NEED ADVICE on adding another Yorkie!

[scubaunderh20]

I have a two year old male Yorkie that is very territorial, especially at home. He also does not like little kids. He gets along well with our dog sitter's Yorkie as he has been exposed to him since he was a puppy, but doesn't seem to do to well with most other dogs. His Mom and Dad just had a litter and we have been offered first pick. We are wanting to add his little sister to our family. Any suggestions or advice on the possible transition would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[PrincessDiana]

First off, have them meet at a neutral location. I would take them for a walk around your neighborhood or perhaps go to a nearby dog park. It's important that your old dog does not feel threatened. Afterwards, if they seem to do okay, transition to your home. It is important that you make sure your existing dog knows that you are not replacing him. Greet him first, play with him first, feed him first. Make a special effort to spend alone time with him.

It's important that you know that they will not get along right off the bat. There will be fights, and most likely they will be pretty nasty. When we first got Maggie, she attacked Franklin any chance she got. It was so bad that I considered giving her back. We had to keep them totally separate for two weeks. The only contact they had was very supervised and no longer than 3 or so minutes.

Now, while they will fight, it's absolutely necessary that you do not interfere. Unless of course you seriously think that they are injuring each other. Most of the time, it sounds a lot worse than it is. Dogs are pack animals and they need to sort out who will be dominant. Dogs are much more comfortable when they know their place. It makes their life a lot less confusing and stressful. Your intervention will only make it more confusing. You may find that your new dog is the alpha dog. If this is so, you have to go with it. This dog gets the better bed, better toys, first feeding... all after YOU of course. You have to remain the pack leader, then comes the alpha dog, then all the others. They need to be able to look to you and get direction.

Sorry this is so long! I got carried away. I hope I answered some of your questions, if you have any more.. feel free to ask!

[scubaunderh20]

Dear Princess Diana!

Thank you so much for your advice! And don't ever apologize for being lengthy as the more information the better!!! I am so torn as to what to do because I do not want to add fuel to the fire of my little guy. I know it may take a lot of time to get them to get along and that is ok. Just wish I had a guarantee that they would definitely end up getting along.....I had Labs all my life and am finding that my little Yorkie is such "high maintenance"!!! All worth it, but so different! Thanks again for the help! Happy Thanksgiving! Sincerely, Barb

[bildio]

Agree with Princess Diana's advice.

Also, is your guy neutered? If not, neutering may help.

[scubaunderh20]

Thanks for responding. Yes, my little guy is neutered. He is a singleton, which I have been told by animal behaviorists that that is a lot of the problem. Being the only pup in the litter, he did not have to fight for Mom's affection, food, or learn the proper socialization of his litter mates (i.e. playing, fighting, or understanding the pecking order). He is much more territorial at home. I agree with what Princess Diana said and have read that same information elsewhere. I would definitely introduce them somewhere other than our home. We want another so badly, and to have his little sister would be a charm if it all works out!! Thanks for your time and comment! Happy Thanksgiving! Sincerely, Barb

[Wabbit]

Our dogs are not allowed to be the dominant ones in our home! We are the leaders and all our dogs are the followers...you little guy is so dominant and territorial because you have allowed him to take control...I would seriously work on training him to be submissive to You and respecting YOUR leadership...... you should view him as an 80 lb dog...would you allow a very large dog to behave that way? Well alot of people overlook bad behavior because yorkies are so small...and that ends up causing behavioral issues!

Our large dog dakota is a dominant dog...so we had to work alot with her to be submissive to US....now she is the most wonderful loving dog to all. And in no way do we allow her to dominate other dogs in the house.

He is not balanced and since you haven't taken the lead in the house...he apparently took over... Dogs like that can be very dangerous....especially to other dogs..and I would NEVER allow that dog near your new baby..until you get his issues under control......You should not allow him to dominate other dogs...or the trend will continue...much less attack the new baby...without stepping in....that's silly!

