HELP! Got Bad Advice and now I need help. My 10Wk Yorkie is aggresive with me :( - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Milos Mom · 09-01-2014, 08:07 PM

I am so sad and lost... My 10wk old male yorkie, Milo, has become suddenly aggressive towards me.

When we first got him home we hired a trainer to go over some basic rules for the whole family. His approach was very much "leader of the pack" mentality.

For when Milo was biting, which was often, he recommended first making a loud noise (ehhh!), and then if that didn't work: "pinch/poking" his side or back. If that didn't work then the laying down dominance training.

I never got to the last step. I did try the first and second step but made things SOOOOO MUCH WORSE. I stopped after about 3 days because I was not comfortable with it. I never hit him or hurt him. I was so scared or hurting him or him hurting me. I have a strong personality but I have not had pets before, so he I think compared to my husband he might have seen me as weak.

But Milo has become very aggressive with biting, growling, nipping etc, towards me specially. My kids somewhat as well, but I keep them kind of far from him and protect them. He does not play with them without biting. I know kids can be an annoyance to a puppy, their excitment, jumping, yelling etc. So with them it may be a lack of calm?

He does NOT do this with my husband at all. My husband s very much a "dog" person and has a strong personality. With me I feel he might detect some weakness? I am not sure. I am lost!

He doesn't do it all the time. We have lots of happy moments and then that happens..

Since those 3 days I have changed my approach to reinforcing good behavior. We do lots of training sessions with treats, run, play, etc. I'm his main care taker. I play with him, take him for long walks, cuddle him after a batch, etc etc. But inevitably at least twice a day he turns super aggressive out of nowhere. I have not been able to detect what sets him off. I've been paying attention but I can't see it. He really scares me because is not a playful attitude at all.

I am so lost and need help desperately. I love him dearly but I live in constant fear of when it will happen again...

Wylie's Mom · 09-02-2014, 06:24 AM

Hi and welcome to YT

! So glad you found us. I'm not a great trainer, but I know some others will chime in w/ advice in this area. I just wanted to offer my support -- I know you'll find a way to heal this aggressive behavior.

R_Z · 09-02-2014, 06:40 AM

Welcome. Perhaps you need to consider a new trainer.

Milos Mom · 09-02-2014, 06:47 AM

I am definitely never calling that trainer back

I will probably hire a new trainer that has a better approach...

I would still appreciate so much any input!

I've searched and searched and I have not found any information to help me with this. I have already read 4 books about training dogs, even a book about yorkies, and still no info about how to deal with such unprovoked aggression...

sophiesmominva · 09-02-2014, 07:29 AM

I had similar issues but mine was charging at my face and biting! I talked it over with my vet who told me to scruff her when she does this. And I did and still do but it is rare. But she has not charged at my face in a long time and she is 6 months old now. I scruff her but I don't pick her up by her neck -- I just pick up the skin like her mother would do. I know some people would not approve of this but it worked for me. I still have some issues with her but not like that. Now she just growls and bites at the door if she goes out before me, as she is telling me "I will decide when you can cross over the door". This is an alpha dog trait and I read to never let your dog go through door ahead of you, always make them follow. I try to be in front, but she is fast. Good luck, this is something that definitely needs to be nipped in the bud.

LunarBerry · 09-02-2014, 08:17 AM

My girl is in the biting/chewing stage herself (she's about 14wks), most of the time it doesn't bother me much cause she more mouths me than bites, when she gets excited she'll bite harder. I usually ball my hands when she starts biting too hard and she gradually eases up some cause she can't get to my fingers and gets bored

