Am I wrong?
 

sorry this is more of a vent than anything

as most of you know i have a 3 year old, and just recently got a now 5 month old yorkie

now my problem is, my son can get rough with her to a point where she is starting to nip back, Im continually on my sons case on how to treat her, my hubby on the other hand says let her bite him and he'll learn.. i say its up to us as parents to teach him how to treat her and not let him do that stuff to her..! its totally stressing me out.

any suggestions?

No, you're not wrong. Teach your child to play appropriately with the dog and he will learn how to treat all animals. If you don't...the dog will learn that biting is the way to get things done and your child will learn to not like the dog because it bites him and the dog will lose out in the end.

You are right. The more she is allowed to bite to defend herself, the more she thinks it's okay to do when upset. Besides, she could easily get seriously hurt or even killed if she is handled wrong (dropped, etc.).

It's not enough to just correct your son when he does something wrong to her though. In that split second, she could be in danger. So they need to be separated (imo).

im there with them all the time, I never let them play together alone!!!!!!!! I would never do that...and totally 100% agree that it needs to be stopped!

I've heard your husband's reasoning before, and I understand it, but maybe if you explain to him that if the puppy is allowed to bite to defend herself, she will likely use that same method with the neighbor's child and that could result in a law suit or worse!! It really is important that your puppy learns that you as the adult will protect her and that she learns to come to you for protection.

Marg

But unfortunately that isn't enough. Just one blink and something can happen. I was holding Ellie once and a child came up and starting barking like a dog in her face. She snapped and was very close to biting her face (and causing damage). I was right there. It didn't matter... :(

very good point,

that was the childs fault tho, not the dogs...and like me the parents fault for not teaching how to be around dogs..no matter the size..or animals in general.
so frustrating and emotional.. but unfortunately I agree your right to keep em separated till he gets it

Just curious, how old is your son? I know it has to be very stressful. How is your older dog with your son?

My son is 3, we have 2 border collies of our own, and also at the moment, keeping a couple for friends of ours for 6 weeks as they are away, another border collie and a jack russel and he is fantastic with them.
breaks my heart that him and Sydney are having problems!

You are definitely in the right on this one. Your son needs to learn what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to handling a dog. Your small dog may not bite that hard (yet), but if he thinks this is ok he might just treat a bigger dog the same and end up with a wicked bite.

So sorry, I sure hope you can work with your son on being gentle and it can all work out. I'm sure he doesn't have to be so easy around the big dogs, but as you know, it's a very different situation with these little yorkies. Zhoie is our first one and it's truely a whole different world of caring, watching out that they don't get injured, etc. Things that I never gave a second thought of with other breeds I have been blessed with through the years. Wishing you all the best!

thanks for the pep talk and advice everyone, Im going to keep working at it! its only inside the house he pays any attention to her, once outside border collies get all his attention..
He gets playing with her, and all fine at the start then he just starts getting carried away..Im going to have to put my foot down harder (as long a sydneys not near) and keep at him!

Sorry to hear this, hope you sort it out soon xx

You are right, children need to be taught how to treat and respect a dog or there could be an accident.

I figured out why my son is acting the way he is towards my Sydney, he just wants to hear Her or any of our other dogs bark or growl, he thinks its funny, and of course it isnt..now how do i fix this situation?

He's three, I don't know how much a three year old understands. I don't have any kids of my own, and the youngest age group I've worked with were 4-5 year olds. I hope someone here has some good advice for you.

I'm very sorry for your little yorkie. This is exactly the reason why I won't sell puppies to families with young children. Is this fun for your son? No. He can't be enjoying the yorkie. And while he certainly should learn how to treat dogs properly, and not make them growl, the bigger dogs won't suffer at his hand. Your yorkie is being mistreated and is suffering. To compound your problems the Jack Russell isn't a breed I'd want with a yorkie puppy. Until your son is older why have a toy breed that he can torment and harm? I hope that you'll consider placing the puppy before something terrible happens to it.
Also consider this. A long time breeder, Jay Ammon, used to tell about a slide presentation she once saw. It pictured young children whose faces had all been badly disfigured and scarred by dog bites. At the conclusion of the presentation the speaker informed those watching that all the horrible bites had been inflicted by toy breeds. So you might suggest to your husband that letting the dogs bite your son probably isn't the best way to teach him. Before your son matures to the point that he'll treat the yorkie properly it sounds like your going to have one angry, nasty little dog on your hands. How sad for the puppy.

I wasnt asking to be judged just some advice on the situation, you do not know me! I would never ever would have thought he would be doing this to this dog, as being farmers we have many many animals on the property and not like this to any other of the animals, cats, dogs, etc!
the Jack russel is NOT my pet, we are looking after it for a friend of ours, not only is this jack russel 12 years old, he wouldnt hurt a fly!
my husband and I have come to agreement to the biting situation.
Maybe Im making it sound worse than it is,
my son does enjoy this yorkie, hes just trying to play with her, not be mean!

No one is judging you...you are doing what you know regarding animals. It's just small toy breeds are totally different. It takes a different kind of training. Kids need to be taught and reminded how to treat animals. If I were you I'd tell your son that if he can't treat this dog in a respectful way then he can't play with any of the animals. Threaten to give them to homes where little kids will love them gently. Just tell him in a "matter of fact" tone.
I had a similar experience with my nephew age 7. He'd been around all his grandparents horses, dogs and cats and treated them nicely. But, when I brought them Boomer (he was my sister's family dog at first) My nephew changed and started being rough and getting in his face...etc. We all know what happens to dogs that are antagonized...they become aggressive. After a month...we realized that he was jealous of Boomer.I took Boomer back and their going to get a dog in a few years. Maybe your son is jealous of the new dog?

