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

HI, I am a new pet owner, I adopted a Yorkie from a rescue about a month ago. He is now 5m. Neutered.

He has been so easy to take care of. I could not believe how joyful and fun it was to have him around, and super easy compared to having kids (which is usually the comparison I hear).

I read a little on the internet, and talked to the shelter, and like an idiot I decided to adopt his little shelter-mate, a neutered 6m male Yorkiepoo mix. I thought they would enjoy each others' company.

It has been about 24 hours , and basically all they do is fight. not fun fights, either, they look serious and they growl at each other. I've done some more extensive research, and now it seems , all I find are online articles that say having 2 dogs is the worst idea ever, tougher than quantum physics, you're deluded if you think it can be done without damaging the dog-owner bond....worst of all I fear they might be right.

The volunteers at the shelter felt the two dogs would be OK together since the original one was an "Alpha" and the second one is submissive in nature.

I thought, "I have raised two boys with life threatening health problems, our family has plenty of love to give, how hard can it be?"

But the sites I've been reading, imply that there is basically no hope of ever having happy dogs, I've doomed them both to a life of misery and misplaced aggression.

I see a few owners here with cute avatars including two Yorkies. Comments?

Also, about the fighting. My internet research conflicts. Some writers say to let them work it out themselves, others say I should step in as the "pack leader" and not tolerate the fighting.

Vet visit tomorrow. Thanks so much for reading and any comments.

I have 2 and they never fight but they are male and female. I think more often you run into problems with two of the same sex where both are dominant. I would give it a little more time. You need to step in if you hear any yelps

Wow we have a male and a female and they got along great from the word "go". There was a bit of snapping from the female initially but we didnt tolerate that. She still does it occasionally but not very often. They mostly play and cuddle. Where one is the other is not far away. They are great company for each othe!

We had heard 2 females might be an issue but....

anyway good luck.

I've always owned 2 female dogs without problem. I do think that you have to step up as "pack leader" and stop them from fighting. It's best to do this before their quarrels even escalate to the fight stage.

Well I have 6, all yorkies.. and I tell you of course they will get into scaps over something in food or a chewy.. but for the most part they all get along well.. but it does take time sometimes for some to adjust..will watch for an update...hope it becomes better..

Calm down count to 10....
 

You are going to be fine. You did a WONDERFUL THING HERE. JUST RELAX! Keep reading others' posts and threads. Many people have 2 or MORE! It is going to be a little harder at first. Wasn't it harder when you had your second child? I'm sure initially you will have more challenges, but it will pay off in the long run and they will become friends! (You may even be a little jealous of their relationship-LOL)
Have faith! Keep working!;)

You'll find a lot of people on here with more then one dog. Can you take them outside in your yard on leashes where they will be on neutral territory. Don't walk them side by side but maybe find a way to tie them loosely close enough together where they can't get at each other, but can do the sniff thingy, or I have sliding doors with a fenced yard, so I'll put one outside, and one inside so they can look at each other, but not hurt each other. I think what might have happened is that the first one you had decided he was Alpha as he was the first one there. It will just take some time, and patience. Best wishes. If you have questions you can surely pm me.

I have two yorkies & they are littermates. They are male & female, get along great & love each other - although they do have spats from time to time, but nothing severe. When we first got them we were very concerned about them fighting, but most of it was just play & establishing dominance right away. Fast forward almost a year later, and they still play like crazy but they really are just playing. From everything I've read & what my vet said to watch for is if one yelps or stops to get a drink of water & the other one doesn't back off, you should step in. I have heard that 2 dogs of the same gender in a household just doesn't work sometimes. I know of someone who had a female shihtzu & added a female yorkie & they had to get rid of the yorkie since the two constantly fought & they feared one of them would actually kill the other. If it's very severe, sometimes you have to think what's best for the animal & find one of them a good home. I know that it will be difficult. Best of luck to you & your new pups!

Thanks to you and all who read and replied so quickly. Sometimes I feel like the internet can be interpreted so many ways. When I "wanted" to see it was OK to have two, I found links that made it seem OK. And now that there are territory problems, I keep seeing links about that, and I feel ignorant for having missed them or thought my care could supercede their instincts.

Yes, I was thinking as a human mom when adding the second dog. More love, more joy, a little chaos, it's all good. I had some other reasons as well but I won't bore with them. With my kids, of course there was payoff after initial rivalry. What I've been reading it that thinking as a human is counterintuitive to dog psych, though.

Thanks..will report again after the vet visit and talking to the shelter as well. For now I am separating them.

