Updates on Sadie's aggression.

[Taryn0405]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i know i can. i just have to get these hormones out of my way. they are causing me to feel hopeless instead of just bucking it up and going for it. i'm going to try to have a new attitude and if the dogs are causing me stress they can sit in their crates. and if they relax and i relax we can enjoy it together. time to set more ground rules in my house and restore order and take back my dominance.

We're all rooting for ya! Good luck, and thanks for keeping us updated!

[RachelandSadie]

UPDATE: wanted to report a full wonderful day. I let go of my stress and anxiety and Sadie did too. She's been perfect all day no fights so far. I'm just keeping her attention on other things when she seems tense but she's been very relaxed and enjoying her day. New crates came in and the dogs love them so far. They keep going in and out of them. Sadie is making her bed in one as we speak for a little nappie.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have good dogs, I just let myself get overwhelmed and it caused problems for us all. It was all totally my fault. Now that i'm peaceful inside there is peace with all of us again. THANK the Lord for answering my peace prayers. and thanks to all of you for the support and love. I'll keep updating.

[AbbysMom08]

That's wonderful news.
You even "sound" at peace.
Will continue to keep you and your furbabies in my prayers and hope this peaceful coexistence continues.

[RachelandSadie]

Most of the day we slept and relaxed and enjoyed our new doggie crates.

Learned that it's not just totally me causing fights. DH can cause an uproar too if dogs aka SADIE gets too excited about it. He was home and loving on her and she turned around and ran so fast and attacked Bentley who was on my lap. Didn't have time to really react since they were on top of me and DH was at the bottom of our steps so he couldn't get to us fast enough. I think I got a few teeth scraped against me but no marks. The worst thing that happened and possibly the funniest dog mishap in our house EVER was...

Bentley got scared and literally covered me in pee and then pooped on me too. I was a huge mess and Sadie got quite the time out from all that.

Another day in the life. We got it cleaned up and today everyone is quiet and calm again. Hope you guys never have to experience this. Guess i'm getting in good practice of getting peed and pooped on huhh?

[Harrysmum]

Oh you are a good girl, taking it all in your stride like this .

And yes, little boys do tend to pee at the most inappropriate moment - usually straight up in the air though !! Sally + Harry x

[BanditSocks2]

It seems like it's going in the right direction. Hope things continue to make a positive improvement

[BoscoPheobe]

Hello,
I found you! Thanks for the kind chat last night.... I loved having Phoebe out & about... allowed me a chance to meet several yorkie lovers. I read your post & I will tell you, I had my son 7 years ago & it all worked out. My male Bosco is with me ALL the time... he needs that extra love & attention. I just always try to love on him before or after I spend time w/the baby. He gets new toys on a regular basis.... AND extra walks. Phoebe is only 1... so she has adapted fine.

Thanks for the info on the Forum... I've already spent 30 minutes here! Take care!

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

What about forcing Sadie down to the ground and making her lay in a submissive position instead of putting her in the bathroom? She probably feels you are playing favorites and she is becoming aggressive ("she is in the bathroom and he's with me").

I'll do a little research.

I tried this with my dogs and it just made things worse. Since I stopped doing it they seem to be doing better.

I think a Time Out works much better. There is no sign of special treatment toward either dog so there are no jealousy issues.

[dawn27]

It also really does make a difference on how you go about separating them . Be calm, cool, with NO shouting or angry talk. Try not to yell either of there names while you separate them. Quickly pick them up by the nap of their neck and than put them on a time out !!

Keep up the good work.... believe me I know form experience there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

"Fight Free now for 7 weeks and counting"

[RachelandSadie]

Just wanted to update everyone on our progress. Both dogs are now sleeping soundly in their crates at night in our bedroom. They are both doing very well and Bentley stopped panting at night but only for a moment before giving in and going to sleep. Sadie curls right up and goes to sleep each night. We are still feeding in their crates and will continue this as we realize they both need their space to eat.

Sadie has been off leash and doing really well. I am now able to voice control her and even when she makes a beeline for Bentley i can call her back to me and distract her instead. I'm always one step ahead of her and keeping my guard up that she's monitored all the time. She's been doing great! Haven't had a fight for a few nights now at all and the one's they had were mere seconds before she regained her attention on me and not him. She'd get one nip or one growl in and stop immediately when i yelled her name.

Things are going much better. House is happier with the changes.

My new nursery chair is coming on Friday and we ordered a CD of baby sounds to play and slowly increase volume and change up the area it's played from to get them used to it. They have been smelling and looking over all the new baby things in the home. We're getting there. I think she will be a loving fur sibling in no time and when the baby comes we'll just keep on working on her and hoping she ends up loving this baby as much as we love her.

[AbbysMom08]

That is really great news.
I hope things continue to get better with each passing day.
Thanks so much for the update!

[katy-yorkie]

This is almost the exact same problem I'm having with Buster & Maggie. She attacks him when he starts his "screaming, whining" type stuff that he does when he doesn't get his way. She hurt him the other night as he was crying by the time I got her pulled off of him. She apparently got him on the face. I put her in the bathroom but not for a long time, maybe a few minutes at the most. Rehoming her isn't an option. I have thought about a dog behaviorist that is close by but she is pricey, $185/hour. DH is home with them during the day and he says that she never does that. It's usually when I get home that things go bad. Rehome me? They both growl and snarl when they are wanting first place at the front door, but there are times when for no reason she will bite his ear or legs. Sometimes I can see when she is about to attack and I will stop it (she will make eye contact with him when she is in my lap and he approaches). They are very jealous of each other. There are days I don't know what to do. Any suggestions other than the dog behaviorist? Has anybody ever taken their dog to one?

[roseylovestosho]

I'm very happy that things are settling down with Sadie. I hope the progress keeps moving in a positive direction.

[dawn27]

Good to hear, I hope they continue to do well!

Good idea on the baby CD.

I would like to suggest one more thing in regards to the baby coming soon. When you bring the baby home from the hospital it might be best if you do it with each dog seperatly and in the most calm setting possible with no baby talk or special treatment toward the new addition. It is likely to provoke the aggression again, do to stress or even jealousy of the new baby. It's kind of the same way you would introduce a new fur baby (calm and with no excitement in your voice)

I know... your probably wondering how is this going to be possible to accomplish considering. I'm sure it will be hard for you to contain your excitement but better for the fur babies that you not get overly excited with the first meeting of the newest addition to your family.