Agression - At Wits end - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Clocey · 02-02-2007, 08:31 AM

I have this posted also on Yorkie Talk but someone suggested I put this on Yorkie training.

We have two Yorkies, brothers, and both have been nutered. They are so agressive and fight over anything. Toys, food, and who is going to greet us first. They are both very intelligent and have been trained to sit, stay, come etc. But they will actually get into fights where we have to separate them. We give both the same attention, spend time playing, and even have times that we separate them from each other and spend time with one individually.

I don't know how to correct this or even if it is correctible short of finding one of them a good home. They both are adorable and would break our heart but we want to do what is best for them.

Does anyone else have this problem or know what should be our next step???

FirstYorkie · 02-03-2007, 01:21 AM

Do they draw blood when they fight?

The obvious answer is to separate them for feeding and when they have toys or treats. If the fights are serious enough to draw blood, then I wouldn't leave toys laying around for them when they aren't either separated or closely supervised.

When you walk in the door, put them in a sit-stay. That way, they can't fight over who greets you first.

One exercise that I have read is good for reducing aggression between "siblings" is to get some treats and have them both sit in front of you. You then dole out the treats - one for spot, one for snoopy, one for spot, etc as long as both boys are sitting and waiting their turn. If someone won't wait their turn, make him sit back down. He doesn't get his until he is showing some self-restraint.

If they draw blood when they fight, it would be a good idea to consult a trainer.

alaskayorkie · 02-03-2007, 01:51 AM

Lots of times dogs will make a lot of noise and cause no damage. If that's the case, they might work it out on their own. However, as FirstYorkie says, if there's blood or what you think could be serious injury, you need to step in as she suggested. I second her recommendation for more exercise.

One thing I've been trying lately is to leash my alpha when we're playing with toys. Also, I've taken charge of the toys. I don't give them toys unless my aggressor is leashed and I'm supervising. I play with them for a half hour, then put away the toys. I've been told it will help with hoarding issues if they learn that the toys are mine, not theirs.

Good luck.

bradyem · 02-03-2007, 06:23 PM

Speaking of aggression (which I have with my little guy--only when he's around us and towards others as I'm assuming a sign of protection)--we are considering getting him a pal so he's not so lonely during the day. Are Yorkies better off with a male/female combo when it comes to getting along or is this issue above unusual??? Just wondering....bradyem

FirstYorkie · 02-04-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradyem

Speaking of aggression (which I have with my little guy--only when he's around us and towards others as I'm assuming a sign of protection)--we are considering getting him a pal so he's not so lonely during the day.

You're going to want to be very careful about introducing another dog into a house when you've already got one who is aggresive/protective of you.

Candini · 02-04-2007, 03:38 AM

We added a new puppy 22 Dec 06 and she gives my 13 yr old fits playing right now. My oldest growls and acts like she is biting but never does we can see.

PANAMA69 · 02-06-2007, 10:10 PM

I just don't know what happens

PANAMA69 · 02-06-2007, 10:10 PM

Have you ever watch on national geographic channel Cesar Millan the dog whisperer he address this issue all the time, he also has books,dvds and web-site that may be able to help you.

pip'smom · 02-07-2007, 06:43 PM

I agree with the previous post about Cesar's methods. It sounds to me like the two brothers are trying to establish pecking order, and that's a natural thing in the dog world. One of them think's it's alpha over the other, so if alpha doesn't get his treat first, petting, playing, etc., he's most likely going to take it out on the other one who's taking/getting what the alpha feels like is rightfully his.

kalina82 · 02-07-2007, 07:00 PM

i was gonna say that they are trying to establish their pecking order but it sounds like you've had them both for a little while now. Have they always been like this or did this just start up one day? I'm thinking that they can't decided which is Alpha if they are continueing to challenge each other. I"m inclined to say that you will have to pick for them based on their personalities, but if i were you, i'd consult with a behaviorist first. I wouldn't try to handle this one alone.

dcelmo · 02-07-2007, 07:10 PM

I am one of the few who believe that some yorkies are just more aggressive. I have one in my Chewie. He is food aggressive and I worked that out by feeding them separately. But he will turn on my Cockapoo at the blink of the eye and for what I see as no apparent reason. It is not for dominance, he is definately the alpha and she lets him be. And it is not playful, he is trying to hurt her, yes, draw blood. I won't leave them together unattended and some times I am so fustrated I think of rehoming him. But I love him and I continue to work on his problems. It has been a problem since he was a puppy and he is now 16 months old. I could use some help, too.

