Sadie went after Bentley and I got bitten.

[kjc]

Well, here's my take on the situation:

Completely normal (though undesired) behavior. It is common for Yorkies to attack another dog, during his moment of weakness. Tink took a bad step and yelped, and was instantaneously surrounded by the other 3. Peek a Boo sneezed, same thing happened. It can also happen when you bring one home from the vet's and they smell different. Or when putting one on the floor after brushing, grooming, or a bath. When Buster tripped over the bell, Sadie did what comes natural, and went for him.

In any questionable situation, I watch them to determine their excitement level, then I command the others to 'Get back', in no uncertain terms. When I see them all backing away, I put the dog on the floor, and continue watching. If one rushes up to the dog I had in hand, they are reprimanded again 'Ah,ah', which usually stops them.

If they slowly approach, I allow them to sniff the dog, but this is a critical time. I watch for any bodies to stiffen, ears too erect, heads rising above the level of the others heads, then I immediately step in and command them to 'Get back' again, and I am at the ready to reach in and grab them if anything starts. They usually settle in 30 seconds or so, if not I'll tell one or two to 'Okay, enough. Go lay down. Now.' This breaks them up and they stop hovering over one individual.

My method for separation of two fighting dogs is "NO", then to grab each one at the same time, by the scruff of their neck (a little forward of their shoulders) or I have just grabbed just the hair. (they don't even feel it) If I try to remove one, the other usually attacks while I'm lifting him up, so I grab both, pull them apart, then get the victim up into my arms. Again, when all are calm, I'll put the victim back down.

I also line them up for treats. I'll go down the row, but then maybe skip one, just to see their reaction. If non-reactive (no stealing) then I tell them 'good dog' and give them two.

I do throw one treat at a time on the floor towards one dog, then quickly another and another, or I'll scatter a handful and watch them eat. Any hostility I see I stop with an 'Ah,ah'.

When I treat one for say, grooming reward, I do give the others a treat too, so they don't get jealous of each other.

I don't give them chews of any kind. They will definitely fight over them. Peek a Boo ends up with all of them in his bed, then he proceeds to protect the bedroom, even attacks the cats.

I separate their food bowls at mealtimes by 4-5 feet, but they all eat in the kitchen, except Finny, who will pick her bowl up and carry it into the Living room and eat there.

At any time they can become excited, I am watching for fights to start. At the door before a walk, when I come in with groceries, back from the vet or a walk, UPS guy at the door, or Fedex, or mail. They know when I say 'Ah, ah' to break it up and calm down. I purposely used the verbal 'Ah, ah' so they would learn to stop when they heard it, in case something starts in another room, I can 'Ah, ah' on my way in, and they've stopped before I actually get there.

I recently started the hair-grabbing when a fight broke out under my PC chair. I was afraid of rolling the chair back and breaking someone's leg, I had a coffee near my keyboard so I couldn't slide the shelf in, so I had to peer over the side of the keyboard shelf to see who it was and where they were. I could only see 1 dog, so I sat up and reached over and grabbed what I could and snatched Peek a Boo out of there. He was so amped up he didn't even feel it.

I used to try to grab a body, but I have been bitten that way. Or I've had one by the neck hair and one by the tail. I don't feel comfortable grabbing legs, but that's just me.

I don't think Sadie is being mean, I think she's just intouch with her 'inner dog', and reacted normally for a dog in a dog's world. As you catch her and react before she does, she will get out of the habit of doing it, bc she'll learn and know that you will stop her.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I do think that food aggression is pretty common in a multi-dog household; for sure, you are not the only one with this problem.

I feed mine separately - Lucy in her crate and Ringo in the kitchen. After dinner, each will go over and lick the other's bowl.

Low-value chew sticks can be left about - but high value treats (bully sticks, etc) will be given separately in their crate.

Keep an eye on it and I would take this time to work on Nothing in Life for Free training with your aggressor.

Most likely, neither one will be interested in baby formula so you will have some time to settle things down.

Good luck.

I agree- I think it is more common then most people think. Mine get fed and given high value treats with a baby gate between them. I am sure a trainer could help you work on the behavior over the long term- but a baby gate or feeding in crates or separate rooms is the best short term solution to prevent any injury.

[kjc]

Oh I forgot to mention this: At feed time, I sit right there with them and watch them like a hawk... I really need to know who is eating what, as sometimes they switch bowls but are very agreeable about it.

I started out feeding them together, just never had a problem with it. I really expected them to have more problems then they do.

[kjc]

Forgot again: So sorry you were bitten. Do not take it personally. When they are into it, they are so focused on fighting, for all she knew, you were another dog attacking her.

Peek a Boo has bitten me a few times, once he was focused on attacking one of the cats, and instead of saying something, I reached down to touch him and he turned and snapped... he didn't realize I was even sitting there watching him. Don't know if it's bc he's ancient or not, but from then on, I let him know I'm in the room before I touch him.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by yorkiesincommon

Is Sadie in heat or near that time? Sometimes a female will not be herself if she is coming into heat. I have an aggressive female who is almost 9 years old and she was not like that before the age of 4 but at that point I rescued 2 other females and she began the same type of behavior you are describing. She can be horrible and has bitten me badly and attack the others on occasion. Some dogs are a 1 dog home unless you have very good training skills. There are training procedures that can extinguish the behavior but I have only been able to significantly reduce the number of incidents. Each aggressive dog is different with some common threads. If you have small children in your home and she acts snappy or in any way aggressive to them, you need to get to the vet immediately and rule out health issues and address what the cause is and what can be done. I feel for you because I know how much you can love that baby and hate to see her turn like this. What I have found is that there are trigger situations, going out the door, eating, my attention or even sitting close to me. If your situation is similar try going to your public library and see if you can find some good books on training that covers aggressive behaviors. Make sure you soak that hand in some Dawn soap with warm water for 30 minutes and get to the doctor in the morning. Take care of yourself, bites can be really bad. I wish you good luck in working out this complex situation and I am so sorry it has presented itself. I know how horrible I feel about my sweet little Lacy turning into a little monster and know you must suffer some of the same feelings. Take care. Mary

She is a spayed female so that's not the issue. She's a puppy mill dog my own stupid fault and prob had to fight for meals with her siblings. But she still needs to stop this.

