Fighting without warning

[2Isebella]

my 2 year old female yorkie starts fight with my daughters 3 yr old maltese/yorkie with now warning and no reason. I have used the scruffing and loud no command ~ it is not working? How can I train her to stop this fighting

[megansmomma]

Your need to prevent the fighting from occurring in the first place. Female fight for a different reason then males. The issue will continue to escalate between the females since the goal is elimination of the other female. I would not leave them home alone uncrated ever! You could come home to a disaster. There have been other member here that had to rehome a female because of this type of behavior as is escalated to the point of endangering the lives of the 2 females. You cannot shake a can or make a noise to stop the fight. They need to be seperated but better to work on prevention instead. There has to be clues and signals that you are missing prior to the fight~a glare, growl, shove they are not just going at it out of nowhere. Do you and your sister live together? Are the 2 spayed? If you live in different homes are the fights occurring at a your home or your sisters?

[megansmomma]

I just reread your post and referred to your daughter as your sister. I'm sorry but the question wold still apply. Does your daughter live at home or is she coming to visit with her Yorkie/Maltese?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

Your need to prevent the fighting from occurring in the first place. Female fight for a different reason then males. The issue will continue to escalate between the females since the goal is elimination of the other female. I would not leave them home alone uncrated ever! You could come home to a disaster. There have been other member here that had to rehome a female because of this type of behavior as is escalated to the point of endangering the lives of the 2 females. You cannot shake a can or make a noise to stop the fight. They need to be seperated but better to work on prevention instead. There has to be clues and signals that you are missing prior to the fight~a glare, growl, shove they are not just going at it out of nowhere. Do you and your sister live together? Are the 2 spayed? If you live in different homes are the fights occurring at a your home or your sisters?

Good advise and questions. Also I am wondering if and how much socialization these dogs have with other dogs? Is it just between the two of them, or is it with other dogs as well?
Dog to dog aggression can be very, very difficult to correct.

[concretegurl]

This sounds rude but that's not how it's meant-there's probably signs you are missing-but they are dog signs often not those people would expect.

You received really good advice from megansmom you should follow that...out of curiosity and I've seen this before during a change over of females from the older one to the younger one becoming top dog...are they fixed, how long have they been together, what age are they? Seems like another post about females bucking for dominance...if so it requires a special method of training as opposed to just antisocial behavior...especially if they have been together for years.

[kjcmsw]

My one Yorkie went through a brief stage and wanted nothing to do with our other Yorkie and would attack her if she came on the same floor as her (formerly the best of buddies). I got a small muzzle and every time she started to get nasty on went the muzzle and we all went about our business, leaving her sitting there amazed we would do such a thing! She was smart enough to learn very quickly that when she gets nasty on goes the muzzle. That was 2 months ago and the problem was corrected after two days of "muzzling" (we would only muzzle for a few minutes at each negative encounter) Now they are back to playing and loving each other. It corrected her getting nasty/overly protective with some people also.

I had tried the spraying with vinegar and water, the positive treat reward, just about everything, then I decided as a last resort effort to get the muzzle (a size "2"?/cloth/Petsmart) - best thing I ever did. I think it worked because once her power was removed and she learned we do in fact have that power over her she figured she better go with the expected flow. She started to get nasty the other day when a new person came over and I held up the muzzle and said do you want the muzzle? and she quickly got nice, so she remembered. Anyway, it's worth a try for you.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

My one Yorkie went through a brief stage and wanted nothing to do with our other Yorkie and would attack her if she came on the same floor as her (formerly the best of buddies). I got a small muzzle and every time she started to get nasty on went the muzzle and we all went about our business, leaving her sitting there amazed we would do such a thing! She was smart enough to learn very quickly that when she gets nasty on goes the muzzle. That was 2 months ago and the problem was corrected after two days of "muzzling" (we would only muzzle for a few minutes at each negative encounter) Now they are back to playing and loving each other. It corrected her getting nasty/overly protective with some people also.

.

I'd never use vinegar as it burns in the eyes..then again I don't like spray dogs with water I think it leads to fear responses and all to often aggression.

