Six year old yorkie displaying NEW aggression issues
 

I've seen a lot of puppy aggression training and territorial issues discussed here but that's not what I need. I spent the early part of my yorkie's life establishing the alpha role, setting boundaries, and teaching simple commands. It went well. She is paper trained with a 99% success rate in my home and around 80% in other places. However .... I feel like the parent of a human teenager because around age five her training started slipping away. She comes when called only sometimes etc. and is more willful in general. She also is way more likely to make potty mistakes in other people's homes. But now she doesn't want to go outside. Has displayed four acts of aggression in two years (ankle biting a friend who she adores when she moved from one room to another, snapped at a child's finger when he entered my bedroom, nipped a toddler who was irritating her, and snapped at and growled but didn't bite someone who reached to pet her in my purse) I'm devastated as she was socialized with humans to the hilt as a baby. She was the mayor of my last apartment complex and has always loved meeting strangers. The behavior is territorial in nature -- except the irritating toddler that was super instigated I don't count that one. She retreats when I have people over when she used to be the life of the party. I don't understand the change in behavior as she's aged. She's becoming bitter and it kills me. She never was. Now-- I don't know what to do about her anxiety and behavior. She's in my opinion not a good candidate for a trainer. Since she is fine most of the time. Agreeable and will even let you hold her on her back. Then she snaps. It's getting worse. How do I fix it now and why is this happening at this stage in the game ?

I have the same problem--a 6 yr old female yorkie that's newly aggressive. I'm new to her (she's my bfs dog), but it's been 4 months now she's lived with us and she still is territorial of him and guards him sometimes. She has been with his ex and kids over the years, and now has come to live with us.

She's been with the 2 of us for 4 months, and still attacks me randomly sometimes when I go get in bed with him (she lays on the floor on his side of the bed) and she'll viciously attack me from under the bed. Or, when he's sitting on the couch and she's laying next to him, she will very aggressively attack me if I go try to give him a kiss or get too close to him. I have no idea what to do because I can't go back and meet her when she was a puppy, and his only explanation is "she's never done this before." But she's known his kids and him and his ex since she was born. I'm new. She loves me 99% of the time except for these completely random acts of aggression..

We've tried disciplining her, not letting her sleep in the bedroom with us, firmly saying no and making sure she knows she's bad--but it's been 4 months now and the aggression is still there randomly when she's guarding him in bed or on the couch..

A vet check should be in order first, IMO. Sudden behavior changes could mean she is in pain or has an issue somewhere, somehow. Once health is maybe ruled out, I would seek a behaviorist or trainer to help you.

It could be health related, (hopefully it is not), I would recommend you get a full thyroid test done.

How exactly did you establish the "alpha role"? You need to brush up on your training. Your 99% success rate should be a %100 success rate. My boy will go to the back door, and either claw the glass with his paw or bark to let us know he wants to go out (if he really needs out).

Her recall should be on spot. Work on it over and over. In the park, on a 30ft lead. Try to save the Word "Come" for positive scenarios. Heavily reward when she comes.

Introduce a Place commend if you have not already, this can be really rewarding.

Is it possible she experienced an unpleasant event outside which has changed her perception?

Other things to note, how was each isolated event? When the child entered the room, did he walk in quietly and peacefully like an adult, or did he come storming in yelling and screaming like an excited child? Someone reached over her to pet her when she was in your purse..... ignoring the part she's in your purse, imo. you don't just reach over a dogs head to pet them... that is just not the correct way of going about things.

You say the behaviour is territorial? Are you 100% positive? If so, and I know it is really easy to spoil these little ones, rules need to be put into place and enforced 100% of the time. Does she get up on the couch with you, eat table scraps, sleep on your bed?

She's not a good candidate for a trainer.... why? If you can not completely handle this situation yourself, invest in a good behaviourist.