Aggression issues are starting to show! Help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 04:39 PM

I was just typing a thread about yorkie splash and shine after useing it on Chipper.. Great stuff!! well anyway. Chipper was sitting on the bed eating a bone and drying after his bath and my other dog Wriggley the Schnoodle came in the room and walked up to the bed like he was going to jump on and join us and Chipper jumped up and growled and barked at him and was very nasty.. Wriggley changed his mind and ran out of the room. Yesterday Chipper was lying in the bed with me while I was asleep and I awoke to Chipper snapping at Wriggley while they were both on the bed with me. It seemed like it came out of nowhere! I was asleep so I'm not sure y but it seemed like for no reason. Wriggley is 3 years old and is a very laid back dog. When we brought Chipper the yorkie home it was soon obvious that Chipper was more dominate at 12 weeks old. They play together and Chipper bites Wriggley playfully and Wriggley with let him do it and play back for a while but then goes and jumps on the couch to get away for a while. Chipper is a little more hyper than Wriggley and I think he wears him out. The Question is How can I stop Chipper from snapping at Wriggley. This has only happened 2 times but its twice in 2 days. I don't want this to become a habit !! what can I do to let Chipper know that this is unacceptable?

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 04:45 PM

I was just typing a thread about yorkie splash and shine after useing it on Chipper.. Great stuff!! well anyway. Chipper was sitting on the bed eating a bone and drying after his bath and my other dog Wriggley the Schnoodle came in the room and walked up to the bed like he was going to jump on and join us and Chipper jumped up and growled and barked at him and was very nasty.. Wriggley changed his mind and ran out of the room. Yesterday Chipper was lying in the bed with me while I was asleep and I awoke to Chipper snapping at Wriggley while they were both on the bed with me. It seemed like it came out of nowhere! I was asleep so I'm not sure y but it seemed like for no reason. Wriggley is 3 years old and is a very laid back dog. When we brought Chipper the yorkie home it was soon obvious that Chipper was more dominate at 12 weeks old. They play together and Chipper bites Wriggley playfully and Wriggley with let him do it and play back for a while but then goes and jumps on the couch to get away for a while. Chipper is a little more hyper than Wriggley and I think he wears him out. The Question is How can I stop Chipper from snapping at Wriggley. This has only happened 2 times but its twice in 2 days. I don't want this to become a habit !! what can I do to let Chipper know that this is unacceptable? I think he thought that Wriggley was going to take his bone. Which Wriggley has shown that he wants what Chipper has even though Wriggley don't even like bones he will take it from chipper and eat it just bc Chipper has it. same with toys. They will go back and forth taking toys from each other and wriggley will let chipper take his toy and play with it for a while and then go over and take it back. Wriggley could whoop up on Chipper if he wanted to but he doesn't. Thank goodness! He just lets Chipper bite at him or snap at him and just walks away. I don't want wriggley feeling like hes second best or that hes getting bossed around by this like whipper snapper hehe. any advice or tips.. I point my finger at Chipper and say NO but it doesnt seem like it phases him?

Ladymom · 10-08-2010, 05:04 PM

You got Chipper when he was only 9 weeks old, right? It's so important to keep Yorkie puppies with their moms and littermates until they are 12 weeks old. They miss many important lessons in socialization when they are taken from their mothers too young. I'm sure that has a lot to do with Chipper's aggression towards Wrigley.

Aggressive 14 week old puppies are ticking time bombs. I would start with the Nothing in Life is Free program immediately. He is already resource guarding (bed, bone).

Nothing in Life is Free

Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States

Wrigley has been neutered, right? Be sure to get Chipper neutered as soon as the vet says it is safe as his behavior will get much worse as he approaches puberty.

