New 4 mo pup plays too ruff with 2 yo sister - YorkieTalk.com Forums

TikiandNiki · 04-06-2011, 03:58 PM

First of all, HELLO to you all

...I'm new to YT and love all of the insight and knowledge you share with each other. I'm already spending too much time trying to read "everything" LOL.

I have an issue with my new pup. She's (Niki) 4 months old and has been with us about a month now. She's going to be joining the "Tea Pot" club I'm sure. She's already 8 pounds at 4 months old!

Tiki, my other baby is almost 2 years old and is a doll. I've had her since she was 12 weeks old... Tiki has been our "only" baby...until now. She's been spayed and weighs 7.5 pounds. I've always wanted another yorkie, thinking it would be great for Tiki to have a pal around.

Here's my problem...Tiki, the older sis just isn't excited to have Niki join the family. She's not been her "normal" happy-go-lucky gal since Niki arrived. To make matters worse, Niki (the pup) plays VERY ruff with Tiki, using her puppy teeth makes things worse. I've pretty much got the biting under control with Niki now, but she is constantly harping on Tiki, tackling, chasing, etc. She's just being a puppy and has a ton of energy, but it's taking its toll. Tiki tries to make Niki stop. Finally, after several minutes, she growls and barks loud at Niki. At that point, Tiki is so upset that her body shakes and her bottom lip quivers, so much that it looks as though she's foaming at the mouth. This episode lasts 20-30 seconds.

I've tried separating them for short times during the day...mostly to give Tiki a break !

Has anyone else experienced this kind of behavior with an older dog and new pup? I know that Niki is fine, she's just being a pup. It's Tiki I'm so worried about...

Thanks for any suggestions

TikiandNiki · 04-09-2011, 10:03 AM

I DID intend on putting "ruff" (doggie pun) in the title of my post, but I forgot to put it correctly in the body....lol...any help I can get would be much appreciated - My 4 month old pup really harps on my 2 year old and plays too rough with her, daily, I'm worried about the older gal shaking so...Thanks again -

Ringo1 · 04-12-2011, 05:32 AM

You are correct to give your older dog a place to get away from the 'annoying' puppy behavior. Tiki needs a place to call her own where she can have some peace and quiet.

For Ringo, my Westie, it was the back of a large chair - where Lucy couldn't reach at the time. He spent lots of time up there the first few weeks! Came down when he wanted to play and back up when he had had enough.

Be sure to pay extra special attention to Tiki right now - so she knows she is still the 'top dog' and has not lost her status in your house. Pay more attention to her than the new puppy to nip any jealousy issues in the bud. Feed her first; greet her first; treat her first; leash her first . . you get the picture. Soon, she will be happy to have a little sister to play with.

Niki is just displaying normal, rambunctious puppy behavior. When you see that she is starting to annoy Tiki, just remove Niki to another room for a minute, maybe with you; to her crate for rest; or just re-direct her attention with a toy or maybe work on some quick training such as sit/down/stay; and take her mind off Tiki.

If she is old enough to walk; try walking them together. This will do two things - tire Niki out and strengthen the bond between the two of them.

Good Luck!

TikiandNiki · 04-12-2011, 06:55 AM

Thanks so much for the tips and encouraging thoughts ! Each new day is better than the past...so I'm feeling that hopefully things will work for my ladies

I've started doing "time-outs" with Niki, removing her to another room, closed door for a few minutes when she gets in Tiki's space/face. It appears to be working. During this time I love on Tiki and let her know that she's my #1 gal. That really seems to make her happy and forget about the "fight" she just had with Niki.

Tiki doesn't really know how to act aggressively, she's never been in a situation where she's had to. I'm retired and for medical reasons we don't get out and about to mingle with other dogs, etc. This is really the only time in her life where she's been around another dog for more than an hour. I should have taken this into consideration before we brought another dog into our home.... Hind sight is always 20/20.

Thanks again!

Nolas Mom · 04-12-2011, 12:44 PM

we have had the SAME problem!! introduced a new 5 month old yorkie to our 2 year old yorkie. 2 year old isn't liking it and it doesn't help that 5 month old is so rough with her. it has been almost 4 weeks now and getting a LITTLE better each day. hang in there!!

TikiandNiki · 04-12-2011, 03:43 PM

Thanks for your insight and wisdom...so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem....and that it appears there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It's super hard on my 2 yo because she and the new pup each weigh 8 lbs!
Niki, the pup is much longer and can get right on top of Tiki and take over the agruments and keep her pinned down.

I'll keep tabs on this thread so please send me a PM or post with any new ideas you may have that will help and I'll do the same....Thanks much!