I have 2 male dogs... Naturally they are not the same breed, my eldest is a Shih-Tzu and my baby is a yorkie, they get along great, Sure we have our moments when Rocky (shih-tzu) wants to play and Nicky (Yorkie) doesn't and vise versa... But like a few here have said, You do need to step in and be the pack leader. I have found that when my boys get to rought or one is annoying the other to much I step in and tell the other to go lay down and they listen. Just give it some time, I think they will become pals soon!!

I have 3 females, had 4 until my pom passed recently and they have their little scraps but snuggle up together all the time. Hang in there and give it a little time to see if they work it out.

I agree with Patti, I have 6 yorkies and with just a little time yours will be the best of friends!

I haven't read all the other replies so forgive me if I'm repeating some advice but this is really more common than you think. Franklin and Maggie absolutely HATED each other the first time they met. They fought so often that we had to keep them separated for two weeks. The only time they had together was a couple of minutes a day supervised. They eventually grew to love each other. You just have to give it a lot of time, patience, and training. Let me know if you have any questions.

We added two into the mix and everything turned out fine, there was growling at first but now they are best buddies. I think everything will be fine.

Are you sure they are not playing. Play at that age can get pretty rough. And loud.

Is one yelping and trying to get away? Are they drawing blood? Can you easily separate them? will they stay separated? Can they be distracted?

Is this all the time or just occasionally?

I think they are too young to be fighting, and as long As they are not hurting each other they will probably work it out.

We just went through this with a jealous Westie (alpha) and new female Yorkie. I would suggest investing in some baby gates for now and limit their time together. There is no need to rush. Also your newest baby could spend some time in his crate and your oldest could sniff around and get to know him that way - safely and not stressful for you or them.

Lavish attention on your oldest so he knows he is still the top dog and has not lost his status. Very important! This helped us a lot.

Try not to intervene too much in their interactions if you can help it. Ringo would stand over top of Lucy and dominate her (growl) and she would squeal like crazy - but there was never any biting. Biting should not be allowed. Yes, when Ringo went overboard in his 'corrections' of the new pup - I did step in.

Things should get better and your oldest should settle down. Many time in the first 3 weeks I regretted my decision. We're on week 4 now and things are pretty good. Yes, there are skirmishes, mainly over food or toys) so we don't leave high value toys laying around. Feed in separate rooms.

Good Luck! Keep us posted! Your vet will probably have some good advice . .

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 have two males they are half brothers a year apart, at first Wicket the oldest was very unhappy with his new baby brother but as time went by they became best buddies, now where one goes the other follows.

Any time you add a new dog into the pack it is an adjustment. I have four yorkies (3 boys and a girl). They all love each other and miss each other when one is at the doctor or groomer but they do have their moments. The bottom line is that you have to be the pack leader and once they know whose boss things should calm down. I've always had multiple dogs and wouldn't have it any other way. It's a win win situation-More love for mama and they have playmates lol. Just give them both plenty of love and attention and I'm sure things will get better.:)

Ugg. I am in the same boat as you. But I have to spayed female yorkies. They were fine for two years together but about month ago they decided to starting literally trying to kill eachother. I have no idea what changed!

I am trying to focus harder on being the pack leader, being more assertive, and more structured. We will see if that works. In the mean time, I tend to keep one in their cage or x pen while the other plays.

I will probably call in our dog trainer in the new year if things haven't improved!

Please keep me posted on your progress!

I'm thinking it could be the boy/boy thing too. I have an almost 13 year old Pekingnese who does not appreciate my male, Jonah. It stinks because Jonah loves him and always wants to be near him but "Grampa" seems set in his ways. He doesn't mind my female but doesn't want Jonah. My young male and female are together 24/7 but will go at it on occasion, usually over a bone or a chewy....one will steal it from the other and run etc. but they love eachother. I'm hoping your two will get used to eachother. Are you keeping them regardless?

I have been in your shoes, we got a yorkie a year and a half ago and he was the perfect dog, so easy to train, just a little love bug, never really got into much, doesn't really bark. I thought he needed a friend, did some research, asked some questions on the board and got another one in April of this year. I mean within 24 hours I thought I made a big mistake. This little 1.8lbs beast I bought home was dominating our lives. He was nothing like my Samson, so different and over the weeks it got worse. And he fought and dominated Samson like you would not believe. This little guy was totally the alpha male. I regretted my decision and cried about it, I even felt bad because I wanted him gone (I knew I wouldn't but it was how I felt). Fast forward to a lot of work, training, patience, and love and we made it through it. Do they still fight over things, yes. He can still be dominate at times but they have a love hate relationship. I always say they love hard and fight hard. Samson has learned to stand his own, I learned to be a pack leader more and Harley has learned his boundaries. I wouldn't trade Harley for anything. In many ways he can be more of a lovebug than Sam at times. They both bring so much to my live. I know its hard to see now but give it time, do be the pack leader, set boundaries for them and it will work out.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I just wanted to add something here,
I have 2 boys that are brothers and they are fixed. They get along because they have grown up together. Sometimes they fight and i have to holler knock it off, bu when the dust settles they are back to being the best of friends. My bond with either of the boys is very strong. Recently I brought another male home. I am currently showing him and at first there was some squabbling between all my stinkers and the new guy. But after everyone figured out their place they all get along very well.

