Share your experience owning more than 1 yorkie
 

Hi!
I don't often post around YT but was curious about everyone's experience owning more than 1 yorkie at a time, specially if same gender.

I am the owner of 3 yorkies, 1 male and 2 females and I'm finding it hard to handle the girls. They grew up together but when they hit adulthood they started to dislike each other. It is mainly Nina (the parti one) who wants to be the alpha dog. Bambi (my boy) ignores them when they're at it and he is just the sweetest teapot. Problem is the fights are escalating as they get older and I am coming to a point where I think the only way is for me to leave 2 of them with my parents (the teapots) and take the troublesome Nina with me and have her live with no other dogs.

I have been reading websites and came across one from a man with 45 years of experience saying you can't raise 2 puppies at the same time because it will always be chaotic and that dogs should be living separated. But I find this kind of thinking extreme so I want to hear from your experiences since many of you have more than 1 baby. :)

I had 2 pups at the same time and the only thing that was harder was potty training but Im home with mine all day and was able to do it. The only thing probably not good about my situation is my one of my yorkies Jewels will not let you separate her from Chachi the other yorkie. Its so bad that when the groomer grooms Jewels her assistant will have to hold chachi on the table or jewels will bark nonstop. Same thing happens when my Husband takes chachi somewhere in the car with him and doesnt take Jewels she will bark the whole time hes gone. I have 3 cats that came from the same litter and they are really attached to each other like that too. So even though Chachi and Jewels really arent siblings I think they consider themselves siblings by the way they act because there are other things too that let me know what level their bond is

I have two adult females and they get along great! Both of them are fairly submissive though to us and eachother. They never fight over anything and sleep together. My Mylee came along when Moka was about 2.5 years but Mylee has some severe anxiety/behavioral issues. I can tell she uses Moka as her "security." Moka does fine being left alone, but we have problems if Moka leaves and Mylee is left behind. Mylee cries like a child throwing a temper tantrum, pants, paces, etc. We have NEVER left Mylee alone as in really alone. Gosh, I can't imagine what kind of destruction I'd find if we did that! Moka is kind of a Mother dog in that she accepts Mylee's needyness without complaint. Moka is just an all around good dog. If she were any different, our whole situation would be completely different for sure.

I am home most of the time since I am a freelance designer and work from home so I don't think they lack attention. I do accept I used to pamper/protect Nina more then the other two (both teapots) because she was so tiny as a puppy and she has grown to be really jealous and I don't know how to teach her that they all are on the same level. She thinks she is on top.

I try training her with treats and play but once she sets her mind on attacking Mia (the other girl) nothing stops her and I have to lock her in the room while I take the other out potty and feed. I will never re-home any of them unless it is with my parents whom I see daily and know love my yorkies. It breaks my heart the thought of separating them. *sigh* :(

Any advice is appreciated. :thumbup:

I don't have any info to share but I am very interested in this thread. I have a 3 year old female and want to add another. I really want them to get along!

We have two females- Ziva (3 in May)- The busybody, alpha ,runt of the litter, follow the rules Yorkie. We recently added Abby (6 months) a sweet, laidback, nothing is a problem, slightly silly baby. I picked her from a litter of 5 specifically for her personality (not her looks;)) Abby was just spayed last week so I didn't have any chance of female issues. So far it has been great and has made Ziva "lighten" up a little. Two is more fun and Abby is NEVER a problem, she is soo easy going (not like Ziva as a puppy!)

I have 2 strong males. Everything is great as long as we balance attention between the 2 and keep them active. Max suffers a little jealousy when he thinks grandpa is paying too much attention to Teddy.

Is there anything you have noted that sets Nina off -- competition over a toy, a treat, or attention?

There are so many variables involved, it's hard to set any form of rule/procedure about this, but, here's what I do, and I know that in all instances, it's not possible. Anyway, when adding one to existing...

Same Breed.
Opposite Sex.
New Dog younger than the "resident".
then...
I try to wait at least two years, before another addition keeping a gender balance. ie: alternate gender.

