Duchess is the terror of the neighborhood

[yavenay]

A neighbor who lives around the corner from me yells down the street "There she is, I hear her before I see her...the yorkshire terror" I'm not sure whether to be embarrass or what.

Duchess is the loudest dog in the neighborhood....she barks at every dog she sees even though they just ignore her, tries to chase every squirrel or bird she sees, thankfully she is on a leash. She stops at every house that has a dog and barks at the house to see if the dog can come outside and play.(she knows where every dog in the neighborhood lives). She will bark at people riding by on there bikes......hilarious but embarrassing. Fortunately the people that live in my neighborhood are creatures of habit like me and do their running, walking etc around the same time I do so they just sort of laugh it off.....Me thinks some professional training is definitely what's needed.

On the one hand I am glad everyone knows her because if she get's out, they know who she belongs too. On the other hand....boy does she make me look like a bad owner.....she is my wild child who marches to her own beat.

Interestingly she is somewhat tame when we go to the dog park but she will do what I like to call "run the fence". That's when she will bark at the big dogs on the other side of the fence while running back and forth....next thing you know, a line of little doggies on one side of the fence and the big doggies on the other side of the fence are running back and forth barking at each other.

[KairaPup]

Sounds like she needs some serious training, both at the park and at home.

[maxdog]

She's got personality!

[yavenay]

Originally Posted by KairaPup

Sounds like she needs some serious training, both at the park and at home.

Yes she does, she really is a sweetheart. Most of the time it usually just all bark and pulling on the leash when we go for walks. In the dog park, she's actually pretty good, the other dogs her size she leaves alone. She will sniff their butts and go on about her business....pretty much ignores them

However, it's the big dogs I think she gets intimidated by and her little dog syndrome comes out. A friend of mine give me the number to the trainer she used before so I will give her a call.

I will say she loves people more than dogs though. When she sees people, she runs right up to them and wants them to give her a tummy rub.

At home, she's the perfect dog. She doesn't chew on anything, potties 100% on her potty pad and almost never gets in trouble. If she does do something it's usually my fault......like if I don't change her potty pads, she will not pee on them or if I put food in the trashcan. Other than, I have no complaints when she is home, it's just she needs to learn proper etiquette when we are outside.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by yavenay

Yes she does, she really is a sweetheart. Most of the time it usually just all bark and pulling on the leash when we go for walks. In the dog park, she's actually pretty good, the other dogs her size she leaves alone. She will sniff their butts and go on about her business....pretty much ignores them

However, it's the big dogs I think she gets intimidated by and her little dog syndrome comes out. A friend of mine give me the number to the trainer she used before so I will give her a call.

I will say she loves people more than dogs though. When she sees people, she runs right up to them and wants them to give her a tummy rub.

At home, she's the perfect dog. She doesn't chew on anything, potties 100% on her potty pad and almost never gets in trouble. If she does do something it's usually my fault......like if I don't change her potty pads, she will not pee on them or if I put food in the trashcan. Other than, I have no complaints when she is home, it's just she needs to learn proper etiquette when we are outside.

The reason why I went with a yorkie, being an all terrier lover, is this, right there. A friend owns a gentleman who is a fellow teapot member. (Chews isn't I meant this board) She has this story where he was riding the neighbors huge lab like a horse with his teeth in the scruff of it's heck as it's howling and running to and fro. Yeah, it's terrible, but I found it funny. Duchess every time I Hear stories makes me smile!!! Yorkies are the best!

[Jkpal]

I think your little Duchess sounds like a very, very good girl, indeed! And it's wonderful that you note her many excellent qualities and behaviors because those are what truly matter. I don't think you need be too concerned about neighbors because most don't have a clue. For example, because Piper barks at one neighbor and no one else--and, in fact, no longer even barks at his dogs, just him; he has decided that any time he hears any barking, it's gotta be Piper. I believe, that by barking at big dogs, Duchess is simply announcing her presence. Because when you're just little, little, little, if you aren't clear that you're here, you risk being stepped on or run over or worse yet, you could be ignored (ai yaii yaiiiii, we know that ain't good). You're a wonderful Yorkie mom and it's obvious how much you love and care and want only the best for your Duchess--I'd say keep focused on that and enjoy your little girl's unique ways; can't hurt to try and tone her down as long as you're both good. Your consideration of others is really nice.
Below...oh yes I will bark, I'm gonna bark...

[Samma23]

Wheres the harm in barking?
She's just letting you know who's around