Added a second Yorkie...may have made a big mistake

[westieboy]

Originally Posted by violet voon

No, she keeps them both until today, sometimes they will still fight over things but not as aggressive as previously, most of the time they just ignore each other
Well it's her decision as she's the mum!

Yes but in my experience, it is a situation that's just waiting to erupt. My friend had a similar situation where he thought he was keeping the peace. The truce lasted for many years but one day he came home to find what was inevitable.

[HendrixandLucy]

I also have 2 Yorkies.

I had my first one, Hendrix for four years before I brought home Lucy. Let me tell you, that first week was HELL!!! I called me mom and my vet in tears thinking that I had done the worst thing ever. Hendrix was going to the bathroom and vomiting EVERYWHERE. THey were fighting. Hendrix would not even look at me---- it was AWFUL.

However, I got through that first week or so and my two babies are now BEST FRIENDS!!!
Hendrix still get annoyed with Lucy every now and then because she is a baby and she annoys him, but they really really love each other.

Also, it is so much easier having two dogs rather than one. I do not feel so guilty now when I have to leave the house. They keep each other company, they play together..... they have so much fun!


If I were you I would DEFINITELY give them at least a week together. I havn't read what other people wrote, but from my experience you really just need to give them some time to fight out who the 'alpha' is and come around to each other. Of course if there is yelping or they seem to be hurting each other then you should step in and pull them apart.... but I usually let mine fight it out when they are fighting over something.... they are dogs- that is what they do. They need to show one another who is in charge. Animal instincts.

I do not think it matters that they are both boys..... there may be a little more drama as they figure out their place in the family, but when it comes down to it, they are both still young enough that they are not set in there ways........

I am sure that everything will work out- JUST GIVE IT TIME!



Love,
Sarah, Hendrix, and Lucy

[HendrixandLucy]

ALSO--- make sure you give your first baby LOTSSSS of extra attention. WHen you come home greet him first, feed him first, play with him first....... everything. My vet said that is VERY important so that they do not feel as though you have replaced them.


Please keep me updated!

[llcornell]

I am a foster mom for a yorkie rescue and for most of our dogs there is always an adjusment period so far we have not had any that couldnt work it out. We kept our first foster Sam and he for the most part has gotten along with all dogs, then along came Daisy and she tried to kill Sam the first day and the second day then she eased off a bit but was still pretty determined to get rid of him. She was a breeder and just needed time to adjust, after many fights which for the most part I let them work out, they now are more bonded than any two Ive seen. They groom each other, play, eat and sleep together. I would have bet my life on them never getting along based on our first few weeks and now they are inseperable. I recently started a dog training class with them and the trainer commented that she had never seen such a bonded pair, it so hard to believe that it was such a rough start. Stay patient and if they get worse instead of improve then maybe you have a problem but dogs are pack animals and meant to be together so I think they will be fine and happier in the long run.

[llcornell]

This is now Sam & Daisy together

[cheryl19]

Originally Posted by llcornell

This is now Sam & Daisy together

How cute I have 2 boys and 1 girl and they now get along fine. Sometimes they will fight but they do need to see who is the top dog and so far it's my cat both back down when the cat walks by. My cat sits at the top of my stairs knowing that Max or Reggie will not come up, (he gets off on this) if a cat could laugh I know that is what he would be doing.

[Ringo1]

[QUOTE=JoeyP;2899539]Okay ... the skinny on having two dogs

Everyone thinks that having two dogs will be wonderful
they'll be perfect companions for each other and all you'll have to do is whistle and they'll listen to anything you want to have them do

Wishful thinking .... dogs always have a hierarchy
they are pack animals
whenever two dogs meet they have to figure out a pecking order
I have two male littermates
They get along but believe me it's not all a bed of roses

when you introduce two adult dogs it's even harder
You're first dog had the run of the house
and now there's this intruder

I agree with JoeyP. It's hard work and not all a bed of roses to have two dogs - unless maybe you have two REALLY LAID BACK dogs - which I do not. One Yorkie; One Westie. Yes, they have fun together; No, it is not a democracy; Yes, there are skirmishes that sound very scary and stress everybody out. However, the yorkie has figured out if she continues yelping that someone will rescue her - then she will go running right back for more. So I never know what to do. The Westie has never hurt her or bitten her at all. He does dominate her; he gets all the toys right out of her mouth; he gets chew sticks right out of her mouth. Very gently, but still he takes everything. And . . . she seems ok with that. When she manages to get her bone back - she parades right in front of him; he takes it; and round we go.

I enjoy them and think it will be worth it when Lucy is a little older and there is a more level playing field. They chase each other around the house having fun more than they argue. When they do argue - it is scary sounding but can't see that either of them have ever hurt the other.

My cousin, who dogsits for me; and has never had 2 dogs - thinks it's very stressful.

That picture in my mind of two dogs snuggling together and the old dog just thrilled to have a new lil sister . . . . don't think it happens that easy.

[newyorki]

Thanks for all of the thought provoking replies.

