You just brought back funny memories of my second yorkie Trixie 20 years ago. My first (Roxy) was so good - and lazy so she never would try and escape. A year later I decided to get Trixie as a companion because Roxy was so sweet. I though two would be so easy! Of course Trixie was the devil child slipping through the wood baby gate, then chewing through the small slat new plastic baby gate. I ended up using a big piece of wood behind the baby gate. Trixie was so difficult - hyper, picky, attention seeking and at her worst became aggressive (awful fights) to Roxy who wouldn't even defend herself. We tried training, separation, spaying - and finally my blessed Vet called her professor from Cornell who said they were having some success with a new drug on the market...PROZAC! (this was 20 yrs ago and not approved for dogs at that point) I was ready to try anything. Prozac was about $150 a script back then and 4 weeks later the bottle was almost empty (liquid) and I was discouraged because nothing had changed. I decided I would go another week, wean her off and wasn't going to refill. Suddenly 3 or 4 days bam. The growling stopped, she stopped trying to attack...and it worked! I guess it took a good month to kick in. We lived peacefully from then on.
Roxy had her own share of health issues from seizures as well. Both were on these heavy meds for about 2 years and were also on prescription food. I had read Billingsworth book on raw diets and decided to try that to see if I could up their nutrition. We did this another year and never another seizure and Trixie was so even. With the ok from m Vet, I decided to wean them both off these meds and see where they were at. Neither needed the meds any longer so I dont know if the Prozac got her out of that mindset or she was acting out because of poor nutrition but I really think the Hills Prescription diet played a part. Long story short is first off
I know your little twirp is a troublemaker at 4 months but for me the trouble makers make the best dogs. Maybe it was because of all the extra attention I had to give Trixie but I also think they have the most personality - our bond was the strongest I ever had with a dog and I cry about losing her from Cushing's to this day. One day you will laugh at her antics as a pup.
My second point is if anyone is having behavioral issues - start with a diet change. I think it is everything and I am a strong believer in raw but if you are not - even do your research on another non raw quality food. Even if you think your current food is quality - I would change it up anyway. These days I use a commercial frozen raw (stella and chewies but there are many) and both girls knock wood are in good shape and much healthier then my others who did not start raw until everything else was falling apart. |