: Dog bites at people's feet when they get close I have a 3 year old Yorkie. He recently picked up a new mannerism that is causing some problems. He will growl and bite at peoples shoes when they step close to him. A few

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Dog bites at people's feet when they get close
I have a 3 year old Yorkie. He recently picked up a new mannerism that is causing some problems. He will growl and bite at peoples shoes when they step close to him.

A few thing's I've noticed about the behavior:

It's never me or my wife that he bites at
It's often when he's under a table or chair (so maybe it surprises him or he doesn't see the persons face), but not always.
It's when the feet get close, but not necessarily close enough to step on him. He will attack the feet from his position
Usually men (maybe the bigger feet)
Usually leather shoes (this could just be a coincidence)

The items I say "usually" with are because I originally thought that each occurrence was related to that, but he proved me wrong by attacking a woman's foot once and recently some Velcro shoes (yes, I said Velcro, can't say I blamed him for that one).

Anyway, most people have thought it was funny, but he's not playing around. He's seriously violent when he gets into that mode and since he's so small he's easy to get under control, but sometimes I'll be talking to someone and not necessarily watching him. As soon as I look down I'll notice he's on the end of his leash biting a person with the intention of killing their foot.

I do fear that maybe he would do it to someone who is bare footed, or maybe even a child someday (but I think it does relate to the bigger feet).

Does anyone know why this would have recently started happening? He's small but I don't think he's ever really been stepped on (could be wrong I guess). And does anyone know what I might do to curb this behavior?

Thanks

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