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 05:14 PM

yes I got Chipper at nine weeks old. I had always heard that you can get a pup at 8 weeks and never knew different until I found this site after I already got Chipper. Now I have learned the importance of having the little stay with the mates and mother longer. Wriggley isn't neutered. I got him for my boyfriend and I wanted to get him neutered but he won't do it. Chipper is going to get his appt set on the 20th when he gets his rapies shot. now whats weird is that my boyfreind just came in the room and laid down on the bed while chipper was eating his bone and wriggley jumped on the bed with him and chipper and chipper just wanted to play. he didn't snap or anything.. Then wriggley took his bone and he could have cared less? My bf said that hes never seen chipper snap at wriggs. Do you think its me? am I doing something wrong?

Ringo1 · 10-08-2010, 05:25 PM

I think that your dogs might have not as much 'invested' in your bf as they do in you. Therefore, less fighting and jealousy when they are playing with him instead of you.

I love the NILF program and think you should try it as well. It's just a gentle, polite, everyday reminder of who is in charge. (That's you!).

Of course, you might see less aggression if you neutered the older dog; but if that's not under your control . . . . could be hard to make that happen. Ask your BF if he knew that he was never, ever going to have the chance to have sex - would he rather be frustrated forever? Or have the surgery and be happy with other things.

ANYWAY, I got off track. Sounds like Chipper is not wanting to share you with the other dog; especially when Chipper is all comfy and snuggling on your bed. You may have to limit the time he spends on your bed until he gets the message that he does not OWN you or your bed.

Good Luck!

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 05:30 PM

I am deff going to try the NILF programs I am reading what you sent me and it makes so much since. And I love the way you explained y we should get them neutered so my bf would understand. I never thought of it that way and I doubt he has either. It may make him think differently. and I do think spending less time on the bed with chipper might help to. It makes sence! Thank you soo much !!! you are very helpful !! I will keep you posted !!!

Ladymom · 10-08-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimem2003

yes I got Chipper at nine weeks old. I had always heard that you can get a pup at 8 weeks and never knew different until I found this site after I already got Chipper. Now I have learned the importance of having the little stay with the mates and mother longer. Wriggley isn't neutered. I got him for my boyfriend and I wanted to get him neutered but he won't do it. Chipper is going to get his appt set on the 20th when he gets his rapies shot. now whats weird is that my boyfreind just came in the room and laid down on the bed while chipper was eating his bone and wriggley jumped on the bed with him and chipper and chipper just wanted to play. he didn't snap or anything.. Then wriggley took his bone and he could have cared less? My bf said that hes never seen chipper snap at wriggs. Do you think its me? am I doing something wrong?

Chipper probably sees your boyfriend as his pack leader so he behaves better when he is around him. It is also possible that Chipper is resource guarding you, too.

You really need to get a handle on this behavior immediately. Adult dogs usually give puppies a free pass for awhile and are more tolerant. You are going to have a problem in a few months if you have two unneutered males in the same house, especially since Chipper thinks he's top dog. We have had horrible stories of intact Yorkies viciously fighting one another to the point of injury, even death.

Please discuss this with your boyfriend and get Wrigley neutered right away, then Chipper as soon as possible. Work on Chipper's behavior with Nothing in Life is Free. Doing these things now will hopefully spare you the difficult decision of having to rehome one of them later on.

Ladymom · 10-08-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimem2003

I am deff going to try the NILF programs I am reading what you sent me and it makes so much since. And I love the way you explained y we should get them neutered so my bf would understand. I never thought of it that way and I doubt he has either. It may make him think differently. and I do think spending less time on the bed with chipper might help to. It makes sence! Thank you soo much !!! you are very helpful !! I will keep you posted !!!

No bed for Chipper until he learns some manners. He considers it a resource.

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 05:43 PM

I explained to my bf about neutering Wriggely the way Ringo1 explained it about being frustrated your whole life or getting neutered and being happy and never knowing the difference and he said that he never thought of it that way. he said that the only thing hes scared of is that it would change their personality. But as I told him. well expecially chipper. its apperent that maybe that wont be a bad thing. now this doesnt go on alot. hes only snapped at Wriggley twice since I have had him and he never bite him just snapped at him. but I think theres no difference.its just as bad.. but I have seen a pattern of chipper thinking hes is the boss of wriggley. playing rough with wriggly and using him as a chew toy and wriggley has been a great sport about it all but i feel bad.. I think that my bf is starting to understand the importance of this.

