any sugestions
 

I had posted about getting a new Yorkie we named Winston that was pre owned for about a month before I got him. They had a very young child that was not too nice to Winston and that is why they had to get rid of him. I Am having issues with him biting us when we go to pick him up. He will cower down low to the ground almost like he is going to lay down and then snaps at our hand.I am afrid to correct him cause I think he was traumatized by the first owners kid. But I can't have him biting us like this, I have never had this problem with my other Yorkies. Please help me make Winston feel he will not be harmed by us!

Have you tried first to sit down close to him and talk really sweet to him and ask him to come to you? I would try that approach and see if that will end the biting. I think that is fear biting.

I agree with this approach. It sounds to me that he has to learn to trust you first before he will allow you to pick him up or reach towards him.

One of mine was not as socialized as my other two for reasons beyond his or the breeders control. He spent a lot of time crated/expened.

He was very skittish and not trusting for anyone to reach for him. He didn't bite, though. He actually was very loving and wanted to be touched, just didn't trust anyone.

And this is exactly what I did. I sat on the floor. Sometimes I'd talk to him and coax him for a bit, and other times I'd just let him be. HIs normal curiosity and need for attention drew him to me rather than me forcing myself on him.

Mine is doing really well now and he is even much better with strangers or visitors to my home.

Good luck. Patience will win out here, I'm sure.

Yes we all talk real sweet to Winston he will climb on the couch with us and even lick us but its when we go to touch him that he gets hunkered down and will growl and snaps at us. He is very playful and friendly for the most part and loves attention from us, he just doesn't like it if you reach out your hand to him. And like I said I know that his prior owner young child was ruff with him, he started nipping at her because she was a bit on the mean side and would slap Winston and that is one of their reasons why they got rid of him.

When you reach out your hand to him, try having a treat in it. After a few times, try gently petting him while he's eating the treat. After a few days of that, try gently picking him while he's distracted with the treat.

Worked with Lucy. She used to get so PI$$ED if you would pick her up from a comfy cushion, etc. We started picking her up and giving her a treat . . and that snarly behavior vanished quickly.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Excellent suggestion. This should actually make him think good things come from reaching hands. Just don't rush it.

:thumbup:

Thanks for the advice :thumbup: So far the treat idea is not doing the trick yet for Winston but we have had some improvement with just trying it for 2 days! I am keeping with it as this may really help him replace bad thoughts of a hand coming at him with good thoughts of getting a treat and affection!

Have you tried petting him under his chin instead of the top of his head?
I think he has been taught to not trust anyone towering over him and reaching down to him. Maybe the kid did this and the end result was being pulled, hit, or suffer discomfort in any way. Winston learned this is not a good thing, and learned that by snapping it will keep people away. It's sad really.

With time, he will learn to trust you and not fear those that reach out to him. Just be patient.

Yep, I was just gonna suggest this. With any dog, you never want to reach to the top of the head, actually. Always best to come up under the chin.

Good luck!

:( Pooooor Winston!! This is so upsetting. How long must a baby undergo tourment before they realize that yorkies aren't for people who have young children?! (Although there are young children that are well-enough behaved that they can handle it)

Hope this gets better!! I'm sure his little heart is full of love to give!

It doesn't matter witch way your approach is to him, and its not just when you go to pet him, its also just sitting next to him on the couch or floor petting him, he attacks your hand. He also will bite if you go to pick him up for any reason. I do not just surprise him to pick him up, I talk real nice to him and get on the ground he will come in my lap but as soon as he sees you move your hand to go near him he bites. We have been working with treats as someone had recommended and it is helping a bit. I just feel so sad that he acts like this, hard telling what the child had done to him to get him to act this way, they had him for almost 2 months prior to me getting him:( I could tell he had a form a trauma happen to him as soon as he was in my care. We have been real cautious to this from the get go of him joining our family.

I know that breaks your heart. It may be something that will come with time and trust. It's fear on his part.

Fear biting is a terrible thing to have to deal with :( I hope and pray he learns to trust everyone very soon!

Most re-homed dogs have some form of trauma that needs to be overcome. Some are easier, some are harder. It's sad... but how wonderful that Winston has found a family who are determined to love him and teach him how to love them!

Our Shannon was abandoned in a pen w/4 other dogs for 8 months when she was a puppy. She was fed and watered, but not loved. Now, she's obsessive about getting love. She comes up and paws for attention. It's hard, but we're trying to extinguish that behavior by not responding to her demands... but responding lavishly when she doesn't demand petting.

