I need to find a new home for my 2 yr old Female Yorkie

[ashley_]

Hi, I originally posted in the "For Sale" forum, but it was suggested I move to this forum which I hadn't seen originally.

I am new to the forum and found it while trying to find a way to find a good home for my yorkie. I love her very much, but she has become very aggressive towards my other much smaller yorkie and it is not safe for her.

Her name is Joli (which more or less means sleepy in Korean because the first few days I had her she slept a lot and my boyfriend is Korean and I wanted to give her a Korean based name). She is 2.5 years old born Sept 2, 2009 and weighs around 8.5lbs. She is lighter than most yorkies, but recently has started looking like her hair is growing in darker. We live in Houston, TX. She is [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green ! important]litter [COLOR=green ! important]box[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] trained though she likes to go outside, so I think she would be able to learn to go outside pretty easily. I did not socialize her with enough people when she was younger so she is skeptical of people with darker skin, but has been getting better about this. I think she would do best in a home with no other [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]pets[/COLOR][/COLOR] and no young children.
She can be very, very sweet, but sometimes she will completely snap for seemingly no reason towards my 3lb yorkie. And if it was just a snip I could see it getting better, but it is vicious attacks. I have tried many things to make this better including finally getting her spayed, but nothing seems to be helping. It is really hard when it doesn't seem to be for a reason (never about toys or food or when one is getting attention).

I know a trainer would be good, but I am currently a [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]graduate[/COLOR][/COLOR] student and though I work from home a lot so they get lots of my attention I do not have the funds to pay for the training she really needs.

I really hate to lose her, but cannot risk the health of my smaller yorkie any longer. I was going to send her to live with my dad who lives in NC, but he has an older cat that is very afraid of dogs and am afraid she will treat him the same way.

I would definitely want to meet with anyone interested to make sure she feels comfortable with you and you are prepared to take care of her and train her as she needs. So I would definitely prefer to [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]find [COLOR=green !important]someone[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] in Houston or within a couple of hours drive.

I am asking $200 in order to make sure you are serious about taking care of my baby. I can also include supplies for her.

This is not a decision I am taking lightly and really hope I can find a loving home for my Joli.

I can give more details about her if needed. She is a very sweet dog about 95% of the time. :/

[Jacksmom052709]

Good luck in finding your baby a new home.

[jilwilliams]

Hi Ashley, I recently got another yorkie under VERY similar circumstances and I wanted to touch base with you to see if you were interested in what I have done with my newest yorkie - I am not interested in another yorkie but thought I could share Miley's progress and what I have tried with her - all worked with good results -

It actually sounds like Miley was much much worse than your dog - she was [slightly] uncontrollable when I first got her - sweet one minute then a maniac another -

It is after midnight and I am absolutely exhausted and I have a full day ahead of me and I haven't even started on a list for you - I won't be able to check back until Sunday to see if you have replied but let me know -

Molly, Chloe, and Miley's Mommy

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by jilwilliams

Hi Ashley, I recently got another yorkie under VERY similar circumstances and I wanted to touch base with you to see if you were interested in what I have done with my newest yorkie - I am not interested in another yorkie but thought I could share Miley's progress and what I have tried with her - all worked with good results -

It actually sounds like Miley was much much worse than your dog - she was [slightly] uncontrollable when I first got her - sweet one minute then a maniac another -

It is after midnight and I am absolutely exhausted and I have a full day ahead of me and I haven't even started on a list for you - I won't be able to check back until Sunday to see if you have replied but let me know -

Molly, Chloe, and Miley's Mommy

Welcome to YT ! It is very kind of you to offer your help. If the OP does not come back, I think posting what worked for you would still be good as others have had or will possibly have your same experience with dogs not getting along. Lot's of people come here to find help but never join or post, but they could still benefit from your experience, so Please feel free to post what worked for you.

[ashley_]

Originally Posted by jilwilliams

Hi Ashley, I recently got another yorkie under VERY similar circumstances and I wanted to touch base with you to see if you were interested in what I have done with my newest yorkie - I am not interested in another yorkie but thought I could share Miley's progress and what I have tried with her - all worked with good results -

It actually sounds like Miley was much much worse than your dog - she was [slightly] uncontrollable when I first got her - sweet one minute then a maniac another -

It is after midnight and I am absolutely exhausted and I have a full day ahead of me and I haven't even started on a list for you - I won't be able to check back until Sunday to see if you have replied but let me know -

Molly, Chloe, and Miley's Mommy

Hi, I am glad to know I do not have the only aggressive Yorkie, though I am not glad that other Yorkies are aggressive just that I don't have the only one (if that makes since)

I would love to hear what you have done. I have tried so many things and nothing has help. I am currently in contact with someone at Yorkie Haven Rescue, but since she is so Female aggressive they aren't sure they can find someone to take her either.

Any help you or anyone else can give would be great.

