We have had a 3mo old yorkie for 1 week. fisrt week just cuddly sweet. Since end of weekend started nipping. Got him lots of toys trying to redirect. My kids love to play with him with his toysand still hold him etc. I am trying to teach them to use a firm NO! And to reward with praise.(My girls are 3 and 6 son 7) My girls still will play and not always correct him. I notice the puppy goes for them immediately and not just fingers. Mostly elbows and tugs at shirts and pants. He has started to bark and growl at my 3 year old the minute she comes into sight. She is starting to fear the puppy. Is this normal play? does he want to play with them or is he afraid of them? Or his he trying to one up my littlest in the 'pack'They do want to hold him and awful lot. What do I do? I am trying to have them stroke him calmly while he is sleepy. Is he protecting me? I am with him all day and night. i'm mostly feeding him? Should I crate him? Is he bored/ (-degrees too cold for outside)
2007-02-06 00:34:04 · 11 answers · asked by monkey 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Though this is normal puppy behavior, keep an eye out for how the kids are treating it. Sometimes kids hug to tight or playfully hit the puppy not realizing they are hurting it, especially smaller kids who do not know their own strength. Even though it is a puppy, natural animal instinct will tell it to defend itself against the person causing the harm.
I'm not saying this is the case but do keep an eye out for growing animosity.
2007-02-06 00:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by Hot Rod 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dog is never too young to be corrected for inappropriate or undesireable behavior. You may need to temper your correction based on his age, but never excuse him because he is 'just a puppy'.
The best thing you can do for your children and your dog is to sit down with your family and agree on actions to take whenever the dog exhibits inappropriate behavior. Make sure everybody in the family commits--even the three year old, in a way she understands (and have the older children help her). The puppy must receive the same corrections, consistently, from all family members if the correction is to be successful.
Whenever the puppy begins growling or nipping, empower your children to make the correction--don't run to their rescue, as the puppy will quickly learn that the children are pushovers.
Also with small dogs, there is often a temptation ( a la Paris Hilton and Britney) to pick them up and walk around with them. I'm not assuming that y'all do this, but I would discourage your family from doing this. Let the dog have her place--below you and your family. Another thing to discourage would be rough-housing; play should include dog-appropriate toys and at a moderate excitement level. Dogs don't know the difference between 'play-biting' and real biting, so don't allow it at all.
Your dog is little, and you have a good shot at rehabilitating if you start now. Good luck! :-)
2007-02-06 02:22:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though this dog is just a puppy, when he growls at your children he needs a soft gentle disciplinary tug of the collar - this is NOT acceptable behavior! Dogs, especially smaller dogs, learn early on to control people with growling and the showing of teeth. There is no need to hit the dog but IMMEDIATELY after a growl, there must be an indication that this is not acceptable or the dog will continue this behavior as he's learned it works to control the 'members of his pack.' What's most important is that the correction be given instantly after the growl - not a minute later - because then it will mean nothing. All dogs, puppies included, test their boundaries and just as I'm sure your children are informed when they do something that's not acceptable, so, too, must the puppy. With gentle corrective actions and teaching your children NOT to be afraid of the dog, you will encourage a healthy environment and not one where the dog is in control. Hope that helps!
2007-02-06 00:53:17 · answer #3 · answered by trianglears 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, do not allow the pup to growl or tug at their clothes. Make sure the dogs gets enough exercise from playing with YOU , you can put him on a leash and walk him around the house , up and down the stair to release energy. If the dog nips at the kids or tugs at their clothes,take her away from the kids, or tell the kids to go find someplace to play without the dog until she behaves better. Nipping if a really big no no. Don't wait , get the entire family involved now with training, pups grow up to fast and what they learned they can "get away with" will continue into a bigger problem, consider the problems of friends coming over, and the dog "nips" someone's kid....only playfully, but oh some people can make your life miserable over these issues. Ceasers dog training book and tv show are a great place to help resolve dog problems. Hope this helps you.
2007-02-06 00:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by lady_tiko 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is dominating your kids. What you need to do is snap a leash on him. DO NOT cuddle him, coax him, talk soothing to him, or ignore that behavior - you're only encouraging it. EVERYONE needs correct that behavior and to be consistant. You have 3 kids...your dog is like one of your kids - give him an inch...how much do they take?? Let him slide once he's reinforced by no discipline so he'll do it again.
Snap a leash on him, put him in sit then down IMMEDIATELY. No spanking, flicking yelling needed. Down is having the dog submit. Your 3 year old should be able to do this also.
Spend 15 minutes a night with your family and train your dog as a family. Each member reinforcing the sit, the down, even walking with the leash. Have everyone in the family feed the dog. Have the dog sit (with the leash to keep control) then have everyone in your family give a command to allow the dog to eat - NOT before you give the command only when you give the command!!
Don't crate him for bad behavior - you're creating a negative image of the crate. The crate should be a santuary and only for positive things.
He may also be over protective of you. YOU need to be Alpha!! Leave the dog be. Play with him when he needs to be played with, cuddle with him when he needs to be, but for most of the day - let him have his toys while you do your own thing. He won't break, he won't be upset, he'll learn his place.
Everything should be a command. Getting on the couch - not allowed till you or your family says, going outside - not till you or yoru family gives the command, even getting up when you tell him to sit or down. If he does put him back in sit or down then give him a command to get up.
The dog is controling your house (even you).
Good Luck
2007-02-06 00:52:23 · answer #5 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My puppy was exactly the same (actually is exactly the same)... she was cute and cuddly the first week, and then she started nipping and biting. Its absolutely normal behavior- the first week your dog was just depressed and adjusting to his environment, and now he is more at ease and wants to play. Nothing really works to stop it, although if your puppy is really going nuts, putting him in time out does help, or giving him a light tap on the nose with a paper towel roll (it doesn't hurt them but they don't like it). The behavior should go away at around 18 weeks, but if it doesn't, see a behavioral trainer. Otherwise it sounds like you're doing everything right, with redirecting her etc.... You might also consider signing him up for puppy obedience lessons. He'll get to hang out with other puppies and learning commands might help calm him down. Good Luck!!!!
2007-02-06 00:50:31 · answer #6 · answered by snowprincess1313 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like the kids are too much for the puppy. I would limit play time, and when they do play supervise...if it looks like the puppy needs a break-separate.
Puppies need a quite undisturbed place to get their sleep...your pup will start snapping if disturbed. If you want a well adjusted dog, give him his space, and respect him-don't expect a puppy to be a babysitter.
2007-02-06 01:02:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy sounds like he is just playing. However, I would closely monitor the children when they are playing with the puppy. A dog's ears and tail are very sensitive and these tend to be the areas that children like to 'play' with. Additionally, I would be sure to socialize your puppy with other people outside your family.
2007-02-06 00:48:56 · answer #8 · answered by Charles Dexter Ward 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends what your kids are doing and what they do to him and he wants to probably play with them if they are not playing or they are playing to rough the dog might be telling them they are playing to rough or there might be something stuck in his paw so i would check or go to the vet.
2007-02-06 00:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by Austin M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hes a puppie and full of energy he will want to play most of the time
2007-02-06 00:38:52 · answer #10 · answered by schroth_glenn 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