No one is judging you...you are doing what you know regarding animals. It's just small toy breeds are totally different. It takes a different kind of training. Kids need to be taught and reminded how to treat animals. If I were you I'd tell your son that if he can't treat this dog in a respectful way then he can't play with any of the animals. Threaten to give them to homes where little kids will love them gently. Just tell him in a "matter of fact" tone.
I had a similar experience with my nephew age 7. He'd been around all his grandparents horses, dogs and cats and treated them nicely. But, when I brought them Boomer (he was my sister's family dog at first) My nephew changed and started being rough and getting in his face...etc. We all know what happens to dogs that are antagonized...they become aggressive. After a month...we realized that he was jealous of Boomer.I took Boomer back and their going to get a dog in a few years. Maybe your son is jealous of the new dog?

Don't be offended by people here...there are some that get overly passionate about their opinion and forget that you are asking for advice. We are here to help one another.

Thank you for this, Im doing everything I can to make this situation work, its been almost 2 weeks now since I have brought her home, and as all of you are aware, the love i have for this dog is unbelievable in such a short time... but as they say, if you love something that much the best thing to do is keep them safe and out of harms way, and if the best thing for this pup is to rehome her again, I guess thats what Im going to have to do for her sake...its just braking my heart to have to do so!

I know how hard this is for you and we all pray and hope that you will find a solution you can live with. I have no advice but my heart bleeds for you...

One of my dogs is an IG rescue that I got from a family with eight kids and a ninth on the way. They were all ages, teenagers to two in diapers. Angie, the rescue, FEARS children, and I mean really, really is afraid of children. It is so bad, that I think she would bite if cornered by a child. The people who gave her to me told me she wasn't housetrained, but you know what? She was fabulously housetrained, but she was afraid to go out alone. It finally dawned on me that Angie had probably bitten one of the children. She is okay with teenagers, it's younger children she finds frightening. I don't have daily interaction with kids and the occassional contact is not enough to work through this with her. So I protect her at all times from contact with children.

I hope you see my point in this. Your puppy could develop a real problem with children, especially if she realizes that biting works! And the problem can be with ALL children.

I realize, in light of the fact that you have other dogs and your son is good with them, that you never imagined you'd have a problem with your yorkie, so I am glad you haven't closed your mind to rehoming. I just hope your little girl isn't too negatively imprinted by children. I don't think Raymond's Mom was being judgemental at all, just making a point that usually a three year old child is too young for a dog. Maybe not all three year olds, but that might be the exception. A responsible breeder, IMO, is suppose to do what is best for her puppies and in most cases, that might mean not letting a puppy go to a home with a very young child. So please don't feel offended by what she said and I hope you don't feel that way by anything I say.

You have a very serious problem on your hands, and I wish you luck. I truly hope you can work this out and keep your little baby. :aimeeyork

I feel very badly for this lady but I put the blame for this ON THE BREEDER. Too many people are breeding yorkies and just trying to make a buck. Will they turn down a sale because the home might not be a good situation for the puppy....of course not. Now this lady is attached to her puppy, the puppy is on it's way to becoming a biter and it's not a good family pet. Her little boy sounds like a regular "all boy" 3 year old. But mom should have been told by the breeder that she needed to wait until he was older. Again, this isn't a happy, positive experience for anyone involved other than the breeder who pocketed the money for the sale.

My heart breaks for you and your little baby yorkie. I think it is so admirable of you to ask for advice about this and want to do what is best for her. It shows you truly love her. But you are soooooo right!!!! Children should NEVER be allowed to abuse a dog, ever, even though to them it is just playing. When they are that young, they really are too young to be able to totally control themselves, or truly comprehend what they are doing. To them it is just funny, and they will giggle when they hear the doggie bark. It is not your, nor your sons fault. I think a very little dog is just a poor choice for a very young child. Bless you for caring, and for coming here to seek advice. I so hope you find a solution. Every day we live and learn. Bravo to you!!!
Namaste

with much thought, I have decided to rehome her, it breaks my heart to do so.. but know its the best thing all around, and maybe in a few years time get another yorkie, I absolutely love the breed. I have tears in my eyes as I type this. thank you all for your support and advice, and sorry if I was harsh to anyone for helping me. love Syndey and me

I don't let anybody play rough with my dogs, becuase rough play is teaching and encouraging aggressive behavior and that's not OK!

I can only imagine how your heart must be breaking. I wish I had some clever words to make you feel better. Cling to the thought of allowing another Yorkie into your life when your young son is a bit older - perhaps it will help heal the heartache.

As I am typing this I am crying. I so admire you, I just cannot tell you how very much. A lesser person would just shrug this off and decide to keep her anyway. You are truly a special person, and I know how much you love your Yorkie Baby, and I know you are doing the right thing. There is a special star up there for you in heaven. Bless you and yours. You are a WARRIOR of the heart. Some day, when the time is right, you will find your special Yorkie Baby. I KNOW IT!!!! When all the family can enjoy her and she can be safe without a struggle, and have a wonderful forever home, and your little guy will be big enough to really understand the concept of gentleness and truly loving an animal. I so respect you for this decision, I just simply cannot tell you. Sending all the best wishes I can gather in my heart. Be safe and happy. It will turn out alright, you will see. (STILL Crying). You are so brave. I hope you have a good support system, or you can always come here for love and support. Namaste, Shellie

My tears and prayers are with you and I hope you'll find the right home for your little fur baby and some solace in the fact that you are doing the right thing for her, for your son and last not least for you too. It's going to take a load off your already overburdened mind... God Bless You!