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05-07-2009, 02:04 PM | #1 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 20
| Aggression - Disturbingly New Behavior Hi Everyone. I have a problem with Starr (she'll be a year old in July) that really concerns me. She's exhibiting some signs of seriously aggressive behavior. I have a 3 year old granddaughter and a 6 month old granddaughter and I can't be worrying about Starr deciding she's not going to "share" me with them. A month or so ago, I was sitting on the couch, Starr was on her usual perch on the back of the couch, and my 9 year old Sheltie, Libby, was on the floor. Libby walked over and nudged my hand so I would pet her, which of course, I did, and Starr came flying off the back of the couch and snapped at Libby. It startled me and I popped her on the nose, told her "no," and set her on the floor. I DIDN'T POP HER HARD, just enough to get her away from Libby. She didn't squeal or anything. Then I wouldn't let her on the couch the rest of the evening. Yesterday, we were all outside and I was talking to the neighbors next door who have a Yorkie that's about 6 months old. David was telling me that he and Starr had become great friends and that he reaches over the fence, pets her, and sometimes lifts her over into his yard to play with Layla. While I was out there, Kathy started to bring Layla to the fence, and Starr turned into a demon. She started running up and down the fence line, barking a really ugly, nasty bark. I couldn't get her to stop. Kathy had to pick up her pup and walk away. I was horrified. I just took Starr and Libby inside. I'm going to ask the vet what to do about her behavior, but she's not due for another appointment for awhile. In the meantime, I don't want her hurting one of my grandbabies because she doesn't want them to come around me. What do I do? My Sheltie is so laid back, I've never dealt with this kind of aggression in a dog. I'm at a loss. |
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05-07-2009, 02:59 PM | #2 |
Thor's Human Donating Member | Are Layla and Libby both dogs? It's not uncommon for one female dog to decide that she should be the only dog in the house. Has Starr been altered? On the bright side, a dog may be aggressive towards other dogs without being at all aggressive towards people. So this doesn't necessarily indicate a danger to any kidlets. I've seen a lot of different strategies for this, including rehoming, so I am not completely sure what to suggest. One comment I have is that you can try "Nothing In Life Is Free". When you say that a dog nudged your hand and you stroked them, some people say that the dog reads this as giving you a command, which you obeyed, thus indicating their dominance. Is it possible your dogs do not see you as the alpha? I do believe in giving resources, including affection, on your own terms. If your dog wants food, fun, attention, make him perform a command first, even if it's just a Sit. My dog is not big enough to get on the couch by himself, so if he "asks" me to lift him up, he has to Sit first.
__________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger. |
05-07-2009, 03:02 PM | #3 |
♥ Snuggle Bunny ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ
Posts: 823
| Someone else on here has an aggression problem too! I think Starr is very jealous of anyone who get your attention. I nevevr had this problem but maybe a dog behaviorist can help? Here is the thread to the other personw ho ois having the same problem. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ml#post2613163
__________________ Mimi bunny |
05-07-2009, 03:09 PM | #4 | |
♥ Snuggle Bunny ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ
Posts: 823
| Quote:
very nice.. obeying you and letting him know your alpha. I am going to try commanding first and then giving in return. =D
__________________ Mimi bunny | |
05-07-2009, 03:45 PM | #5 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 20
| Not going to "rehome" her! This is brand new behavior for her so I'm looking to nip it in the bud, not get rid of her. Libby is my 9 year old Sheltie, Layla is the little Yorkie next door. This evening I called Libby over to me and started to pet her. Starr came running over and step between us, so I told her to get back and pushed her away. She stepped back, stood there while I petted Libby, then I reached out and started petting her. She's incredibly smart, but she's also tried to be the Alpha from Day One. At the first vet's appointment when he gave her the first shots, she pottied on his table. He said, "Oh my, you've got an Alpha here." He made her angry, so she peed on his table. I think I'll make an appointment with her vet to get some tips right now before it gets any worse. |
05-07-2009, 03:52 PM | #6 |
Thor's Human Donating Member | I didn't mean to suggest that you MUST re-home her. I'm sure that you love her and that would be a last resort. It's just that I've seen opposing strategies on this subject. Some people say that you should accommodate the more dominant dog, some say that you should NOT accommodate her, etc. Some problems have simple solutions, whereas this may not, that's all. Spaying your dogs would probably help if they are not already.
__________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger. |
05-07-2009, 07:35 PM | #7 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NY
Posts: 139
| Your dog is resource guarding and you are resource she is guarding. This is fixable. You must train her that all resources belong to you. One way is the NILIF method. Another thing you can do is show her that when you pet other dogs that good things happen. So pet the other dog and throw treats on the ground for her. This will create positive association with you giving another dog affection. You do not need to rehome her. |
05-07-2009, 09:53 PM | #8 |
Thor's Human Donating Member | I'm not sure her behavior indicates resource guarding, since that would typically extend to people as well as dogs. Also, when dogs guard people, they often show aggression towards the object of their affection. Female on female aggression is often jealousy and/or bullying. That being said, NILF and positive association are both good suggestions.
__________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger. |
05-08-2009, 04:14 AM | #9 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami, FL,USA
Posts: 1,005
| Yes ... this is aggression pure and simple and unfortunately You seem to be the object of her jealousy She seems to view you as a possion and something she needs to guard What you need to do is two fold First you need to relieve her of her duties You need to show her that when other dogs or people are around you good things happen to her at the same time when she DOES exhibit bad behavior you have to amke sure that youre not reinforcing it Exercises for you to do Have her be on the couch with you Invite your other dog over If she attacks ...... NO! and immediately she is put down on the floor Continue petting the other dog when she acquieces say GOOD GIRL! and Treat her Do the samething with your grandchildren but only after she is good with the other dog
__________________ Mike and Zach's Dadd |
05-08-2009, 07:40 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cardington, OH
Posts: 10
| Aggressive females I to am having a problem w/ my females fighting each other. I breed my girls and spaying is not a option. I don't want to just seperate them as they all live in my home w/ me and want to always be in the same room w/ me. They have never shown aggression to people, only each other. I am unsure if I am doing the right thing to stop it. I have been crating up the little girl who is the worst for a few minutes and then allowing her back out. She doesn't seem to act too bad until I pick the object of her aggression for some reason and then the fight is on. I yell a sharp NO, and she has stopped then, until the next time. Any suggestions will be appreciated. PS I have 3 girls in heat right now so maybe when that is thru it will get better.LOL |
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