Little tantrums

[docmartin]

Just recently Crystal has got a wee bit naughty. At night after her run and supper she becomes manic and gets hyper active. Ripping around and bed burrowing like a possessed soul! She's always enjoyed mouth wrestling with my hand and as she doesn't pester anyone, including Mom in this way, I've never minded, it's been our game since she was a pup. However shall we say this has become a bit obsessive just lately. Also for the first time ever, she bared her teeth and snap gestured at us both when trying to retrieve a stolen tissue tonight. We got it at last, but only after a slightly unnerving exchange. I fear we are guilty of being over affectionate with her and she has begun to think she's 'Hey # 1! Perhaps there's a hormonal interface since her recent spay? Accordingly tonight she's currently banished to the hallway in her # 3 basket. I've been up working on the Mac and trying to avoid the very rueful looks she keeps trying to give me. So far I've avoided eye contact, but I'm off to bed now and expect little scrapings at the door will follow. Her Mom feels the same as I do, but should we relent or leave her in the sin bin? On balance I feel this ex-communication until the morning is necessary, to establish just who's who - but gosh, it's hard work!

[yavenay]

Even their tantrums are so cute that we can sometimes forget that we are the pack leader and we tend to let them get away with things (at least I do).

I also play with Dutch the same way but thankfully she has snapped or growled at me. I make sure not to get too rough with her.

[joyce evans]

My Chihuahua likes the under the blanket hand game too! Sometimes she gets a little rough but I think its a hunting game for her since she doesn't get to go outside. Hannah has her little ways of being naughty at times too. Like not coming to me and running under different kitchen chairs so I can't catch her. For her it's a game but when she decides to get out of our bed at 3:00 in the morning and I have to get up and go find her it's not very funny to me. Last night my voice got a little louder and guess what...she stood still so I could pick her up. It was a very firm NO. I tried it 6 times on her and it worked each time. I wonder is she just now getting it at a 1 1/2 yrs. old or am I just now getting it? I'm sure she will give me another shot at it so we will see.


Sometimes I think these little furbutts get to big for their britches. Try not to be too hard on your girl Doc. If she does it again then put her in timeout until she wants to give kisses.

[matese]

it's really hard to be firm with them,even at their naughtiest they are just too cute. I could never keep my pups out of my bed as a punishment. Banishing her to the hallway in her # 3 basket, no eye contact for what ever amount of time it was is punishment, but to keep her out of your room lol, I myself couldn't go that far, I can't sleep if my baby is not in the bed with me. My boy rules this house, but when he over steps some boundaries I reinforce who the pack leader is. He'll test me every once in a while, but he knows who the pack leader is....ME. Good luck, hope you got some sleep and lil girl learned her lesson.

[yorkietalkjilly]

If one of my new-to-rehab dogs ever tried that, I never let it develop into a problem behavior. I gave them a couple of weeks of the Nothing In Life Is Free program to restore equanimity. They would love doing the things I requested and performing the commands to get their needs met and fully enjoyed that they "worked" to get the payoff, which is a genetically programmed behavior dogs all love to do - hunt & seek out - i.e., work - for the things they need. And in the process, it reminded them whose pack it was and where they fit in.

And I taught them all "leave it" so that they automatically learned everything was mine and I could have it any time I wished by requesting they "leave it", give it up, drop it on the floor & back away and they readily gave it up as the massive positive rewards & positive reinforcement I gave them for leaving it made it well worth it to them. All of my dogs would light up with joy when I said "leave it!" - haha.

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by joyce evans

My Chihuahua likes the under the blanket hand game too! Sometimes she gets a little rough but I think its a hunting game for her since she doesn't get to go outside. Hannah has her little ways of being naughty at times too. Like not coming to me and running under different kitchen chairs so I can't catch her. For her it's a game but when she decides to get out of our bed at 3:00 in the morning and I have to get up and go find her it's not very funny to me. Last night my voice got a little louder and guess what...she stood still so I could pick her up. It was a very firm NO. I tried it 6 times on her and it worked each time. I wonder is she just now getting it at a 1 1/2 yrs. old or am I just now getting it? I'm sure she will give me another shot at it so we will see.