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 05:46 PM

yeah . I but him off the bed and hes whining at me now. I'm just ignoring him and maybe he will understand and go play. now if he snaps at him agian do I put him in his crate for like a time out so he will get that if he snaps he will have to go to his crate for a while. do you think that will work?

Ladymom · 10-08-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimem2003

I explained to my bf about neutering Wriggely the way Ringo1 explained it about being frustrated your whole life or getting neutered and being happy and never knowing the difference and he said that he never thought of it that way. he said that the only thing hes scared of is that it would change their personality. But as I told him. well expecially chipper. its apperent that maybe that wont be a bad thing. now this doesnt go on alot. hes only snapped at Wriggley twice since I have had him and he never bite him just snapped at him. but I think theres no difference.its just as bad.. but I have seen a pattern of chipper thinking hes is the boss of wriggley. playing rough with wriggly and using him as a chew toy and wriggley has been a great sport about it all but i feel bad.. I think that my bf is starting to understand the importance of this.

Wrigley is being very tolerant of Chipper because he is just a puppy. Trust me, this free pass won't last and Wrigley won't be such a good sport. Add testosterone into the mix in a couple of months and you will have a real problem.

There are many behavioral and health reasons to neuter. Maybe you could show this article to your BF?

Benefits of Neutering (Castrating) Male Dogs & Puppies

Ringo1 · 10-08-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimem2003

I am deff going to try the NILF programs I am reading what you sent me and it makes so much since. And I love the way you explained y we should get them neutered so my bf would understand. I never thought of it that way and I doubt he has either. It may make him think differently. and I do think spending less time on the bed with chipper might help to. It makes sence! Thank you soo much !!! you are very helpful !! I will keep you posted !!!

I got that explanation from a guy friend who had his dog neutered. He didn't want to either. But then he said he got to thinking . . what if he could never have sex, ever. Never even have the chance. How frustrated he would be. That's how he was able to neuter his own dog because he didn't want him to be frustrated (for life) over something he could and would never have. (Guys freak out over the whole neuter thing so it is hard for them).

And it's not going to change his personality. He's not going to go straight to the couch and never get up again. I never saw any personality change at all in Ringo (and believe me, he could use some). He's still his old wild and dominant self. BUT, he doesn't hike all over the house and he was able to accept another dog into his home.

slimem2003 · 10-08-2010, 06:09 PM

I think my bf is starting to come around. and one thing I was worried about is them marking there territory in my house !!! I don't need that !! and I don't want one or the other being uncomfrotable in their own house. and I need to stop being such a softy and give some tough love. I know that it may be hard in the moment but in the long run they will( well chipper will. wriggley is a really good laidback dog that knows his bounderies and the rules of my house) be a lot happier and stress free life !

Ringo1 · 10-08-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimem2003

yeah . I but him off the bed and hes whining at me now. I'm just ignoring him and maybe he will understand and go play. now if he snaps at him agian do I put him in his crate for like a time out so he will get that if he snaps he will have to go to his crate for a while. do you think that will work?

It might. What I suspect will happen is that eventually Wriggley will put Chipper in his place. He will tolerate so much snapping and then Wriggley is going to snap.

Here's what we did with Ringo (my dominant dog) when Lucy first came home. If Ringo was sitting on my lap and Lucy got close to me; Ringo snapped and growled. Immediately, Ringo was taken off my lap and sometimes put in another room for a while. He got the message real quick. If we were all laying on the bed nicely - but Lucy got a little too close to Ringo; he would snap again. That meant Ringo had to get down off the bed. We could only do those fun things when everyone was on their best behavior. Same with Lucy. Now everyone knows what is expected of them. This took a while though!

If they are not playing nicely; then separate them for a while. But, with two dogs, there are going to be SOME skirmishes and you can't interfere in them all and you shouldn't interfere in them all. They will have to work it out. No one should get hurt and absolutely no blood should be drawn.