I think the rest of this post really demonstrates great judgment and the proper function of a muzzle-a last resort safety issue used tool that is used minimally and safely, only when appropriate.

If you did this (to the OP) you should use a soft muzzle that can allow for drinking while wearing and if both are aggressive both need to be muzzled...I'd bring in a behaviorist if the situation is two that have been together awhile...if not a trainer should be fine...I added another two cents to the 10 cents I already threw in...

[kjcmsw]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

I'd never use vinegar as it burns in the eyes..then again I don't like spray dogs with water I think it leads to fear responses and all to often aggression.

I think the rest of this post really demonstrates great judgment and the proper function of a muzzle-a last resort safety issue used tool that is used minimally and safely, only when appropriate.

If you did this (to the OP) you should use a soft muzzle that can allow for drinking while wearing and if both are aggressive both need to be muzzled...I'd bring in a behaviorist if the situation is two that have been together awhile...if not a trainer should be fine...I added another two cents to the 10 cents I already threw in...

I probably should have added it was a tablespoon of vinegar to a quart of water then added to a qt size spray bottle.Recommended by the vet (for the smell of vinegar as a turn off to the dog) And of course I never sprayed it directly into her eyes, though out of concern of over spray I tried it on myself (concerned over that issue to). That small amount doesn't sting eyes, just gives them an unpleasant odor association. Yes, soft, cloth/mesh muzzle from Petsmart. Long story but before we ever used the muzzle to contain her, we tried it on and off of her several times, telling her it was a "pretty muzzle" --- to which when it was on she pranced around acting she was "all that" --- she didn't discover it was keeping her under control until we introduced the two again with it on her.

[salazark]

Originally Posted by 2Isebella

my 2 year old female yorkie starts fight with my daughters 3 yr old maltese/yorkie with now warning and no reason. I have used the scruffing and loud no command ~ it is not working? How can I train her to stop this fighting

I'm glad you decided to post this on the main forum. I hope some of this advise helps!

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

My one Yorkie went through a brief stage and wanted nothing to do with our other Yorkie and would attack her if she came on the same floor as her (formerly the best of buddies). I got a small muzzle and every time she started to get nasty on went the muzzle and we all went about our business, leaving her sitting there amazed we would do such a thing! She was smart enough to learn very quickly that when she gets nasty on goes the muzzle. That was 2 months ago and the problem was corrected after two days of "muzzling" (we would only muzzle for a few minutes at each negative encounter) Now they are back to playing and loving each other. It corrected her getting nasty/overly protective with some people also.

I had tried the spraying with vinegar and water, the positive treat reward, just about everything, then I decided as a last resort effort to get the muzzle (a size "2"?/cloth/Petsmart) - best thing I ever did. I think it worked because once her power was removed and she learned we do in fact have that power over her she figured she better go with the expected flow. She started to get nasty the other day when a new person came over and I held up the muzzle and said do you want the muzzle? and she quickly got nice, so she remembered. Anyway, it's worth a try for you.

Just when I was looking for answers as to why my dog (after 3 years) started exhibiting the alpha role to four other dogs, who are older, and how to correct this behavior before it escalates into a major problem, I started reading this thread and I like the idea of the muzzle. Nothing else I can see would work because she's too quick, and I can't isolate her because it wouldn't solve her dominate behavior anyway. I am going to buy the little soft muzzle now. Thank you.

[2Isebella]

These two have been together since Bella was 8 wks old. They normally play and snuggle. There are just random fighting acts. We have noticed that Bella will stare or lower her ears ~ then attack. So we have been covering her with a blanket, telling her No Naughty and then immediately leashing. Bella and my daughters dog are both spayed and have the same mother. It is hard to see her like this since she is normally so happy and snuggly. We will continue to work with her. The other dog goes to daycare every day with my Daughter (she works at a dog resort). Bella has gone to daycare and does well but has severe seperation anxiety. She also loves trips to the pet store and enjoys the other dogs there.
Thank you all for the tips ~