Last Straw.. He Bit a Little Boy Tonight at Petsmart

[RRRJeep861]

HisNameIsHarley: After reading your post involving the kids. It brought back an incident that happened with Jack. When Jack was about 7m. my 8y/o grandson was chasing Jack through the house stomping his feet very hard on the floor, running, and making a very loud barking sound at Jack. I ran to stop this,but they already made it through two rooms before I made it there. Jack was under the coffee table looking petrified.I gave my grandson a stern scolding about never doing that again. Up to that point Jack had no problem with anyone, after that is about when the problem began. I keep asking myself if that one time incident was enough to have done that.

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by RRRJeep861

I keep asking myself if that one time incident was enough to have done that.

The answer is Yes. Once is enough sometimes.
Sometimes these little guys do not have the resiliency needed to bounce back even from once.
Sometimes it is in the genetic make up. Some lines can be more prone to aggression and mentally being fragile.
Sometimes it can be a medical issuse of a chemicla imbalance as well.
Start from where you are now and retrain.

Joy

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by artierae

I also love the Dog Whisperer. Go ahead and be calm and assertive. But also, as Cesar says, you must be the Alpha --- you must let Harley know you are in control, and will protect him from what he is afraid of. Good luck!

First thanks for the support of my post. One of many in this thread.
I have to say though No to Alpha thoughts.
Leader yes and Alpha no.
Gentle benevolent guidance based leadership but taking a ton of guidence form where you dog is at now not where you want it to get too.
Dogs are not wolves and do not think like them. They do not need a pack to live and are not pack animals any more it been breed out of them.
The guys that first wrote about Alpha do not believe it any more either.

Joy

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by HisNameIsHarley

We have a full time trainor for our dogs at the rescue kennel where I work.. She is amazing.. I will try and speak to her today about his issues and see if she has any tips too....

I really hope that she'll refer you to someone who can work one-on-one with you and Harley, if she can't. I think you're going to need more than just tips. You need a professional to work with you at this point.

Good luck!

PS I'm glad that you had the courage to post about this. It's time we talked about aggression and the fact that many Yorkies do not tolerate young children.

[HisNameIsHarley]

I talked to Carrie our trainer and she gave me information about a trainer she knows personally and used to work with. She lives in my town and you can either go to her or she will come to your home. I don't know how much she charges yet but I am going to call her tomorrow. I'm willing to go into debt as long as we can resolve this problem. Bc for as terrible it seems to me on my side... I know he can't be happy either bc if he were.. he wouldn't be acting out like this..

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by HisNameIsHarley

I talked to Carrie our trainer and she gave me information about a trainer she knows personally and used to work with. She lives in my town and you can either go to her or she will come to your home. I don't know how much she charges yet but I am going to call her tomorrow. I'm willing to go into debt as long as we can resolve this problem. Bc for as terrible it seems to me on my side... I know he can't be happy either bc if he were.. he wouldn't be acting out like this..

That is it you got it.
Half the battle is done right there in those few short lines.
willing and ready to try.
Best of Luck

Joy

[Bella Bear]

I'm sorry to hear about the incident. I think its best that people are not allowed to pet Harley until you are absolutely sure he will not bite them. My boyfriend's dad had a dog that had bitten people before. Sure, they were very sorry about the incident and the people weren't really badly injured. But one time, a lady tried to pet the dog at Petco, the dog turned around and bit her hand hard enough to puncture skin. His dad ended up getting sued. As much as it is for others' protection that Harley doesn't get pet, it is also best for you and him.

[lilbumbleybees]

I know a lot of people don't believe in this, but from personally knowing trainers and people who have gone through this....your baby needs CLASS. It will help you so much. Find a very experienced trainer (not just some PetSmart class. yes, they're good, but half the time these trainers are in and out of there like nothing) And also keep treats. Let people give him a treat before reaching to let him sniff and then pet him. Make sure it's a treat that he ONLY gets then and never for anything else. I hope this helps you and good luck!

[shelbysmom]

I would recommend the Dog Whisperer. He deals with this all the time, large and small aggressive dogs. If it is about one incident with small children he needs guidance to be reintroduced to children in a controlled manner.

Found this website. Watch the show if you can. Amazing results.

http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/dpc-seminars.html

[lilbumbleybees]

I also forgot to add, if while attempting you notice Harley getting ANY but of aggression, such as his lips curling up to bear his teeth or a low growl, make the otherb person BACK OFF immediately and tell Harley, NO! very firmly. Bella Bear is right that there are people out there who might not seem like it but wouldn't hesitate to sue you in an instant if he did bite them.

