PLEASE HELP! Puppy aggressive towards child.

[Pixie8501]

Hi, I'm a newbie and my girl is about 7 months old. She's very sweet and loving with one exception- when my daughter tries to hold her, she growls and snaps at her. My daughter is 5 but has been around small animals her entire life and is very gentle. She is not allowed to pick Pixie up while standing and certainly no walking around with her- but she IS allowed to sit on the floor and hold/pet her, or have Pixie sit with her on her lap on the couch.

I think it's important to note that when I am right next to them, she doesn't do it that much. She will play tug of war and chase a ball with my daughter, but anything other than that she gets nasty. I'm very surprised that this is happening with a puppy, not a full grown dog! But that makes me think it also might be easier to nip this behavior in the bud, so to speak.

When she does this, I yell at her- how should I be handling this to put a stop to this behavior??? Please help!!!

[Mayzoo]

I would try time outs in a crate or a bathroom, with firm no's instead of yelling. Every single time, a firm no and an immediate time out for the pup. Consistency is critical.

I also would only have kiddo play with the pup when you are right there for now. I have read countless times that yorkies are not good with young kids (under 8ish). Many breeders actually will not sell a yorkie to a family with a small child. Since you already have the two together, you can likely get her to at least tolerate and not hurt the 5 year old.

[buddybear]

Check out Caesar, the dog whisperer.

Good luck.

[Maximo]

If Pixie is an energetic puppy, part of the problem might be that she feels "trapped" when your daughter holds her. This happens with adults too, when a puppy would rather be free.

This is not to say that aggression is ever acceptable, but observe the interaction to see if this might be the root of the problem.

Even with my adult Yorkies, I believe one of the reasons they are so affectionate is that they know they are always free to leave my lap or my embrace when they choose.

I believe Yorkie puppies tend to be even more feisty because of all of the puppy energy. When Pixie acts up, I would tell her "settle down" or some other command. Teach your daughter to let Pixie leave her and to save holding for later when the puppy is calmer, tired out, ready to accept holding.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Pixie8501

When she does this, I yell at her- how should I be handling this to put a stop to this behavior??? Please help!!!

One more note -- yelling feeds the negative energy and will likely crank up Pixie more. Give a command like "settle down" in a controlled voice. When the human is in control, the dog is more likely to be in control.

Another thing that helps, if you aren't already doing this, have your daughter help train Pixie to do tricks like sit, down, stay, shake hands. When my boys get rambunctious with each other, I break it up with a command and then we do tricks for treats -- a kibble for each trick performed.

This helps build a positive bond for good behavior too. Good luck!

[Jkpal]

Maximo, you are just so danged smart and logical and helpful with your excellent advice and then also explaining the reason as to why one thing or the other works; I love learning from you!

[canana]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Maximo, you are just so danged smart and logical and helpful with your excellent advice and then also explaining the reason as to why one thing or the other works; I love learning from you!

AGREED! Maximo gives Excellent advice!!

I also think if the puppy is so young, maybe give it some time. My puppy took over a year to get used to my fiance's dad. Scottie was so scared of him, not because his dad hurt him or anything (he actually wanted to play with Scottie everytime by just saying hello or giving him a little whistle), but Scottie seemed to be afraid of most men. Anyway, after one year, he finally realized he's not a threat and they play together.

I've also noticed that Scottie is afraid of babies/kids when we walk on the street. I think it kind of boils down to what they don't know that they're afraid of. Give them time, be in the same room as the puppy and child, limit their interaction if it gets bad, and use the firm "no"s as others advised.

Merry Christmas!!!

[Janalynn]

I agree, great advice. When Mia barks like crazy, my husband will yell at her. I remind him that to her all she's hearing is Bark bark bark, like he's joining in.
I can say No Bark in a firm but calm voice, now "shhh" is starting to work.

I do disagree with time outs - only because dogs have no concept of time out. They're not learning to correct bad behavior if you just remove them. They need some involvement in changing their behavior. Yep, I'm a Cesar watcher and lover!

[Yorkiemom1]

I can not give any advise that would be helpful in this particular example....I always try "avoidance"....I try to avoid getting into situations that necessitate corrective behavior to avoid injury to dog or child....this is why I will not sell a puppy to anyone with a child under 7-8 years old. I think the older the child is, the larger the child is, the more coordinated the child is, and the better the chance is the Yorkie will do better with a child. Children adore puppies and just want to interact with them....love on them, hold them, kiss on them, and I can just imagine a yortkie that feels like it is being restricted by this small being, will have an inclination to snap or bite, maybe catching the child in the face (God forbid!!!)....all of which can start issues in the relationship between the child and dogs, or the Yorkie and children....I just practice avoidance....I avoid selling a puppy to families with small children....

I had a precious little yorkie, she adored everyone, babies and children and other animals....and then I noticed when the kids got off the school bus at the corner, and walked past my fenced in yard, if Aija was outside with me, she would try to visit thru the fence with the kids, never barking, just trying to see them and visit thru the cracks in between the fence slats....and then the kids discovered it was a lot of fun to torment the little dog thru the fence, and even as I avoided any interaction with these children thru the fence with Aija, she quickly developed an intolerance to children, and my adorable precious little dog that loved every body, developed an intense hatred towards children....