I have 2 yorkie girls, same parents, 2 yrs apart. The older one just mothers her younger sister. They never have fights, being 10 and 12 yrs old, they are sweet ladies... such a joy !! They watch out for each other and are always together, no problems here. They even eat together out of a twin bowl.

Give your two some time, maybe they will settle down, good luck.

We have 2 - a boy and a girl - wouldn't have it any other way. It really is like having kids. You have to have rules/guidelines and you're the enforcer. I wouldn't separate them unless there was a major fight - but keep your eyes on them. If you put one in a cage/xpen and not the other - it will cause problems. If the first one is the stronger personality - then acknowledge that by giving him the treats first but don't totally separate them.

My Mia was here first but is submissive on most things. The few things she insists on being the alpha about (going out any of the doors & being lead cat watcher) - Max respects. The other things don't matter to her so she lets Max think he's the Alpha with those.

The only problem we've ever had has just been recently. When we give them a flossie - it's at night when we go to bed and watch tv. Max decided he wanted both of them and would take off down the hall. I would have to go and take Mia's from him and give it back to her. Well, it escalated to where he looked like a shark going into a frenzy! If I just put my hand on the bed to look for the remote control he would make this weird sound and jump up scrambling around looking for the other flossie. After watching Victoria Stillwell I decided to try her "removal" method. Honestly, it only took 2 nights of removing him twice and it has stopped! I'll still stay on top of it but he now realizes that if he starts that - that he will be sent outside the bedroom door - separated from us. He does not like that! :p It was only for a few "seconds" but he's such a lovebug he doesn't want to be without us for one second.

Uh...one more thing. Both of mine are spayed/neutered. Maybe things will calm down when both of their hormones calm down. :D

They're both young and it's only been a little while since you had them. As long as there is no blood drawn let them work it out - this is nature at work. Someone has to be the leader and I'm sure one of them will submit over time. If it looks like it is getting too rough just step in and break it up but try not to interfere too much.

They got along before but that was somewhere else. The submissive dog there might feel this is his territory - the shelter people should have known that.

We got Kingston November 1st and finally a month later him and abby are finally settling in it all just takes time

horrible experience
 

I'm quite new here, and I've never had 2 dogs at a time, but my mum's friend does.
She has male Golden retriever (GR) for some years and it's always good and tamed, that's why she decided to get a male shih tzu (ST) last year, both of them couldn't get along, GR hates ST and ST hates GR. They fought everyday, at first she just let them fight, naturally the one who wins in fight will become the leader, this was what she thought.
But after a while it didn't work out because there were times her GR bitten off the ST hairs and hurt it, the ST often injured and bleed. She decided to separate them, and place them together only under her supervision. She didn't give up in trying, she took months in trying
Until a day (recent months), my mum got a call from her friend, my mum's friend was admitted to the hospital because her GR intended to kill the ST, GR actually locked ST throat and the ST nearly died, so she used her hands, fingers to force open her GR's mouth and wanted to let ST go but the GR wouldn't allow, and actually bite even harder, she tried and tried until her index finger was bitten off by her GR! The bone cracked and her fleshes came out, the GR got very scared to hear his mum's scream and finally let the ST go!
So now, this friend of my mum lost 1/2 of her index finger and stopped the fight between her GR and ST. But sometimes they will still fight, but unlike previously.
I met her that day, she admitted it was definitely a horrible experience for her, but she still loves her furbabies, she told me :)
I didn't mean it's bad to have 2 dogs, because I still see a lot of people have 2 or more dogs and they get along well, I was just telling what I saw, it really much depends on the personalities of each furbabies, your furbabies are both young and I think they would be OK if you spend more time with them.
Best of luck, keep posting!

If they are drawing blood, that's a sign that it is not a resolvable situation and better to rehome. Hopefully that's not the situation here. At the first sign of serious fighting, one has to consider that in nature it is sometimes a fight to the death.

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 :rolleyes:
Well it's her decision as she's the mum! ;)