02-02-2007, 08:31 AM	#1
Clocey Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: illinois Posts: 29	Agression - At Wits end I have this posted also on Yorkie Talk but someone suggested I put this on Yorkie training. We have two Yorkies, brothers, and both have been nutered. They are so agressive and fight over anything. Toys, food, and who is going to greet us first. They are both very intelligent and have been trained to sit, stay, come etc. But they will actually get into fights where we have to separate them. We give both the same attention, spend time playing, and even have times that we separate them from each other and spend time with one individually. I don't know how to correct this or even if it is correctible short of finding one of them a good home. They both are adorable and would break our heart but we want to do what is best for them. Does anyone else have this problem or know what should be our next step???

02-03-2007, 01:21 AM	#2
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Do they draw blood when they fight? The obvious answer is to separate them for feeding and when they have toys or treats. If the fights are serious enough to draw blood, then I wouldn't leave toys laying around for them when they aren't either separated or closely supervised. When you walk in the door, put them in a sit-stay. That way, they can't fight over who greets you first. One exercise that I have read is good for reducing aggression between "siblings" is to get some treats and have them both sit in front of you. You then dole out the treats - one for spot, one for snoopy, one for spot, etc as long as both boys are sitting and waiting their turn. If someone won't wait their turn, make him sit back down. He doesn't get his until he is showing some self-restraint. If they draw blood when they fight, it would be a good idea to consult a trainer. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

02-03-2007, 01:51 AM	#3
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	Lots of times dogs will make a lot of noise and cause no damage. If that's the case, they might work it out on their own. However, as FirstYorkie says, if there's blood or what you think could be serious injury, you need to step in as she suggested. I second her recommendation for more exercise. One thing I've been trying lately is to leash my alpha when we're playing with toys. Also, I've taken charge of the toys. I don't give them toys unless my aggressor is leashed and I'm supervising. I play with them for a half hour, then put away the toys. I've been told it will help with hoarding issues if they learn that the toys are mine, not theirs. Good luck. __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

02-03-2007, 06:23 PM	#4
bradyem Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 54	? about siblings Speaking of aggression (which I have with my little guy--only when he's around us and towards others as I'm assuming a sign of protection)--we are considering getting him a pal so he's not so lonely during the day. Are Yorkies better off with a male/female combo when it comes to getting along or is this issue above unusual??? Just wondering....bradyem

02-04-2007, 03:38 AM	#6
Candini Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 149	We added a new puppy 22 Dec 06 and she gives my 13 yr old fits playing right now. My oldest growls and acts like she is biting but never does we can see. __________________ www.myspace.com/texasmentalist

02-06-2007, 10:10 PM	#7
PANAMA69 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ~~YorkieWorld~~ Posts: 8,428	I just don't know what happens Last edited by PANAMA69; 02-06-2007 at 10:13 PM.

02-07-2007, 06:43 PM	#9
pip'smom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 34	I agree with the previous post about Cesar's methods. It sounds to me like the two brothers are trying to establish pecking order, and that's a natural thing in the dog world. One of them think's it's alpha over the other, so if alpha doesn't get his treat first, petting, playing, etc., he's most likely going to take it out on the other one who's taking/getting what the alpha feels like is rightfully his.

02-07-2007, 07:00 PM	#10
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	i was gonna say that they are trying to establish their pecking order but it sounds like you've had them both for a little while now. Have they always been like this or did this just start up one day? I'm thinking that they can't decided which is Alpha if they are continueing to challenge each other. I"m inclined to say that you will have to pick for them based on their personalities, but if i were you, i'd consult with a behaviorist first. I wouldn't try to handle this one alone. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

02-07-2007, 07:10 PM	#11
dcelmo Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Victorville, CA Posts: 181	I am one of the few who believe that some yorkies are just more aggressive. I have one in my Chewie. He is food aggressive and I worked that out by feeding them separately. But he will turn on my Cockapoo at the blink of the eye and for what I see as no apparent reason. It is not for dominance, he is definately the alpha and she lets him be. And it is not playful, he is trying to hurt her, yes, draw blood. I won't leave them together unattended and some times I am so fustrated I think of rehoming him. But I love him and I continue to work on his problems. It has been a problem since he was a puppy and he is now 16 months old. I could use some help, too.