Growling at family members, help me. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

steel · 11-04-2007, 01:45 AM

I just adopted a 1 year old male yorkie about 3 weeks ago. He has never growled at me, maybe because I was the one who he first saw when I picked him up? He growled at the wife a few times during the first 2 weeks, but not now. He rarely growles at my daughter (17), but will always growl at my son (15) when he comes into the room, and will sometimes snap at him if he tries to pat the dog. What is strange to me is sometimes if i'm not in the room he will jump up on the couch next to my son and sleep next to him without growling. There seems to be no common thread, or pattern to this growling and sometimes snapping. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as to why this is happening, and how to cure him of this. Thanks for reading this.

FL Tink · 11-04-2007, 02:02 AM

When Bella was younger I would tap lightly with one finger ( just to get her attention) on her nose and say in a low drawn out voice "nooooooooooooooooooooooooo" I wasn't mean or mad i just wanted her to know that behavior would not be tolerated.
You could also practice havng a family member pet the pup in your presence and if he didnt growl then give him a treat.
Now all i have to do is whisper noooooooooooooo and she looks at me like "uh oh i am in trouble"

Good luck

steel · 11-04-2007, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Tink

When Bella was younger I would tap lightly with one finger ( just to get her attention) on her nose and say in a low drawn out voice "nooooooooooooooooooooooooo" I wasn't mean or mad i just wanted her to know that behavior would not be tolerated.
You could also practice havng a family member pet the pup in your presence and if he didnt growl then give him a treat.
Now all i have to do is whisper noooooooooooooo and she looks at me like "uh oh i am in trouble"

Good luck

I am doing the "no" thing, and am also trying the patting thing when i'm there too. It helps some, but sometimes doesn't. Thanks for the reply.

abbie's mom · 11-04-2007, 02:38 AM

I know what you mean about being confusing

. My Abigail (will be two next month) will growl at hubby if she is in my lap when he enters a room. However, she wants his full attention at other times! She even snaps at him when he comes to bed sometimes - other times, he can move her in bed, and she's fine.

What I've started doing, and you might want to try is: If I'm holding her, and he comes into the room, I ask him to just come over to us. If she growls, I tell her "no". She looks at me. If she continues to growl, I put her down - to let her know the behavior is unacceptable. I think(?) we're making strides!

WELCOME to YT, btw!

s13silviagirl · 11-04-2007, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Tink

When Bella was younger I would tap lightly with one finger ( just to get her attention) on her nose and say in a low drawn out voice "nooooooooooooooooooooooooo" I wasn't mean or mad i just wanted her to know that behavior would not be tolerated.
You could also practice havng a family member pet the pup in your presence and if he didnt growl then give him a treat.
Now all i have to do is whisper noooooooooooooo and she looks at me like "uh oh i am in trouble"

Good luck

I would think that with a dog that already snaps at people that the first part might not be the best route to go, one could end up with a finger bitten, but the part about holding him and rewarding him when he doesn't growl/snip at people is a great route to try!

Yorkie3 · 11-04-2007, 04:10 AM

My Joey does this with my husband. Everytime he enters a room he will growl and bark like he is going to tear him to bits (Joey is 3.5 lbs...lol). He does this too when hubby comes to bed. I've tried everything too, but nothing has worked. He also loves my husband and wants his attention if he is sitting down or lying on the floor. I continue to tell him no, but nothing seems to work. Sorry I can't help you, but I'll continue to watch this thread...I've tried the suggestions above my post and they haven't worked for me.

Sawyers mommy · 11-04-2007, 07:58 AM

It sounds like your babies are claiming you, and your bed as their property. Growling at your son is like telling the other male in the pack to remember his place. When you are not there, he doesn't need to show your son he is higher than him in your affection. I would make your son take over a few tasks for awhile, such as feeding, and walking the pup, until he realises all the humans in this family are alpha to him. Snapping is never accepted as it will definetly get worse. I think your new guy is just trying to see where he fits in the big picture. Time and patience will sort this out; but he must never be allowed to snap or growl !

lauraopi · 11-04-2007, 10:14 AM

Reese started doing the same thing...She loves people, but sometimes when she is sitting by me and someone comes towards me she jumps up and growls and barks...it's the strangest thing, she never used to do this. My worst fear is that when I have children that this is going to be real a problem...