All of the behavioral issues aside...you should definately show him he's not being replaced...try playing with both of them together.. holding them both...and walking him is the first step you can take to teach him to be submissive to you...only as long as you make him walk right next to you...not in front..or he will take the leaders role again...walking both together is a good idea...when your baby gets older..

[scubaunderh20]

I totally respect your opinion. Both my husband and I are very strict with our dog and he understands who is in command when it is us three together. That is why this is SO puzzling to me. Our dog is not allowed to walk in front of us, he doesn't go up or down stairs without being behind us, and he is never, ever given food, treats without having to do something for it. We have taken him to obedience training, animal behaviorists and now looking to get Victoria Stilwell to come out!!!! Trust me, we do not let this guy walk all over us. I too am reluctant to add a baby. As much as I love dogs and have had them my whole life, I have never experienced anything like this little guy. He can be totally loving and obedient with us. He understands commands and is good at it. It is so frustrating that he can be so loving and then so nasty. He doesn't seem to bite though which is good. He makes an awful growling sound like he wants to bite someone's head off, but I cannot trust him. Again, thanks for the advice and it will give me more to think about. Sincerely, Barb

[PrincessDiana]

I don't have much else to say except for I don't think it's a huge problem that your dog is territorial - it's definitely not a dangerous situation. It sounds like you have good control of the household. My dogs are territorial too.

In the end it's up to you, you know your dog best and you will be able to predict whether or not adding another baby will be okay or not. Just follow your gut feeling and know that it IS possible, even if it's hard and takes a long time.

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by scubaunderh20

I totally respect your opinion. Both my husband and I are very strict with our dog and he understands who is in command when it is us three together. That is why this is SO puzzling to me. Our dog is not allowed to walk in front of us, he doesn't go up or down stairs without being behind us, and he is never, ever given food, treats without having to do something for it. We have taken him to obedience training, animal behaviorists and now looking to get Victoria Stilwell to come out!!!! Trust me, we do not let this guy walk all over us. I too am reluctant to add a baby. As much as I love dogs and have had them my whole life, I have never experienced anything like this little guy. He can be totally loving and obedient with us. He understands commands and is good at it. It is so frustrating that he can be so loving and then so nasty. He doesn't seem to bite though which is good. He makes an awful growling sound like he wants to bite someone's head off, but I cannot trust him. Again, thanks for the advice and it will give me more to think about. Sincerely, Barb

Well that's really good that you have worked with him on respecting you....and being submissive......So it obviously isn't that then!!! He must just be one of those dogs that just doesn't like alot of people or other dogs.....

We also have another dog..a border collie..Izzy.....that absolutely hated Daizy when we got her....she's submissive to us..so it had nothing to do with that....she simply didn't like Daizy and she growled EVERY TIME Daizy came around her...but she never bit at her...it still scared us...so we always were there when they were near each other...it took MONTHS for her to accept Daizy..and now they play together all the time!! So it might just be something that you have to give it pleanty of time for him to accept her.. ...

It might actually be really good for him in the end too....a fur sibling will help teach him to be more social! Good luck to you in your decision!! I would personally go for it...and get the second dog..especially if you have the time for two!!

[LoveMyJake]

I think Princess Diana's advice is great. I had Jake for a year when I decided he needed a little brother. My concern was that Jake would be jealous. He is very very laid back, is very quiet and calm most of the time. He's very playful, but he is just so good. He's not territorial, and he's not agressive at all, but VERY attached to me. We took Jake with us when we went to get Jackson, so they met on neutral territory.

I'll be honest - Jake was NOT happy at first. In fact, he seemed mad at me. He wouldn't let me hold him, wouldn't even look at me! But, he was fine with my hubby. Thank goodness that only lasted a couple days, and then he was fine. The two had a great time playing, but Jake has certain toys that he still won't let Jackson play with (it's a year later). He doesn't fight with Jackson, but he will just growl, and Jackson will walk away.