Sometimes I think these little furbutts get to big for their britches. Try not to be too hard on your girl Doc. If she does it again then put her in timeout until she wants to give kisses.

The hand 'not really chew' bit is a long standing game and very funny, she just seems 'charged' somehow since the spay, in everything she does. Bags and bags of energy, even after exhaustive bell fetching sessions on the beach. I calculate she runs for 2 miles at full charge, during our evening 'work out'.

Upon return, she promptly has the chasing tail marathon, followed by the 4 x 100 meter inter-room relay bash! This while I collapse on the sofa going dizzy watching the events unfold!

When I shout No! at the not wanting to give something up growling, snapping bit, my wife promptly intervenes and coo's to her in a soothing voice, 'poor little baby' etc etc, whilst the little reprobate gives me the 'gotcha' look, from Mom's embrace!

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by matese

it's really hard to be firm with them,even at their naughtiest they are just too cute. I could never keep my pups out of my bed as a punishment. Banishing her to the hallway in her # 3 basket, no eye contact for what ever amount of time it was is punishment, but to keep her out of your room lol, I myself couldn't go that far, I can't sleep if my baby is not in the bed with me. My boy rules this house, but when he over steps some boundaries I reinforce who the pack leader is. He'll test me every once in a while, but he knows who the pack leader is....ME. Good luck, hope you got some sleep and lil girl learned her lesson.

That ban lasted for all of 15 minutes last night! By scraping at Mom's door she got what she wanted - admittance but not before looking round the corner at me, as if to say 'night, night, sleep tight yuk yuk'. In all fairness she was scrabbling to get in at me very early today and was milk and honey itself in her personna. Burrowing down the duvet, before having an undisturbed couple of hours prior to breakfast. Giving me such demure looks all the way to the bowl!

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

If one of my new-to-rehab dogs ever tried that, I never let it develop into a problem behavior. I gave them a couple of weeks of the Nothing In Life Is Free program to restore equanimity. They would love doing the things I requested and performing the commands to get their needs met and fully enjoyed that they "worked" to get the payoff, which is a genetically programmed behavior dogs all love to do - hunt & seek out - i.e., work - for the things they need. And in the process, it reminded them whose pack it was and where they fit in.

And I taught them all "leave it" so that they automatically learned everything was mine and I could have it any time I wished by requesting they "leave it", give it up, drop it on the floor & back away and they readily gave it up as the massive positive rewards & positive reinforcement I gave them for leaving it made it well worth it to them. All of my dogs would light up with joy when I said "leave it!" - haha.

I think Irina and I have to agree a united front, these clever little monsters are great manipulators. Mrs Doc gets taken in when I attempt to chastise her little conniptions. Strange because she's been a Mom and I haven't, but I did go to a Private boarding school!

On October 1st, "Mrs Doc" is going to her homeland for an extended seven week stay with her new grandchild. Then things may change a little? When this happened for 2 weeks back in the spring, life quickly became disciplined by routine. For nearly two months without Mom, she'll be 'Home Alone' with just the Doc for company mmm?

[docmartin]

In light of what I've just posted above, thought this was rather pertinent

Crystal's Bedtime Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep The King Sized Bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the centre groove,
My poor old Dad can hardly move.
Iv'e trapped his legs, they're tucked in tight,
And here is where I pass the night.

No one disturbs me or dares intrude,
Til morning comes and 'I want food!'
I sneak up slowly to begin,
And nibble on my Dad's chin.
For morning's here, it's time to play,
I always seem to get my way.

So thank you lord, for giving me,
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight,
And shares his bed with me at night.

[joyce evans]

Originally Posted by docmartin

The hand 'not really chew' bit is a long standing game and very funny, she just seems 'charged' somehow since the spay, in everything she does. Bags and bags of energy, even after exhaustive bell fetching sessions on the beach. I calculate she runs for 2 miles at full charge, during our evening 'work out'.

Upon return, she promptly has the chasing tail marathon, followed by the 4 x 100 meter inter-room relay bash! This while I collapse on the sofa going dizzy watching the events unfold!