Sometimes if she hurts me by surprise, I'll yelped like I normally do with a loud "ouch" or make a sharp "no" and it startles her to stop. Otherwise, she sometimes sort of mouths me because it's comforting to her (like a pacifier) and she'll be real gentle too.
Poking/pinching her never helps, and I believe this is for most dogs, as it only makes her want to get at me more cause to her it's play or she's telling me she doesn't like it. The way she does it, I don't believe she's being aggressive as much as trying to play or get that teething thing going. I have two older jack russell dogs and one she's a bit more careful and respectful towards cause that one will snap/growl at her to keep her in her place, but she's never hurt her, mostly startled her. The other younger JR usually lets her do whatever to her and she'll play mouth with her. My yorkie baby likes to try to ride on her ^^; (laying her upper body on the older dog and move with her while she walks) only thing is they're both now starting to be about the same size ^^;;
I would say one good way to try to deter that behavior is to stop what your doing, get up and leave, also ignore him for a little bit everytime he gets that way with you. Or maybe distract him with something else. Or you might try a sort of bribe method, have some treat he really likes and don't give it to him until he does what you want. If he bites, he doesn't get a treat, if he's calm (maybe start training him to sit) then treat. My girl has learned to sit on command, but she'll mostly do it if you have or she thinks you have something she wants ^^;

Lovetodream88 · 09-02-2014, 09:53 AM

The biting is because he was taken from his mom to early and up until 12 weeks there mom is teaching them about biting. What worked for us was a squirt bottle of water and say no and give a squirt. It dosent hurt them but they get that it's bad. It was the only thing that worked for us. You should not be taking him for long walks until he has had all of his shots or he could get parvo or something else that could make him very sick.

Faboosh · 09-02-2014, 10:01 AM

I don't know exactly about his worsening aggression, but I can say that we did sort of what your trainer told you to do and it worked for us beautifully.

We were told (on YT actually) that when Billi bites, make a loud squeal and pull our hand away for a few seconds. Then start playing again, and when she bites do it again. It's basically the same thing her litter mates would be doing to her if/when she bit them. It took a couple weeks for Billi to really get it, but she did and she has never bitten any of us since. I will add that we got her at 8 weeks, and by about 12-13 weeks, she stopped completely. She'd get a little better, then she'd regress, then she'd get better and then stop altogether.

Part of it is like what Taylor mentioned, having these pups at such a young age- it's up to us to them teach them what their mom and litter mates would be teaching them up until about 12 weeks of age. He could be getting more aggressive temporarily and then back down, I don't know. But it's definitely worth talking to a new trainer and continuing to squeal and pull away in the meantime.

Buster Brown · 09-02-2014, 10:16 AM

I would look into an animal behaviorist as a new trainer and make sure their approach is positive reinforcement. I had to do this with Buster who after a hospital stay he came back more repressive and a biter. I am a bit uncomfortable with your first trainers approach as I am wary of the pinch/poking the side as it is an aggressive behavior poking to get rid of an aggressive behavior and I have read that forcing dominance forcing them to lay down in an submissive position can break a dogs spirit. I would rather they behave because they want to rather than out of fear of me. Good luck with the retraining. Make sure they come to your house and work on the aggression trigger there at first.

BobbiB · 09-02-2014, 03:57 PM

I have no advice, as the "imitate a bite back" training is working very well for Sheldon.

Good luck.

Buster Brown · 09-02-2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbiB

I have no advice, as the "imitate a bite back" training is working very well for Sheldon.

Good luck.

It really is hard to figure out what work best isn't it. I know I tried the using the air can and it scared Buster so much he ran and hid from me so I couldn't use that.

BobbiB · 09-02-2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

It really is hard to figure out what work best isn't it. I know I tried the using the air can and it scared Buster so much he ran and hid from me so I couldn't use that.

It really is because training, like everything else (lol), is so individual to each dog.

kreuer · 09-02-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobbiB

It really is because training, like everything else (lol), is so individual to each dog.

This is exactly why I hate when trainers have this "one size fits all" approach to training dogs. They seem to think all dogs are the same and if you follow what they say to do your dogs will magically be perfect. Just like kids (and adults), dogs don't all learn the same way or at the same pace.

BobbiB · 09-02-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreuer

This is exactly why I hate when trainers have this "one size fits all" approach to training dogs. They seem to think all dogs are the same and if you follow what they say to do your dogs will magically be perfect. Just like kids (and adults), dogs don't all learn the same way or at the same pace.

I agree...trainers should most certainly observe a dogs personality before trying any technique, IMO.

shelbysmom · 09-02-2014, 05:18 PM

10 weeks? That is so young, I feel like he isn't being aggressive so much as not understanding how to play correctly. They have little shark teeth so it's painful but I would play with him and make a mother dog cry sound if he bites you, then hand him a toy. It takes time, he is such a baby!

09-01-2014, 08:07 PM	#1
Milos Mom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Melbourne Beach, Fl US Posts: 2	HELP! Got Bad Advice and now I need help. My 10Wk Yorkie is aggresive with me :( I am so sad and lost... My 10wk old male yorkie, Milo, has become suddenly aggressive towards me. When we first got him home we hired a trainer to go over some basic rules for the whole family. His approach was very much "leader of the pack" mentality. For when Milo was biting, which was often, he recommended first making a loud noise (ehhh!), and then if that didn't work: "pinch/poking" his side or back. If that didn't work then the laying down dominance training. I never got to the last step. I did try the first and second step but made things SOOOOO MUCH WORSE. I stopped after about 3 days because I was not comfortable with it. I never hit him or hurt him. I was so scared or hurting him or him hurting me. I have a strong personality but I have not had pets before, so he I think compared to my husband he might have seen me as weak. But Milo has become very aggressive with biting, growling, nipping etc, towards me specially. My kids somewhat as well, but I keep them kind of far from him and protect them. He does not play with them without biting. I know kids can be an annoyance to a puppy, their excitment, jumping, yelling etc. So with them it may be a lack of calm? He does NOT do this with my husband at all. My husband s very much a "dog" person and has a strong personality. With me I feel he might detect some weakness? I am not sure. I am lost! He doesn't do it all the time. We have lots of happy moments and then that happens.. Since those 3 days I have changed my approach to reinforcing good behavior. We do lots of training sessions with treats, run, play, etc. I'm his main care taker. I play with him, take him for long walks, cuddle him after a batch, etc etc. But inevitably at least twice a day he turns super aggressive out of nowhere. I have not been able to detect what sets him off. I've been paying attention but I can't see it. He really scares me because is not a playful attitude at all. I am so lost and need help desperately. I love him dearly but I live in constant fear of when it will happen again...

09-02-2014, 06:24 AM	#2
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Hi and welcome to YT ! So glad you found us. I'm not a great trainer, but I know some others will chime in w/ advice in this area. I just wanted to offer my support -- I know you'll find a way to heal this aggressive behavior. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

09-02-2014, 06:47 AM	#4
Milos Mom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Melbourne Beach, Fl US Posts: 2	Thank you! I am definitely never calling that trainer back I will probably hire a new trainer that has a better approach... I would still appreciate so much any input! I've searched and searched and I have not found any information to help me with this. I have already read 4 books about training dogs, even a book about yorkies, and still no info about how to deal with such unprovoked aggression...

09-02-2014, 08:17 AM	#6
LunarBerry YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: GA, USA Posts: 693	My girl is in the biting/chewing stage herself (she's about 14wks), most of the time it doesn't bother me much cause she more mouths me than bites, when she gets excited she'll bite harder. I usually ball my hands when she starts biting too hard and she gradually eases up some cause she can't get to my fingers and gets bored Sometimes if she hurts me by surprise, I'll yelped like I normally do with a loud "ouch" or make a sharp "no" and it startles her to stop. Otherwise, she sometimes sort of mouths me because it's comforting to her (like a pacifier) and she'll be real gentle too. Poking/pinching her never helps, and I believe this is for most dogs, as it only makes her want to get at me more cause to her it's play or she's telling me she doesn't like it. The way she does it, I don't believe she's being aggressive as much as trying to play or get that teething thing going. I have two older jack russell dogs and one she's a bit more careful and respectful towards cause that one will snap/growl at her to keep her in her place, but she's never hurt her, mostly startled her. The other younger JR usually lets her do whatever to her and she'll play mouth with her. My yorkie baby likes to try to ride on her ^^; (laying her upper body on the older dog and move with her while she walks) only thing is they're both now starting to be about the same size ^^;; I would say one good way to try to deter that behavior is to stop what your doing, get up and leave, also ignore him for a little bit everytime he gets that way with you. Or maybe distract him with something else. Or you might try a sort of bribe method, have some treat he really likes and don't give it to him until he does what you want. If he bites, he doesn't get a treat, if he's calm (maybe start training him to sit) then treat. My girl has learned to sit on command, but she'll mostly do it if you have or she thinks you have something she wants ^^; __________________ R.I.P. Mick & Mandy (before 2010), Mila - 4/3/15, Chloe - 2/18/16, Kimchi - 6/2/2021

