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

[HisNameIsHarley]

I've had it. I have had it. I have had it! Tonight Harley bit a little boy. I went to Petsmart for some shopping and a little boy of about 8 or 9 walked up and asked if he could pet Harley. I told him that he has bitten in the past and would most likely try but that he could try if he wanted to. So I asked him to make his hand palm up and let him smell him first and his hand wasn't under Harley's nose for 2 seconds before he went apes***.. He made the most horrible snarling noises and bit down several times but thankfully never broke the skin and the boy was fine. I appologized so many times I lost count and checked his hand over and he just smiled and said, "It's ok mam, he's probably just tired." *sigh* I don't know what's worse.. Him biting someone who shoves their hand in his face without warning or asking and gets pissed and hollers at me for it or a little innocent calm and forgiving little boy.. I feel so guilty.. Like I've let Harley down and like I've let everyone he's aggressive towards down too.. I don't know what to do. For the first 5 or 10 seconds after he bit him I was worried about him and making sure he wasn't hurt but as soon as I came back into reality I took Harleys scruff and put pressure on the back of his neck with my fingers (as if they were teeth) and made him lay down in the front of the cart for the rest of the store visit. Which I know REALLY peeved him off bc he couldn't watch everybody or sniff at the other dogs and it was obvious just how peeved he was when we got in the car (btw I locked my keys in my car too tonight.. great evening huh) bc he pouted the whole way home and wouldn't look at me once. This evening before this incident a 2 older ladies approached him (he rode in the cart this time.. harnessed in.. I've found this was the only safe way to bring him there now.. ) and they reached out to him when I had my back turned and I only realized they were there when I heard one of them start saying how sweet he looked and I automatically jerked around, said he bites very firmly and covered her hand before she got too close.. This close call really frightened me bc she was very elderly and had very thin papery skin and I don't know if I could have lived with myself if he had hurt her.. And then after that about 10 min later a woman in her mid 20's approached and asked me if she could pet him, I warned her about his biting and asked her to go palm up and etc and she did this and he was fine. Her daughter then came up without warning (16or17) and put her hand on top of Harley's head and he was about to go after her hand when I grabbed her hand away and her mother told her what to do and once she did it he was fine with her.. I'm so confused.. And embarassed.. I feel like a failure and like a danger to society bc I can't control my own little dogs behavior. Everyone wants to pet him and see him bc he's so darn cute and he really is a doll but he's nasty with kids and strangers and I'm running out of answers and excuses.. I love my dog but I can't stand the 'hate' that seems to be in him.. I don't want to muzzle him bc I'll feel like a freak and I know he probably will too.. But is it coming down to that? I don't want to leave him behind..

I know this is old news.. Harley being aggressive.. but I had to vent.. I just feel like the lowest of lows right now after all this..

[puppylove123]

very sorry. but try this: keep some treats with you. when people ask to pet him, give them a treat to feed him. then repeat the hand smell process. test that on somone you know like a friend, but someone harley doesn't know that well either. im not a profesional or anything, but try that.

[Erin]

I'm really sorry. I know how hard it is to leave him at home. Have you looked into working with a trainer or behaviorist? They can really help you do amazing things. My neighbor's dog, Pickles, has some serious fear of people & dogs and we are working on it with her. I always carry treats, and I started by throwing treats to her. Now I can walk right up to her and give her a treat, no problem. She and Loki always bark at each other, so in the summer we stand in our driveway and feed them both treats while they sit about 3 feet away from each other. It's awesome. It's like re-conditioning them. It's like Pickles know that if she sits near the little furry dog with no tail she will get food. She doesn't have to like him, but good things happen when he's around. And she sees me as that crazy neighbor lady that always feeds her. Maybe they can work on something like that with Harley? There are so many things that the trainers know that might help. But make sure it's a positive trainer, because the wrong kind of training can make aggression worse.

[whispersmom2]

OMG, I would NOT permit anyone to pet him but for even a different reason. People can transfer germs to the dog. I have a sign on my cart that says "Ask mom before you pet us" but mostly I use my "DO NOT TOUCH" sign.
The fact that you told the kid ahead of time that he bites puts you in a legal bind if the family decides the child has injuries either pyhsical or emotional..
Maybe a tiny muzzle in conjunction with the treat training that puppylove 123 suggested.
Frankly, this sounds really serious to me and I know how troubled you must be about it...

[Erin]

Originally Posted by whispersmom2

OMG, I would NOT permit anyone to pet him but for even a different reason. People can transfer germs to the dog. I have a sign on my cart that says "Ask mom before you pet us" but mostly I use my "DO NOT TOUCH" sign.
The fact that you told the kid ahead of time that he bites puts you in a legal bind if the family decides the child has injuries either pyhsical or emotional..
Maybe a tiny muzzle in conjunction with the treat training that puppylove 123 suggested.
Frankly, this sounds really serious to me and I know how troubled you must be about it...

I agree that it is serious. I'm trying to be sympathetic since you are really upset, but I agree that you should not let anyone pet him. It's not worth the risk. A trainer can see little clues before the dog bites and they have ways to make sure no one gets hurt. Plus, they are professionals and it's their job. I'm really hoping you see someone about it. Good luck.

