Biting and Barking Puppy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lmf · 08-24-2005, 12:05 PM

Hello Everyone! I need some advice. I am having a really hard time with my 10 week old puppy. I have had her for about 3 weeks and this past week she has become hard to handle. She recently began biting me constantly and charging at me while barking. I tell her a stern NO and she just barks and tries to jump up and bite me. I try to give her a chew toy and she will play with them for awhile... but then she is back at charging at me trying to bite my fingers, face, feet, ect. I have also tried holding her snout until she calms down. But she just keeps squirming and when I let her out she is back at it. Also often when I try to pick her up she reaches back and tries to bite me as well. I am so frustrated because I dont know what to do. Currently she is taking a time out in her crate because she was having an episode. I want to have a nice puppy that will grow into a loving and sweet dog. Is this just normal puppy behavior? What can I do to stop it! Any help would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

chachi · 08-24-2005, 12:10 PM

I have a squirt bottle and I squirt my dogs wne the bark and that does the trick. You can also get a can and put change in it and shake it. They hate that sound. As far as the biting just say a firm no.

Lexi Rae · 08-24-2005, 12:16 PM

alot of us went through the same thing with our pups, just be patient and
keep saying NO in a stern voice and QUIET when the barking gets to you..
just keep at it and in no time you will see a difference.

yorkieusa · 08-24-2005, 12:46 PM

A can of pennies works really good!

Puppies will be puppies and some are a little wilder than others!

Carolina girl · 08-24-2005, 01:24 PM

Love those baby yorkies!Mine is 6 months old and still doing it.

Laura · 08-24-2005, 02:00 PM

Be sure she is getting enough exercise. You probably want to start grooming her as well. You need to be the boss of her, and never let her win. Don't hold her mouth shut, but you can hold her shoulders where she can lick but not bite you. Lay her on the floor and hold her down with your hand like a dog does around her neck (dont hurt her). You need to make her submit to you. The quicker you get behavior under control, the quicker you have a great dog you love. She will get older, bigger, and stronger. I also use water bottle for miscellaneous barking for no reason.

RowdysMom · 08-24-2005, 02:05 PM

My Rowdy did the exact same thing - and I decided to respond like I thought his mom would. I grabbed (gently) the back of his harness and shook him (gently) while saying a stern "NO" (like his mom would do - pick him up by the nape of the neck and shake him). I only had to do this 3 times when I started using it and he completely stopped the bad behavior. Now, when he gets out of line (rarely), I just have to tap the back of the harness and say "NO" and he shapes up quickly. Also, before I figured out the harness shaking trick - I would take him out for a walk - even before he could walk on a leash - he would follow me and I could tire him out that way and the bad behavior would be much less because a tired pup is a good pup. Some on this board have described holding the pup on his/her back till they become submissive - might take several minutes. This sounds like a good idea for a strong willed pup - my Rowdy is not very aggressive so I didn't have to use that strategy, but it is probably a good one.

Thorsmomma · 08-24-2005, 02:11 PM

Biting is just a part of puppyhood! Man is it annoying but she will grow out of it. The way Thor learned was by constant reinforcement consisting of a strong 'NO' and grabbing (without hurting) his snout. He didn't like that one bit and it took a few weeks and he is much,much better about bitting now. Also, don't let her be mouthy with your body when you are just 'playing', she should learn that is is never okay! About the barking, man I am still at a loss about that one! I would love my doggie to stop all that non-sense (although sometimes they are just trying to protect you when they are barking at something). One last thing about putting your dog in its crate for time-out. In a few puppy books that I read it said that you should never put your dog in its crate for punishment becuase they should associate their crate with a secrure, nice place to be in, not as a place of punishement. I know it is so frustrating sometimes and there are times I want to put Thor in his crate to do some serious thinking (and calming down) but I don't want him to hate his crate or associate it with anything unpleasent. Maybe a good long walk will burn off some of that energy that these little guys seem to have endless amounts of! Good luck, hang in there!!

jwash · 08-24-2005, 05:31 PM

As stated, this is normal puppy behavior. Never let her be the boss, you are the mom. A book called Your Yorkshire Terrier's Life has some very good info about behavior training and there are classes as well. As far as biting you, put your hands palm up, finger sprayed, a say in a lower tone growly voice, no biting, I am not your toy. Let's get your toy, go get one and play. Soon, she will go get a toy and bring it to you.

