Yorkie aggression towards my grandchildren
 

:aimeeyorkI just got a 4 year old yorkie from a lady who no longer care for him. He is adorable and very lovable with a great personality with a few hiccups. He is a barker. I have never heard such a loud bark from such a little dog. I have another yorkie who is very quiet. What I am having the most problem with is when my grandchildren are getting ready to go out the door for school, Zeppie becomes very agitated and tries to get to them to bite them. Once they are gone he is fine and when they come home he is fine. Anyone else can leave the house without any problems. I cannot figure this out and don't know how to correct the problem. I hope someone can help.

Grammy 9354

If your house is anything like mine, mornings are pure chaos. Perhaps there is just too much commotion for him to deal with in the morning. Could you keep him crated or in another room until the morning rush hour is over with?

:thumbup::thumbup: Perhaps he's just not used to all that - maybe he doesn't want the children to leave as they have so much fun together?!!? ;)

For the barking issue - please check out Teresa Ford's sticky 'Enough Barking' on the General Training forum - brilliant advice! Good luck!!

Oh, and welcome from the UK!!! :wavey: Sally + Harry x

Put a harness on him.
Put him on a leash.
Don't allow him to get to them.
At the first sign of aggression pull him close, correct him verbally.
Also time out works great by putting him in the other room for a few minutes I used it it takes longer than the new one I prefer-the leash method I just learned about.
Pull him back on the leash which has to be attach to a harness for his safety, distract him when he stops give him a treat, no treat until barking, growling etc stops or if it's just him looking at them he needs to be fully focused on you.
Use the leash to bring him immediately to your feet, reward him for following your cues and watching you-you want him to be ignoring the kids.

Over time he'll learn when he shows no aggression he's rewarded he'll stop.
If not crate him, as a last resort.
NEVER let him get close enough to bite.
soft muzzles are a last resort also but they are a band-aid solution only for certain things like a vet visit to allow physical contact in a time pf potential bite not a long term solution.

Barking.
Leave.
Come back say no barking.
Give a treat for when barking stops.
Leave again repeat.
Extend the time.
This takes time...lots of time.
This may be separation anxiety in a slight form if training fails you can try a mellowing treat like mellow mut dog jerky by dogs well or a anti barking electric in him device-NO NOT A COLLAR!!! The bark0off stinks invest in a quality one-the neighbor has one it's amazing I forget the brand but wow her dogs were so bad I was tired of my dogs getting blamed so I talked with her about it and she got one it was like the dogs were gone I hear them bark once or twice and then stop.

My Fletcher is a nervous boy and does not love kids at all. He tolerates most if they get him but he'll run and skirt and hide under any piece of furniture to avoid being picked up by a kid. However my 2 year old nephew is posing a real problem for him. When they are outside he is fine, but when Fletch is on my lap and my nephew approaches him, he gets stiff and anxious, I can feel it. If my nephew gets too close, he lunges at him and barks. Not sure if he is warning him or attempting to nip him. I realized that if I don't 'make a move' to hold him back or play into his anxiety, then he seems ok when my nephew approaches. If I hold him back that is when he lunges and barks. He only does this when he's on my lap. So it's a territorial thing for sure. Are your grandkids hugging you in the morning? Your little guy could be jealous or possessive of you. I am not sure how to correct the behavior. I usually tell my boy NO in a firm voice repeatedly. I will touch or hug my nephew in front of him so he sees he has to share me. If he lunges & snaps again then I'll put him in my room in a time out. Unfortunately he does not seem to care when I do that, he just goes on the bed and takes a nap. Hes probably relieved to be away! LOL

How is he with the children at other times?