need to be very careful with the training techniques that you are using otherwise you will be creating an even bigger problem with your puppy. He is only 12 weeks old and he is just a baby. It's like trying to train a toddler to behave. I'm not a fan of Caesar Milan's techniques and believe in positive training reinforcement. You need to praise and treat the positive and ignore (turn your back) on the negative like nipping at ankles or too rough play. Never try to dominate this will only create more aggression. There is no need to use a spray bottle on a young puppy. This too will only create more problems in the long run.

If you are teaching sit/stay you can use this technique when entering a room. Sit/stay then walk into the room and come on call. But all of this will take a lot of time. At this point you couldn't have had him more then a week or so and it would be IMPOSSIBLE to train even an old dog in a week. You really need to give all of this some time and lots of patience.

I also spent a lot of time sitting on the ground while working with mine and this worked very well for us with things like tricks. The tethering is also an excellent training tool. Please use caution with dominating.

As for neutering him all vets are different in their requirments regarding age and weight etc. and more wait until around 6 months and close to the 5 lbs make.

[princessizzy]

Originally Posted by kaiatbh

I used a squirt bottle for a short period of time and it seemed to work, but then I read that you shouldn't do that because it's managing him but not teaching him? I'm going to ask the trainer about it because right now it may be the only thing that works. I just want him to see me as the pack leader.

He's still a baby...12 weeks is still very young....you need to get a bond going first ( if you have not already) and maybe work with him 10-15 mins, a time a few times a day. Puppies this young need to be cuddled and love alot for they get used to knowing that you will always be there for them ... if you have not already got this book get it..I found it very helpful "Barrons dog bible Yorkshire Terrier"...Great Book for sure..

[princessizzy]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

You need to be very careful with the training techniques that you are using otherwise you will be creating an even bigger problem with your puppy. He is only 12 weeks old and he is just a baby. It's like trying to train a toddler to behave. I'm not a fan of Caesar Milan's techniques and believe in positive training reinforcement. You need to praise and treat the positive and ignore (turn your back) on the negative like nipping at ankles or too rough play. Never try to dominate this will only create more aggression. There is no need to use a spray bottle on a young puppy. This too will only create more problems in the long run.

If you are teaching sit/stay you can use this technique when entering a room. Sit/stay then walk into the room and come on call. But all of this will take a lot of time. At this point you couldn't have had him more then a week or so and it would be IMPOSSIBLE to train even an old dog in a week. You really need to give all of this some time and lots of patience.

I also spent a lot of time sitting on the ground while working with mine and this worked very well for us with things like tricks. The tethering is also an excellent training tool. Please use caution with dominating.

As for neutering him all vets are different in their requirments regarding age and weight etc. and more wait until around 6 months and close to the 5 lbs make.

Great Advice!!!

[kalina82]

Yoni is very much still a baby. At 12 weeks old you should just be picking him up from the breeder. He should have been with his mother and siblings until he was 12 weeks. During this time he learns manners from his mother and proper play habits from his siblings. However since he didn't have this time with his mom and siblings you need to teach him these things. I just want to stress to you how much of a baby he still is. You say you don't have much experience with dogs so i'm guessing you just don't understand the ways of raising a tiny dog. Its good that you are researching and trying to learn. YT is a great place for that. Check the training section for tips. Also you may want to look into other ways of training for your puppy. Cesar is great and i use some of his methods but for a baby i wouldn't use his methods. Try positive re-enforcement training with your puppy. it works really well. You can also try clicker training.

Yoni is a puppy right now, and you need to let him be one. with proper care and training he will turn out to be a great Dog when he grows up.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

You need to be very careful with the training techniques that you are using otherwise you will be creating an even bigger problem with your puppy. He is only 12 weeks old and he is just a baby. It's like trying to train a toddler to behave. I'm not a fan of Caesar Milan's techniques and believe in positive training reinforcement. You need to praise and treat the positive and ignore (turn your back) on the negative like nipping at ankles or too rough play. Never try to dominate this will only create more aggression. There is no need to use a spray bottle on a young puppy. This too will only create more problems in the long run.

If you are teaching sit/stay you can use this technique when entering a room. Sit/stay then walk into the room and come on call. But all of this will take a lot of time. At this point you couldn't have had him more then a week or so and it would be IMPOSSIBLE to train even an old dog in a week. You really need to give all of this some time and lots of patience.

I also spent a lot of time sitting on the ground while working with mine and this worked very well for us with things like tricks. The tethering is also an excellent training tool. Please use caution with dominating.

As for neutering him all vets are different in their requirments regarding age and weight etc. and more wait until around 6 months and close to the 5 lbs make.

though i think 5lbs is a bit much to wait for. I think 3lbs is more reasonable. I had morgan spayed at 6 months and a little less then 3lbs.

[Maximo]

A lot of great advice posted above.

Relax, enjoy your puppy, and make training an enjoyable experience for both of you. If you are anxious about progress, or assume the role of a harsh drill sergeant in boot camp, your pup will probably be anxious, overly excited, unfocused, and maybe lacking in trust.

I don't subscribe to the dominance school of training. You can still be in charge while allowing your dog to eat before you or pass through a doorway before you. My Yorkies have taught me the power of positive reinforcement training.

Biting -- that is standard teething puppy. There are so many methods to deal with biting. Make sure he has enough safe chew toys. If he bites, put your hand flat up to his face and say "no bite" assertively, but not angrily or aggressively. Another one is to fold your arms/hand across your chest and say "ouch."

[nana911]

Wait a minute. Take a deep breath. Listen to yourself. You say he knows sit and stand. Then you say he won't learn. Hello?!?! I'm thinking that is pretty remarkable for a 12wk old baby. Keyword baby.

He wants to play. He doesn't know biting hurts. Maybe you could try immediately biting him back so he knows why you are saying no. I think his littermates and mother would have bitten him and he would have learned the limits.

Anyway, to get him to do what you have done so far at such a young age is pretty remarkable and shows he is very trainable and you are going to be a great trainer. Just remember to have fun and let yourself, your family and especially him enjoy each other a bit more.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by kalina82

though i think 5lbs is a bit much to wait for. I think 3lbs is more reasonable. I had morgan spayed at 6 months and a little less then 3lbs.

Oh boy~ you are right and didn't catch what I said until now. What I meant to say was 6 months or 5 lbs. Some never reach the 5 lb mark