08-24-2005, 12:05 PM	#1
Lmf Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 31	Biting and Barking Puppy Hello Everyone! I need some advice. I am having a really hard time with my 10 week old puppy. I have had her for about 3 weeks and this past week she has become hard to handle. She recently began biting me constantly and charging at me while barking. I tell her a stern NO and she just barks and tries to jump up and bite me. I try to give her a chew toy and she will play with them for awhile... but then she is back at charging at me trying to bite my fingers, face, feet, ect. I have also tried holding her snout until she calms down. But she just keeps squirming and when I let her out she is back at it. Also often when I try to pick her up she reaches back and tries to bite me as well. I am so frustrated because I dont know what to do. Currently she is taking a time out in her crate because she was having an episode. I want to have a nice puppy that will grow into a loving and sweet dog. Is this just normal puppy behavior? What can I do to stop it! Any help would be very much appreciated! Thanks! __________________ "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill I love my little Zoey!

08-24-2005, 12:10 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I have a squirt bottle and I squirt my dogs wne the bark and that does the trick. You can also get a can and put change in it and shake it. They hate that sound. As far as the biting just say a firm no. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-24-2005, 12:46 PM	#4
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	A can of pennies works really good! Puppies will be puppies and some are a little wilder than others! __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

08-24-2005, 01:24 PM	#5
Carolina girl YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiken, South Carolina Posts: 320	Love those baby yorkies!Mine is 6 months old and still doing it. __________________ Love is... when your puppy licks your face even though you left him alone all day! Izzabella and Cindy

08-24-2005, 02:00 PM	#6
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	Be sure she is getting enough exercise. You probably want to start grooming her as well. You need to be the boss of her, and never let her win. Don't hold her mouth shut, but you can hold her shoulders where she can lick but not bite you. Lay her on the floor and hold her down with your hand like a dog does around her neck (dont hurt her). You need to make her submit to you. The quicker you get behavior under control, the quicker you have a great dog you love. She will get older, bigger, and stronger. I also use water bottle for miscellaneous barking for no reason. __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

08-24-2005, 12:16 PM	#3
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	alot of us went through the same thing with our pups, just be patient and keep saying NO in a stern voice and QUIET when the barking gets to you.. just keep at it and in no time you will see a difference.

08-24-2005, 02:05 PM	#7
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,624	My Rowdy did the exact same thing - and I decided to respond like I thought his mom would. I grabbed (gently) the back of his harness and shook him (gently) while saying a stern "NO" (like his mom would do - pick him up by the nape of the neck and shake him). I only had to do this 3 times when I started using it and he completely stopped the bad behavior. Now, when he gets out of line (rarely), I just have to tap the back of the harness and say "NO" and he shapes up quickly. Also, before I figured out the harness shaking trick - I would take him out for a walk - even before he could walk on a leash - he would follow me and I could tire him out that way and the bad behavior would be much less because a tired pup is a good pup. Some on this board have described holding the pup on his/her back till they become submissive - might take several minutes. This sounds like a good idea for a strong willed pup - my Rowdy is not very aggressive so I didn't have to use that strategy, but it is probably a good one.

08-24-2005, 02:11 PM	#8
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	Biting is just a part of puppyhood! Man is it annoying but she will grow out of it. The way Thor learned was by constant reinforcement consisting of a strong 'NO' and grabbing (without hurting) his snout. He didn't like that one bit and it took a few weeks and he is much,much better about bitting now. Also, don't let her be mouthy with your body when you are just 'playing', she should learn that is is never okay! About the barking, man I am still at a loss about that one! I would love my doggie to stop all that non-sense (although sometimes they are just trying to protect you when they are barking at something). One last thing about putting your dog in its crate for time-out. In a few puppy books that I read it said that you should never put your dog in its crate for punishment becuase they should associate their crate with a secrure, nice place to be in, not as a place of punishement. I know it is so frustrating sometimes and there are times I want to put Thor in his crate to do some serious thinking (and calming down) but I don't want him to hate his crate or associate it with anything unpleasent. Maybe a good long walk will burn off some of that energy that these little guys seem to have endless amounts of! Good luck, hang in there!! __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

08-24-2005, 05:31 PM	#9
jwash YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 723	As stated, this is normal puppy behavior. Never let her be the boss, you are the mom. A book called Your Yorkshire Terrier's Life has some very good info about behavior training and there are classes as well. As far as biting you, put your hands palm up, finger sprayed, a say in a lower tone growly voice, no biting, I am not your toy. Let's get your toy, go get one and play. Soon, she will go get a toy and bring it to you.