Sudden Aggresive behavior in Yorkie - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Mhannahp · 11-24-2009, 09:46 AM

My 3 year old Yorkie has been getting progressively more aggressive over the past year or so. It started out with when new people tried to enter my bedroom, or go near her bed. She would growl and snap at their feet. Then she started snapping at my roommates, as well as my young nephew.

Over the past two weeks it has gotten much worse. She use to never growl at me. Now she stays hidden under the bed, and even i can't get her out. I will reach under there to grab her and she gets super tense. I can't seem to get her to relax.

She also use to sleep in the bed with me, and burrow down under the covers and snuggle. Now she sleeps under the bed, and if i put her in bed with me- she immediately jumps back down. I hate seeing her this stressed and have no idea what to do. I have tried popping her on the butt, and she just growls at me. It has no effect on her.

It is causing me so much anxiety and grief. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Lexi Rae · 11-24-2009, 10:03 AM

I will bump this thread up for you.. Sorry i cant help, i have no clue.
hope it all works out for you

CouversMom · 11-24-2009, 10:04 AM

Have you thought that she might be in pain? I would get her to the vet asap...

Elle · 11-24-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mhannahp

My 3 year old Yorkie has been getting progressively more aggressive over the past year or so. It started out with when new people tried to enter my bedroom, or go near her bed. She would growl and snap at their feet. Then she started snapping at my roommates, as well as my young nephew.

Over the past two weeks it has gotten much worse. She use to never growl at me. Now she stays hidden under the bed, and even i can't get her out. I will reach under there to grab her and she gets super tense. I can't seem to get her to relax.

She also use to sleep in the bed with me, and burrow down under the covers and snuggle. Now she sleeps under the bed, and if i put her in bed with me- she immediately jumps back down. I hate seeing her this stressed and have no idea what to do. I have tried popping her on the butt, and she just growls at me. It has no effect on her.

It is causing me so much anxiety and grief. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I hate to hear you say you popped her on the butt. A dog does not have any understanding about spankings. You will REALLY have a messed up pet if you keep that up!!! That's a terrible idea. A growl can never be equal to a pop on the butt or any other place on their body.
There are many reasons she could be growling. Is she hiding a treasure under the bed? Have you checked it to be sure that she is not storing a bunch of toys/treats and other things she feels are valuable? She could be protecting them from you and everyone else.
She could have something neurological going on with her. Have you had the vet check her through? A sudden change in behavior like this is not normal.
Have you changed her schedule? Or is she in season? Have you taken her to puppy class? A good class is good for all yorkies regardless of age. It helps them learn to please you quicker. It's great for bonding. It is always helpful, no matter what else is or isn't going on.
Please, do not ever spank her again.

Denzilla · 11-24-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CouversMom

Have you thought that she might be in pain? I would get her to the vet asap...

I agree. A sudden change in personality may indicate a physical problem.

Kirby · 11-24-2009, 10:48 AM

I would have her teeth checked. I've heard of dogs becoming aggressive when they have a tooth go bad.

livingdustmops · 11-24-2009, 11:26 AM

My guess is she is in a high state of anxiety and too many people are coming and going into her space. She is now hiding under the bed and is very nervous about what is going on. She feels a responsibility to protect you and her space and something happened and now she can't so she hides in fear. How old is your nephew?

P.S. I agree she should have a vet check just to be on the safe side.

Bhikku · 11-24-2009, 11:42 AM

Here's my advice:

1. Get your dog checked at the vet immediately. Sudden aggression can sometimes be explained by a hidden illness or injury which is very painful for the dog, causing it to lash out.

If you have the dog checked and no physical problems turn up, I'd try the following:

2. Does she have a crate? Any time she growled or snapped at anyone, I would scold her very firmly (No! Bad girl!) and put her in the crate. That way she'd know that aggressive-possessive behavior is not acceptable.

3. I'd probably chase her out of her bed anytime she started throwing a tantrum and sit on it myself. That would show her that you were the alpha and that the dog bed is yours, not hers. You're just letting her use it.