[mustangbee]

hmmmm, I'm sorry you are having a hard time with Harley. I think the treat idea that puppylove 123 is a good idea. You might want to take Harley to classes. Petsmart has them, it's worth a try. I'm sure he wants pets from people, he's just is afraid of strangers. Remember, he's a furbaby, like we tell our children not to talk to strangers, well Harley is afraid of them. That could very well be a good thing, lokk how many furbabies have been stolen. I don't think they would get to Harley. But as far as someone asking if they can pet him, with you right there, you might want to look into classes, just to be on the safe side. Hang in there

[chewysmom]

I'm sorry that you had this problem with Harley...it is very upsetting and really serious. Chewy doesn't like children much and has tried to nip at them before and when they ask to pet him I simply just say no. I don't ever want to risk it.

Maybe you can go to see someone who can pinpoint why he is acting like this and try to work on the problems.

Good luck!

[Yorkie Mum]

Stop take a beep breath and hang on.
This is patchable if you are intrested????
This is my area of knowledge.
Got a pissy girl in my house. like she can and was bite and it an I will kill you if you touch me bark that she uses.
I need more info from you.
If your intrested I can point you in the right direction.
It not a boat load of fun having a handful in your home but turning them around is a learning experince and can be amazing.
I have to say no more letting anyone touch him till we get working and are far down the road to a patch. The word no and the use of yourself as a body blocker to people trying to touch him is a must.
He needs to be protected. He is the one in pain.
He does not see his world as safe.
You mat never know why he does not think he is safe but he does not.
You body block and say no to people a few times and he will get you have is butt covered.
I do not know how old Harley is so I am saying patch.
He can live a normal like life with good management and a little more specialized training.
Do not beat your self up. These guys are intresting in the way the look at and see the world. These guys are the smarter f the yorkie gang. Most aggressive dogs are very smart. Part of it is they think way to much.
If you want you can PM me more info.
We can get into specific plans.
This will not be easy and there will be set backs and sometimes you will feel like your not making head way, then the light goes off in their head and things get easier.

Have faith.
I have had to keep the faith and hang in while watching a little one loose her mind and come back. Not fun but she in my lap and loving life and well changing.
Hugs to you both.
Joy

[Yorkie Mum]

I like to add it takes a ton of brave to come forward and say your dog was issues. May just hide it in shame.

Joy

[txshopper73]

Leanne, this is terrible. I feel badly for you and for Harley. I don't have any answers for you but I do hope that you can break him of this. I agree with everyone that said to not let anyone touch him. He has some type of issues and hopefully, a trainer who specializes in things like this can help you.

[She-ra's Mama]

Oh, I hate this for you!! I am constantly telling my little girl, Don't pet anybody's doggie except ours. She loves dogs, and if I see that look...I ask the owner, does it bite, may she pet it??? If they say yes, it bites, it crushes my daughter, but we understand. People always ask us when we are out and about, and I like that. I don't want some stranger petting without permission!! I feel so sorry for you and Harley!

[StewiesMom]

I'm sorry this happened. I wouldn't bring him anywhere anymore. It sounds like he gets freaked out and fear-bites

[Yorkie Mum]

http://www.clickerteachers.net/
There is one clicker trainer in WV.
Call or email and ask where they send thier aggressive dogs.
Also there is an aggressive dog group on line but I am not sure I can post it here. Can be a nie support when it busy.
Ask your vet for a Behaviourist and you want letters from University behind thier name.
You want to see them work with an aggressive dog and they had better be being gentle. Before you let them near you dog.

Ask for their reading list and cross check it with http://www.clickersolutions.com/reading.htm

Also Ttouch can help in this case.
http://www.animalambassadors.com/practitioners.shtml

Joy

[cheryl000]

I am so sorry this is happening to you. I agree that you shouldn't let anyone pet him at least until he's over this. I would seek the advice of a trainer because if he does bit someone, you can get in trouble and I hate to even think about what would happen to the poor little guy.
I am wondering about a couple things. Are you the only one he is around most of the day? Maybe he's not used to men, boys, or children. Do you think something happened to him to make him be this way? Or is it possible that he is just being protective over you? Usually poms have this problem, but some yorkies do too. Some dogs attack other people who get too close to their "mom's." My Brandy doesn't like it if I am holding her and someone sits next to me or if the other dog gets too close. I think it's kind of like her saying, "She's MINE."

[Yorkie Mum]

Sorry posting as I think of things.
I recommend that you start Harley on a gentle leader or I prefer a halti and martingale or harness setup.
Halti goes on and a line is run from it to a harness or martingale to protect against the him getting away if the halti comes off.
Martingale is what many use on Greyhounds and tiny ones can be found with out a lead attached all ready.
I run my girl on the halti harness and had one custom made with a D ring in the front to attach the halti.
Haltie needs to adjusted so that it is tight in the back and pined or stitched so it will not slip.
Halti works well in a situation that you must get a dogs mouth closed and fast. Gentle leader does not have that ability but works well for control.
Hatli is not a muzzle and it is not unkind.

http://www.sitstay.com/store/equip/collars2.shtml
http://www.halti.co.uk/halti.php


Joy