New Issues with Gizmo
 

I'm not sure how to write this so you get the picture. When I am trying to correct his behavior he jumps towards me and acts like he's going to bite me. He doesn't get close but it's like he is trying to scare me so I will leave him alone.

He also has stopped coming up to me when I say come. He will only walk up to me so he's just out of range and when I reach for him he backs away or runs away.

Does anyone have any advice? :confused:

How,old is he? Maggie used to play like that when she was young, and still does sometimes. She'll growl, sort of, and then we chase her. We take turns. She does her "I'm tough" imitation, but it's all a game. I remember thinking she was really being fierce to me!

Hello - Gizmo is 6 months old and he only does it when I am correcting him. Although he doesn't growl, just jumps at my face or finger and does the biting impression.

I just talked this over with Walter, but I won't tell you the advice that he gave, LOL! :p My own advice is to hold out a tasty treat for Gizmo, and be firm about not giving it to him unless he comes up to you nicely. Rewarding good behavior is the key. And patience.

Don't correct him, but praise him for doing something right. Or correct him but don't dwell on it, like a quick 'Ah, Ah' then move on to something he does right, no matter how simple. Ignore the bad, Praise the good!

That behavior is not a yorkie thing, it is a six month old puppy thing. All puppies around that age try that stunt. They are trying to be the boss, the best thing to do is ignore them, when they try this, just turn and walk away and ignore them. Do not talk to them, touch them or look at them. When they come to you ignore for a few second and make them sit or do some other command to show that you are the BOSS. After they follow your command give them a treat or praise them, it does not take them long to realize you being the boss is a good thing.

Thanks everyone for your great advice. I appreciate it!

I recommend watching ZakGeorge on YouTube. He has a lot of very clear, simple, videos for beginners to training. And yes to me, it sounds more like a typical terrier puppy thing.

You can't really raise your voice to a dog and then expect it to come to you. The same is true if you believe spanking the little tyke is a way of disciplining.

The best way to correct a bad behavior is to go to the dog and stop the activity yourself (please no violence) or get something to make a loud noise. Some people use a can with change in it.

When Gracie was a puppy she would get really wild sometimes while playing with the kittens I was fostering and she would bark like crazy. I got a newspaper and rolled it up and would bang it on a table or my hand to get her attention. Once their little brain is snapped out of what they are doing you can then give them the "NO!" command. Not in a threatening voice but be firm in the way. Don't shout but let him know you are serious.

Being terriers sometimes the idea of a challenge is like a game to them. They love a good fight and think of it as a game rather than being bad. Remember you dog's ancestors were bred to kill rodents. They are feisty. Your little guy may think you are wanting to play when you are actually trying to teach him something. Being consistent in the way you deal with bad behavior will help him to distinguish the difference.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Agree, he wants to be the "pack leader, the boss" lol they are soooo cute

No, I actually didn't say that at all, haha. This puppy is simply being a puppy. Read up on pack leader theories; they've all been proven to be incorrect, even by the very people who 'created' the alpha theory.

@gracielove - I would never spank Gizmo and I don't yell at him to get him to come to me. I even get on the floor and talk very sweetly to him to try and coach him over to me.

My lil Ava also does this.. She backs away from me the moment I attempt to reach her. She will go under the table so I won't reach her. She seldom approaches me when I call her.. She just does her thing like a true diva that she is!

Britster, your theory that the "Pack Leader Theory" has been proven to be incorrect, could you name those sources. I would like to read those reports, I have been in the dog game for about 50 years and I have seen just the opposite. As a child my Father raised and trained field dogs. I personally raised and showed numerous breeds of dogs for the show ring, for over 30+ years. I never bred dogs to sell, I only raised dogs for the show ring. Granted they were large breed dogs, the first small dogs I owned was a Bichone Frise which I had for 12 years and now an over sized Yorkie. But actually just about all six month old puppies pull the same behavior.

One of the reasons I chose to stay with large dogs is because of "Small Dog Syndrome"
Because of their small size owners allow all types of behavior that a large or medium dog would not get away with. The toy or small dog is allowed to run the home. I do not subscribe to that, I expect the same from all dogs, I have never had to hit or scream at any dog I have owned, but I make it clear from the get go what is expected. Keno the Yorkie was completely house trained by 5 months. He had never had an accident in the house. Yes I took him out after meals, after a nap, after playing etc. , but I took him out every time. It did not take him long to know what was expected. He now will pee on command, which is a very good thing as we travel with him every where. He is good in the car and just as good in the boat. I have taught him to pee on the swim platform of the boat if needed, if we are underway on a trip across the lake, this is important. The point I am making is that any dog will try and rule the house, and they will if you the owner allow it.