BIG change in Twinkle's behaviour - AGRESSIVE! Any advice?

[Lucia]

Hi everyone I really need your help and advice.

Let me explain my situation for those who don't know me I have two yorkies, Twinkle (female 1 year) and Wicket (male 8 months), and I recently lost my mastiff, Kaddie. I've worked really hard since she died to keep Twinkle and Wicket's routine the same as it was before and I think they have slowly come to learn that she's not coming back

Twinkle has become gradually more 'grumpy' over the last few weeks....she is less tolerant of Wicket playing and has snapped at him a couple of times when she's playing with her toys or eating. She has never done this before, but I put it down to her feeling a bit confused over Kaddie. Me and the children are able to take toys from her, and I can pick up her food bowl while she's eating without her snapping or growling, so at first I figured she had an issue with Wicket.

Then over the last week or so she has started growling or barking at me, really aggressively. I can be doing nothing in particular - sitting on the sofa, cooking dinner etc and she just starts doing it. She looks at me really intensely and this low growl begins and her teethe are on show.....It's really quite scary.

A couple of days ago Twinkle and Wicket were playfighting in the living room and when I broke them up (they were very noisy!) Twinkle snapped at me! Her ears were back and she did a really low deep growl! and then she actually went to bite me! I was completely stunned as she has always had the sweetest most friendly personality.

Yesterday evening was the biggest shock to me though - I was sitting on the sofa, Twinkle and Wicket were curled up on their bed on the floor. My daughter climbed up on my lap to read a book and Twinkle just launched herself up at my face - from the floor! Again she had her ears pinned back and was growling, her teeth were bared. She looked like a different dog! When I told her 'NO' she began barking at me really aggressively. I have no idea what triggered it.

I'm completely at a loss how to handle this. She hasn't shown this behaviour to the children, but obviously I can't take that chance. This probably sound stupid, but it's like she suddenly hates me Maybe she feels confused that Kaddie isn't there and is taking her aggression out on Me and WIcket?

Should I take her to the vet's incase there is an underlying medical problem? Or is that not likely? Is it worth getting a trainer in? I want to nip this behaiour in the bud as soon as possible.

Sorry for the long thread....but I'm so so upset over this.What has happened to my sweet loving dog? I was in tears most of last night......I feel so guilty that my poor baby is going through something that is making her act this way - and I don't know how to help her.

I'm grateful for all advice and comments - thankyou in advance.

(Extra info: Twinkle is spayed. she gets 2 30-45 minute walks a day)

[Lee B]

It's possible that now that Kaddie has passed, Twinkle is stepping into the position of Alpha dog - but she doesn't really understand her position and what it means as regards the humans in her "pack".

Other than the necessity to teach her who the Boss *really* is, I'm not sure what to tell you: I've never had a dog that didn't accept the humans as being the true Alpha. I guess there's always the chance there's a medical issue, but I think it's probably more behavioral.

Good luck!

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by Lee B

It's possible that now that Kaddie has passed, Twinkle is stepping into the position of Alpha dog - but she doesn't really understand her position and what it means as regards the humans in her "pack".

Other than the necessity to teach her who the Boss *really* is, I'm not sure what to tell you: I've never had a dog that didn't accept the humans as being the true Alpha. I guess there's always the chance there's a medical issue, but I think it's probably more behavioral.

Good luck!

That sounds like really good advice. There must be a connection between Kaddies passing and her behavior.
I'm sure others will give you good advice also, try to hang in there for the moment.

[Lucia]

Thank you so much for replying

I understand what you are saying about 'Alpha dog' but it seems a little strange to me.....Kaddie wasn't alpha dog...if anything, Twinkle was 'in charge' of Kaddie and Wicket, but she has never before tried to be boss of me, my husband or children. But I totally agree that maybe she feels confused where she fits in now that one of the pack is gone.

I too feel it is behavioural rather than medical...I've made a vet appt anyway, just to be sure, and maybe they have some advice for me too. I'm going 'back to basics' with her training-wise and am considering consulting with and possibly hiring a trainer. It's very disheartening because her manners and behaiour have always been fantastic, but I'm willing to put the effort in.

Thank you xxx

[Britster]

Hmm, wow, what a tough situation. I'm not really even sure what to tell you except what was already posted above. A lot of times dogs go through weird things when another pack member dies... I've seen it on both Dog Whisperer and It's Me or the Dog and it's generally them trying to take over. Maybe even if you thought Twinkle was more of the "alpha" one, maybe she looked up to Kaddie still, and is still confused as to where one of her leader went? Honestly, I think now is the time for you to become the true leader! The minute she pulls that snapping stuff again, she's either put down off the furniture, and completely ignored. I know you said when you corrected it, she snapped back, so maybe ignoring is key with her. Let her know she will not get attention for acting as so. Do not put up with it, for sure, which it sounds like you're not. I know dogs are highly affected by energy as well so maybe she's been sensing your sadness over Kaddie? Eh, I'm sorry I can't really give you better advice. I wish you well! Maybe hiring a trainer would be best.

[lele1672]

I have a little female who is VERY aggressive with my husband and son (not with me though). She "regulates" them both constantly and if they do something she feels they shouldn't she's all over them snarling and barking (she's never bitten). But I'm telling you it's vicious. Something as simple as them getting up off the couch....if she doesn't like it...she will tear them up.

Our vet, who is an amazing caregiver and wonderful with animals, taught us that when she does this to simply pick her up and turn her over on her back and stare into her eyes intently. Nothing hard or mean, just simply have the person she does it to pick her up and lie her on her back in their arms and force her to lay that way for several minutes while you look at her without looking away.

The results have been amazing. She actually kind of hunkers down afterwards and is very docile and loving, almost as if she is asking for forgiveness. Our vet says that is exactly what would happen if she was in a pack of other dogs, they would pin her down and assert their dominance over her by holding her there and staring at her.

I don't know if this will help you, but you should try it with Twinkles and see if there is any change. I wish you luck.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Lucia

Thank you so much for replying

I understand what you are saying about 'Alpha dog' but it seems a little strange to me.....Kaddie wasn't alpha dog...if anything, Twinkle was 'in charge' of Kaddie and Wicket, but she has never before tried to be boss of me, my husband or children. But I totally agree that maybe she feels confused where she fits in now that one of the pack is gone.

I too feel it is behavioural rather than medical...I've made a vet appt anyway, just to be sure, and maybe they have some advice for me too. I'm going 'back to basics' with her training-wise and am considering consulting with and possibly hiring a trainer. It's very disheartening because her manners and behaiour have always been fantastic, but I'm willing to put the effort in.

Thank you xxx

I think Twinkled saw that you were weak after you lost your other dog and you maybe pampered her a bit more because you felt she was grieving so she took the opportunity to take over.

You need to take back the position of pack leader.

Some things to try. Walk towards her and make her back up. Make her sit and wait before you give her food. Anything that lets her know that you are in charge.

[JoeyP]

There's been a change in the pack ....
your little girl senses it and is somehow getting mixed signals
She doesn't know if she's top banana or not

when you get sudden aggression or changes in behavior like this it's because there is some power shift
You need to step up and show that you are the backbone of this group
Dogs sense sadness
But they don't react to it in the same way we do
They see it as a sign of weakness or an inability to lead

Have you been depressed enough not to play with the dogs?
cause THAT a Yorkie will notice RIGHT away

Try to get things back to normal and be fair and stern

[Lucia]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions

I think you've all hit the nail on the head - Twinkle can sense my sadness over the loss of Kaddie and perceives it as weakness. I need to step up and be her 'pack leader' once more. I will try some of the techniques suggested.

Thanks again xxx