Time Out, Good or Bad?
 

I dont think giving them time out is a bad thing Im finding myself giving scrappydoo time out also . :)

How old is Nala? Yorkies want to be the boss, but you have to stay in control. It honestly sounds to me that professional obedience training may be your only option. I only say this because she has numerous behavioral problems. If she is growling now, she probably will bite later if she is still young. I'm not trying to sound negative in any way. That is the odd thing about typing, no one can hear your tone of voice. I had a male Yorkie some time back and thought it was the cutest thing that he would growl if someone tried to take him off of my lap...it's kind of like a very small child swearing, you know its wrong, but for some strange reason it makes you want to laugh....but then if they do it when they get older, it isn't funny at all and you wonder what on earth those parents were thinking to encourage such behavior. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I did end up catching "our" mistake and correcting it while he was still young. My mom has 3 Yorkies, Angel has always been a little on the misbehaving side kind of like yours, but not quite as aggressive. It doesn't bother her to be punished in any way, she just thinks its all part of the game that she has created and that someone was nice enough to join in. Fortunately she is growing out of most of it. I would suggest obedience training, but here is something else you can try...Positive Reinforcement. Instead of trying to punish Nala for doing something bad, get her to do something you want her to and then reward her with a small dog treat (because those can add up very quickly and become too much food for your dog in one day), play ball with her, take her outside for some fun, and tell her what a good girl she is. EVERY time she does something bad, tell her NO, NO in a deep monotone voice. Then as soon as she listens, try the positive reinforcement ideas. This will be very time consuming in the beginning of your new training, but it will definetly pay off. Good luck! I hope this helps and that I didn't run on and on too much. Oh, EVERYONE in the family has to do the exact same thing with her or she will not catch on. Funny thing about Yorkies, they really are very much like children...you can tell them "no" a hundred times, but then as soon as you slip up "one" time, they think it is acceptable and you have to start all over. We do tend to think of them as human, but always, always keep in mind that they are not and really do not understand every single word we say and when they do something wrong it isn't just to irritate us...I personnally don't think they calm down until they are over 1.5 years old.
Julz

When Tiny trys to bite we 'pop' him lightly too. We also hold his moth shut and say "No biting", "Bad Boy"! Then I put him in his little dog house and say "Stay! bad boy!". Then after a few minutes I go and get him and say softy "Tiny no biting ok, be a good boy." Also, he is teething so if he continues after time out then I get his bacon cheeseburger edible nylabone and hold it for him to chew. Usually he can also be easily distracted by throwing one of his toys to fetch or his rope to gnaw on. Sorry I do not have any suggestions about the barking and agression. Good luck with your fur baby :aimeeyork , I hope some of this may help.

LOL; I love your analogy :

"I had a male Yorkie some time back and thought it was the cutest thing that he would growl if someone tried to take him off of my lap...it's kind of like a very small child swearing, you know its wrong, but for some strange reason it makes you want to laugh....but then if they do it when they get older, it isn't funny at all"
this is so true
-toni

obedience
 

Julz,

You suggested obedience training. Syd has some biting/growling issues as well. I have considered obedience training...but with my 2 jobs...I just don't have time to take her. If my fiancé does the training...will she only listen to him?

Rowdy pups
 

Hi. I found the best way to handle and out of control puppy is to put it on the floor and ignore it. Make sure it has plenty of assorted toys and chews. If you are holding it and it can't get back up in your lap on it's own and it starts unacceptable behavior, firmly pick it up - look it in the eyes and say 'no,bad dog' then place it on the floor by itself. Puppies (especially yorkies) adore lap time and it hurts their feelings. If it can get back up then stand up yourself and go do something. We had the same problem with our little Cosie (a chi) she was almost uncontrollable once she started. Now, at 1, she's the best little girl, all we have to do is say no and she immediately stops whatever she's doing. Once they calm, pick them up and give them lots of love and attention, they put it together fairly quick. Cosie will come to us now to 'make up' after being told no. She can't stand to think we are mad or disappointed in her. Deprivation of a lap is a big deal to little dogs, I think, I know it sure is one to me! Hope this helps, I'm not an expert but I tend to get rowdy puppies every time.