Continue to work on NILF with your pup; give some extra attention to your older dog; let him know he hasn't lost his status on the family. Feed him first, leash him first, treat him first. Support him in being the 'top dog' for a while. BUT, they are eventually going to establish which one is dominant.

Whew. Sorry so wordy.

felicity1008 · 10-08-2010, 06:22 PM

I want my husband to get neutered!! Men sure have a thing for protecting their packages, even if its the dogs! My dog is not neutered, but i breed him. Let me tell you, he marks his spots for sure. My hoover steamer will expire soon if he keeps it up.

10-08-2010, 04:39 PM	#1
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	Aggression issues are starting to show! Help! I was just typing a thread about yorkie splash and shine after useing it on Chipper.. Great stuff!! well anyway. Chipper was sitting on the bed eating a bone and drying after his bath and my other dog Wriggley the Schnoodle came in the room and walked up to the bed like he was going to jump on and join us and Chipper jumped up and growled and barked at him and was very nasty.. Wriggley changed his mind and ran out of the room. Yesterday Chipper was lying in the bed with me while I was asleep and I awoke to Chipper snapping at Wriggley while they were both on the bed with me. It seemed like it came out of nowhere! I was asleep so I'm not sure y but it seemed like for no reason. Wriggley is 3 years old and is a very laid back dog. When we brought Chipper the yorkie home it was soon obvious that Chipper was more dominate at 12 weeks old. They play together and Chipper bites Wriggley playfully and Wriggley with let him do it and play back for a while but then goes and jumps on the couch to get away for a while. Chipper is a little more hyper than Wriggley and I think he wears him out. The Question is How can I stop Chipper from snapping at Wriggley. This has only happened 2 times but its twice in 2 days. I don't want this to become a habit !! what can I do to let Chipper know that this is unacceptable?

10-08-2010, 05:04 PM	#3
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	You got Chipper when he was only 9 weeks old, right? It's so important to keep Yorkie puppies with their moms and littermates until they are 12 weeks old. They miss many important lessons in socialization when they are taken from their mothers too young. I'm sure that has a lot to do with Chipper's aggression towards Wrigley. Aggressive 14 week old puppies are ticking time bombs. I would start with the Nothing in Life is Free program immediately. He is already resource guarding (bed, bone). Nothing in Life is Free Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training : The Humane Society of the United States Wrigley has been neutered, right? Be sure to get Chipper neutered as soon as the vet says it is safe as his behavior will get much worse as he approaches puberty. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

10-08-2010, 05:25 PM	#5
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	I think that your dogs might have not as much 'invested' in your bf as they do in you. Therefore, less fighting and jealousy when they are playing with him instead of you. I love the NILF program and think you should try it as well. It's just a gentle, polite, everyday reminder of who is in charge. (That's you!). Of course, you might see less aggression if you neutered the older dog; but if that's not under your control . . . . could be hard to make that happen. Ask your BF if he knew that he was never, ever going to have the chance to have sex - would he rather be frustrated forever? Or have the surgery and be happy with other things. ANYWAY, I got off track. Sounds like Chipper is not wanting to share you with the other dog; especially when Chipper is all comfy and snuggling on your bed. You may have to limit the time he spends on your bed until he gets the message that he does not OWN you or your bed. Good Luck! __________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew