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Rach, sorry it happened, but it just shows with dogs, always expect the unexpected. Dogs all have different personalities. I take it Sadie is the Alpha. Maybe she needs a bit of training. Is she fixed? Age? Don't go getting overly excited yet. Plenty of time before the baby comes, and I know you will not be putting the dogs in the crib. Hopefully, others will pipe in.

She is almost two and fixed. She's defin Alpha and my first baby. Came home at 7 weeks TOO YOUNG and Bentley came into her life at 10 months. They are love buddies and snuggle buddies, just one of those weird things. She's a treat fighter.

Originally Posted by Britster

I'm sorry to read about this.

Now, we've had a few scuffles happen over at my dads house with the 3 dogs. Over a year ago, I was doing tricks with the two boys (and giving treats obviously) when Lilly, the JRT, came from about 10 feet away and just went AFTER Jackson. Now Jackson has never started a fight but he surely will finish one so he was fighting back... in the process of pulling them apart, Lilly latched onto my boob (yes my boob!) and I had a nice pretty scar there for 2 months. The second big fight was a few months ago when Buddy and Jackson leaped down for the same bully stick at the exact same time and just went at it... it was really surprising because those 2 had never done that before and they really love each other. Lilly, I could understand, because she's always a b*tch, ha. Jackson had a little scab on his ear from that fight.


But here's my question... how many other times has Sadie full on fought Bentley, ever like this? Dog aggression not does automatically equal human aggression... but if she's FOOD aggressive, then yes she very well could do this over a piece of food the baby drops. Not wanting to scare you. Can you take a bone from her, or a piece of food, without being bit normally? I'm unsure if she's more dog aggressive or food aggressive so if you could maybe explain more.

Either way, since she is so unpredictable, I would be proactive in only feeding her in a crate or another room. No treats with the two of them loose, things like this, etc. Resource guarding is a big issue that needs to be trained and kept under control. However if this was just a one time thing... dogs will be dogs and fights will happen!

She goes after him the worst when he's hoarding a treat in his mouth. Sometimes she'll bark and snap at him without actually biting him in either play, or when he has a toy or food. She'll do it when he's getting picked up and she's not. But this was by far the longest lasting and worst fight ever. Normally i scream HEY HEY at her and they stop it. This time she was beyond my control.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Breaking them up the way you did will almost always result in you getting bitten. You separate then by lifting the aggressor (Sadie) up by the hind legs and she will let go once thrown off balance. Separating them the way you did is not safe. You also need to work on the food aggression issue especially with a a baby on the way.

didn't know this thanks that will help if i ever have to seperate her from his face again.

[Lil Sis]

wow--I am glad you are ok. Every one has given good advice. All sounded good to me... I will add....

I agree with Cathy about how to break up a fight. I have one dog who is a bit aggressive.. I would NEVER put my hand in the way. If he and his brother go at it I use a shoe or foot (in a shoe) or leg to break them up. I get very aggressive, and very alpha with them. I use to be afraid of Sammy.. I had to train myself to deal with him !! Even now I alway remember he is a dog, and I have to be sure he knows I am the boss. BUT... I will not take a bone out of his mouth (well... without protection lol)

I wish you lots of luck!!

[kjc]

After reading your comments, it sounds like Sadie is trying to control Bentley. With those two dogs, I would be on Sadie's butt anytime she even looks at Bentley sideways. I'd put her in time out whenever she approaches him when he has a toy or a treat, or if she tries to retaliate in any way. Reward her when she ignores him. With her on leash to begin with, give him treats first, then give her treats. Same with food. Feed him first, even if you feed them in crates or separate rooms. When you let them outside, let him go out first. And you have to protect him from her. In situations where you know she'll react, like when you pick him up, make her back up first. Make her back up when you put him back on the floor. Then watch them, and tell her to 'Be nice!'

I know it sounds like a lot of work, it is. But once you get in the habit of doing it, it will become second nature to you.

Tink and Finny got along fairly well, but the problem was with Tink. She thought Finnie was her new toy. They'd start out playing with toys, and the next thing I knew, I'd look up and see Tink dragging Finny across the room by her ear! Finnie was just laying there, letting Tink drag her around. And then I caught Tink grabbing Finny by the scruff of her neck and trying to shake her. Although Tink was really only playing, I had to teach her not to do those things to poor Finnie.

I told her 'No,no, play nice' and redirected Tink to a toy each time, and held Finnie on my lap for a bit to be sure she wasn't hurt. It took a few months, but I haven't seen Tink doing this behavior for quite a while now. The most she does is takes a toy to Finnie and squeaks it while resting it on her back.

I hope this helps...

[katienme2002]

Im very sorry you are dealing with this. I too agree with others on the fact that you need to be checked out by your doctor just to be sure. Better safe than sorry. As far as the dogs behavior, I have no good advice. But I do wish you the very best.