I am going to say "No", EVERYONE has to do it. If you aren't there for long periods of time, just correct Syd the same way your fiance does. I really don't want to keep going back to "children", but if the person who is home all day with the children make them behave one way and the other parent comes home at night and lets them do whatever they want, they will probably end up with confused little monsters (I mean that in the nicest way) on their hands. Don't feel bad for sticking to something that doesn't make you feel good for awhile. You will be able to enjoy your dog a lot more if you get him under control. You must be a little nervous with Syd's behavior around others or small children, right? We have to remember that we are AS responsible for them as we are for our children...if they do something wrong...we have to pay the price (emotionally and financially). I would try placing my thumb in his mouth with your other fingers under his jaw and apply a little pressure and say NO, NO in the deep monotone voice. Too many words won't be learned, just mostly 2-3 word commands at first. If he tries to bite you afterward, don't use that method. But if he just tries to get your thumb out of his mouth, it should work for you eventually. Remember, not too much pressure, just enough to irritate him. Let me know how this works for you.
Julz

Hi Sydney's Mom,
I just want to appoligize for referring to Syd as a boy when she is actually a girl!
Sorry,
Julz

I will try the thumb thing. She only bites/growls when I (or my fiance) are doing something she doesn't like...for example clipping her toenails. I have been trying something that someone else on here has suggested. When she gets worked up I hold her down on her back and say "no, calm" until she settles. This seems to work momentarily, but as soon as the nail clipping, etc. starts again, so does she. I would love for us both to take her to obedience classes...but I have heard that they only allow one handler anyway. She actually behaves worse for my fiance than me b/c he is more leniant with her (trust me, I've had the "we have to treat her the same" arguement with him many times).

i didnt read all the posts cause there too long and im lazy but time out is great we do it with kayko all the time and it works also he still does the nibbleing like a puppy thanks to my brothers friends anyway i yalp like a hurt dog and he stops works real well good luck

i'm kinda busy at work so i didn't have time to read everything, but did want to add nala is currently in obedience classes we had our 3rd class last night. it's just the basics of obedience but i have learned that when she want do something I make her do it. we tried and tried forever to "sit" and she just wouldn't do it then the teacher said your going to have to make her and i stopped acting like i was going to break her and she sat!!

My dog trainer suggests the time out thing! We just started to do it too when Stomper bites (eventhough it is just play bites) and when he barks. We give him 1-2 warnings...after that, he is in the bathroom for 5 minutes. We sometimes talk loud so he can hear us just to make him jealous. They need to learn! :)

Yes, we've done the time out thing a lot (when Yoda was younger) by putting him on a pillow like on the counter. We personally thinks he can associate the time out with bad behavior, though there are some that think dogs can't remember...

i definitely believe in time out. It works with my son and it works with Chewy. After he comes out he is looking for so much love and is just dying to do things perfectly.

I read somewhere that also immediately saying no in a firm voice - then laying your puppy on their back, and holding them still like that, is a good way of showing you're boss - but I haven't tried it personally

I think time out works also. Hubby didnt allowed it, thou. Gucci doesn't bite anymore. I used to give her a stern NO ,took a awhile but is working. SHe is so spoil.

Julz- I havent had aggression issues with Tino, but I have always used the positive reinforcement method with hom regarding everything...barking, potty training and I have no problems with him at all and I think its bc of the positive method. All they want to do is please, so when you ignore them that is way worse and lasts longer than hitting/tapping... I really think they probably think its part of a playing game.

Sophiedog- what you do is exactly what I do, like Julz mentioned its the positive reinforcement method and I think there is a lot to be said for it! BC once they realize that the naughty behavior isnt going to get them love or attention, they will find some way to get what they want!

I think time outs are great... I have heard that they work for children even though I don't have any skin kids... I never used this method bc Tino would have ruined my bathroom door by trying to dig a hold through the floor to get out! :eek:

Time out, it's a good thing
 

I use time out effectively but I use their kennels, just close the door. All during the day they have an open door. So, if one is not behaving and I feel it is needed, I put her in time out, only for a few minutes, tell her she is going to time out and remind her when I let her out. It works well for me. There are times when the reward thing just isn't doing it, I think your pet needs to understand bad behavior isn't going to be ignored.

that doesn't work with nala. when you try to hold her down or hold her close to keep her from moving she just gets even wilder! we've only been doing this for a few days so you can't tell a big difference but when i let her out for the next 20-30min she follows me around and if i go outside or somewhere where there's a door between us she will sit there and whine, lol. i do use the stern voice and let her know when she is doing good.