my yorkies are fighting! is that normal?
 

I recently posted a thread about introducing a three month old yorkie (Dolce) to my eight month old yorkie (Baci). I received suggestions about letting them figure out who is pack leader and having separate areas and items for each of them. However, Baci, who was previously very submissive and sweet, has begun to growl at Dolce. Sometimes, Baci even bites Dolce in the neck or pulls at Dolce's ears, causing Dolce to yelp. Also, Dolce paws at Baci's face and tries to hump him even though he is only three months. Is this normal? What should I do, let them continue to fight and work it out or stop them? And how do you stop them from fighting with one another?

Sounds like what Dolce is doing is simply puppy stuff. Not too sure if the growling is Baci's way of trying to set boundaries or truly being aggressive, but YOU need to be pack leader and both boys need to understand that. Boo has issues sometimes with Yogi but growling is not allowed, ever. If Boo growls he gets a bigger growl from me. I also try and make sure that Yogi doesn't pester Boo to that point. Boo, being bigger, has places he can go that will get him away from Yogi. That is what I encourage him to do, but there are times I make Yogi simply leave Boo alone. Both need to understand there are acceptable behavior and behavior that will get Momma involved...and you don't want to get Momma involved. :eek::p

Yogi just wants to play with Boo so much, yet Boo seems to have trouble tolerating Yogi's youthful enthusiasm. I make it a point to play 'with' them in such a way that it doesn't irritate Boo and encourages him to interact with Yogi. At the same time I'm showing Yogi where the limit is in craziness when playing with Boo. I'm seeing some improvement in their interaction and have actually seen Boo initiate the play.

You need to set the boundaries and limitations on how each behave towards the other. Be consistent with where those boundaries are and play with them but put a stop when one crosses the line. They are close enough in age I would think that their playfulness will take over once they see it isn't THEM that's in control.

They are likely setting up dominance and it will take them a while before things calm down
But realize that puppy and dog play can be loud and look scarey
as long as no one is consistently yelping it's probably ok

If you think it's too much step in and be firm and consistent
They will follow your lead

hi thanks for all the suggestions! i will definitely try to be a better leader of the pack when they start getting aggressive. it's good to know that some of their behavior is normal because it was scary seeing them play rough.