I'm just one of those people, who respects/attempts to maintain the "Pecking Order", though many don't pay much attention to that. It's specially important with Females, allowing immediate and apparent knowledge to the new animal, that there is an Alpha present, and the new guy should wait their turn and observe it's place.

Yorkies are much like Lion Prides, in that the Female does a lot of the "management" within the Pack, and the Males just lay back, wait on the Females to catch something, or something come along where they have to protect the territory or Pack. That's probably why the Male mentioned before, doesn't get involved with the Female "battle".

But, getting back to the point, it's a lot easier if the resident is older, bigger, stronger ect... then there is a LOT less resistance of the new one to accept the others seniority, and...

When it comes to Yorkie Females, there WILL be an Alpha.

Mine have all gotten along very well. I have never had a problem, even when I adopted and brought in a new one.
I have been very lucky with all of my Yorkies I have had thru the years.

I think SWHouston has good advice. I do think personality is the most important ingredient. Rubin got along well with Noah (RIP) they were both neutered, But he did not get along with Zacky (RIP) and they fought off and on. Zacky was not neutered. Rubin is 8 years old, and gets along with 10 month old Abba who is not neutered. I have 4 Yorkies. Gracie is the Alpha or at least accepted as it by all the dogs. All the dogs fight with Ginny Joy, a 9 month old female (she is the youngest and biggest Yorkie, she weights 7 pounds and a few ounces) She does not respect personal space and wants to play all the time. From time to time Gracie (not quite 5 pounds and 3 years old) bites Ginny Joy hard making her yip and do a belly up roll. Then the boys rush in and bite at Ginny Joy too. I always break it up. Our Lab is very good natured and easy going but she growls at Ginny Joy and sometimes holds her down between her paws. I also have fosters in and out and they do not seem to like Ginny Joy either. Dogs don't like Ginny Joy too much. She is the smartest Yorkie and is so easy to train. She is healthy and beautiful, and loves to be fussed over. She would make a perfect only pet for someone.

Bambi is the eldest resident. I got him October, 2009 and I went crazy in love over yorkies and added Nina on March, 2010. Then I fell in love again and brought Mia in November, 2010. Enough yorkie hoarding. lol

At the beginning everything was fine but I admit I was overprotecting Nina from Bambi and Mia's rough play. Bambi and Mia are both teapots and they often were too rough when playing with Nina. Everything continued to be OK until a couple of weeks after I got Mia, she got parvo (she did have her first shot but she got ill just a couple of days before her next vaccine was given). She "died" for some minutes before I got to the vet and he checked and she had no vitals signs, so he injected adrenaline into her heart and as a miracle she started to breathe again and after a week at the vet she was almost back to health. Over the next days you will understand I was over now protective of Mia and I think that's when Nina felt misplaced and started to grow a hatred.

Nina would push Mia with her front legs if she saw my father patting her head. At first we found it funny and ignored it until she started to growl at Mia whenever someone gave her love and I would *hush* at Nina but she just walked away or pretended to submit.

I started to keep them separated fearing they could fight when I wasn't home and that made it worse because Nina would find a way to jump the fence to the other side and fight Mia just for being in another side of the house. When I finally got tired of separating them for feeding, potty and walking, I just let both loose together and waited to see what happened. Nina approached Mia aggressively and Mia growled back, they pushed each other back and that was the end of the fight. I was impressed because I feared a bloody end but on the contrary, Nina just wanted Mia back in her side of the fence.

It has been more recent that Nina just goes up to Mia and starts a fight and I have to separate them because I fear they hurt each other. Mia is double the size of Nina and I fear that if she decides to really defend herself, she could kill Nina. So far Mia only growls and pushes Nina back but doesn't bite her, it is Nina who bites her hard and I know because she got my hand when I pulled Mia away.

As time goes on Nina gets harsher with Mia and since past week I have kept them separated because they had a very bad fight where Nina injured Mia's eye but gladly I was there to avoid something serious. I had to push my finger inside Nina's mouth and open it with my hand because she didn't let go. I got one finger chewed instead but it could have been Mia's eyeball out, if I hadn't done that.

I'm just desperate to find a way to make them friendly with each other again. I've tried treats, love and a strong voice but nothing distracts Nina once she's after something. Mia is easy with food and I can train her but not Nina. She won't listen.

