Hi folks - hoping you can help us - getting desparate! I joined here about 18 months ago and you guys were helpful then - so here's helping.
History
We got Ellie our Yorkie about 18 months ago, and had some problems, especially with her constantly weeing in the house - detailed here
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22503 - thanks for your help.
Since then, all's been really good, and she's been a good dog - a bit snappy at odd times, mainly around food, though she has snapped at my little girl who's had food in her hands - we've controlled this by not having her around when food's about.
So all was well --- or is it....?
Just before New Year my partner thought it would be nice to get Ellie a little friend, so she perseded me to get a s**tzu (sp?) - Harvey. Initial predictable problems, but they have been getting on really great -play loads and love each other. Ellie is clearly top dog, and snaps at Harvey (sometimes a little overly-vicious) each time he gets too carried away.
Harvey has his problems - he barks too much, esp when on his own and still wees inside - but we're working on this (though advice would be appreciated).
The problem
But the main problem is about 3 weeks ago Ellie seemed to be slightly liming on her rear left leg, only slight, and she uses it at times - but definitely an issue. She's been to the vets about this inc Xrays and they have found nothing - they say it culd be a tendon or ligament strain.
Plus around this time it appears she may have been having a phantom pregnancy. She's become very territorial in her main bed and her bed in the lounge; she's alwys been a little territorial about this, but really only towards Harvey, but she's been very growly including lunging at the kids and my partner - she's snapped and basically gone for us all. She has been put back in her crate (vets advised because of the leg to rest) - and lunges at the bars if the kids just walk by. She has also gone for my lad when Ellie was sitting under my partner and he went to see his Mum.
She has also been hoarding her toys alsmost fanatically - we were advised to take these away and have done.
She has gone for me twice too (and I am very authoritive and would be seen as 'top dog'). One time she was in her lounge bed, next to my sitting, and she wagged and put her hed in such a way that she wants a stroke, I put my hand to stroke it and she bit me (didn't hurt, but would have kids).
Note Ellie out of her bed and pottering around is still the same old very loving and gorgous Ellie. 2 mins later back in her bed she's horrible and vicious and would go for the juggular of the kids. 2 mins later again, out of the bed she'd be loving.
Under advice form the vet, last week she was spade so I guess is still sore from the op. Advised crate rest, esp in view of the leg too.
Her aggression is rife and my partner is walking around like a nervous wreck, having to keep the kids away from her - not worth the risk.
She is also going for Harvey more viciously - so we're keeping them apart on the whole.
Now more info
We got both pups from the same breeder. Since gettin Harvey we have found out the place is a puppy farm (informed by the RSPCA) who have about 70 breeding dogs, kept in not the best conditions. They hve had their license taken away before but have re-opened because they re-registered in their son's name.
Harvey stunk when we got him - he was filthy and they tried to mask the smell with CK body spray (recognised) - we really only got him because we felt sorry for him - it was the conditions (and the fact that he was sick, had diarrohoa and underweight - told by vet that he didn't seem to have been well kept) that promted us to ask the RSPCA.
We don't regret getting them from this 'breeder' but, the intelligent thing would not to have. You know!
The papers are not Kennel Club, but there is the family history. We've been informed it's not unlikely that there may have been some inbreeding. Could this have affected her aggression and/or the leg?
Help!
Any advice on the aggression, and less so on the leg? I can't see the leg is causing her this much pain - as she still jumps about. I know it can take a few weeks post neutering before hormone levels stabalise - if it's likely this is the case then great - we'll stick it out.
Barking, pooing, weeing in dogs you can deal with, but aggression and biting kids is unacceptable. If we can't sort this then she'll have to go - but who'll want an unpredictable dog?
Help - sorry for the long post, hope I've covered anything and many thanks to all who have taken the time to read...