04-09-2011, 10:03 AM	#2
TikiandNiki Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Oregon USA Posts: 76	Quick spell Fix to my previous post I DID intend on putting "ruff" (doggie pun) in the title of my post, but I forgot to put it correctly in the body....lol...any help I can get would be much appreciated - My 4 month old pup really harps on my 2 year old and plays too rough with her, daily, I'm worried about the older gal shaking so...Thanks again -

04-12-2011, 05:32 AM	#3
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	You are correct to give your older dog a place to get away from the 'annoying' puppy behavior. Tiki needs a place to call her own where she can have some peace and quiet. For Ringo, my Westie, it was the back of a large chair - where Lucy couldn't reach at the time. He spent lots of time up there the first few weeks! Came down when he wanted to play and back up when he had had enough. Be sure to pay extra special attention to Tiki right now - so she knows she is still the 'top dog' and has not lost her status in your house. Pay more attention to her than the new puppy to nip any jealousy issues in the bud. Feed her first; greet her first; treat her first; leash her first . . you get the picture. Soon, she will be happy to have a little sister to play with. Niki is just displaying normal, rambunctious puppy behavior. When you see that she is starting to annoy Tiki, just remove Niki to another room for a minute, maybe with you; to her crate for rest; or just re-direct her attention with a toy or maybe work on some quick training such as sit/down/stay; and take her mind off Tiki. If she is old enough to walk; try walking them together. This will do two things - tire Niki out and strengthen the bond between the two of them. Good Luck! __________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew

04-12-2011, 12:44 PM	#5
Nolas Mom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 25 Blog Entries: 1	hi we have had the SAME problem!! introduced a new 5 month old yorkie to our 2 year old yorkie. 2 year old isn't liking it and it doesn't help that 5 month old is so rough with her. it has been almost 4 weeks now and getting a LITTLE better each day. hang in there!!

04-06-2011, 03:58 PM	#1
TikiandNiki Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Oregon USA Posts: 76	New 4 mo pup plays too ruff with 2 yo sister First of all, HELLO to you all ...I'm new to YT and love all of the insight and knowledge you share with each other. I'm already spending too much time trying to read "everything" LOL. I have an issue with my new pup. She's (Niki) 4 months old and has been with us about a month now. She's going to be joining the "Tea Pot" club I'm sure. She's already 8 pounds at 4 months old! Tiki, my other baby is almost 2 years old and is a doll. I've had her since she was 12 weeks old... Tiki has been our "only" baby...until now. She's been spayed and weighs 7.5 pounds. I've always wanted another yorkie, thinking it would be great for Tiki to have a pal around. Here's my problem...Tiki, the older sis just isn't excited to have Niki join the family. She's not been her "normal" happy-go-lucky gal since Niki arrived. To make matters worse, Niki (the pup) plays VERY ruff with Tiki, using her puppy teeth makes things worse. I've pretty much got the biting under control with Niki now, but she is constantly harping on Tiki, tackling, chasing, etc. She's just being a puppy and has a ton of energy, but it's taking its toll. Tiki tries to make Niki stop. Finally, after several minutes, she growls and barks loud at Niki. At that point, Tiki is so upset that her body shakes and her bottom lip quivers, so much that it looks as though she's foaming at the mouth. This episode lasts 20-30 seconds. I've tried separating them for short times during the day...mostly to give Tiki a break ! Has anyone else experienced this kind of behavior with an older dog and new pup? I know that Niki is fine, she's just being a pup. It's Tiki I'm so worried about... Thanks for any suggestions

04-12-2011, 06:55 AM	#4
TikiandNiki Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Oregon USA Posts: 76	Thanks so much for the tips and encouraging thoughts ! Each new day is better than the past...so I'm feeling that hopefully things will work for my ladies I've started doing "time-outs" with Niki, removing her to another room, closed door for a few minutes when she gets in Tiki's space/face. It appears to be working. During this time I love on Tiki and let her know that she's my #1 gal. That really seems to make her happy and forget about the "fight" she just had with Niki. Tiki doesn't really know how to act aggressively, she's never been in a situation where she's had to. I'm retired and for medical reasons we don't get out and about to mingle with other dogs, etc. This is really the only time in her life where she's been around another dog for more than an hour. I should have taken this into consideration before we brought another dog into our home.... Hind sight is always 20/20. Thanks again!

04-12-2011, 03:43 PM	#6
TikiandNiki Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Oregon USA Posts: 76	Thanks for your insight and wisdom...so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem....and that it appears there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's super hard on my 2 yo because she and the new pup each weigh 8 lbs! Niki, the pup is much longer and can get right on top of Tiki and take over the agruments and keep her pinned down. I'll keep tabs on this thread so please send me a PM or post with any new ideas you may have that will help and I'll do the same....Thanks much!