Yorkie Growling at my daughter

[jolisey]

Our 5 month old Yorkie, Sadie, has started growling/nipping at my 10 yr old daughter occasionally. It usually happens when she's trying to correct Sadie/remove her from a situation (like chewing something she shouldn't be, or sniffing around for a place to pee indoors!), but Sadie will growl fiercely and nip at my daughter's hands.

She doesn't do this to any of the rest of the family (although she did do it once when she was sleeping on my bed and I picked her up to put her in her kennel for the night - she stopped right away when she saw it was "mom" and not my daughter!)

I've told my daughter to scold her sharply, but it doesn't seem to work. I don't want Sadie to think that she's "in charge" of anyone, or think that it's OK to nip at anyone either. Ideas?? What am I doing wrong??

Wendy-Lee

[bchgirl]

Here is how we correct that behavior at our house with very effective results.
Place puppy on her back, hold her firmly and speak sternly saying no, do not release her until she stops squirming or fighting. This is a submissive position....you are showing dominance over her.

[chachi]

Your not doing anything wrong your trying and thats all you can do. Chachi has growled and bit at our daughter also about a month ago. We flipped him on his back in submission position and held him there and told him no biting. The only time we do that is when he growls or bites so he knows hes getting in trouble. He has only bit twice in 3 1/2 yrs so weve found that works for us

[chachi]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Here is how we correct that behavior at our house with very effective results.
Place puppy on her back, hold her firmly and speak sternly saying no, do not release her until she stops squirming or fighting. This is a submissive position....you are showing dominance over her.

LoL I didnt see your post! Works for me also

[KathyK09]

Our 7 month old - Mariah also started doing this a few months ago. She mainly does it to my children (13 & 18 yr olds) and rarely to me - I think she knows I'm "in charge".

She does this especially when they try to correct her or remove her from a situation (like if she's chewing something she shouldn't be). Also if she has her "Everylasting Treat Ball" and it's time to put it away, etc.

We do the same thing...gently pin her down and tell her loudly/firmly "NO biting", etc. This was especially difficult for my daughter because even though Mariah is only 2.8, when she's doing this...she actually really scares both the kids. We call it her Taz Mood (Tazmanian Devil). She acts very ferocious and aggressive! My daughter is finally getting the hang of it and it's going much better.

My husband and I have started to purposely take away her Treat Ball (and give it back). If she growls, etc...we sternly reprimand her. This is working and she's getting better.

Such a tiny little dog with such a huge personality! We're crazy about her!

[jolisey]

Thanks for the helpful hints! Sadie is very "nippy", and my son tried this method of laying her over on her back yesterday - it worked for him right away! I"ll try to get my daughter to do this too - which could be interesting since she's a bit "scared" to be bitten at , and Sadie knows it! This puppy has more personality than any pet I've ever owned .... she's definitely a little character and we're all smitten !

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by jolisey

Thanks for the helpful hints! Sadie is very "nippy", and my son tried this method of laying her over on her back yesterday - it worked for him right away! I"ll try to get my daughter to do this too - which could be interesting since she's a bit "scared" to be bitten at , and Sadie knows it! This puppy has more personality than any pet I've ever owned .... she's definitely a little character and we're all smitten !

I would be surprised if Sadie tried more than squirming her way out of being held down.

My Ramsey would really fight being in this position, but she never snapped at anyone.

Maybe this is a girl thing...because both my males are meek as lambs.

Good luck and we all completely understand being smitten.

[ScootieBootie]

A dog growling is actually giving you a warning. If you punish the dog for growling, you actually teach the dog that his warning signs are not headed, and are not useful. This means that in the future, the dog will skip the "niceties" of a warning and go straight to a bite.

It is much better to do positive behavior modification to achieve a confident dog who does not feel threatened or feel the need to "protect and guard" his belongings.

I would be careful about the alpha rolling. So many people look at that as the "cure all" for dog's behavior issues, but it can lead to other problems.

I just want to give ya'll a heads up.

As far as the dog growling at your 10 year old, I suggest getting her (the 10 year old) involved in walking the dog daily and basic obedience commands with the dog. This will help the dog to see her as a leader and learn to respect her.

Also, making your dog work for everything (food, attention, toys, walks, etc) by asking the dog to do something first (sit, down, roll over, etc) will also help enforce the pack leaders in the home. Everyone has to be on board for the same treatment for it to be most effective.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by ScootieBootie

A dog growling is actually giving you a warning. If you punish the dog for growling, you actually teach the dog that his warning signs are not headed, and are not useful. This means that in the future, the dog will skip the "niceties" of a warning and go straight to a bite.

It is much better to do positive behavior modification to achieve a confident dog who does not feel threatened or feel the need to "protect and guard" his belongings.

I would be careful about the alpha rolling. So many people look at that as the "cure all" for dog's behavior issues, but it can lead to other problems.

I just want to give ya'll a heads up.

As far as the dog growling at your 10 year old, I suggest getting her (the 10 year old) involved in walking the dog daily and basic obedience commands with the dog. This will help the dog to see her as a leader and learn to respect her.

