Need advice.. big time
 

This isn't about either of my Yorkie babies, but I know that there are lots of people here that can offer up some advice. Hope no one minds that it is a Boston terrier i'm referring to this time.

My 1yr old Boston Chloe is showing food and toy aggression toward my 3 year old son. He isn't mean at all to her, i've always taught my children to respect our pets. This is something that we have noticed more since we have had a new puppy home, probably going on a month now. What will happen is she will be laying down chewing on a toy and if my son walks by her she at first would just growl, more recently she has lunged at him as if to bite him a couple times. She doesn't act like this with any of the other people in our home, including other children. She does get aggressive with my lab Willow over toys/treats as well.

Sounds like your Boston is a little jealous of everyone else, especially your son. Is there a trainer you can work with (bring into your home) and try to curb the behavior? They may have some really good strategies from working with other dogs with the same issue.

You've brought a new puppy into the home and it's re-shuffled the deck, so to speak. Seems like Chloe is asserting her place by showing dominance over what she can. She's probably more insecure than anything. This behavior is understandable but inappropriate. You have to correct bad behavior when it's extreme and let her know YOU are the big dog but if it's not out of hand yet, you may want to try reassuring Chloe that's she's just as special as ever. Try to set some quality time aside for her, especially when she's being good. Then, when you do need to correct her, do it matter-of-factly, go on about your business and don't act like you hold a grudge. Dogs don't understand the concept of a grudge so you can act like nothing happened after a few minutes. This is the way they interact with each other. We have a 'pack' of Yorkies in our home and have seen one or two act up whenever there's a new member. I try to nip it in the bud and correct it quickly so we can all get on with life as usual. I make sure that everyone feels special everyday, even if it's only for a few minutes. This really helps to keep the pot from boiling over. You are their whole world and they need assurance that you love them as much as they love you. I'm no expert but I live with this every day and it's the only way I can keep a lid on things. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

Thank you, what you are saying makes total sense. The part that i'm so confused about is that as far as people go she is only reacting like this to my youngest. I'm lost as to how to have her feel that he is higher in the pecking order then she is. Or does it work out that because we (my husband and I) are alpha to her she will learn to respect him.. cause we say so?

As far as her not getting enough special time, your right... she doesn't. That will change starting now however.

What if your son pets her, maybe teaches her a trick and gives the dog a treat? Dogs are all over anyone that has treats. Perhaps this will mellow the dog towards the 3 yr. old. I hope things get better.

Great post! That is how I try to keep harmony among my pack!

I have had this problem with one of my dogs thinking she is above my 9yr old because my daughter was intimidated by the dog's bouncy behavior and tried to assert her dominance by not allowing my daughter to take things from her, like toys she wasn't supposed to have. As soon as I figured out what was going on I taught my daughter to assert herself, nicely, and with my help they are now good friends and the dog submits to my daughter's superiority in the pack

I completely agree that your boston is just trying to figure out where Chloe in in the pack, who she is on top of and below. Its a play for dominance so you really need to make sure she doesn't believe she is above your human child, it could get worse if it does continue. I think having your child help with training the boston (in whatever capacity possible) will help to show that your boston has to be respectful of all the people, no matter their size, and please make it known by you that her behavior is unacceptable.