Yorkie attacking me... help!!!!

[gbabi300]

Hello everyone,

I recently adopted an 8 month old YT from another family who could not take care of him around December 15. He has a serious problem with biting. If he wants you to rub his belly he will start chewing your hand and then go after your hand completely. We can't pet him without him trying to bite us. Even worse he (in what seems like a playing manner - butt up/tail wagging) will attack our ankles or other body parts and growl in what seems to be a way of him trying to play. I have tried replacing our fingers with toys/bulky sticks, ignoring him, leaving the room nothing works. When I yell he growls even louder and gets worse. I have also tried the spray bottle and it doesn't seem to help. I'm at a loss 🙀 He is really so sweet and adorable but no one is going to like him if he's constantly growling and nipping their ankles - it would be scary if he was a bigger dog!

[Wylie's Mom]

You're absolutely correct - it would be so much more scary if this were a large dog. And yup, no one will want to be around him if he's aggressive.

I'd give the Bark Genie (Amazon) a try...

[Lovetodream88]

I would consult a traininer. I'm guessing he was not taught about bitting when he was younger.

[MissPixi]

Also try putting 3-5 coins in a small bottle like a prescription bottle or something like that, Tape it closed and use it as a shake can. When he bites, give it a sharp shake with a command or "No!" This technique always stops my girls in their tracks! I only use it for important things. I don't want to over use it so it looses it effectiveness. In my home it works like magic!

Good luck!!!

[gemy]

For almost all behavioural problems this is a tried and true axiom; a tired dog is a good dog. He will need lots of exercise in and out of the house.

Exercise includes both physical and mental stimulation. Can be short bursts of time ten to fifteen minutes at a go, repeated several times a day.

Mental stimulation includes puzzle toys, as well as games such as find the toy or daddy mommy etc.

If he bites your hand, simply take your hands away so he can,t. Ankles are more difficult to control. If he starts to bite, then use a method called the umbilical cord, leash around your waist one end the other is clipped to his collar. Make sure he is reigned in so he can't easily get at your ankles. Always work on his basic obedience commands.

Never give up! Be consistent and constant.

[Cyncyn]

I don't like to, but scolding in terms of training might be the way to go here. Give them a harsh no, maybe give them something they can chew on and then pet them so they can get used to that action??

[jynacay]

I have two older dogs and one puppy. We went through biting while playing with all of them. It is normal behavior but you have to teach them not to do it. One of my dogs is a German Shepherd. He was a little overwhelming when he was a puppy because of his size and he didn't realize he could hurt someone. We just had to be consistent and assertive with him (and the others too.) we would say, "No bite!" And help him to sit, and say, "Sit." Sometimes we had to do it over and over. It is not easy at all with some dogs but you can overcome it. My German Shepherd is now very well behaved. Our vet said he was the best behaved German Shepherd she has seen in her office. He listens pretty well.

If you make a noise that gets their attention so that they stop what they're doing long enough for you to correct them, that helps. So, shaking something does help. I noticed that crinkling newspaper seemed to get his attention too. Consistency is important. Just keep correcting that behavior and reward behavior that you want with either treats or praise.

[Maximo]

When Max was a puppy, he thought it was great fun to bite at my bare toes first thing in the morning. I told him "no bite" and when he didn't listen, I put him in his xpen while I brushed my teeth and dressed.

Max soon learned that if he wanted his freedom in the morning, he couldn't bite my toes.

Never show anger or frustration. Yelling cranks them up even more, as you wrote. Demonstrate that you are control by remaining calm.

Work on basic obedience, performing basic tricks daily. I give my boys a single kibble reward for performing each trick: sit, stay, shake hands, down, and so on. It's a fun game and helps build confidence.

I agree with the suggestions for lots of exercise, preferably daily walks, to wear down some of the energy. Might be difficult if you live in a colder climate like I do.

Don't force petting him if he bites. Let him come to you on his own terms for petting.

Top suggestion: be consistent in saying no bite, withdrawing attention. Shaping behavior doesn't happen overnight.

[canana]

You got a lot of excellent advice from gemy and Maximo!

- get him tired through exercise inside and out of the house
- do daily training to tire him mentally (I also trained them daily with kibble)
- give treat-dispensing toys, which will also tire him out mentally
- provide a variety of 10+ chew toys, so he doesn't run out of things to chew on
- never show frustration (they may feed off your emotions)
- take away your hand if he bites and don't force the petting

And definitely be consistent and persistent! The daily training is a must in order for them to know you're the boss (and in order for them to listen to you). When they realize they need to listen to you, they'll know to stop biting you when you tell them no.

Puppies are a lot of work. But put in the effort in the beginning and you'll enjoy the results for a lifetime! Key is to be patient. If you're persistent in your training, they all eventually come around!