Need some advice on Oliver

[kkephart]

So.. I had a friend show up the other day... and due to a bad relationship..she was homeless. So of course I opened my door and she and her cat (Gary) have been here about a week. Oliver is NOT happy about this. He NEVER barks and now he can't stop. He is fine with the cat... everytime Amy gets up... he growls and barks. She loves on him all the time... I just don't get it. He doesn't do this with my parents etc. He is a puppy mill rescue. Whats going on?

[AlicetheYorkie]

I would have your friend maybe feed Oliver, take him for a walk and have her get him to obey a command before she gives him affection. It sounds to me like Oliver has decided that your house his "his" house and I'm all for spoiling these little Yorkies, but you still have to make sure they know that you are in charge, not them. My dogs (Yorkie included) will bark when someone visiting comes to the door (of course) but I make sure they sit and see that I am letting that person in and from then on they are expected to respect that person just the same as they do the members of our household (I know your situation is different because she's actually living there, but same rule applies). If he lets her love on him, I doubt he's scared of her, so he's probably just trying to be the boss Correct him every time he barks at her and like I said, she if she's willing to help you with his daily care, that will help him understand that she's "higher in the pack" than him (at least while she's living there). My Yorkie (who I've had for about 2 months and she's my first one) was barking at my son and husband kind of randomly if they came into the room her an I were in, but especially if she was laying on or next to me. I'd tell her "No" and touch my finger to her side to make her stop, then I'd have them come over and sit next to me. If she barked at them even one time, I put her down on the floor. The #1 thing she wants from me is my attention and affection so making her move away from me definatly made her understand quickly that I wasn't happy with that behavior and it wasn't up to her to decide who could come into the room. Hope this help

[kkephart]

Thank you SO much... very helpful! I tend to cuddle him all the time...but I don't want to reward that behavior.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by kkephart

Thank you SO much... very helpful! I tend to cuddle him all the time...but I don't want to reward that behavior.

Your welcome......exactly

[kkephart]

I just had to update... Oliver isn't doing so hot on his temper. It looks like my friend may be staying for a while... and he has actually gotten worse when it comes to barking at her. She has fed him, taken him on walks etc... but he gets angry when she walks through the door.... snarling and barking. I discourage it everytime and put him on the floor and he keeps snarling. As soon as she walks up to him .. he will let her pet on him... but 2 min later he will snarl when she gets up... I'm confused He doesn't do this with anyone else!