YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post

dottiesyrky · 09-21-2011, 07:15 AM

How sorry I am that your dogs are having this problem, and very scary and concerning for you too. Does Sadie only go for Bentley or had she ever attacked people??
My little man started being aggressive in certain situations (mainly getting in his space, shoes and feet when they get close, and when he is resting or sleeping) after we moved and also he had eye issues. (A lot of upheaval and trauma for a little dog) We had him vet checked as we thought he may have a serious issue, but nothing turned up. He is a lot better now and we try to avoid the bad trigger situations. It appears to stem from fear and lack of confidence. We did try a trainer, but that did not help much and tended to make him more aggressive once she left. She used the treat method and he liked that and he would only then react well with us for treats.
It seem though that in your case it is the alpha dog syndrome and usually dogs sort it out among themselves, but if they are really tearing each other apart that is not practical or safe. Putting him on a leash is a great idea so you control the dog and his actions before they get serious. If you are not around, separation seems the only safe thing to do. I put my dog on a leash for a while when he was at his worst and that did show him I was the alpha and he could not do whatever he wished. Perhaps you have to be the alpha on the house over BOTH dogs???
It is a complex issue, but I am sure you will figure it out and that you will be able to keep Sadie. I know I was desperate and thinking of rehoming, but had to deal with it as he needed eye surgery. But I found that time and observation and home training and establishing boundaries have made the aggression minor now and I can deal with it. Hopefully he will calm down with age. (He is 2.5 yrs)
Good Luck and let us know what works!

09-21-2011, 07:15 AM	#24
dottiesyrky Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA Posts: 2,505	Aggressive dog How sorry I am that your dogs are having this problem, and very scary and concerning for you too. Does Sadie only go for Bentley or had she ever attacked people?? My little man started being aggressive in certain situations (mainly getting in his space, shoes and feet when they get close, and when he is resting or sleeping) after we moved and also he had eye issues. (A lot of upheaval and trauma for a little dog) We had him vet checked as we thought he may have a serious issue, but nothing turned up. He is a lot better now and we try to avoid the bad trigger situations. It appears to stem from fear and lack of confidence. We did try a trainer, but that did not help much and tended to make him more aggressive once she left. She used the treat method and he liked that and he would only then react well with us for treats. It seem though that in your case it is the alpha dog syndrome and usually dogs sort it out among themselves, but if they are really tearing each other apart that is not practical or safe. Putting him on a leash is a great idea so you control the dog and his actions before they get serious. If you are not around, separation seems the only safe thing to do. I put my dog on a leash for a while when he was at his worst and that did show him I was the alpha and he could not do whatever he wished. Perhaps you have to be the alpha on the house over BOTH dogs??? It is a complex issue, but I am sure you will figure it out and that you will be able to keep Sadie. I know I was desperate and thinking of rehoming, but had to deal with it as he needed eye surgery. But I found that time and observation and home training and establishing boundaries have made the aggression minor now and I can deal with it. Hopefully he will calm down with age. (He is 2.5 yrs) Good Luck and let us know what works!