Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 3653470)

Seriously? :rolleyes: :confused:

Originally Posted by ragincajun (Post 3653509)

Not sure what you're addressing me there about. I didn't make up any of those tidbits, those are direct quotes from the YT Rules and Forum Decorum. Cowgirl responded as if she'd been directly accused and ridiculed and I can certainly see why she felt that way. I felt obliged to support her (not condone what was done, but to support her) and when someone is down it isn't the time to bash them.

Here's the link to the sticky to check it out: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...uidelines.html
See Section B.

Originally Posted by megansmomma (Post 3653545)

Yes and that is why we have something called Moderators on the YT forum. I checked under your name and don't see anything that even resembles that word. :)

Maybe you should do a little reading too. ;)

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...d-respect.html

Originally Posted by SWHouston (Post 3653539)

I just don't know what direction you want to go with this, but, keeping your "Pack" separated, may not be the best way to encourage them to get along, OR, for Gismo to be able to "trust" them more.

Originally Posted by cowgirlc (Post 3653450)

Again....We as human beings ''ALL' make mistakes, its what you do to correct that mistake to ensure that you don't make the same mistake again that matters.

You are entitled to your opinion, and the post was not meant to get anyones approval, agreement, dissaproval, judgement, and I do not hit animals or people. I posted because I needed to, I was hurt, scared, horrifed, and did not quite know what to do at the time. If you want to continue to make me out of some abuser so be it, instead of acting like 'YOU' have never made a mistake in your entire life and feel the need to make a person that made a mistake feel much worse than they already do. Thanks a lot


Cynthia

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 3653570)

I don't agree with encouraging mixing a Yorkie with GSDs, especially not in this situation:

The OP indicated her husband is not fulfilling his promise to take care of the GSDs. I'm guessing that means the they are not highly trained either. Even if they were highly trained, I would bet the Yorkie would not live long.

How many of the 4 dogs are not neutered/spayed? (1 adult GSD, 2 puppy GSD, and 1 Yorkie) Were these GSDs bred by the OP's family?

Originally Posted by Teresamag (Post 3653464)

I'm really sorry you had this happen - I know it's horrible to feel like you did something wrong in the heat of the moment -something you would normally not do. It took a lot of courage to tell us about it - I'm sorry you are getting some "heat" for doing it - you already know it's not right & you feel bad about doing it. Most importantly of all now is that it happened, Gizmo will be ok, you will be ok (as long as you take care of the wound) and you are looking for ways to remedy the situation. IMO alot of small dogs don't have the "leadership" they need - this leads to confusion and insecurity in the dog because they think they have to be "pack leader" since you are not doing it. Especially with new dogs in the house - Gizmo may think he has to be the boss - since you were being verbal and upset about the shepard puppies being out Gizmo may have been trying to "take care" of the situation on his own. He may not have done it appropriately but it really isn't his job. You have gotten some really good suggestions here, having him on a leash is a great idea, a trainer is also a good suggestion, making sure he is neutered is a must (I don't know if he is or not). If you are not able to hire a trainer or until a trainer can come I would suggest you implement the NIFIF (Nothing In Life is Free) concept to help Gizmo realize that YOU are qualified and are his pack leader. Here is an article I wrote about NIFIF - Good Luck
Teresa

That's very frustrating isn't it? You are right to be concerned and to look at fixing this before it gets worse. One thing I always ask right away - is your boy neutered? Sometimes hormones can make a dominate dog worse and dogs sometimes think they can challenge the "pack leader" or try to assume the position themselves. If he isn't neutered I would suggest you check in with your vet about getting this done as well as making some changes in your home.

#1 if you are able enroll him in an obedience class and do either # 2 or #3.
#2 work with an animal behaviorist or
#3 Teach him that you are the "pack leader" and do the Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) program.

You can google this program and find sites that tell exactly how to implement the program but basically it means acting like a good "pack leader" so he will respect you. (Growling, biting, food or resource (you) guarding is a show of disrespect or trying to take over leadership). Some things you can do in this program is making your dog work for everything - food, attention, exercise, etc. I.E. he has to sit before you put his supper bowl down. Make sure you eat before feeding him (pack leaders always eat first and lower ranking animals eat after). Always make sure you are the one who allows him outside and you go out before him, he has to follow you. For the time being don't allow him to sleep with you or be higher than you on the couch. Allowing him to precede you out the door, be higher than you on the couch, sleeping in your bed, eating when you eat are all signs that he is equal to you or higher than you in the pack and just enforce his right to be disrespectful or to let him think he can take over.

A dog that knows his place in the pack is much happier and feels more secure. After all, it's your job as pack leader to provide food and keep the pack safe and he won't have to worry about it. :) If you have a spouse or children make sure they participate in the program as well. The dog should always be below them in pack ranking also, otherwise he will try to push the kids/spouse around too.

Good luck with your boy, you can PM me if you have any questions about this program. It works wonders with dogs.

Teresa

Originally Posted by cowgirlc (Post 3653637)

Originally Posted by gemy (Post 3653713)

Cowgirl:

It sounds like a lot is on your plate right now (and has been for about a year).

I too would like to caution about mixing the GSD pups with your Gizmo. Every dog has a different built in "prey" drive and GSD's are reputed to have a fairly high drive dog. For this reason and also the reason as babies, they still need to learn their manners; I would be extremely cautious about allowing interaction with your Yorkie and the pups.

Just so that you know; I have one Black Russian here with a very high "prey" drive and even at 3 yrs old; she is still not to be trusted around Razz my Yorkie alone. She has been trained since a pup that chasing Razzle is a no no, but still even today, if she gets over excited she will flip into the prey mode. So they are never let out in the yard off lead alone; or allowed to "play" with each other. Razzle and my older male BRT are however. Magic's drive is a toy drive, and not a prey drive.
So it does really depend on the dog itself, and your pups are still developing their personality, and of course testing out their limits.

I hope that you and your husband can find good homes for these pups/mother, there is probably a rescue you could surrender them to, if you find yourself unable to find good homes for them. As you know GSD's should be obedience trained and Must recognize the humans as the "bosses". I have heard time and time again, and this from working dog trainers, that the GSD will overtly challenge their owner's authority at least once, and you better be prepared to handle that challenge.

In terms of Gizmo it seems like you have been given lots of good advice, I'll just add my best wishes on Gizmo's training.

Originally Posted by ragincajun (Post 3653328)

Cowgirl, sorry this happened to you. Hopefully you can get Gizmo help to realize that he cannot bite in any circumstance. Especially to bite a human. I love dogs but Human > Dog any day of the week IMO.

For those attacking her here, she expressed remorse and we posting for help...not your personal critique. I would wonder if those responses violate the YT terms and agreements. Per the forum rules:

..do not personally attack anyone or their opinions.
YT is not the place for rude, snide, or disrespectful remarks towards your fellow member or YT.
Personal attacks are not acceptable.

Sorry if this is a bit OT but I felt that Cowgirl needed support and not bashing. Support or ignore.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 3653956)

I'm glad cowgirl is getting support :).

Members are welcome to post their opinions - even if some view an opinion as not supportive.

Here's an example using something you mentioned above. I may be in the minority, but I don't view dogs as less than humans. This belief is in my heart and soul - it's who I am, and I don't hide this fact. If/when I post about this for some reason, I may be judged as a little nutty (and that actually IS a fact :p). Some may not support me in my belief and they're welcome to say they don't share my beliefs, or what I said.

I'm glad people here don't feel they must support or ignore their feelings/beliefs - being their own selves is what makes this board go 'round. When it goes too far, we do take a good look. :)

Hope that makes sense - if not, take what you can and leave the rest.