4. I'd try spraying her in the face with a water bottle, blowing an air horn, or squirting her with an aerosol keyboard cleaner (canned air) any time she shows aggression. The noise or sensations will startle her out of an aggressive reaction and give you a chance to scold her.

5. Like Elle said, I wouldn't pop her. It'll just confuse her further and usually that kind of response just heightens defensive aggression.

6. Immersion therapy: Try blocking her access to the underside of your bed. If she is showing nervous aggression, this will force her to confront that overexaggerated fear rather than seething with anxiety in a hiding place.

Hope that helps. Keep us posted.

salazark · 11-24-2009, 11:49 AM

We had an old Shih Tzu that pretty suddenly became agressive. We thought it was just because she was blind and nearly deaf and that things were just startling her. On one vet visit we found out that she had an anal gland infection. It took several rounds of antibiotics to clear up but the surprise was that once it cleared she quit growling and biting. I strongly recommend a vet visit to make sure that there isn't something physically wrong with her that could be causing her pain. I felt really bad that it took us so long to find out what the problem was but the solution was dramatic.

auburn73 · 01-06-2010, 04:08 PM

I have a yorkie who is 1 yr and 7 months old who has become aggressive all of the time. He growls and snaps at all of us. He is my baby and my baby only. He runs and hides when he has things he shouldn't and then snaps at me when I try to get whatever he has. His temper has really gotten bad these last few days. I have noticed that even if he doesn't have anything he shouldn't he still tries to hide. He will hide behind the comode or under my daughters bed and growl and snap if you try to get him. He also sits there and shakes....I am wondering if he is sick?

Any ideas would be great! My husband is close to the point of getting rid of him and he our baby. He was bought right after my husbands mother died and we even named him after her....so he is like one of us!

gemy · 01-06-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auburn73

I have a yorkie who is 1 yr and 7 months old who has become aggressive all of the time. He growls and snaps at all of us. He is my baby and my baby only. He runs and hides when he has things he shouldn't and then snaps at me when I try to get whatever he has. His temper has really gotten bad these last few days. I have noticed that even if he doesn't have anything he shouldn't he still tries to hide. He will hide behind the comode or under my daughters bed and growl and snap if you try to get him. He also sits there and shakes....I am wondering if he is sick?

Any ideas would be great! My husband is close to the point of getting rid of him and he our baby. He was bought right after my husbands mother died and we even named him after her....so he is like one of us!

Well hopefully you've read the above posts and take to heart get your boy to the vet! Eliminate physical reasons - then look to your environment. Look at what might have changed in this enviornment. Is your dog neutered? Have there been any major changes in the house. The behaviour your describing is not normal. How-ever running and hiding when dogs have things they shouldn't is pretty dang normal. Snapping at you when you try to retrieve those things isn't I presume as a puppy you trained him to drop items on your command, or trained him in the give command and suitably rewarded him when he did as you asked?

I hope that things work out for you

dolphin · 05-21-2014, 10:56 AM

Hello everyone! Me and my husband have just rehomed an 8 year old toy yorky! His family rehomed him due to work commitments! He has a lot of crust around his eyes! So we got something from the vet for that! However. I am worried about his one petruding tooth on his bottom jaw, at the side of his mouth! He doesn't seem bothered about it. But has anybody got any advice on this subject? :-/.

11-24-2009, 09:46 AM	#1
Mhannahp YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: charlotte, nc, us Posts: 1	Sudden Aggresive behavior in Yorkie My 3 year old Yorkie has been getting progressively more aggressive over the past year or so. It started out with when new people tried to enter my bedroom, or go near her bed. She would growl and snap at their feet. Then she started snapping at my roommates, as well as my young nephew. Over the past two weeks it has gotten much worse. She use to never growl at me. Now she stays hidden under the bed, and even i can't get her out. I will reach under there to grab her and she gets super tense. I can't seem to get her to relax. She also use to sleep in the bed with me, and burrow down under the covers and snuggle. Now she sleeps under the bed, and if i put her in bed with me- she immediately jumps back down. I hate seeing her this stressed and have no idea what to do. I have tried popping her on the butt, and she just growls at me. It has no effect on her. It is causing me so much anxiety and grief. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you. Last edited by Mhannahp; 11-24-2009 at 09:48 AM.