Jackson is very different than Jake. He's really hyper, barks alot, and is more aggressive. It has taken ALOT of work to get him under control. He has improved a great deal, but it's an ongoing thing. I'm lucky to be with my boys all the time, so I can keep him in line. He is at the point now where he will listen to me, and he is a little less hyper now that he is older. He is still VERY jealous of Jake though. Jake never seems jealous, isn't bothered if I'm playing with Jackson or holding him. If I'm playing with Jake, Jackson will get in the middle. If I'm holding Jake, he will get up on my lap and try to squeeze Jake off. So, we are working on that.

My boys do like to play together, and they play all the time. But, Jake was the only pup in the litter, and he has always been very content to play with toys alone or with us. So, sometimes he just wants to play by himself, and Jackson won't let him. They have tons of toys, and some of their toys are identical, but they ALWAYS both want the same toy. Always! I can toss two toys when we play fetch, and they with both bring the SAME toy back together lol. I stopped buying two of everything!

Although they really do seem to love each other, they rarely lay together or cuddle. Honestly, I think Jackson really loves Jake, and Jake just "tolerates" Jackson. But, they don't like to be apart! If Jake has a vet or grooming appt. and Jackson doesn't, Jackson will bark the entire time and pace and fret. When Jackson goes, Jake will walk around whining. It's a love/hate thing! lol Also, they are VERY happy to see each other in the morning, which is funny because they both sleep with hubby and me. They get all excited, and it looks like they give each other a kiss and they even cuddle for about 3 seconds.

There are times when they both will cuddle together, but it's not very often at all. Usually, Jackson tries and Jake will move a little farther away or get up and move. Lately, I've noticed they seem to be getting a little closer so there's hope!

One thing I've found that has worked really well for my boys is making sure they get plenty of exercise. I walk them twice a day, and we get plenty of play time in. They love to play fetch, so that's a great way to get some exercise in. I spend time training them to do tricks, and working on some of the behavior problems that we sometimes have with Jackson, although we seem to have it down pretty good right now. Getting plenty of exercise has changed Jackson's behavior in a very positive way. Also, my dogs understand that I am the alpha, not them. I'm strict, but I also spoil them rotten. I think you can do both, you just have to find the right balance.

I'm really happy that I have two. It's alot of work if the two have any issues with each other, but it's so worth it when you spend the time to train....or you can even take them to classes or talk to a trainer. I just preferred to try it myself first because I thought it would be a another great way to bond with them. They are soooo much fun, and I'd love to get another eventually.

If it's possible, you might want to try taking your first yorkie to visit the new puppy several times. That will help them get used to each other, and you will be able to see how they interact and get along.

Another thing that's good is that the two will keep each other company if you aren't home. Fortunately, I'm able to be home with mine all the time. I really don't leave them very often, but when I do, that's when they tend to seem closer to each other. (We videotaped them one time when we were gone for a couple hours -- they had a good time getting most of their toys out of the toybox, then they played for a little while and curled up together and slept lol). Of course, you may have to keep them separated until the puppy is a little older.

I'm sorry this is so long and wordy. I just wanted to give you my experience and how it has worked out. I've found the Dog Whisperer's methods to be very effective!

Congratulations on the new puppy if you decide to get him/her! How exciting!!

[scubaunderh20]

Thank you so much for your time and your advice!!!! I too think in the long run it will be all worth it. My husband and I are willing to work with both of them and we have the time. Unfortunately, the breeder is now living in Florida and we are in Illinois so the occasional get together cannot happen. This is making this decision even more difficult as we will probably have to make the trip to Florida to see which puppy we would want, and that would not leave us much time to see if our little guy and the pup would get along. We will not buy a puppy before seeing it, and we refuse the pup being put on a plane. I think we will probably go for getting his sister. We both know that we may be in for some struggles and adjustments, but hopefully all will work out in the end! Thanks again for the support!

[scubaunderh20]

Thank you for the advice and support!!! I think we will go for getting Wyland's sister. Both my husband and I are dedicated to making it work, and hopefully in the long haul it will help Wyland. Most are leaning in that direction!