2 boys...did I just set myself up for disaster?

[fadeddenim]

I have a 10-month old male yorkie whom I've wanted to find a playmate for.
Well, this past Friday, I went and got another two month old male yorkie pup.

Now I was contemplating on getting a female at first, but I was told by several yorkie owners that a male and female don't get along. I was strongly advised to get another male. I found this hard to believe, but I trusted what the yorkie owners had to say.

Well, the past two days since I introduced the new puppy to my older puppy, the two of them have been "challenging" one another. There are some growls and barks exchanged. I noticed that the 2-month old puppy is the one who is initiating most of it! He's way smaller (2.0 lbs) vs. my 10-month old (12 lbs)! My new puppy even started "humping" my 10-month old. Can you believe that?!

I guess my question is, for those who own 2 males, have you experienced any of this? How do you make them get along?

I'd also like to add that I work during the day. I'm guessing I should put them in separate rooms until they get along.

[bchgirl]

I own 3 males and 1 female. I will say the "boys" were fairly quick to try and establish dominance through humping. It is not an ever occurring thing...just letting the other know..I am the boss. Sometimes it's been the newest/youngest/smallest too.

They play rough...with barks and growls. I have seen actual fights between my female and one male...trust me you will know the difference.

Btw, males usually get along fine...it is females who have difficultly residing together....especially if they are unspayed.

[Sara21]

Don't worry, this is natural between male dogs and it does go away quickly once one establishes dominance over the other.

[Yorkiekids]

It's just a dominance thing. It shouldn't take long for them to decide who's top dog. I would definetly get them neutered though.

[sdtrippe]

I have 2 female and 2 males.They all get along fine...I did get my 2yr old male fixed but that was because I was not going to use him for breeding anylonger...And because I was bringing a new male in and did not want them to compete with each other in a marking contest...lol.But they all get along great. All lil yorkies personalities are different.Just like my human children have different personalities...

[AF Diva]

OP I'm having the same issue with our 12 wk old and 4 y.o. Both males. It's challenging me and my husband and I'm seeing a side of my older dog that I've never known before. Breaks my heart.

The older one lets the baby chase him away, though he barks the whole time. When the baby signals distress, the older one seeks him out and tries to attack at that 'vulnerable' moment.

We started positive treats to the oldest when he sits with us and lets the new guy near him, sniff him.

[JoeyP]

As an owner of two male litermates
What you described is part and parcel of normal dog behavior
They are finding out who is going to be the alpha dog
The humping is even part of the whole process
Dogs will hump things that they feel belongs to them
which is why some dogs hump their owners
But unless they are hurting each other .... where there is yelping involved
I'd leave it alone
It might sound loud and scary but they are just play acting
false bravado you might call it

[AF Diva]

But when yelping IS involved, what do we as owners/trainers do?

[JoeyP]

Depending on where you are and your level of training ability
you first ..... if you aren't within arms distance is make a loud noise
Clap
Yell
Shake a can with coins in it
But make a noise that will make them stop dead in their tracks
You can also use a water pistol if all else fails
Then distract them as you make a correction
If you feel up to it ...
If you are at arms length
when this happens you can grab each by the scruff of the neck
This is what the alpha dog will do to stop disputes
and you pin each to the floor
you don't hurt them in any way just enough force so they cannot move
Hold them there for a minute as you make your correction
and then distract them with a toy or an activity

[willow1]

My mom had two females and a male (not yorkie) it seemed that the two girls always had issues with each other but, when it came to the male unless he was being a horn dog with them the male got along fine with the females.

[mkawczak]

Aiden was 8 weeks when I first got him. At about 4 months,I brought him up to play with my brother tiny female Lexie. She was about the same size as him,and they got along great. Their very large yellow lab cam into the room,and Aiden tried to eat him! Growling,hair standing up...I was like "What" I think it's also a dommanace thing..intimidation also,about size. Since then I got a Peeapoo and now Harley is 7 mo,and Aiden 1 year,and they both males and almost the same size and they are truly the best of friends. You won't regret it,trust me. They need a playmate to grow up with. I have a 14 year old Daschund,and I wanted Aiden to have Harley around,for when Pongo is'nt. Enjoy it...

[sdtrippe]

Originally Posted by JoeyP

Depending on where you are and your level of training ability
you first ..... if you aren't within arms distance is make a loud noise
Clap
Yell
Shake a can with coins in it
But make a noise that will make them stop dead in their tracks
You can also use a water pistol if all else fails
Then distract them as you make a correction
If you feel up to it ...
If you are at arms length
when this happens you can grab each by the scruff of the neck
This is what the alpha dog will do to stop disputes
and you pin each to the floor
you don't hurt them in any way just enough force so they cannot move
Hold them there for a minute as you make your correction
and then distract them with a toy or an activity

Good idea......That should work ....
Sheila

[AF Diva]

Thank you so much for this advice! I'll share it with my husband, too.

Originally Posted by JoeyP

Depending on where you are and your level of training ability
you first ..... if you aren't within arms distance is make a loud noise
Clap
Yell
Shake a can with coins in it
But make a noise that will make them stop dead in their tracks
You can also use a water pistol if all else fails
Then distract them as you make a correction
If you feel up to it ...
If you are at arms length
when this happens you can grab each by the scruff of the neck
This is what the alpha dog will do to stop disputes
and you pin each to the floor
you don't hurt them in any way just enough force so they cannot move
Hold them there for a minute as you make your correction
and then distract them with a toy or an activity

[Britster]

Males & males are usually a better combo than females & females. I do find that having a male and female is usually easier. Jackson gets along great with every female dog he's encountered. He's never been around a male yet except once and he did absolutely fine but it was a brief encounter in Petsmart, so I'm curious to see how he would play with another male since he plays with females so well!

[fadeddenim]

Originally Posted by JoeyP

Depending on where you are and your level of training ability
you first ..... if you aren't within arms distance is make a loud noise
Clap
Yell
Shake a can with coins in it
But make a noise that will make them stop dead in their tracks
You can also use a water pistol if all else fails
Then distract them as you make a correction
If you feel up to it ...
If you are at arms length
when this happens you can grab each by the scruff of the neck
This is what the alpha dog will do to stop disputes
and you pin each to the floor
you don't hurt them in any way just enough force so they cannot move
Hold them there for a minute as you make your correction
and then distract them with a toy or an activity

Thanks for the advice JoeyP.

It's now day 5 since I've had my new puppy and things are a little better. What scares me the most is that my older dog is bigger than my new puppy. I'm afraid he can be too rough and hurt him. I do break up fights when I think it's getting a little out of hand.

However, I will try pinning them to the floor (softly of course), as to establish myself as the alpha, when I start hearing one of them yelp.