I've had yorkies for over 25 years and growling is not a "common" behaviour. If she is growling at you you need to correct her behaviour, tell her No.
You say she cowers when you try to pick her up, to me it sounds as if somewhere in her background she has been dropped and is therefore uncomfortable with being picked up. Just continue to pick her up so she gets used to it, if she growls tell her NO.
Some yorkies like to "talk", they can be very vocal. I had one who everyone thought was growling at them but it was just her way of communicating. However the fact that your dog cowers as well as growls leads me to believe this is not communication but fear of some sort.
Female yorkies tend to be more independent than males so she may take some time to warm up to you. She will eventually come to trust you. It just takes time and patience. |