Behavior Issues

Question
I have a four year old yorkie,
He is a great dog and is potty trained and knows basic commands.
He has a couple of behavior issues,

When he sees someone come to the door or walk outside, he continuously barks, if someone comes to the door he tries to attack them and even manages to bite them on occasion.

He also dislikes small children, he is ok with older kids but he dislikes babies and attempts to attack them, we dont have any young children in the house, but when people come to visit, he is not used to them.

I was hoping you knew a way that I could fix some of these issues,
Thanks

Answer
YOur dog needs basic obedience and specific training. The latest issue of ADPT Chronicle has a good article on dealing with your specific problem of barking at the door. As with any desensitization training, you start by parking the dog. Then trigger the negative response. Tell the dog no and at the first silence, it gets a tiny treat. You gradually walk closeer and closer to the door and return. If the dog sits quietly it gets a treat. if it barks it gets nothing.

Consider it a sit, stay quiet series of commands.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
www.dogkennel.org