Puppy wont let dogs approach

Question
A local dog rescue center asked me to rehome a Yorkshire terrier. I have now had him for almost three months.

He is an eight month old uncastrated Yorkshire terrier. I also own a four year old cavalier King Charles spaniel (male) and a two year old male Yorkie. Both are uncastrated. I have owned dogs for many years, but have never come across one with the particular problems the puppy has.

My problems are this:

-   he is very dominant towards my two year old Yorkie,
-   While out on walks (all three are taken out twice a day for an hour each time), he barks and growls at any dog that we see. I have tried ignoring him, and verbally reprimanding him. Nothing seems to stop him.
-   Although he is house trained, he will still pee in the house. Again, nothing I've done will stop this.
-   He can also be very nervous, and will jump at the slightest thing some days.
-   He is quite nippy, and likes to lick everything.
-   He pulles very badly on the leash, and I am finding it very hard to train him to walk at heel.

I know very little about his early training/socialisation. I also don't know anything substantial about his parents. I have been told that they were quite snappy, and this worries me. How much influence do the parents have on the puppy?

Please can you give me some advice about how best to train my pup!

Yours,

Syd  

Answer
Syd,
First of all I advise going to a professional dog trainer in your area(that does not use ANY force methods)as they would be able to get farther in depth with you.
To me this pup sounds like a nervous dog. Maybe when he was younger he was not taught that he is not dominent and just got VERY used to being so. And this is added to the temperment passed from his parents. A dogs parents I believe have a large impact on a dogs temperment for its life, and if it is excessivly bad breeding then not too much can be done by training. First, when you take him for walks take him alone so you can work one on one. When you see a dog approaching bring him aside and tell him to sit(you should have this down pact before beggining) then praise ALOT and give a toy or treat. Do what you have to to keep his attention on you. When he statrs growling just tell the other owner to keep walking by and you ignore everything and keep walking. Even if you drag him and your calling him the whole time when you get away and his attention is on you, praise(no treat). Save a special treat or toy for walks only and only when a dog comes near. He will learn to look to you when a dog comes near for his treat or/and toy. Next, NEUTER HIM! Get this done ASAP! It will help. When he gets startled ignore him, his reaction and the sound. If it doesn't bother anyone else he will likely start to realize its nothing to be afraid of. (Except the vaccuum, my 2yr old akita will never get used to the vaccuum. Yet I can control this. I put him in another room before I bring it out. Even the sight of it scares him.) As for licking this is most likely because he is nervous. Give him a toy to reassure him(but never say, "its okay, its okay". This'll reinforce the behavouir) but kaap it out all the time. Try to transfer his licking to chewing his toy(try putting peanut butter or cheese on it) and praise whenever he plays with it. As for the leash, I'm not an expert as my dogs are trained to pull and they know nothing else(I don't require it) so again go to a trainer that DOES NOT use force methods. Clicker training is something I always advise. Espesially for nevous or dominent dogs. To curb his dominent behavior always eat first, never give them treats without having them do something first, and feed them in order. If you feed your first two together normally do so but keep him in a crate or tie him with a leash where he can see you feed them and them eating. When they are both done feed him. And always give the other two affection first. And since you will be walking him seperate(at least at first) walk the others first. Make him realize he IS NOT top dog.  I hope I have helped so let me know of any progress. Good Luck

Emily