Big aggression problems

[Ex-SRD]

Hi folks - hoping you can help us - getting desparate! I joined here about 18 months ago and you guys were helpful then - so here's helping.

History
We got Ellie our Yorkie about 18 months ago, and had some problems, especially with her constantly weeing in the house - detailed here http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22503 - thanks for your help.

Since then, all's been really good, and she's been a good dog - a bit snappy at odd times, mainly around food, though she has snapped at my little girl who's had food in her hands - we've controlled this by not having her around when food's about.

So all was well --- or is it....?

Just before New Year my partner thought it would be nice to get Ellie a little friend, so she perseded me to get a s**tzu (sp?) - Harvey. Initial predictable problems, but they have been getting on really great -play loads and love each other. Ellie is clearly top dog, and snaps at Harvey (sometimes a little overly-vicious) each time he gets too carried away.

Harvey has his problems - he barks too much, esp when on his own and still wees inside - but we're working on this (though advice would be appreciated).

The problem
But the main problem is about 3 weeks ago Ellie seemed to be slightly liming on her rear left leg, only slight, and she uses it at times - but definitely an issue. She's been to the vets about this inc Xrays and they have found nothing - they say it culd be a tendon or ligament strain.

Plus around this time it appears she may have been having a phantom pregnancy. She's become very territorial in her main bed and her bed in the lounge; she's alwys been a little territorial about this, but really only towards Harvey, but she's been very growly including lunging at the kids and my partner - she's snapped and basically gone for us all. She has been put back in her crate (vets advised because of the leg to rest) - and lunges at the bars if the kids just walk by. She has also gone for my lad when Ellie was sitting under my partner and he went to see his Mum.

She has also been hoarding her toys alsmost fanatically - we were advised to take these away and have done.

She has gone for me twice too (and I am very authoritive and would be seen as 'top dog'). One time she was in her lounge bed, next to my sitting, and she wagged and put her hed in such a way that she wants a stroke, I put my hand to stroke it and she bit me (didn't hurt, but would have kids).

Note Ellie out of her bed and pottering around is still the same old very loving and gorgous Ellie. 2 mins later back in her bed she's horrible and vicious and would go for the juggular of the kids. 2 mins later again, out of the bed she'd be loving.

Under advice form the vet, last week she was spade so I guess is still sore from the op. Advised crate rest, esp in view of the leg too.

Her aggression is rife and my partner is walking around like a nervous wreck, having to keep the kids away from her - not worth the risk.

She is also going for Harvey more viciously - so we're keeping them apart on the whole.

Now more info
We got both pups from the same breeder. Since gettin Harvey we have found out the place is a puppy farm (informed by the RSPCA) who have about 70 breeding dogs, kept in not the best conditions. They hve had their license taken away before but have re-opened because they re-registered in their son's name.

Harvey stunk when we got him - he was filthy and they tried to mask the smell with CK body spray (recognised) - we really only got him because we felt sorry for him - it was the conditions (and the fact that he was sick, had diarrohoa and underweight - told by vet that he didn't seem to have been well kept) that promted us to ask the RSPCA.

We don't regret getting them from this 'breeder' but, the intelligent thing would not to have. You know!

The papers are not Kennel Club, but there is the family history. We've been informed it's not unlikely that there may have been some inbreeding. Could this have affected her aggression and/or the leg?

Help!
Any advice on the aggression, and less so on the leg? I can't see the leg is causing her this much pain - as she still jumps about. I know it can take a few weeks post neutering before hormone levels stabalise - if it's likely this is the case then great - we'll stick it out.

Barking, pooing, weeing in dogs you can deal with, but aggression and biting kids is unacceptable. If we can't sort this then she'll have to go - but who'll want an unpredictable dog?

Help - sorry for the long post, hope I've covered anything and many thanks to all who have taken the time to read...

[dcelmo]

I feel as if I could have written this. I have had my dog for 16 months and he also has aggression problems. They are also unpredictable and I can never see then coming. I have a pup a cockapoo who is 7 months and loves him dearly. He will suddenly turn on her and act as if he wants to kill her. I separate them and punish him and he is very lovey? His started as a food aggression problem and I have been working on that. He did get my 3 year old grandsons finger going after a chip. Normally he can't be around the kids if they have food. But just this am he went after Karma and all she had was a toy? I am seriously thinking of rehoming but as you said who wants an unpredictable dog. Mine doesn't bite or charge at humans, only other dogs. I Have a special friend here on YT that is helping me and we are trying out some anxiety pills and such to see if he will mellow out. I will watch to see anymore info on your problem. Good luck, I feel for you!

[Ex-SRD]

Thanks - really hoping anyone can give us tips

[ARCHIE]