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by lilbumbleybees

I also forgot to add, if while attempting you notice Harley getting ANY but of aggression, such as his lips curling up to bear his teeth or a low growl, make the otherb person BACK OFF immediately and tell Harley, NO! very firmly. Bella Bear is right that there are people out there who might not seem like it but wouldn't hesitate to sue you in an instant if he did bite them.

So you know a dog can go off with as little of a warning as a blink, a flip of a tongue from it's mouth and a look away. they need never curl a lip or growl or bear it's teeth for a boat load of trouble to come a calling.
Mine goes off on a flip of her ears forward and a slight lift of it head.
After that you got all of two seconds to back her out or she unloads.

Joys

[artierae]

Originally Posted by Yorkie Mum

First thanks for the support of my post. One of many in this thread.
I have to say though No to Alpha thoughts.
Leader yes and Alpha no.
Gentle benevolent guidance based leadership but taking a ton of guidence form where you dog is at now not where you want it to get too.
Dogs are not wolves and do not think like them. They do not need a pack to live and are not pack animals any more it been breed out of them.
The guys that first wrote about Alpha do not believe it any more either.

Joy

Joy, I stand corrected. I should have said leader rather than Alpha. That is what I actually meant. I think you need to be in control....gentle control, that is. You don't have to hit, yell, scream to be in control. I'm not even sure if you need to be forceful. Just calm and in control. They do know the difference. (They are smarter than most people give them credit for, and I have said this for years!)

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by artierae

Joy, I stand corrected. I should have said leader rather than Alpha. That is what I actually meant. I think you need to be in control....gentle control, that is. You don't have to hit, yell, scream to be in control. I'm not even sure if you need to be forceful. Just calm and in control. They do know the difference. (They are smarter than most people give them credit for, and I have said this for years!)

Well Thanks again.
You are so right these guys are a tons smarter then we give them credit for.
If we work with that brain not against it man can they bloom.

Joy

[HisNameIsHarley]

Originally Posted by Yorkie Mum

So you know a dog can go off with as little of a warning as a blink, a flip of a tongue from it's mouth and a look away. they need never curl a lip or growl or bear it's teeth for a boat load of trouble to come a calling.
Mine goes off on a flip of her ears forward and a slight lift of it head.
After that you got all of two seconds to back her out or she unloads.

Joys

That's my Harley.. He doesn't show any difference in posture, facial expression, eye contact, growling.. nothing.. he just lunges and makes that horrible screeching/wailing cry and bites.. He makes the same noise when he plays rough with one of my dogs Zeus.. I'll try and get a short video of it.. So you guys can here it.. He sounds so nasty when he does it.. I can't stand it..

I'm going to go shopping (alone ) for a muzzle.. Not a big heavy duty silence of the lambs muzzle.. but one that will restrain him if I must take him somewhere (IE vet, travel) And from now on if he does go anywhere with me he's either going to be on one of his bags or in my 'baby' front pack carrier (he'll be on my chest and safe from wandering hands)

[Yorkie Mum]

Originally Posted by HisNameIsHarley

That's my Harley.. He doesn't show any difference in posture, facial expression, eye contact, growling.. nothing.. he just lunges and makes that horrible screeching/wailing cry and bites.. He makes the same noise when he plays rough with one of my dogs Zeus.. I'll try and get a short video of it.. So you guys can here it.. He sounds so nasty when he does it.. I can't stand it..

I'm going to go shopping (alone ) for a muzzle.. Not a big heavy duty silence of the lambs muzzle.. but one that will restrain him if I must take him somewhere (IE vet, travel) And from now on if he does go anywhere with me he's either going to be on one of his bags or in my 'baby' front pack carrier (he'll be on my chest and safe from wandering hands)

I agree with a muzzle, I have one. it comes with me if I see her getting stressed or edgy it goes on.
I run a halti all the time it can do the same job and not put a big red sign saying bad dog.
I am going to suggest that you read Truid Rugrass book sooner then later and see the way these guys let you know.
Harley is telling you he is about to blow but I am telling you it is so tiny it will take you time to find it. took someone else to see it in my girl.
I know the sound you are talking about puts you heart in your throat.
So you know my girl goes shopping with me and can now sleep in my arms and not worry when we are out.
You too can have this.
Please keep us posted.

Joy