When I shout No! at the not wanting to give something up growling, snapping bit, my wife promptly intervenes and coo's to her in a soothing voice, 'poor little baby' etc etc, whilst the little reprobate gives me the 'gotcha' look, from Mom's embrace!

Just like a child when daddy says no they go to mommy and get a yes and vise versa. Then the "look"! I watched my spoiled baby sister do this over and over growing up. Your baby has a lot of energy, Hannah x 50. Ever tried agility or something else to help with that? Maybe a race track? Not sure if they have Yorkie races but I'd bet your baby would be a winner!!
P.S. I love your writing style! You keep me entertained!

[Maximo]

How old is Crystal?

During Max's first year, he threw a little tantrum every evening. He did not want the day to end. First he would have a case of the zoomies, then he would wrestle his bed. Finally he would lie down while we had our dinner.

Teddy liked to play bite for his first year. He is such an angel with a devilish little streak. We always said "no bite" and then told him to sit. He eventually got it.

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by Maximo

How old is Crystal?

During Max's first year, he threw a little tantrum every evening. He did not want the day to end. First he would have a case of the zoomies, then he would wrestle his bed. Finally he would lie down while we had our dinner.

Teddy liked to play bite for his first year. He is such an angel with a devilish little streak. We always said "no bite" and then told him to sit. He eventually got it.

Hello, She was 19 months on the 11th of this month

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by joyce evans

Just like a child when daddy says no they go to mommy and get a yes and vise versa. Then the "look"! I watched my spoiled baby sister do this over and over growing up. Your baby has a lot of energy, Hannah x 50. Ever tried agility or something else to help with that? Maybe a race track? Not sure if they have Yorkie races but I'd bet your baby would be a winner!!
P.S. I love your writing style! You keep me entertained!

If ever Yorkshire puts a satellite in space, I know who'll be the astronaut, that's for sure Joyce and thanks for the compliment. She also pulls the 'I'm hanging on to your trouser leg' marathon, this is where you suddenly inherit a 7lb growling anchor to drag around. This ones used without regard, but particularly prevalent if she thinks her evening walks overdue. Always a favorite is the 'I'm barking my head, off and grabbing your foot stunt. Solely reserved, for attempts climbing on chairs or footladders. No matter how quiet you are moving the chair, her digital 'radio telescopy' picks it up and wham! you get hit like a squadron of F16's, as you attempt lift off.

It's always playful and I enjoy them, but especially the trouser ballast game! Actually, Crystal's the first lady dog I've ever had, all my other pals have been boys. I thought this time I'd go for a quieter life (mug)! Quite what my late imperious and urbane Doberman 'Bruno' would have made of my quandary I don't know?

He's probably sat up there on 'The Ridge' now with Cooper (German Shepherd), William (Golden Retriever), Jeeves (Airedale) Paco (spanish mongerel beach stray personal import) and Parson (my dear little Jack Russell) commenting, 'Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear, dear me!

[yorkietalkjilly]

[QUOTE=docmartin;4478889]I think Irina and I have to agree a united front, these clever little monsters are great manipulators. Mrs Doc gets taken in when I attempt to chastise her little conniptions. Strange because she's been a Mom and I haven't, but I did go to a Private boarding school!

On October 1st, "Mrs Doc" is going to her homeland for an extended seven week stay with her new grandchild. Then things may change a little? When this happened for 2 weeks back in the spring, life quickly became disciplined by routine. For nearly two months without Mom, she'll be 'Home Alone' with just the Doc for company mmm?[s/QUOTE]

If you make the commands she must do fun for her, she will just love the NILIF program and go right along with the program happily, learning at the same time that you are in charge and she's not to growl over possessions. We know we really aren't in charge - they are - but at least they stop becoming territorial and growling over things! haha Good luck!

[MarkFromSea]

Wow ... Gucci is old and slow... at least he acts that way. We couldn't coax him into playing with a toy.... He's got plenty of personality, he's not a zombie, but you guys sound like you have your hands full with the youngsters. LOL Makes me feel pretty lucky for the most part getting a half wore out old curmudgeon to take care of! LOL