[jrsygal37]

Hi Ashley. Let me first ask you, are you girls spayed? Second, which one did you have first the bigger girl or you smaller one? I have eight. Yes eight. LOL. Our newest was a rescue with a lot of baggage. When we first brought her into our home she would just snap, and attack (mostly my two bigger Yorkies) She also had guarding issues and sharing issues with toys. We have had her now about two and a half months and it has improved considerably. The key is to correct it immediatly and to use positive reinforcement. Gianna also was not spayed when she first arrived, which tends to make them more territorial with other females. I think in a lot of instances, the fighting mainly occures with females that are not spayed and occures more during the heat cycle. Elaine

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I have two females and we have moments but now most of the time they get along great. It wasn't that way from the start. One of the biggest things that I feel helped was getting Mikki spayed. When she wasn't, she was more aggressive. jrsygal37 gave some excellent advice on this.

Rosie was my first so I would do everything for her first. Then Mikki. When Mikki was aggressive toward Rosie if we were holding her we put her down with a firm no ma am. When it was on the floor, she had a little time out. (Great advice from others here helped me to deal with this).

The other thing that I think helped was when Rosie finally showed her who was dominate. Seemed like Mikki quit trying to take over at that point. One day Rosie pinned her down and said "Look I am the boss missy!"

Occasionally, Mikki will pull what we call cheap shots. We are being consistent with time outs and putting her down. She doesn't like being separated from the attention so she has calmed down a lot. I hope all this makes sense.

How long have you had each of them? When I first got Mikki I thought I had made a huge mistake. However, with a little work, it has all smoothed out. Was Joli there first or the smaller yorkie? All of these things are very important to know in order to give more advice. I will be glad to share any of our experiences. I went to numerous members here when I was struggling through the two female thing. Please PM me if I can help.

[ashley_]

Thanks for all the advice, but I have tried a lot if not all of it and nothing seems to be helping.

I got Joli first and she is older. Somi is almost 1 and I have had her since September. Joli got spayed about a month ago, but it hasn't helped. I know it takes time to get all the hormones out of her system, but things are getting worse.

She was never super friendly with other dogs, but when we were at my mom's house with her dog [or they were at mine] after a day or so they would start getting along well and seemed to enjoy each others company. So I wanted to get her a friend so she wouldn't be as lonely during the day and was hoping to help with her other dog issues. And I read tons of things about how to introduce them and try to not make Joli jealous. I let Joli "find" Somi from in the closet and spent extra time with Joli and made sure to do things with Joli first [treats first, brushing and hair first, leash first, etc.] And she was actually fairly okay at first, but started snapping and the snapping went to pinned down jaw locked attacking. When I would try to snatch Joli up to get her away [after saying no, stop didin't work] Somi would end up being still in her mouth or get thrown from her mouth. Since I learn to not pick Joli up when it happens. I have also gotten her a muzzle to keep Somi from being hurt, but she will still try to attack her which is just as scary [but not as painful] for Somi.

I have tried all positive types of training and reinforcements I have read about, seen, heard of, or can think of. I have taken her on long walks to make her tired, but then she gets tired and grouchy and snaps easier. I try doing tricks with her to have one on one time and make sure I brush just her and do her hair without the other one. Any time she plays nice with Somi I brag on her and sometimes when she is being very nice she gets treats. I have tried lots of other little things too.

And actually they play okay with each other and Joli will share toys with her and will let her win tug of war and take the toys. Joli will usually either chase her and take it back [and then it will repeat] or find another toy. She also rarely has issues with sharing food though they quickly got into a habit of Joli eating and then Somi eating though Joli never snapped or growled so I'm not sure how the became a think. Joli also likes to pick up a mouth full of food and carry it off set it down and eat one at a time. When she does this Somi will sometimes sneak in and steal pieces [and though she is small and a little sneaking, she isn't THAT sneaky] and Joli has never gotten mad about this.

The attacks usually happen for no real reason I can figure out. Sometimes it seems it is because I am not paying attention to either one of them, if I am on the phone, working on something, or sleeping. But it is very unpredictable, which has made trying to fix it so much harder. I can't work with her getting better if I don't know when she is going to be bad. The only predictable aggression is around bath time. Joli LOVES bath time and every time I take a shower she will look at me like, is it my turn and if I say no she will turn away sad and if I say yes she will sprint and jump in the bath tub and look super excited. But Joli does not love anyone else getting a bath. She gets jealous when Somi gets a bath, so I am always very careful and try to give Joli lots of love and attention before and after, but it doesn't always help and Somi is in danger until the bath smells wear off.