I say this simply because, while you certainly do not allow your child to torment your pup, the pup is reacting to something associated to a child....are there OTHER children that have close contact with the dog, children that could be doing anything that illicits this negative response towards children from your yorkie? My cousin's grandchild "loved" my yorkies to death......she would sit on the floor with the dog in her lap.....and when no one was looking, she would pinch the tips of their ears between her fingers, to make them yelp.

I hope you are able to work this out between your child and your pup.....you are going to have many years of distress between these two......just please be very cautious so your child does not get bitten.....

[Jkpal]

Originally Posted by Janalynn

I agree, great advice. When Mia barks like crazy, my husband will yell at her. I remind him that to her all she's hearing is Bark bark bark, like he's joining in.
I can say No Bark in a firm but calm voice, now "shhh" is starting to work.

I do disagree with time outs - only because dogs have no concept of time out. They're not learning to correct bad behavior if you just remove them. They need some involvement in changing their behavior. Yep, I'm a Cesar watcher and lover!

I don't do 'time-outs,' however if, for example, Piper won't stop barking when I'm visiting over the fence w/neighbor, I'll put her inside for 30 seconds and then see how she is upon re-entry. Generally, Piper "pipes down" (sorry, couldn't resist!) as she hates being ignored or left out. I, too, use 'no bark' in low voice and 'hush.'

[Lorraine]

I don't sell to families with children under about 10 years old and I have to meet the children. If they are out of control they do not get a pup and many are out of control even in my home. Which is a good thing I am already warned then.
Yorkies for the most part do not like young children. It seems to be their nature with very few exceptions. Usually at over 6 months of age the personality of the dog starts to come out.
I often will recommend other breeds for people wanting a Yorkie that have small children suggest they wait, get something else and then maybe the next dog in their life when the kids are old or grown and gone then get a Yorkie.
I also found couples with adult children who have young grandchildren visiting them a lot or minding them when parents are at work doesn't work for a yorkie either. Occasional visiting by small children can be managed.
Yes Yorkies are tyrants that is part of their nature. Know what you are getting before you purchase. Not all breeders do any amount of screening.

[ziggy925]

I have problems with Ruger and small children. I think it's because the kids in the neighborhood tortured him with their bicycles when he was small. He's a lot better now, especially with the kids who didn't torture him. I would let your daughter feed your pup small treats with an open hand, maybe incorporating some training, sit, stay, etc. I scold Ruger by grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and gently shaking him. I think in a short time your pup will see your daughter as the horn of plenty and not a threat. Keep us posted.

[Lilah Charm]

I am very grateful to have Lilah as I have young children and recognize that may have inhibited my ability to have her. I worked very hard to ensure she would be safe and healthy in our home and well adjusted with the kids. One reason that of small breeds I chose the Yorkshire terrier is because of their bold spirit and personality, a weaker constitution would not enjoy the bubbling energy of my household.

That said, lilah was a long planned family addition. I had her dog house a year before I had her and I had the opportunity to care for another adult yorkie of a family friend for a month and experience that before I ever committed to Lilah. We had an ex pen with her two story princess palace settled in right next to my bed (which is in the main room actually) for at least a month before she came home. Snuggle den on the bottom floor, food and water on the top, room for a potty pad (we knew we would be pad training), her dog dresser, and a safe secure fence for her. If those boys so much as bumped that fence they were corrected quickly, they had a month before there was a pup in it to figure out how not to do that and oh boy did they figure out how not to bump mommys fence. We also made sure we had baby gates.

The kids were not allowed to pick up my dog, heck- I actually had to tell adult friends who could not seem to understand the safety rules (she is not a cat!) that they were no longer allowed to pick up my dog either. It is hard to reprimand thirty something's but not as hard as having my baby hurt. We transitioned really slowly. When she was about a year and a half we finally took the ex pen down even when I was gone at work. Lilah is my dog, not their dog, not anybody else's dog. Everyone loves her, they respect her and treat her well- sitting on the floor and play with a rag monkey, excited greetings after school but she is my shadow, my obedient devotee, my dog. Her spot is with me and she lives under my feet. Any other interactions are by my grace with my directed rules and supervision- and yes, that applies to adults. You would be amazed at how careless and inconsiderate some adults are. My children have tended the most fragile just hatched baby chickens, tended baby bunnies and kittens and sheep and goAts and I think they are much more considerate and aware than many careless adults. That said, they are children and must be educated, supervised and disciplined- which is to be taught. Lilah adores my children and they adore her but it was molded carefully and slowly with a lot of planning and a lot of supervision.

Watch very very carefully to see what your daughter may be doing that is subtle and you don't realize. Gentle hands is a great word to use. I don't think a relationship with children is impossible, I actually think it is deeply important to emotional and social development and well being of a dog, but remember that you owe that dog, that little life, the best, safest socialization. Anything short of that will be a disservice to your pup and your child and could truly ruin any opportunity for long term healthy relationships with kids. They are bold, they are tough but they are tiny and petite and need us to protect them. If she doesn't have an emotionally safe space to retreat to, I would amend that quickly. She needs to know she is secure and safe and that you have her back no matter what.

[Jkpal]

Wow, Lilah Charm, awesome post!!

[Lilah Charm]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Wow, Lilah Charm, awesome post!!

Thank you! Sorry it turned out so long- sometimes I am shocked after I hit post! Lol. Oops!