Yorkie or male dog behavior
 

wasn't sure where to put this thread, but I need some advice on Starsky's behavior lately. Let me tell you a little bit about our situation. I have Starsky and Shylah who are yorkies ages 3 and 2 and I have Haggis who is a beagle age 10. Haggis has put up with Starsky and Shylah picking on him when they were pups and he handles me dog sitting 2 other yorkies from time to time with no problems. He really is a mild manner dog. Okay here is the problem as of the last 3 months. Starsky has started marking alot, and he constantly barks at Haggis like he is yelling at him. He even jumps at him. Even if Haggis is just sleeping. They have actually got in dog fights and I have to squirt them with water to break them up. Starsky is big at 12 lbs or so and Haggis weighs around 33. I am so scared Haggis will hurt Starsky. It sounds like a dominance thing to me, but how do I get Starsky to stop it.
Oh and something else, Starsky constantly guards his food. He eats bits through out the evening. If he isn't by it we usually are. In the past Haggis has gotten into his food so many times and eaten it, I can understand why Starsky protects his food. He even runs to eat it when he hears a dog barking outside or on TV because he thinks someone is going to get it. He lets Shylah eat it with no problem. I think Starsky has an obsessive compulsive disorder.:eek:

Does anyone have advise or have they gone through something similar to this?

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sorry i can't help you with this but would suggest moving this to the training section and maybe someone can help you.

Are these dogs neutered? If not, I think that is at the root of your problems. Mature intact male dogs will mark and fight.

I'm no expert, but it sounds like a dominance issue. Almost like Starsky is challenging Haggis as pack leader. Would you say Haggis is the alpha of the pack? He's getting older, and that's just one of the things that happens.

Deciding what to do about it is the tough part. The first thing I'd suggest is to make sure you've established yourself as pack leader. You do that by controlling their feeding schedules and toys, being first to walk through the door at walk time, etc. After that, some people advise letting the dogs work out the hierarchy between themselves. But only if there's no danger of them being seriously injured. If there are actual bites that do or could bring blood, then you have to step in and break it up.

But make sure you don't scold the aggressor. Just break it up and remove anything they are fighting over. Scolding the aggressor could just lead to resentment that the aggressor will hold against the other one later when you're not around.

Another thing, maybe the first thing, is to make sure they are all getting plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog.

But, again, I'm no expert. Behavioral issues are science, and I may be missing the point entirely. Good luck.

Both Starsky and Haggis are fixed. I think Starsky has been the alpha dog, but maybe Haggis is getting old and crabby wants to be the alpha dog now. Shylah just stays out of it. Usually the female runs the show. I know Starsky lets her eat first. Starsky barks at Haggis and then Haggis's hair on his back stands up as they both growl at each other. Then a fight starts. I was acknowledging Haggis being a good boy this morning and then Starsky attacked. I always break them up by squirting water on them or putting an object between them. Maybe I should just let them fight. Here is a video of Starsky barking at Haggis, both getting agitated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OXlxlEwFUI"]YouTube - Agitated Starsky

I have 2 videos and not sure how to post. They are on you tube. Can you help??

never mind, looks like the first one got on. I'll try the other one here. This is what happens when I give them a treat. Starsky does not get one until he settles down.