Also, making your dog work for everything (food, attention, toys, walks, etc) by asking the dog to do something first (sit, down, roll over, etc) will also help enforce the pack leaders in the home. Everyone has to be on board for the same treatment for it to be most effective.

Please, please don't use the alpha roll on your dogs!

The Alpha Roll was developed by the Monks of New Skete back in the 70's. It was so abused they finally came out and explained that it was never intended to be used by pet owners, only by professional trainers for the worst cases. It is now considered obsolete.

In nature the only time a dog will roll another dog on its back to to try to rip open it's belly to kill it. Being forced into this position puts a dog in to "fight for my life" mentality and is a good way to get bitten. It can also make aggression much, much worse.

Please try a more modern method of training like NILIF.

I'ce attached a few links for you.

Alpha roll - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alpha Roll - LoveToKnow Dogs

Nothing in Life is Free

Basic Training Techniques | The Humane Society of the United States

[LeosMama]

Usually, my pup growls when he sees something out the window or sliding door. So I normally just ask "What is it?" I'll make the trip to the door and usually it is the wild rabbit that lives out back. I'll sit back down and say "Thank you for telling me" or "It was neat seeing the rabbit" I feel I have to acknowledge it, it could be something important someday. It also stops the growl and occasional bark.

I know Leo does sometimes growl or nip at my children. Usually it is when they are playing. When I see that I tell them all no playing like that. My son loves to get down in a crawl position to play with the pup. Needless to say it puts puppy on the defense because of size alone. I've noticed Leo nip only when you try to take his toys from him. It is like - hey don't take my stuff. So I reinforce share or divert his attention to something else. That usually works for me.

Good Luck.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by LeosMama

Usually, my pup growls when he sees something out the window or sliding door. So I normally just ask "What is it?" I'll make the trip to the door and usually it is the wild rabbit that lives out back. I'll sit back down and say "Thank you for telling me" or "It was neat seeing the rabbit" I feel I have to acknowledge it, it could be something important someday. It also stops the growl and occasional bark.

I know Leo does sometimes growl or nip at my children. Usually it is when they are playing. When I see that I tell them all no playing like that. My son loves to get down in a crawl position to play with the pup. Needless to say it puts puppy on the defense because of size alone. I've noticed Leo nip only when you try to take his toys from him. It is like - hey don't take my stuff. So I reinforce share or divert his attention to something else. That usually works for me.

Good Luck.

Leo should not be nipping your children even if they take his toys from him. He can't have a "hey don't take my stuff attitude" as you describe. He doesn't learn to "share" his toys like human children do. They are not his toys. He has to earn them.

Please read the last two links in my previous post about the Nothing in Life is Free program. It is recommended by the HSUS. It teaches a dog that he has to earn his toys, food, etc., that they are not his to take or protect.

Possessiveness over toys as a puppy and nipping can turn into real aggression if not dealt with. Not only can he hurt your children, a dog that bites may have to be euthanized.

[jolisey]

Interesting articles, LadyMom ..... I'm going to do some more research into this method.... thanks!

[June Bug]

Hi, I am a 25 year old first-time puppy owner. I grew up with yorkies, but this is my first time raising one on my own. I have had June for about two weeks. Sometimes when I pick her and hold her close to my face to give her a kiss she totally takes me off guard and freaks out (growls/nips/struggles to get away)!!!

I am actually scared when this happens. My boyfriend does the "alpha roll" thing when he sees her do this (btw she NEVER growls or nips at him). I just feel so shocked that my sweet cute puppy 99% of the time can turn into such a mean dog!! I feel bad rolling her on her back and holding her down, but I don't want to be scared of a 4 pound puppy!! We are starting puppy training in about 2 weeks at petsmart so maybe they can help me then!! Any advice would be great!! Thanks!

June's mom

[June Bug]

Hi, I am a 25 year old first-time puppy owner. I grew up with yorkies, but this is my first time raising one on my own. I have had June for about two weeks. Sometimes when I pick her and hold her close to my face to give her a kiss she totally takes me off guard and freaks out (growls/nips/struggles to get away)!!!

I am actually scared when this happens. My boyfriend does the "alpha roll" thing when he sees her do this (btw she NEVER growls or nips at him). I just feel so shocked that my sweet cute puppy 99% of the time can turn into such a mean dog!! I feel bad rolling her on her back and holding her down, but I don't want to be scared of a 4 pound puppy!! We are starting puppy training in about 2 weeks at petsmart so maybe they can help me then!! Any advice would be great!! Thanks!

June's mom

[JoeyP]

Originally Posted by June Bug

Hi, I am a 25 year old first-time puppy owner. I grew up with yorkies, but this is my first time raising one on my own. I have had June for about two weeks. Sometimes when I pick her and hold her close to my face to give her a kiss she totally takes me off guard and freaks out (growls/nips/struggles to get away)!!!

For a puppy .... having someone come close to them with their face can be threatening
She probably is thinking that you are being aggressive with her
Be careful because she might go to nip you out of defense
I know they are really cute and you wanna kiss her all the time
But kissing isn't really a dog term
Puppies will run up to greet older dogs and lick their faces
But a face being put right up to them is intimidating