ugh need some help
 

Bennett is 7 months old, and recently i've started school and since i have Bennett has been acting out like crazy. He started by pooping inside couple times, and he bites me all the time and barks at me aggressively. He got fixed at 6 months and it seems like since he has gotten fixed he has become more aggressive. Its frustrating, since he started acting out I have tried to spend more time with him, playing and petting him but he doesnt seem to be getting better with his biting. I tap his nose and say no and he just lunges at me and tries to bite me again. Then i tried pulling the back of his neck like his mom would do he hates it but again lunges at me. Before he started acting out he slept with me every night but then he pooped inside and i decided to put him in his kennel at night since he is not trustworthy being out of it. I'm scared to bring him to my sisters house who has 3 little kids who he loves to play with, but i dont want him to accidentally nip them and then for the kids to be scared of him. My hands can not take any more nips from him, help me :(

He needs a buddy. The second one made all the difference in our first one who had separation anxiety. She still pouts when I leave but she at least has "someone" with her when I'm gone.

I totally disagree with this advice. It is never a good idea to get another dog hoping to fix behavior problems in the first dog. Most likely, it will just make him worse and the new dog will pick up bad habits from the first. Then you will have two dogs with behavioral problems. You need to correct the unwanted behavior yourself.

Bennett's behavior probably has more to do with going through his "teenage" stage than being neutered or you going back to school. Just like human teens, "teenage" dogs can be rebellious, challenging, full of themselves, etc. Hitting him on the nose for biting you only encourages him to bite back.

I would really suggest you consult a behaviorist to help you learn how to handle this behavior so Bennett can become a well behaved adult.

We used a a squirt bottle with water when Callie was a puppy and nipping and it worked wonderfuly.

ya i agree with the teenage years. I do feel bad cause I want to play wit him but my fingers cant take the nipping. Tonight we were playing and we both went for a toy and my fingers lost and his tooth took a huge gash of skin out. This wasnt because he was naughty we were just playing but man did it hurt. I want my sweet little boy back haha. I know he will get over this its just a matter of when....

Bite him back...just kidding! I know this has got to hurt your feelings. Did he do this before you went to school? How long is he left alone? Is he crated during this time? Sorry for all the questions but this post has really got me for some reason. Just trying to figure out if this is new behaviour.

No he didnt really do this before i started school. this week is my third week at school, his acting out started the end of the first week of school. I work full time and go to school online except 1 class. So the longest he is left alone is 8 hours while im at work. Yes, he is crated while i'm not at home. He is not trustworthy to be left alone. I know he is still a puppy which is a big part of it. Thanks for the help

Its not that im not spending time wit him cause when im home he is out of his kennel but i'm not playing wit him like he wants

I don't know. If my Elsa did this to me I would be so upset. Do you give him treats when he plays "good"? When he bites have you tried to "yipe" like a litter mate would have? Maybe if you yipe when he bites and then say NO! get up and walk away from him for a couple of minutes. Come back and try again. Keep this up and when he plays good you could reward with a treat. Good luck to you, Keep us informed.

my gino is 7 mnths old and a teapot, he had a bad habit of biting, and it hurt, i take him on long walks with the others and he to tired to bite lol, also i raise my voice loud and shout EASY and push him away, its worked for me:D he seems to nibble gently after that:rolleyes: pups will be pups:rolleyes:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Pretty much what I was going to say. Also consider getting a puppet toy for play, and never use your hands as play things (I know sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often you use your fingers to draw thier attention).

Sounds like Bennett was taken from his mother and siblings too soon and never learned bite inhibition. This is a common problem in Yorkies who were sold before 12 weeks old. They miss very important lessons in socialization.

It sounds like your little guy is being a bit of a "brat" - just like teenagers can be. :D It doesn't make it easier to deal with but it is a little more understandable. I would recommend you research the "Nothing in Life is Free" dog training program (NILIF) by doing a google search. I really find this works well for dogs who think they are the boss or who are pushing your buttons.
Also, remember (and keep saying to yourself) a tired puppy is a good puppy. Keep him exercised and entertained and I think you will find he is better. For the nipping when playing it sounds like he is being overly excited and doesn't understand that it hurts when he bites you (puppy skin is tougher than human skin). When that happens yelp like a puppy would (say oww or ouch in a high pitched voice) and immediately stop playing with your puppy. Stand up, turn your back, remove yourself from his area. This teaches puppies (and usually pretty fast) that bitting hurts you and you won't play with him any longer if he puts his teeth on you. I really think this will help. If he seems like he needs to chew or is teething you might want to give him some chew toys to help with that need also.
Good luck,
Teresa

That is what I was think also... so you have to be like his mate ....

Also, is he getting enough exercise?? Walks and such?
I do think having two pets helps.. but you have to time it right. The second pet could even be a cat.. just a companion.

:thumbup::thumbup: Looks like we posted at the same time... good advise:thumbup::thumbup:

Pixie would do the same thing, biting at my pant legs and barking at me. What I did is stop and pointed a finger at her and said no in a very loud voice. She would stop for the moment, but if I started to walk again she would do the same thing again biting at my pant legs and barking. I would stop again and repeated what I did. It only took about a week of doing that and she stop. Pixie is now over 2 years old and hasn't done this in over a year now. You might want to try that.

Lexie has a problem with this too. I tried the yelping but that didn't work for me and seemed to make her more excited. Whats working is spraying her with a water bottle and putting her in time out, each time i pick her up, make eye contact and say "ah ah!" in a firm voice then i put her either in her pen or if we're in my room in my closet, 15-30 secs is all she needs. As soon as she comes out of time out her attitude is changed and she stops nipping.She's catching on quickly that biting=no freedom and play time is over.

I love reading these kinds of threads. I learn how to curb behaviors before they get to be too much. Thank you to all the wise and experienced people out here sharing, it really helps multiple people.

sounds like he's going through teenager mode like most are saying...my baby was a yorkshire terrorist until she was about 18 months....she used to nip my heels and my hands and she was just a little cute booger over all...she never did this to my hubby which I never did figure out....she finally got over that stage.

I bought him when he was 4 1/2 months

Hey...how's it going with the biting? Getting any better?

Wow, I remember when my Gizmo did this crap, in the first year, (he is 4 yrs now), I personally watch a lot of Cesar Millan and do a lot of internet research. A lot of repetitive no's in a firm voice with a stern look at the time of the nip, then I ignore him for 5 minutes or so, eventually he got the message. I did the ame for any un-wanted behavior, I aways stand my ground with him, even at 4 he can sometimes want to be defiant with me as if he is challenging me, its really cute sometimes and I try not to laugh when he does it, but he definitly knows who is boss or pack leader, and every now and then I have to raise my voice and make him sit in one spot for a bit. They are really smart and know what they are doing, you just have to address it right away so they know what is being corrected at that time.
:teethysmi

well I have started giving more stern No's and also kept in mind that a tired dog is a happy dog and we have been playing alot more like fetch and stuff and he has been doing better. I guess I just didnt understand the amount of exercise he really need. Thank You EVERYONE for all your support and advice.

Totally agree with this!