He bit someone - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Mary4 · 05-20-2010, 10:57 AM

I still can't quite believe it. Last night my ex-husband stopped by with something for the kids. Charlie bit him!!! Not a play bite either. A real bite. He didn't break the skin, thank God. I wasn't there. My daughter said that my ex went to pat him and put his hand over the top of his head and the next thing Charlie bit him. The first time Charlie met my ex, he immediately started growling and barking and wouldn't stop. I thought it was sort of funny at the time because the guy really is not a nice guy. But both times we weren't arguing or anything.

Overall, Charlie seems to not like men. He'll play with my boys if the girls aren't around. He ignores my dad and really doesn't want anything to do with him. My older daughter, when her friends come over, he's all over the girls but wants nothing to do with the boys. But he's never growled at anyone, other than my ex.

What should I do about this? Do you think it's a real concern? (Charlie is about 15 weeks old now.) I just don't want him to do anything like this with anyone else.

yorkieusa · 05-20-2010, 11:10 AM

If it was me? Say, "Sickum!"

OK Just kidding. Whenever he does that, he should be corrected. Just a light tap on the nose and a very, very firm "NO!" should get his attention. It must be stopped or it could get worse.

DamSweet · 05-20-2010, 11:12 AM

I know it's not funny - but I couldn't help but think that I would like to teach Bridget to do that!!!! Sorry - I hope someone can help!

Rhetts_mama · 05-20-2010, 11:16 AM

JMO- but I'd be saying "good dog". He's obviously picking up on something.

Roccosmommy · 05-20-2010, 11:26 AM

15 weeks and already picking up on the bad-man vibes from your ex? Good boy Charlie!...Just kidding. Seriously, his aversion to men may be because of your ex (he's relating all men to his first impression of him). I'm no expert, (but I've watched a lot of them) and what I would do is teach him that men/boys can be a good thing by having them (your dad, your daughter's teen friends, etc.) greet him with a small treat. Do not have them pet him, just greet him briefly with a treat and then let Charlie go on his way. As he gets more comfortable, have some SUPERVISED petting/play time with some males then finish that session with a treat. He will very soon get the idea that not ALL men are dogs!!

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

megansmomma · 05-20-2010, 11:30 AM

Well I guess my question would be -didn't he know not to approach a dog like that? My suggestion would be to continue to socialize Charlie as much as possible in a reassuring manner.

stingraylady · 05-20-2010, 11:38 AM

Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee

Rhetts_mama · 05-20-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

15 weeks and already picking up on the bad-man vibes from your ex? Good boy Charlie!...Just kidding. Seriously, his aversion to men may be because of your ex (he's relating all men to his first impression of him). I'm no expert, (but I've watched a lot of them) and what I would do is teach him that men/boys can be a good thing by having them (your dad, your daughter's teen friends, etc.) greet him with a small treat. Do not have them pet him, just greet him briefly with a treat and then let Charlie go on his way. As he gets more comfortable, have some SUPERVISED petting/play time with some males then finish that session with a treat. He will very soon get the idea that not ALL men are dogs!!

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

We talked about this yesterday in obedience class. My mom's yorkie wants very little to do with my father and hides from other men. The instructor suggested the same thing:come in, don't say anything to the dog or try to touch it, just offer the treat and let the dog realize that men/boys are a good thing on their own time schedule.

But I do KNOW they pick up on things we can't/won't/don't. When I was moving I interviewed several companies. My mini doxie was fine with everyone except one man, in fact he came through the screen door to try and bite him. I found out later that this one co. had several employees charged with theft.

Roccosmommy · 05-20-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

We talked about this yesterday in obedience class. My mom's yorkie wants very little to do with my father and hides from other men. The instructor suggested the same thing:come in, don't say anything to the dog or try to touch it, just offer the treat and let the dog realize that men/boys are a good thing on their own time schedule.

But I do KNOW they pick up on things we can't/won't/don't. When I was moving I interviewed several companies. My mini doxie was fine with everyone except one man, in fact he came through the screen door to try and bite him. I found out later that this one co. had several employees charged with theft.