Don't lose faith. Know that you're healing with your patience.

I think it is just going to take a lot of patience until he learns to trust you.

Will he climb onto your lap on his own?

It is sad that anyone would allow their child to abuse any animal.

Maybe if he climbs on to your lab you can give him a kong with PB... who can refuse those!? Then, the only time he can get it is when he's on your lap so he associates your touch with a positive. Good luck!!

Time, Patience, and Love
 

Gosh , I can hear the trauma he must have gone through and agree with the other posters it will take time.

Roxy our first ASPCA dog we adopted 16 years ago was owned by someone who mistreated/abused her with a baseball hat on and must of been male. She would not trust anyone, till the day she died , any man walking into our house with a baseball cap on.

Dad, bless his heart, always wore baseball caps lol, but he persevered in befriending her and always pocketed treats for her. You wouldnt believe what that man could pack in his coat and pants pockets for her. Kielbasi yep, ham, balongna anything he thought she would enjoy. She did finally love him. Told him time and time again just take the hat off Dad but he couldnt/wouldnt, it was who he was lol.

I guess it was his patience, taking the time being gentle with her, letting her lead the way, waiting on her cues. I never understood this till now. You cant rush the process as much as it pains US we have to go on their time table.

He will show you the steps he needs all you need to do is watch for his cues. Sounds like you have the patience just need the time now. Sending prayers to you both.

Health and Happiness

Yes Winston will come up and climb into our laps all by himself. Hes a very kissey boy too! I really have no other problems with him other than him nipping at your hands when you go to pet/pick him up. You can see he is fearful when he acts like this, so I have always spoken gently to him and I praise him when he calms down and stops attacking our hands. He also acts this way when we brush him. He LOVES my other 2 Yorkies and plays very good with them, he does not fight with them over food or toys.

here is the background story that we know of on Winston, it might help get an idea at what he experienced before he came to us.

From what his previous owner told my sister is that they had gotten Winston at 9 weeks of age from the breeder. He came to me at age 19 weeks on August 29. so they had him for 10 weeks. Their child was kind of scared of him when he would go to lick her so she would hit at him. Its when she actually hit him and he bit her that they decided to get rid of him. They tried getting a hold of the breeder but had no luck for 3 weeks and then he told people at work if he did not sell off the dog by September 3 he was taking him to the pound! Winston has had issues with nipping at our hands from day one of coming into our family. I have 4 boys ages 13, 14, 16 and 17, and I have told them from the get go not to use harsh voice when he nips them but to calmly say "no bite" to him a and to praise Winston when he stops biting and calms down. I am happy he is in our family and we are trying to make him unfearfull twords us, we would never hurt him in any way. The treat idea has been helping a bit so that is good. I will keep working with him and loving him up!

Like I said, I really believe that in time he'll come to trust those hands! It will probably be awhile - I'm sure it will - but he has to learn that hands don't hit. Bless his little heart!:(

Zach came from a pet store (don't hate me) but he is the most loving kissy dog in the world. I do have a cat that was tossed out and she was very hard to tame. The vet said she had been abused but now with alot of patience and love she is wonderful. I know we are supposed to be a yorkie community but an abused animal whether a cat or dog still has feelings and needs alot of love.
Mollie is the white callico

Yes, you are so right! They all have feelings and it is everyone's responsibility to protect them. You are a wonderful person for protecting an abused pet. It doesn't matter what they are - they all need help.:)

Oh, my god!!! I feel so bad for Winston and bless your heart for taking care of him.
My friend's dog had issue with being touched by people as well.
I put nutrical on my hand and placed it in front of his nose first, let him lick it off,then gently pet him and told him "good boy~" I tried it for couple of days and he got better. Hope it helps~

Unfortunately there are no easy answers. If you go along with someone buying a cross breed from a breeder there is one at the pound not getting adopted. We are dog lovers and its important that we educate people on responsible dog purchasing and care.

Huh?:confused:

I wondered when someone was going to catch thats. Its a duh Im on the wrong thread LOL

Oh! OK.:D

update
 

Winston is doing so much better!! We have had great progress with him and I must say he is such a kissy boy! He will still hunker down and act as if he is expecting to get slapped at times but he is no longer biting. when he hunkers down and sort of snarls we say" Winston no bite" and you can just see him relax and its all better for him. We praise him with a "good boy Winston" and a kiss or belly rub and he is so happy!

Thank you all for your help! I just felt so sorry that my new little guy was mistreated before we got him and I am so thankful for your suggestions to help my boy out!