I am just back from the vet with Yorkie 2. (actually Yorkiepoo).

He is otherwise healthy, in fact the vet was impressed that he came from a shelter.

The vet did not offer much insight other than "give it a little more time". He cautioned not to give it too much time, since I would fall in love with one of the dogs. It is a little late for that!

He expressed surprise that Yorkies could be so aggressive. Really? From what I've been reading and hearing, it's not surprising at all. Our neighbor's Yorkie faced down a bear, they can be pretty fierce. I thought that was a known fact.

Vet also told me not to read the internet. Since my attention span is basically shot right now from this dog stuff, too late for that.

He also suggested that I loan Yorkie #1 to a friend for a few days and allow Yorkie #2 to just be here home . Regardless of anyone's opinion on this advice, I am not doing it, (although I'd be interested in hearing the opinions) I simply do not know anyone who would be willing to take on a puppy for a few days. Also, I thought that was odd advice.

So, that's where we're at. I don't mind devoting a few weeks full time to integrating the dogs. However eventually something has to give. thx for reading.

[newyorki]

Thanks to you and to all who have shared their experiences. Good and bad.

Posts like this one give me some hope.

How quick can dogs hurt each other, I wonder. I am trying to figure out if the fighting is getting less. Well, it is because I am more proactively separating them anyway. Thinking out loud.

Originally Posted by HendrixandLucy

I also have 2 Yorkies.

I had my first one, Hendrix for four years before I brought home Lucy. Let me tell you, that first week was HELL!!! I called me mom and my vet in tears thinking that I had done the worst thing ever. Hendrix was going to the bathroom and vomiting EVERYWHERE. THey were fighting. Hendrix would not even look at me---- it was AWFUL.

However, I got through that first week or so and my two babies are now BEST FRIENDS!!!
Hendrix still get annoyed with Lucy every now and then because she is a baby and she annoys him, but they really really love each other.

Also, it is so much easier having two dogs rather than one. I do not feel so guilty now when I have to leave the house. They keep each other company, they play together..... they have so much fun!


If I were you I would DEFINITELY give them at least a week together. I havn't read what other people wrote, but from my experience you really just need to give them some time to fight out who the 'alpha' is and come around to each other. Of course if there is yelping or they seem to be hurting each other then you should step in and pull them apart.... but I usually let mine fight it out when they are fighting over something.... they are dogs- that is what they do. They need to show one another who is in charge. Animal instincts.

I do not think it matters that they are both boys..... there may be a little more drama as they figure out their place in the family, but when it comes down to it, they are both still young enough that they are not set in there ways........

I am sure that everything will work out- JUST GIVE IT TIME!



Love,
Sarah, Hendrix, and Lucy

[LuluMaye]

I have 4 yorkies, 3 females, 1 male. What I did when I brought them home was: I introduced them outside. When I brought them in I would put the new puppy in the xpen (in the kitchen) and would only let the puppy out when I could supervise. After about a week and a half, I could see they were all ok with each other. Little by little they came around and now they are all best buddies. Once in a while there will be some serious scrapping over dog treats and that is because I have one who will hold her treat all day long and I guess the others can't take that! Good luck and hang in there

[newyorki]

Does anyone have any idea for bordering a wide kitchen opening? Our apartment has an open layout. This inability to border the kitchen was a porblem when my kids were toddlers as well. We never solved the problem but they grew out of the need.

On the one side, it is a standard doorway, I can use a baby gate.

On the other side, it is open and about 9 feet wide. I still remember going thru all the baby catalogs trying to find an appropriate gate for this..no go. Of course Yorkies are much smaller than babies, so I'd only need about 14" of height. Anyone have an idea? I agree that bordering them might help.

thanks

[iris_johnson4]

Hi I am new to the forum. I have 2 female Yorkie's. They love each other and are lost without each other. I got my first Yorkie In Jan. of 2003, then decided she needed a playmate while we were at work. I found my other female in April. My first female had some adjusting to do, but now they just love each other. My 2nd female Precious just had a litter of pups on Nov. 16th. I am keeping another female. Just in love with my babies.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by newyorki

Does anyone have any idea for bordering a wide kitchen opening? Our apartment has an open layout. This inability to border the kitchen was a porblem when my kids were toddlers as well. We never solved the problem but they grew out of the need.

On the one side, it is a standard doorway, I can use a baby gate.

On the other side, it is open and about 9 feet wide. I still remember going thru all the baby catalogs trying to find an appropriate gate for this..no go. Of course Yorkies are much smaller than babies, so I'd only need about 14" of height. Anyone have an idea? I agree that bordering them might help.

thanks

What about an x pen if the doorway is too wide for a baby gate? I remember seeing some extra wide gates but it's been a long time.

[Nico29]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

What about an x pen if the doorway is too wide for a baby gate? I remember seeing some extra wide gates but it's been a long time.

Great suggestion. We bought three that we used to block off odd spaces. Sometimes clipping two together will do the trick. Good luck!

[llcornell]

Yes the xpens are great for so many things...we use ours all time for blockage.