They are our little guardian angels in fur!!

yorkieusa · 05-20-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megansmomma

Well I guess my question would be -didn't he know not to approach a dog like that? My suggestion would be to continue to socialize Charlie as much as possible in a reassuring manner.

Yes, I agree. He probably thought he was going to hit him.

Lizzie07 · 05-20-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

15 weeks and already picking up on the bad-man vibes from your ex? Good boy Charlie!...Just kidding. Seriously, his aversion to men may be because of your ex (he's relating all men to his first impression of him). I'm no expert, (but I've watched a lot of them) and what I would do is teach him that men/boys can be a good thing by having them (your dad, your daughter's teen friends, etc.) greet him with a small treat. Do not have them pet him, just greet him briefly with a treat and then let Charlie go on his way. As he gets more comfortable, have some SUPERVISED petting/play time with some males then finish that session with a treat. He will very soon get the idea that not ALL men are dogs!!

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Absolutely try this first, before anything else. It's positive reinforcement, the best way for a puppy or dog to learn. He will happily learn that men and boys are okay. When I start training something new, I always use high value treats. Use the super yummy treats, not the everyday treats.

yorkielady06 · 05-20-2010, 01:08 PM

Ok I am sorry but I do have to do this....
BAHAHAHA HAHA HAHA...(pee in pants) Ha ha ha ...he he he snicker...lol
Ok now seriously, you have had some wonderful suggestions to socialize him to men. If it was just your ex...then good dog..right??

Sorry I just got divorced last month so I had to live in your dogs moment.

AddieandMiaMom · 05-20-2010, 02:30 PM

Use the positive reinforcement method of treats (what Charlie considers high value, might not be what you consider high value) and having men/boys give to him without looking/touching him until he becomes comfortable around them. These treats only come from these men/boys, never from you. If you hit him for growling at your ex, it could make the situation worse because Charlie will take the approach of your ex to mean getting hit. He could then become more agressive, and the next bite could break skin.

You might also want to ask your ex to not reach over Charlie's head to pet him, if you're able to. He shouldn't be touching/looking at him any more than the other men/boys in your life or those of your children. He should also be giving treats to Charlie, if you feel comfortable asking him to do so.

Mary4 · 05-21-2010, 03:19 AM

There's a part of me that thinks this is hilarious. Obviously, Charlie can size up someone's character very easily. My ex is beyond a jerk. He's not a nice guy at all. (Our other dog didn't like him either.)

Other men, Charlie just ignores. He won't get too close and just seems uncomfortable. He doesn't shake or bark or growl at them.

I'll try having my dad give him some yummy treats and see how that goes. I'd like him to get along with my dad. We're going on vacation in August and I want to leave him here with my dad. I can't bear the thought of putting him in a kennel, and if I cancel the vacation, my kids will be terribly disappointed.

John Stelting · 05-21-2010, 05:20 AM

If her ex-husband wants to he can report this the animal control and the dog can be put down as an aggressive dog.

05-20-2010, 10:57 AM	#1
Mary4 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Norwood, MA Posts: 139	He bit someone I still can't quite believe it. Last night my ex-husband stopped by with something for the kids. Charlie bit him!!! Not a play bite either. A real bite. He didn't break the skin, thank God. I wasn't there. My daughter said that my ex went to pat him and put his hand over the top of his head and the next thing Charlie bit him. The first time Charlie met my ex, he immediately started growling and barking and wouldn't stop. I thought it was sort of funny at the time because the guy really is not a nice guy. But both times we weren't arguing or anything. Overall, Charlie seems to not like men. He'll play with my boys if the girls aren't around. He ignores my dad and really doesn't want anything to do with him. My older daughter, when her friends come over, he's all over the girls but wants nothing to do with the boys. But he's never growled at anyone, other than my ex. What should I do about this? Do you think it's a real concern? (Charlie is about 15 weeks old now.) I just don't want him to do anything like this with anyone else.