11-24-2009, 10:03 AM	#2
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	I will bump this thread up for you.. Sorry i cant help, i have no clue. hope it all works out for you __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

11-24-2009, 10:04 AM	#3
CouversMom and Khloe Mae's too! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 14,732	Have you thought that she might be in pain? I would get her to the vet asap... __________________ Michelle- mommy to Couver and Khloe Mae! http://yorkiehavenrescue.com/

11-24-2009, 11:26 AM	#7
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	My guess is she is in a high state of anxiety and too many people are coming and going into her space. She is now hiding under the bed and is very nervous about what is going on. She feels a responsibility to protect you and her space and something happened and now she can't so she hides in fear. How old is your nephew? P.S. I agree she should have a vet check just to be on the safe side. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

11-24-2009, 11:42 AM	#8
Bhikku YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 274	Here's my advice: 1. Get your dog checked at the vet immediately. Sudden aggression can sometimes be explained by a hidden illness or injury which is very painful for the dog, causing it to lash out. If you have the dog checked and no physical problems turn up, I'd try the following: 2. Does she have a crate? Any time she growled or snapped at anyone, I would scold her very firmly (No! Bad girl!) and put her in the crate. That way she'd know that aggressive-possessive behavior is not acceptable. 3. I'd probably chase her out of her bed anytime she started throwing a tantrum and sit on it myself. That would show her that you were the alpha and that the dog bed is yours, not hers. You're just letting her use it. 4. I'd try spraying her in the face with a water bottle, blowing an air horn, or squirting her with an aerosol keyboard cleaner (canned air) any time she shows aggression. The noise or sensations will startle her out of an aggressive reaction and give you a chance to scold her. 5. Like Elle said, I wouldn't pop her. It'll just confuse her further and usually that kind of response just heightens defensive aggression. 6. Immersion therapy: Try blocking her access to the underside of your bed. If she is showing nervous aggression, this will force her to confront that overexaggerated fear rather than seething with anxiety in a hiding place. Hope that helps. Keep us posted. Last edited by Bhikku; 11-24-2009 at 11:44 AM.

11-24-2009, 10:48 AM	#6
Kirby YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 618	I would have her teeth checked. I've heard of dogs becoming aggressive when they have a tooth go bad.

11-24-2009, 11:49 AM	#9
salazark Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 941	We had an old Shih Tzu that pretty suddenly became agressive. We thought it was just because she was blind and nearly deaf and that things were just startling her. On one vet visit we found out that she had an anal gland infection. It took several rounds of antibiotics to clear up but the surprise was that once it cleared she quit growling and biting. I strongly recommend a vet visit to make sure that there isn't something physically wrong with her that could be causing her pain. I felt really bad that it took us so long to find out what the problem was but the solution was dramatic.

01-06-2010, 04:08 PM	#10
auburn73 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ramer, Alabama Posts: 1	My Yorkie has aggressive behavior, also I have a yorkie who is 1 yr and 7 months old who has become aggressive all of the time. He growls and snaps at all of us. He is my baby and my baby only. He runs and hides when he has things he shouldn't and then snaps at me when I try to get whatever he has. His temper has really gotten bad these last few days. I have noticed that even if he doesn't have anything he shouldn't he still tries to hide. He will hide behind the comode or under my daughters bed and growl and snap if you try to get him. He also sits there and shakes....I am wondering if he is sick? Any ideas would be great! My husband is close to the point of getting rid of him and he our baby. He was bought right after my husbands mother died and we even named him after her....so he is like one of us!

05-21-2014, 10:56 AM	#12
dolphin YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: BEDFORD Posts: 1	dolphin Hello everyone! Me and my husband have just rehomed an 8 year old toy yorky! His family rehomed him due to work commitments! He has a lot of crust around his eyes! So we got something from the vet for that! However. I am worried about his one petruding tooth on his bottom jaw, at the side of his mouth! He doesn't seem bothered about it. But has anybody got any advice on this subject? :-/.