10-08-2010, 04:45 PM	#2
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	I was just typing a thread about yorkie splash and shine after useing it on Chipper.. Great stuff!! well anyway. Chipper was sitting on the bed eating a bone and drying after his bath and my other dog Wriggley the Schnoodle came in the room and walked up to the bed like he was going to jump on and join us and Chipper jumped up and growled and barked at him and was very nasty.. Wriggley changed his mind and ran out of the room. Yesterday Chipper was lying in the bed with me while I was asleep and I awoke to Chipper snapping at Wriggley while they were both on the bed with me. It seemed like it came out of nowhere! I was asleep so I'm not sure y but it seemed like for no reason. Wriggley is 3 years old and is a very laid back dog. When we brought Chipper the yorkie home it was soon obvious that Chipper was more dominate at 12 weeks old. They play together and Chipper bites Wriggley playfully and Wriggley with let him do it and play back for a while but then goes and jumps on the couch to get away for a while. Chipper is a little more hyper than Wriggley and I think he wears him out. The Question is How can I stop Chipper from snapping at Wriggley. This has only happened 2 times but its twice in 2 days. I don't want this to become a habit !! what can I do to let Chipper know that this is unacceptable? I think he thought that Wriggley was going to take his bone. Which Wriggley has shown that he wants what Chipper has even though Wriggley don't even like bones he will take it from chipper and eat it just bc Chipper has it. same with toys. They will go back and forth taking toys from each other and wriggley will let chipper take his toy and play with it for a while and then go over and take it back. Wriggley could whoop up on Chipper if he wanted to but he doesn't. Thank goodness! He just lets Chipper bite at him or snap at him and just walks away. I don't want wriggley feeling like hes second best or that hes getting bossed around by this like whipper snapper hehe. any advice or tips.. I point my finger at Chipper and say NO but it doesnt seem like it phases him?

10-08-2010, 05:14 PM	#4
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	yes I got Chipper at nine weeks old. I had always heard that you can get a pup at 8 weeks and never knew different until I found this site after I already got Chipper. Now I have learned the importance of having the little stay with the mates and mother longer. Wriggley isn't neutered. I got him for my boyfriend and I wanted to get him neutered but he won't do it. Chipper is going to get his appt set on the 20th when he gets his rapies shot. now whats weird is that my boyfreind just came in the room and laid down on the bed while chipper was eating his bone and wriggley jumped on the bed with him and chipper and chipper just wanted to play. he didn't snap or anything.. Then wriggley took his bone and he could have cared less? My bf said that hes never seen chipper snap at wriggs. Do you think its me? am I doing something wrong?

10-08-2010, 05:30 PM	#6
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	I am deff going to try the NILF programs I am reading what you sent me and it makes so much since. And I love the way you explained y we should get them neutered so my bf would understand. I never thought of it that way and I doubt he has either. It may make him think differently. and I do think spending less time on the bed with chipper might help to. It makes sence! Thank you soo much !!! you are very helpful !! I will keep you posted !!!

10-08-2010, 05:43 PM	#9
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	I explained to my bf about neutering Wriggely the way Ringo1 explained it about being frustrated your whole life or getting neutered and being happy and never knowing the difference and he said that he never thought of it that way. he said that the only thing hes scared of is that it would change their personality. But as I told him. well expecially chipper. its apperent that maybe that wont be a bad thing. now this doesnt go on alot. hes only snapped at Wriggley twice since I have had him and he never bite him just snapped at him. but I think theres no difference.its just as bad.. but I have seen a pattern of chipper thinking hes is the boss of wriggley. playing rough with wriggly and using him as a chew toy and wriggley has been a great sport about it all but i feel bad.. I think that my bf is starting to understand the importance of this.

10-08-2010, 05:46 PM	#10
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	yeah . I but him off the bed and hes whining at me now. I'm just ignoring him and maybe he will understand and go play. now if he snaps at him agian do I put him in his crate for like a time out so he will get that if he snaps he will have to go to his crate for a while. do you think that will work?

10-08-2010, 06:09 PM	#13
slimem2003 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Halifax, VA, USA Posts: 84 Blog Entries: 1	I think my bf is starting to come around. and one thing I was worried about is them marking there territory in my house !!! I don't need that !! and I don't want one or the other being uncomfrotable in their own house. and I need to stop being such a softy and give some tough love. I know that it may be hard in the moment but in the long run they will( well chipper will. wriggley is a really good laidback dog that knows his bounderies and the rules of my house) be a lot happier and stress free life !

10-08-2010, 06:22 PM	#15
felicity1008 YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: farmingdale, nj, monmouth Posts: 433	I want my husband to get neutered!! Men sure have a thing for protecting their packages, even if its the dogs! My dog is not neutered, but i breed him. Let me tell you, he marks his spots for sure. My hoover steamer will expire soon if he keeps it up.