Potter · 11-04-2007, 11:04 AM

Something I thought worth mentioning that might help is try and ask your son not to pat on doggie's head. Try patting doggie's chest after letting him smell your son's hands each time. Sometimes, a pat on the head makes the dog feel challenged if he is not comfortable with the person. Maybe this will ease your pup to feel more comfortable with your son.

Yorkiekids · 11-04-2007, 11:36 AM

Why don't you and your son try playing a game of fetch or frizbee with him. Something where the three of you can interact without him feeling threatened.

11-04-2007, 01:45 AM	#1
steel Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Maine Posts: 13	Growling at family members, help me. I just adopted a 1 year old male yorkie about 3 weeks ago. He has never growled at me, maybe because I was the one who he first saw when I picked him up? He growled at the wife a few times during the first 2 weeks, but not now. He rarely growles at my daughter (17), but will always growl at my son (15) when he comes into the room, and will sometimes snap at him if he tries to pat the dog. What is strange to me is sometimes if i'm not in the room he will jump up on the couch next to my son and sleep next to him without growling. There seems to be no common thread, or pattern to this growling and sometimes snapping. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as to why this is happening, and how to cure him of this. Thanks for reading this.

11-04-2007, 02:38 AM	#4
abbie's mom Lovin' 2 Girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,593 Blog Entries: 4	I know what you mean about being confusing . My Abigail (will be two next month) will growl at hubby if she is in my lap when he enters a room. However, she wants his full attention at other times! She even snaps at him when he comes to bed sometimes - other times, he can move her in bed, and she's fine. What I've started doing, and you might want to try is: If I'm holding her, and he comes into the room, I ask him to just come over to us. If she growls, I tell her "no". She looks at me. If she continues to growl, I put her down - to let her know the behavior is unacceptable. I think(?) we're making strides! WELCOME to YT, btw! __________________ Ask Abi

11-04-2007, 04:10 AM	#6
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,686	My Joey does this with my husband. Everytime he enters a room he will growl and bark like he is going to tear him to bits (Joey is 3.5 lbs...lol). He does this too when hubby comes to bed. I've tried everything too, but nothing has worked. He also loves my husband and wants his attention if he is sitting down or lying on the floor. I continue to tell him no, but nothing seems to work. Sorry I can't help you, but I'll continue to watch this thread...I've tried the suggestions above my post and they haven't worked for me. __________________ Janet

11-04-2007, 07:58 AM	#7
Sawyers mommy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fla Posts: 624	It sounds like your babies are claiming you, and your bed as their property. Growling at your son is like telling the other male in the pack to remember his place. When you are not there, he doesn't need to show your son he is higher than him in your affection. I would make your son take over a few tasks for awhile, such as feeding, and walking the pup, until he realises all the humans in this family are alpha to him. Snapping is never accepted as it will definetly get worse. I think your new guy is just trying to see where he fits in the big picture. Time and patience will sort this out; but he must never be allowed to snap or growl ! __________________ Sawyers Mommy: Proud member of the Spoiled rotten Club

11-04-2007, 10:14 AM	#8
lauraopi Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York Posts: 192	Reese started doing the same thing...She loves people, but sometimes when she is sitting by me and someone comes towards me she jumps up and growls and barks...it's the strangest thing, she never used to do this. My worst fear is that when I have children that this is going to be real a problem... __________________ Laura & Reese

11-04-2007, 02:02 AM	#2
FL Tink No Longer a Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Riverview, Florida Posts: 4,953	When Bella was younger I would tap lightly with one finger ( just to get her attention) on her nose and say in a low drawn out voice "nooooooooooooooooooooooooo" I wasn't mean or mad i just wanted her to know that behavior would not be tolerated. You could also practice havng a family member pet the pup in your presence and if he didnt growl then give him a treat. Now all i have to do is whisper noooooooooooooo and she looks at me like "uh oh i am in trouble" Good luck

11-04-2007, 11:04 AM	#9
Potter YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,583	Something I thought worth mentioning that might help is try and ask your son not to pat on doggie's head. Try patting doggie's chest after letting him smell your son's hands each time. Sometimes, a pat on the head makes the dog feel challenged if he is not comfortable with the person. Maybe this will ease your pup to feel more comfortable with your son. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379 "No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

11-04-2007, 11:36 AM	#10
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	Why don't you and your son try playing a game of fetch or frizbee with him. Something where the three of you can interact without him feeling threatened. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki