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10-19-2018, 11:30 AM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Danville, KY, USA
Posts: 6
| She Suddenly Attacks Our 3 yo, 6 lb Gracie is the sweetest pup we’ve ever had. Crazy affectionate. That is, until she feels like she’s going to get stepped on, turned over, or hurt. Then she snarls, bares her teeth and snaps. Right afterwards, she goes back to being sweet and gives us lots of kisses, almost like “I’m sorry.” This behavior started about 6 months ago, after a stay with a boarder. I’m concerned for her, and for guests (including kids) who come over and might be on the receiving end of this aggression. Any counsel out there? Thanks! |
Welcome Guest! | |
10-19-2018, 01:15 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA
Posts: 4,285
| Oh dear! Sounds like she got a terrible scare and has lost some trust. Needs time and security.
__________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car |
10-19-2018, 01:32 PM | #3 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| I would have the vet check her out and if no issues I would contact a behavioralist. Aggression is not something to play with.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
10-19-2018, 02:13 PM | #4 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| Poor baby, sounds like she had a bad time! Don't you wish they could talk? Whatever has happened to her, you need to deal with her reactions to it realistically so she can stay functional. Before she hurts someone or totally withdraws from people - yes, even tiny Yorkies can catch an eye or nostril with a tooth if they are frantic and in 'fight or flight' mode, I'd positively re-condition her to those things that upset her using fun, the love of winning in any situation she's in, and food, as her rewards for learning to perform this new 'skill'. If you've taught your dog obedience skills, you're way ahead of the game. Obedience training that establishes a working relationship between you and your pet forms the basis for creating a wonderful, happy, trusting pet who more easily bounces back after trauma. Start by having her HIGHEST VALUE TREAT, something she just cannot resist, like warm, boiled chicken, in your belt treat bag and retrain her to subject herself to positive human leadership for the rewards she'll receive. Just train her to learn the heretofore traumatizing activity as a new skill she's able to learn to do for a big 'pay day' - serial bits of her favorite treats, 5 minutes of sustained 'mommy' time and a good training teamworking session with lots of positive reinforcement - a real love/bonding session. Dogs eat them up! By first letting her outside to potty and being sure she's calm but good and hungry, sit down with her, using upbeat body language and using a happy voice, tell her it's "Training Time!" with a big smile, offer her a high value treat and now that she's happily expectant of a good time coming(dogs LOVE to train using positive reinforcement techniques), cheerfully call the name of the skill you are about to teach, such as turn her over, by saying "Rollover/stay"(be sure you're smiling), gently lead her through rolling onto her back with a bit of warm meat treat near to her nose leading the way through the process with a HEARTFELT 'gooooood girl' & give her the bit of treat or bits of treat all along as she tolerates the activity. Then after she's on her back, tell her to 'stay' for a bit, then ' release' her with a big smile, treat and big, cheerful 'good GIRL, happy pat, chuck under the chest or chin!' after she gets up. Repeat x3 first session and gradually increase as tolerated each successive day. Bearing in mind that tiny Yorkies, dogs usually under 7 lbs., are EXTREMELY mindful of their own bodies(for good reason!) and tend to spurn other people they don't feel they can trust to be careful with them, as they do their owner/guardian. No dog likes getting hurt or stepped on so it is hard to train any animal to accept those situations but if you have formed a true working 'team' between yourself and your dog, they will trust you in virtually every situation and usually even accept people you like and they can see that you accept and trust to be around them. They also know that under all circumstances they can trust you to keep them safe when you are around. If people you don't feel you can trust to be careful around her are coming over, I'd put her in another room or in the room with you but in her crate near you where she is actually secure, explaining she's in 'trauma training' if you feel you must. But all of this trust and acceptance usually only comes from frequent, fun, rewarding training sessions where the dog is made to feel great about itself by learning all the wonderful skills you teach them, feel like confident winners, tend to have more self-esteem and trust than untrained pets. Having occasional friends around who occasionally toss treats and/or toys in her direction helps her establish acceptance of others in your home!
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
10-19-2018, 02:15 PM | #5 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| P. S. Always watch her body language when others are around. She's likely telegraphing that she's getting uncomfortable by her body language so you will know beforehand when to step in B4 her reaction flares.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
10-19-2018, 05:56 PM | #6 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Danville, KY, USA
Posts: 6
| This is great counsel, everybody. What a wonderful and supportive community this is. Thank you! |
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