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Originally Posted by svt_geek  He is not neutered, but I doubt doing that now will help with the marking. However, that possibly could help with aggression, right?
Crating is never used as punishment, just for sleep and during times when we are not there.
His life is fairly structured due to us both working and having to be structured ourselves. He gets out of his crate first thing in the morning and gets to go outside to do his business. Then he gets to come back in and eat while we get ready for work. When we are both gone, he stays in the crate. As soon as we get back he gets to go outside again, most of the time with one or both of us, then he gets to come back in and eat, then play time/petting while we are watching tv, then he gets to go out again before he is crated again at night to sleep.
He loves to play fetch and both me and my wife play with him. I play with him as much as she does. We teach him tricks as well. Nothing I have tried has worked with this dog.
It's not only aggression towards us, it is toward the other dogs as well. I'm not sure that makes much of a difference in how to handle him, but he constantly attacks our lab puppy if he gets too much into his personal space. It seems like any time he doesn't get HIS way or something annoys him, he turns to aggressive behavior. |
Svt Geek, I missed your second post in this thread when I responded the first time. Yorkies are challenging dogs. Like you, I have never had to work so hard for any other dog I've owned.
Glad to hear that you already have structure, play time, and trick training, together time going -- you are interacting with the dog. That's good.
I would definitely discuss with your vet the possibility of having your Yorkie boy neutered. What sex are your other two dogs and are they altered or intact?
How long have you, your wife, and all 3 dogs been together in one house? Is this a new home for the Yorkie? Is this a new home or familiar territory for your other dogs? I think there must be a dynamic of territory and rivalry between dogs that is contributing to the Yorkie's aggression. Also, many people here with Yorkie/big dog combos say that the Yorkie ends up ruling the pack.
I strongly recommend not crating this Yorkie. A dog that wasn't trained in a crate as a pup doesn't really like being cooped up in one, even if the crate is on the larger side. My one boy would probably have a nervous breakdown if I tried to crate him.
Give him at least an xpen (or 2 hooked up together) or one room (somewhere he can't destroy or mark on your belongings). I agree with the above poster that this will help eliminate a lot of frustration that is probably feeding the aggression.
Regarding the aggression toward you when you get close to your wife -- check your library or look online for Cesar Milan's DVD "Toughest Cases." Cesar dealt with a aggressive chihuahua that was guarding his owner.
I would try to look for a pro trainer. Make some calls (look in Yellow Pages) and ask lots of questions before you hire. Some trainers offer guarantees and free return visits.