:confused: Playing or Fighting??? :confused:
 

Hi -

My husband and I just got a second Yorkie - Louie - yesterday. He's a 4 year old neutered male. Our first yorkie is a 1.5 yr old neuterd male named Kody. Louie and Kody get along as long as there aren't any toys involved, or if my husband is playing with one of them, and I with the other. The problems (and I'm not even sure if it's a problem at this point) start when they both want the same toy. They start growling and snapping at each other. The growling seems to not be the friendly, playful type of growling... So I don't know what to do... Do i let them fight it out? Are they playing?? Or is this just them determining who is the dominant one in the house? I haven't seen them actually bite or hurt each other, so that's why I don't know if this is "ok" or not. I know the simple solution would be to take the toys away, but both of them REALLY like to play fetch. I don't want to permanently take away their toys, but if things don't get any better...

What I'd like to do is find a way for us to train them to "share" their toys. Any suggestions? Is taking them to a professional trainer my only solution at this point??

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!

Thanks!

It's hard to know exactly what is going on without actually seeing it. From what you describe it sounds like fighting, although it doesn't sound too serious (not yet anyway). I wouldn't be too over-concerned.

If it were me, I would restrict their access to toys to times when they can be supervised. More likely than not, they are "all noise", but you never know when it might escalate.

As far as a trainer, I don't think it ever hurts to get a professional's advice. If you go that route, it would be useful to have the trainer come to your house so she can observe their behavior.