I feel for you too. I do know what you are experiencing. You have to tackle
one thing at a time.
Buddy is 3ys and that's is when it started. It is he and I and he is a loving
very affectionate yorkie. He started with guarding toys. It became a real
problem and I took his favorites away. When I gave him one back I held it
and played with it and held it while he did also. I did this on a daily basis and he started getting much better. I take the toys away at night!
He went after me one night while eating. He finished but left some in his
bowl and I swear to you he looked up at me and growled threatening me
to take it. I wanted to rip his ears off . I scolded him and took the bowl and he went after me. Chased me all the way across the kitchen! When I calmed him down I grabbed his beard and threatened his life, literally. The next feeding I held in my hands and had him sit first, then I put the bowl down, told him to stay and look at me then I released him. I have been doing that
for two months and he is fine. I pet him also when he is eating, I always did that but this came out of now where.
Most resently he attacked me in bed! Twice. That was it. I started last
week making him sleep in his own bed. He is no longer allowed on the bed
at all! Never again. He seems to want to be in his own bed. He goes in
before I turn the light out. I do have him attached to a cotton step in harness
and a 6ft leash so he can not jump on the bed at night. I will continue to do this for awhile. These yorkies are terrier also, remember that. Terriers are
full of hell and want their own ways, so mixed with Yorkie who wants the same they can be a challange at times. Buddy seems back to his old loving self. I will never stand for a dog being aggressive with me. If I could not correct it he would be re-homed in a minute. I wish you luck. Your dog like
Buddy is trying to be ALpha. I also now make him sit before we go through a door. I go first and then I allow him to. They must be reduced to a dog
level. THose who have never experienced this have no idea how scary
it is to be attacked by your own dog! Good luck.

Carol & Buddy

[Ex-SRD]

Thanks very much Carol and Buddy - some great tips there, that we will take on board. I guess it does come down to the top dog thing, and maybe with having Harvey, Ellie feels a little more threatened.

Other thoughts are still welcome, but I will feedback

[dcelmo]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I feel for you too. I do know what you are experiencing. You have to tackle
one thing at a time.
Buddy is 3ys and that's is when it started. It is he and I and he is a loving
very affectionate yorkie. He started with guarding toys. It became a real
problem and I took his favorites away. When I gave him one back I held it
and played with it and held it while he did also. I did this on a daily basis and he started getting much better. I take the toys away at night!
He went after me one night while eating. He finished but left some in his
bowl and I swear to you he looked up at me and growled threatening me
to take it. I wanted to rip his ears off . I scolded him and took the bowl and he went after me. Chased me all the way across the kitchen! When I calmed him down I grabbed his beard and threatened his life, literally. The next feeding I held in my hands and had him sit first, then I put the bowl down, told him to stay and look at me then I released him. I have been doing that
for two months and he is fine. I pet him also when he is eating, I always did that but this came out of now where.
Most resently he attacked me in bed! Twice. That was it. I started last
week making him sleep in his own bed. He is no longer allowed on the bed
at all! Never again. He seems to want to be in his own bed. He goes in
before I turn the light out. I do have him attached to a cotton step in harness
and a 6ft leash so he can not jump on the bed at night. I will continue to do this for awhile. These yorkies are terrier also, remember that. Terriers are
full of hell and want their own ways, so mixed with Yorkie who wants the same they can be a challange at times. Buddy seems back to his old loving self. I will never stand for a dog being aggressive with me. If I could not correct it he would be re-homed in a minute. I wish you luck. Your dog like
Buddy is trying to be ALpha. I also now make him sit before we go through a door. I go first and then I allow him to. They must be reduced to a dog
level. THose who have never experienced this have no idea how scary
it is to be attacked by your own dog! Good luck.

Carol & Buddy

You have a lot of good ideas and I thank you. I have started him sitting. And he will even sit and "down" in position before he gets his food or any treat from me. I always act like I am taking a bite of it first before I give it to him, to show him I am the alpha. I have never let him get away with aggressiion but it seems to come at the moments I least expect it, and it is always directed towards Karma. She is totally submissive to him at all times. She is no threat. I love him dearly and will try to keep on top of things but it does get frustrating at times. Thanks again for your input!

[katie'smom]

It sounds like you have discovered the never ending battle for top dog. I also have had some issues with Katie (2 and a half) since we got Max (1 yr). It started when Max got up about 6 months old and has been off and on since then. I had her brother around quite a bit since he is my son's dog and she was always the boss with him. Max has given her a little more resistance as he is marking and trying to be the MAN. She is normally fine but I have had to set her straight on a few occasions. The important thing is to make them remember YOU are the boss and they are the DOG. I had to stop completely giving her greenies...she goes absolutely berserk with them guarding them! I have found that if she acts up, a time out by herself does wonders. Hope you can get it under control. I really don't think rehoming is a good idea IMO our babies love us they are just like kids, sometimes they just need some extra love and guidance. OH and as for the leg, have they checked for hereditary problems and all? It may just be that she has strained it but only time will tell.

[ARCHIE]

I really don't think rehoming is a good idea IMO our babies love us they are just like kids, sometimes they just need some extra love and guidance. OH and as for the leg, have they checked for hereditary problems and all? It may just be that she has strained it but only time will tell.
__________________


I couldn't give Buddy any extra love and guidance if I wanted too!
He is my baby and I have spoiled him completely. We are together
all the time except for the time I am at work. Buddy is a yorkie
who would love to be top dog. When I mentioned about re-homing him
it would only be if I could not correct his behavior, which so far I have
been able to by educating myself. I would never, ever live with a dog
who would not respect me and be obedient to me. Buddy is a wonderful
loving mush however there is a little bit of him that still tries to become
top dog and you never know when he will try it. Unless, like I stated above, you have experienced these problems you have no idea how
scary they can be.

Carol & Buddy

[Yorkiedaze]

I strongly advise getting a behaviorist in. Your dog has taken the alpha roll and you need to get it back. Another thing is take ALL dog food and store bought treats away and put her on rice with either chicken or ground beef. Boiled eggs, cheese, all natural peanut butter, non-fat plain yogurt and dried fruits. Food plays a very major roll in dog behavior.