I also want everybody to know [if you can't tell by my over explinations of everything] this is not a decision I am making rashly or lightly. This has been going on for months and months and I have gotten Joli spayed to help and tried everything and anything I can think of. I have also thought of getting rid of Somi instead since she is very well behaved and would be able to find a home easier, but my roommate has 2 cats that Joli doesn't really get along with very well either. So the stress situation wouldn't go down much except it would be more of my roommates stress instead of mine. She doesn't hurt the cats as much, she just thinks she is a sheep dog and needs to aggressively herd them into her room. I also think that Joli needs someone that can train her properly and hopefully someone that has a yard or the ability to let her run around more. She likes to play outside, but she doesn't like being at the dog park and since I live in an apartment it is very difficult to let her run. She is also a big jumper and I think it would be awesome if she could find someone that could teach her all the agility tricks. I would love to teach her, but I don't have the means, ability or space to do it.

I love her so much and I am sorry my post is long and possibly scatterbrained. I just want everyone to know that I love both of my dogs very much and this has been very hard on all of us. I just want what is best for all three [and five if you include my roommate and her two cats] of us and I really believe that Joli finding a home with either no other dogs or maybe male dogs [and probably even better male larger dogs]. But it is really hard to find someone with enough love for dogs to take Joli, but not already have a dog.

Thank you for all your help, but I am not sure any of us can take the stress much longer. It isn't healthy for any of us, Somi stays terrified and will sometimes shake horribly, I am often too stressed to sleep even when one or both of them are crated, and Joli's adrenaline level can't be good for her on top of her having to where a muzzle or be in her "room" and when Somi is in her "room" and Joli is out Joli hates it more than her being locked up and it becomes worse.

I keep thinking of things I want to say and I am sorry this post has gotten so long, but please know I love my Joli so very much I just want what is best for her. I am doing my best to find her a good home and would never give her away to anyone I didn't feel would be good to her.

Again thanks to everyone who is helping me and reading this.

[AbbysMom08]

I'm sorry I can't help with this but I do hope someone here can so things get better and you can keep your furbaby.

[Jacksmom052709]

That would be wonderful if you could get the behavior corrected and not have to get rid of your little girl. Good luck!

[lynzy420]

You need to relax take a deep breath and start over. You need to contact your local S.P.C.A. and ask them for a referral to a behavioralist. There are many in your area. I really think some intervention by a professional will help you and everyone involved. Please don't give up. Here is a link to some others in your area, start making calls, be proactive and believe that you can solve this. Sounds like your at your wits end and your own self esteem is low at this point, and I don't blame you one bit.

If worse comes to worse ask your vet or a local Yorkie rescue to help you rehome your girl - if you don't find a new home here.

I think you love your pups and I think you would be better off trying every last thing to make this work, you are very torn and I think a little positive energy will go a long way for you..but again, if you must rehome please do it carefully.

Good luck and don't give up.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+in+houston+tx

[ladyjane]

The best behaviorist in this area is Lori Haug.

Texas Veterinary Behavior Services

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

You need to relax take a deep breath and start over. You need to contact your local S.P.C.A. and ask them for a referral to a behavioralist. There are many in your area. I really think some intervention by a professional will help you and everyone involved. Please don't give up. Here is a link to some others in your area, start making calls, be proactive and believe that you can solve this. Sounds like your at your wits end and your own self esteem is low at this point, and I don't blame you one bit.

If worse comes to worse ask your vet or a local Yorkie rescue to help you rehome your girl - if you don't find a new home here.

I think you love your pups and I think you would be better off trying every last thing to make this work, you are very torn and I think a little positive energy will go a long way for you..but again, if you must rehome please do it carefully.

Good luck and don't give up.

dog behavioralist in houston tx - Google Search

All of the yorkie rescues in this area are currently full. The problem comes when there is a pup with a behavior problem like this....not a lot of foster homes can deal with these issues. I could, but I simply cannot take another one in at this time.

We are trying to help her, but this is not a simple case. The OP is aware of this. The best we are hoping for is that someone might apply for one of our pups and want it to be an only pup...then we could do something. But that does not happen overnight.

[ashley_]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

All of the yorkie rescues in this area are currently full. The problem comes when there is a pup with a behavior problem like this....not a lot of foster homes can deal with these issues. I could, but I simply cannot take another one in at this time.

We are trying to help her, but this is not a simple case. The OP is aware of this. The best we are hoping for is that someone might apply for one of our pups and want it to be an only pup...then we could do something. But that does not happen overnight.

Yes, I am aware and I am very grateful for your help.

I would love to get a trainer or behaviorist for my Joli, but I really do not have the money to get her the help she needs. That is one of the reasons I want to find her another home, one that can pay for her to go to a behaviorist or knows how to help her better than I do.

She can be very sweet like now she is laying on my legs curled up and sweet. I just want everyone to be happy.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by ashley_

Yes, I am aware and I am very grateful for your help.

I would love to get a trainer or behaviorist for my Joli, but I really do not have the money to get her the help she needs. That is one of the reasons I want to find her another home, one that can pay for her to go to a behaviorist or knows how to help her better than I do.

She can be very sweet like now she is laying on my legs curled up and sweet. I just want everyone to be happy.

Hang in there....there is always a solution. Sometimes it just takes time.