09-02-2014, 09:53 AM	#7
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	The biting is because he was taken from his mom to early and up until 12 weeks there mom is teaching them about biting. What worked for us was a squirt bottle of water and say no and give a squirt. It dosent hurt them but they get that it's bad. It was the only thing that worked for us. You should not be taking him for long walks until he has had all of his shots or he could get parvo or something else that could make him very sick. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

09-02-2014, 06:40 AM	#3
R_Z Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Memphis, TN USA Posts: 1,078	Welcome. Perhaps you need to consider a new trainer.

09-02-2014, 07:29 AM	#5
sophiesmominva Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	I had similar issues but mine was charging at my face and biting! I talked it over with my vet who told me to scruff her when she does this. And I did and still do but it is rare. But she has not charged at my face in a long time and she is 6 months old now. I scruff her but I don't pick her up by her neck -- I just pick up the skin like her mother would do. I know some people would not approve of this but it worked for me. I still have some issues with her but not like that. Now she just growls and bites at the door if she goes out before me, as she is telling me "I will decide when you can cross over the door". This is an alpha dog trait and I read to never let your dog go through door ahead of you, always make them follow. I try to be in front, but she is fast. Good luck, this is something that definitely needs to be nipped in the bud.

09-02-2014, 10:01 AM	#8
Faboosh YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 539	I don't know exactly about his worsening aggression, but I can say that we did sort of what your trainer told you to do and it worked for us beautifully. We were told (on YT actually) that when Billi bites, make a loud squeal and pull our hand away for a few seconds. Then start playing again, and when she bites do it again. It's basically the same thing her litter mates would be doing to her if/when she bit them. It took a couple weeks for Billi to really get it, but she did and she has never bitten any of us since. I will add that we got her at 8 weeks, and by about 12-13 weeks, she stopped completely. She'd get a little better, then she'd regress, then she'd get better and then stop altogether. Part of it is like what Taylor mentioned, having these pups at such a young age- it's up to us to them teach them what their mom and litter mates would be teaching them up until about 12 weeks of age. He could be getting more aggressive temporarily and then back down, I don't know. But it's definitely worth talking to a new trainer and continuing to squeal and pull away in the meantime. __________________ [I]Dani: Happily owned by Billi-Jane & Witten facebook/instagram/twitter @danifabulous \| dogster @ dogs/1308401

09-02-2014, 10:16 AM	#9
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	I would look into an animal behaviorist as a new trainer and make sure their approach is positive reinforcement. I had to do this with Buster who after a hospital stay he came back more repressive and a biter. I am a bit uncomfortable with your first trainers approach as I am wary of the pinch/poking the side as it is an aggressive behavior poking to get rid of an aggressive behavior and I have read that forcing dominance forcing them to lay down in an submissive position can break a dogs spirit. I would rather they behave because they want to rather than out of fear of me. Good luck with the retraining. Make sure they come to your house and work on the aggression trigger there at first. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

09-02-2014, 03:57 PM	#10
BobbiB No Longer a Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 615	I have no advice, as the "imitate a bite back" training is working very well for Sheldon. Good luck.

09-02-2014, 05:18 PM	#15
shelbysmom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,394	10 weeks? That is so young, I feel like he isn't being aggressive so much as not understanding how to play correctly. They have little shark teeth so it's painful but I would play with him and make a mother dog cry sound if he bites you, then hand him a toy. It takes time, he is such a baby!