05-20-2010, 11:10 AM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	If it was me? Say, "Sickum!" OK Just kidding. Whenever he does that, he should be corrected. Just a light tap on the nose and a very, very firm "NO!" should get his attention. It must be stopped or it could get worse. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

05-20-2010, 11:12 AM	#3
DamSweet Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Erie, PA, USA Posts: 1,236 Blog Entries: 1	I know it's not funny - but I couldn't help but think that I would like to teach Bridget to do that!!!! Sorry - I hope someone can help! __________________ Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Donna......owned by Bridget and Greta (and wouldn't have it any other way!)

05-20-2010, 11:26 AM	#5
Roccosmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,293	15 weeks and already picking up on the bad-man vibes from your ex? Good boy Charlie!...Just kidding. Seriously, his aversion to men may be because of your ex (he's relating all men to his first impression of him). I'm no expert, (but I've watched a lot of them) and what I would do is teach him that men/boys can be a good thing by having them (your dad, your daughter's teen friends, etc.) greet him with a small treat. Do not have them pet him, just greet him briefly with a treat and then let Charlie go on his way. As he gets more comfortable, have some SUPERVISED petting/play time with some males then finish that session with a treat. He will very soon get the idea that not ALL men are dogs!! Good luck to you and keep us posted. __________________ "The little furry buggers are just deep, deep wells you throw all your emotions into." ~ Bruce Schimmel

05-20-2010, 11:30 AM	#6
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Well I guess my question would be -didn't he know not to approach a dog like that? My suggestion would be to continue to socialize Charlie as much as possible in a reassuring manner. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

05-20-2010, 11:16 AM	#4
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	JMO- but I'd be saying "good dog". He's obviously picking up on something.

05-20-2010, 11:38 AM	#7
stingraylady I found Yorkie love Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,488	Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee __________________ Cathy www.furbabyfashionhouse.ca Handmade clothing for your furboys and furgirls.

05-20-2010, 01:08 PM	#12
yorkielady06 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Up North Posts: 808	Ok I am sorry but I do have to do this.... BAHAHAHA HAHA HAHA...(pee in pants) Ha ha ha ...he he he snicker...lol Ok now seriously, you have had some wonderful suggestions to socialize him to men. If it was just your ex...then good dog..right?? Sorry I just got divorced last month so I had to live in your dogs moment.

05-20-2010, 02:30 PM	#13
AddieandMiaMom YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 303	Use the positive reinforcement method of treats (what Charlie considers high value, might not be what you consider high value) and having men/boys give to him without looking/touching him until he becomes comfortable around them. These treats only come from these men/boys, never from you. If you hit him for growling at your ex, it could make the situation worse because Charlie will take the approach of your ex to mean getting hit. He could then become more agressive, and the next bite could break skin. You might also want to ask your ex to not reach over Charlie's head to pet him, if you're able to. He shouldn't be touching/looking at him any more than the other men/boys in your life or those of your children. He should also be giving treats to Charlie, if you feel comfortable asking him to do so. __________________ Mommy to Addie, Dany, Mia, and Pickles R.I.P Miss Mis (Missy) 06.25.08 - Heaven just wouldn't be Heaven if you weren't there to greet me.

05-21-2010, 03:19 AM	#14
Mary4 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Norwood, MA Posts: 139	There's a part of me that thinks this is hilarious. Obviously, Charlie can size up someone's character very easily. My ex is beyond a jerk. He's not a nice guy at all. (Our other dog didn't like him either.) Other men, Charlie just ignores. He won't get too close and just seems uncomfortable. He doesn't shake or bark or growl at them. I'll try having my dad give him some yummy treats and see how that goes. I'd like him to get along with my dad. We're going on vacation in August and I want to leave him here with my dad. I can't bear the thought of putting him in a kennel, and if I cancel the vacation, my kids will be terribly disappointed.

05-21-2010, 05:20 AM	#15
John Stelting YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: colorado springs, co, usa Posts: 380	This isn't really funny If her ex-husband wants to he can report this the animal control and the dog can be put down as an aggressive dog.