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09-19-2006, 08:53 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pa
Posts: 14
| Aggressive puppy? So Gus is now about 12 weeks old and he has been showing some signs of being aggressive. If we try to pick him and he doesn't want to be held, instead of just squirming or whining he goes into full attack mode, growling snarling and biting. So far we have told him "no bite" and ignore him when he does bite. He will do this when we walk by him also. At first I thought it was play, but he is totally serious He has pretty much full run of the house, except if I can't watch him, then he gladly sleeps in his crate(finally!), he gets tons of attention and outside time. I do have two children but they are always supervised when playing with him and are very gentle and respectful of him. I really need to nip this in the bud, any advice? TIA, Erin |
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09-19-2006, 10:16 AM | #2 |
My furkids Donating Member | Sadie was about that age and became aggressive with me ONCE! She was going after something on the floor that I didn't want her to get...She bit my shoe!! I picked her up looked her straight in the eye and yelled.."NO! DONT' YOU DO THAT TO ME!!" then I put her down and walked away from her...I wouldn't pick her up when she came over to me...(a dog trainer told me to do this) that was the first and last time she did that to me. Or,.....maybe you could call a dog trainer and ask what they suggest...
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09-19-2006, 10:21 AM | #3 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 3,065
| The only thing I can suggest is like the above poster mentioned look them in the eye and let them know you are the leader, not them. Also several times a day make the puppy lie on his back with his belly up - this is a submissive position that shows you are in charge. |
09-19-2006, 10:23 AM | #4 |
Owned by 3 furballs Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 6,581
| Definitely be firm when you say NO!
__________________ Bobbi Yorkietalk http://www.dogster.com/dogs/395435 And now........little Aja too! http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23776545 |
09-19-2006, 11:05 AM | #5 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| One time when Chachi tried too bite me, and it wasnt a play bite, My Husband grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him no. That was the last time Chachi ever tried to bite anyone
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
09-19-2006, 11:07 AM | #6 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London
Posts: 1,739
| Quote:
I gotta tell you, if he is acting as aggressively as you describe at his age, that would REALLY concern me. Granted all puppies bite (mostly in a teething manner) and they may "try out" growling. But snarling and biting when you pick him up or walk by him is excessive. Has he been treated rough, to your knowledge, at your house OR at the breeders? If it really is as bad as you describe, I'd call the breeder. Ask her nicely (don't make her defensive) if this has happened with any of her other pups. Ask what she recommends in this case. If she recommends physical punishment, you have a pretty good idea that your pup has been mistreated there. And that, as they say, is a whole different ball of wax!
__________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training! | |
09-19-2006, 11:08 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa
Posts: 12,552
| He is not respecting you as the leader of the pack. visit the Dog Whisperers website and it will explain it all and tell you what to do. http://www.dogchannel.com/experts/ce...aspx?WT.srch=1 |
09-19-2006, 11:31 AM | #8 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 695
| Your guy is young, so that's hopeful. First off, I would not be giving him full run of the house. At that age, they should be attached to you via their leash at all times in the house. I found that this helps with potty training and leadership issues. My dog is 6 months old now and at 12 weeks he seemed a little aggressive as well. Not quite as bad as what you describe, but he certainly loved to bite and growl and bark. I've found that age is helping him calm down a lot. He's starting to figure out who's boss. When he starts to get into one of his fits where he barks and growls I pick up a pepsi can filled with coins and shake it. The noise stops him dead in his tracks. If he starts to bite at me I immediately pull my hands away, clap them in front of his face and say very sternly NO BITE. Have you thought about puppy classes? They offer them at Petsmart. They aren't miracle workers, but it certainly was a step in the right direction with Howie's training. I'm sure that your new puppy isn't the spawn of Cujo! He's a puppy and doesn't understand leadership roles yet. Good luck!!
__________________ Howie & Sarah Check us out on dogster: http://www.dogster.com/?327817 |
09-19-2006, 12:17 PM | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pa
Posts: 14
| I *saved* him from a puppy mill type kennel. The person that was originally going to buy backed out and the lady gave him to me at a discounted price. He hadn't had much human interaction at that point, 8 weeks old. Yes, he has drawn blood. I tell him no and clap my hands at him. The leash idea is a good one, I will have to try that. He plays with our lab, who puts him in his place regularly, LOL. We live in the boonies, so no Petsmart or puppy classes around here. I will def check the website out, he seems to get worse everyday. His unsocialable attitude concerns me more than the biting I thought yorkies were "velcro dogs"? I want him to want to be with us all the time and he doesn't seem to want anything to do with us. |
09-19-2006, 05:01 PM | #10 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 800
| I agree with Lacy's mom. Our Sammy was aggressive and bitie (drew blood)... my groomer in Huntsville AL was also my dog trainer. She was absolutly wonderful. She helped train "me". It only took several times and Sam was a different pup. We also watch the Dog Whisperer show and alot of what he does makes good common sense.
__________________ May I be the person my furbabies think I am Sammy, Sophie, Isis', Fergus and and kitties Eddie and Fiona |
09-19-2006, 05:15 PM | #11 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern CA
Posts: 131
| I vote for a trainer to evaluate him. A professional could tell you if he is truly "agressive", or just a good puppy with "issues" that needs help to get past this. |
09-19-2006, 05:32 PM | #12 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 695
| Quote:
Where at in PA are you? Just curious. Quite a few of us YTers are from PA as well. I know it may be expensive, but there are trainers you can hire by the hour to come out to your house and evaluate him in his environment. Your vet would probably be able to help you out with finding one. How long has your new puppy been in your home? He may settle in a little and start behaving a little more positively.
__________________ Howie & Sarah Check us out on dogster: http://www.dogster.com/?327817 | |
09-19-2006, 06:07 PM | #13 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx
Posts: 2,698
| Archie was like that at the same age. I thought I was going to have some major problems with him. good firm no and let him know that he is not to do that to me and he is the most loving little thing now.
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09-19-2006, 07:35 PM | #14 |
♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US
Posts: 5,786
| Daisy used to snap at me when I was trying to get her to do something she didn't want to do and I would put her up to my face and hold her beard hair and tell her in a stern voice "I won't have that". She would look surprised and then give me a sheepish little kiss. At first she didn't like to be very close either. Now she loves to be held, petted, brushed and likes to sleep snuggling us. I think she was just really independent and stubborn and wanted to show us that she could get her own way by acting like that. Now she knows better. I think her obedience training has helped too. I agree that you can get some good ideas from the Dog Whisperer. |
09-19-2006, 11:52 PM | #15 | |||
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London
Posts: 1,739
| Quote:
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Until you get a trainer, I would do 2 things. First, I absolutely would NOT respond to his aggression with more aggression (forcing him on his back, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, any form of physical punishment). You are likely to make the problem worse. Second, I would put him on the NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) program. It will help establish you as the leader and is a well-respected protocol amongst trainers. I'll post it below since this is getting long. Please do try to find a trainer or animal behaviorist.
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