my 5 month old yorkie is aggressive?

Question

i acctually think he is two dogs in one-loving,playfull then snarling and trying to bite

Answer 1

Is he trying to bite, or is he being mouthy and playful? These are two different things.

Young puppies are notorious at biting your hands - and those sharp puppy teeth can be very painful! But rest assured that this is a very normal thing - it doesn't mean that your pup is aggressive, just that she is young. If you watch a litter of puppies interacting with each other, you'll see them biting each other all the time. The problem is that they often mistake our hands and clothes and ankles as being just like their littermates.

How do we teach the pup not to do this to us? First, we'll start with some basic rules of how to interact with a young puppy:

Puppies might see your hands the way they'd see each others' jaws. Don't wave your hands around the pup's face or grab at her. Use your hands to pick up toys (just as you'd like the pup to do) or for soft, gentle petting.

Don't play "chase-me" games where you and the puppy chase and grab at each other.

Play with lots of toys - you can play tug-of-war, fetch, and chase games with them (see the Games page for more information).

Make sure the puppy is getting enough exercise. How much is "enough"? Probably more than you think - at least 40 minutes to an hour of running and playing a day.

Puppies LOVE to play - that's what they live for. What's the worst thing that could happen to them? Play ending. So that's how we will "punish" them for being too rough - by suddenly making play stop when they bite. The rule is "All fun and games end when puppy teeth touch human skin".

Pups bite because it is fun, it's their way of playing, and it gains them attention. So, to punish the puppy, all we have to do is make the fun end. If you're playing with your pup and his teeth touch you, yelp loudly and shrilly like a hurt puppy. (If this makes him MORE excited, or if you're a guy who can't really do this, BELLOW like he's really hurt you). Immediately disengage yourself from him, and as calmly as you can, leave the pup behind (in a safe, puppy-proof place). Give him the cold shoulder. You only have to leave him for a little bit (less than 5 minutes, probably).

Meanwhile, make sure that your pup is getting lots of praise and attention when he is playing well and gently. Pups sometimes learn to bite you to get attention, so make sure that they are getting rewarded with attention when they're being good, not when they're being bad.

If the biting is really bad, you might also want to spray the back of your hands (or clothes he's going after) with Bitter Apple. If your puppy backs off from biting at it, PRAISE him:"What a good boy, that IS disgusting, isn't it!" Immediately redirect his toothy attention to a more appropriate item (like a toy). (I only spray the backs of my hands because I don't want to get the nasty flavor on any treats that I may be handing out, bearing in mind that any time you are interacting with a puppy you are teaching him what actions have good consequences and which ones don't - so I always have a treat ready to reward the types of behaviors I want to encourage.)

I mentioned above to make sure that the puppy is getting enough exercise. I can't emphasize this enough - you'll be amazed by what a difference it makes. I recommend bringing your pup to a supervised "Puppy Socialization" event (see here), any park where people bring friendly dogs for socialization, or invite over friendly, healthy dogs belonging to your friends and neighbors for a play date. . Let your puppy run and play and wrestle with other dogs. It will tire him out, and other dogs will be SURE to tell him when his needle-sharp puppy teeth are being used inappropriately! (See our Dog Parks Page for some cautions about using official off-leash play areas.)

Meanwhile, you can start teaching your pup to sit and lie down on command. As your pup gets good at responding to these cues, you can use them to calm him down when he starts forgetting himself and using his mouth too hard.

Please note that it's important that puppies learn that they can control the strength of their jaws and the way that they use them. You really do NOT want your pup to never bite you because then he will never learn how to bite softly. This is called "bite inhibition". In your pup's lifetime, he will probably be put in the position where he feels he needs to bite - this is the only way that dogs have to show that they are very upset. Your goal is to teach your pup that he can grasp with his jaws without breaking skin. (As a clumsy dog owner, I have been known to accidentally step on my own dogs' tails. Instinctively, they will usually put their jaws where the pain was - but since they have good bite inhibition, they merely grasp with their jaws instead of biting).

It's important that you notice and reward good behavior and appropriate play. Brenda Aloff, of Heaven on Arf, calls this Opportunity Training: When the opportunity to reward good behavior knocks, open the door and give your pup a reward!

Answer 2

I have a 15 year old yorkie that I rescued when he was just 6 mos from a shelter. Even today, he is still agressive around other dogs. It's part of their "Napolean" nature, call it little man's complex or whatever. If however, your yorkie is only 5 months, you are still at a very good development age in his life. Start socializing him right now. That means, going to Petsmart, signing up for a puppy training class, going to a dog park, around other dogs, etc., YOU have to remain in control however. When he shows signs of agression, you have to correct that behavior immediately. By tapping him, making a sharp sound, anything to change what he is thinking. You also should get Ceasar Milan's book the Dog Whisperer, he is very good, or view his show on cable.

Answer 3

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/SIjnC

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 4

All terriers go through this stage especially Yorkie's and jack Russell's some never grow out of it. You need to let him know whose boss before he attacks some one he shouldn't. I have a terrier who is fantastic with people but still not sure bout other animals. If you take him to puppy classes to get him used to other dogs might help or to get him castrated which should calm him down and help the aggressive streak

Answer 5

You do need to stop this now and I think you are very aware of this. By "play" biting you he is asserting that he is the dominant fellow here. You need to stop the game by yelping and leaving him. If the dog play bites - nips in any way - your clothes etc - yelp loudly and leave the room. This is what other puppies would do - it lets the dog know that you are not playing and that behaviour is not acceptable. You only need to leave for a couple of minutes. We also had the fortune to find an excellent dog trainer when our pup was only 6 weeks old. She talked us through the Jan Fennell method
1. Always eat before the dog
2. Always go through doorways/ gates first
3. Don't greet your dog straight away - leave for 5 minutes before acknowledging their presence (this really works and is the hardest to do - but just try it!!! If the dog persists and comes to you just ignore until the dog settles and then call him - honestly the results are amazing and the dog really responds to you as he will see you as the alpha dog (this is what happens in the pack - the leader never greets the other dogs - he lets them come to him and then acknowledges to status)

Other suggestions are made in the books and they are really well written and enjoyable.

Answer 6

at five month many dogs hit the teen years during this time you should caringly train and keep things consistant as the dog will test its limits and if your are not consistant in training then the dog may deside not to listen to its training. and start to refuse comands or become aggressive. if you have more questions consult with a dog trainer and a veterinarian for referal to an animal behavioralist, some authors and books on dog training/behavior to look into if paying for a professional is not to your liking are Don't Shoot The Dog by Karen Pryor, Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson, Before and After You Get Your Dog by Dr. Ian Dunbar, Katz on Dogs by Jon Katz, Cesar's Way by Casar Millan, all of these are a good place to start your own education about how to train a dog. you can also read on dog development, and dog ecology in other books for additional information on how dogs mature as compared to humans. (Comparative Psychology)

Answer 7

O my Gosh yes you can bond with this pup. He's just a baby yet and you will be a great mom. Sure there will be a transition time, there always is. It'll be anywhere from a few days to weeks so it'll take time. Have patience and consistency and love and the rest will take care of itself. I'd definitely get her fixed as there are too many dogs out there without homes now as it is. Maybe if it works out, you can get another dog or puppy but not for a year so this one can bond with you and be part of your pack as a lone dog. If you get another one too soon, they won't bond with you but only with each other. good luck and congrats

Answer 8

Thats how some dogs are,My friends dogs does that because when ppl are on my friends property her dog thinks he has to protect my friend and her family by snarling,and she is a real small dog,lol.My dog does that when she has like a bone or something and someone comes near her lol.We asked the vet and they said its normal for all dogs to snap cause there just protecting there territory.

Answer 9

as i would never deign to call myself an expert on puppy behavior, i'll refer you to one: http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/tips/index.php, especially the section called "New Puppy?" if you've never seen cesar's show on the national geographic channel, i highly recommend it. i've learned more from watching one of his shows than from hours at obedience school (which can also be very expensive). he often deals with dogs that can be very loving and playful, but in a heartbeat turn vicious. to him, it's all about keeping the dog healthy and balanced, as well as keeping them in what he calls "calm-submissive mode," as opposed to "aggressive" mode.

lots of people don't address behavioral problems with small dogs, because they're so cute and seem "harmless," but this is doing a terrible disservice to both the dog and the owner.

best of luck to you with your yorkie--i applaud you for attempting to nip the negative behavior in the bud, before it gets out of control. in the long run, it's better for both you and the dog. :)

Answer 10

He is a puppy. He will need some guidance in what he is not supposed to do. Don't play with him if he gets rough. Or use one of those rope toys to get out his play. Don't let him bite you.

Answer 11

Yorkies are very aggressive dogs that require alot of attention our 4 year old CoCo remind us of this everyday, goodluck.