Infinity,

My heart was absolutely SINKING as I read your first two paragraphs, and was SO relieved that you were able to save Mia....WHEW ! :thumbup:

But, when you have one like Nina, who is h*ll bent on being the Alpha, you don't have too many choices. It is possible that your are not giving her enough recognition, that is, IF you are ok with her being the Alpha ?

What I mean by that is...
If you want to go along with Nina's roll, then you should start feeding Nina first, petting her first, greeting her first, letting her lead the Pack on walks and just anything else you can think of, which will reassure her of her Alpha roll.

I KNOW how tough that's going to be, actually more on you than it will be on Mia, but having you as Pack Leader, "approve" of Nina's position, may settle things down between the two. Just to be sure NOT to let Nina see you petting Mia or paying too much attention to her for a while. You can take her aside out of site of Nina, and catch up on the lovin, but DON'T let Nina see that.

Your other choice if this doesn't settle down, is re-homing one of them...sorry.

Note:
I'm wondering how many reading this, can/will appreciate the distinction between Pack Leader, and Alpha Dog, and that there can be both ?

Note2:
Also, You need to get Nina aside, train her or practice training stuff... sit, roll over whatever, but your MUST enforce your dominance over her.
You MUST be the Pack Leader in her mind (a much stronger position) or the next time you attempt to intervene, you may get bit seriously.
Remember, "please" doesn't work in these situations, your word must be law !

Teresa,

There are many very well informed people on this Forum, but, when you speak... I listen ! So having said that, I have a question for you, and it's "sorta" in line with the Topic here. I've owned many Breeds and even more Dogs in my life, and as I've said before, Yorkies stand out SO far above the rest, I'm just amazed by it. But, I've noticed something, which it will take someone with considerable experience to comment on.
So here goes...

I think, IF you Spay a Female Yorkie, before she has her first heat, that the probability of her being "aggressively" dominant is very likely.

Conversely, if you wait and Spay after she heats, she will be MUCH more passive in the Pack, and allow another Female to be Alpha with no or few problems.

I know this sounds reversed, but, I think that a Female recognizes the loss of being able to reproduce, and it sets her back psychologically, causing a more passive nature.
Whereas, the one who never knows, isn't effected by having had that ability taken away, and steps up and is much more likely to want the Alpha Roll.

Your opinion ?

PS:
This has nothing to do with the abilities/desires of an intact Female.
I've been accused of "over thinking" things by the best ! :rolleyes:

I have had Thor and Little Bit since they were born and I disagree with this man. The only problem we ever have is that they tear into a fight once in awhile and we are working on that and it is getting better.

My 2 boys have been with me since they were 9 weeks old, they are brothers from the same liter. I seriously don't think they can function without each other.... but they are boys, boys are much more mellow than girls. They are always side by side. They look for each other, they both seem to need to lay on the same lap, lay in the same bed, eat dinner at the same time, chase squirrels at the time, they are partners in crime and best friends. When 1 is not around, the other is very anxious until they get back. Only 2x in almost 7 years have them been separated, the days they were neutered.

I have 4 females yorkies and 1 male golden retriever. The yorkies are mother and then daughters. They all get along great but Cozy is Mama to all the others. She is top dog of the doggie pack and discipline them like puppies. A lot of growling and noise but no damage. Even the +75 Golden is disciplined by her.

I think I will have to do what SWHouston says and let her be the alpha dog. I'm thinking back and remembering I had started to feed Mia first as a way of telling Nina I didn't want her to be dominant over Mia. I have also been putting Nina behind because of her aggressiveness. This has only made her furious as she once used to be the alpha dwarf (lol) and now I have her apart from the doggie pack. She does only get aggressive towards Mia.

I will be spaying Mia in a month and later Nina because I'm currently having a really tight budget. I hope this does help to calm them both down. Although I really wish it was my boy, Bambi, the alpha dog. He is the most "rational" buddy in the house (lol).

It is not an idea I love because Mia is such a kind girl and so naive that I feel bad having to reassure she is below Nina. :(

You are lucky to have your babies getting along just fine. I hope I can come to that point soon and I will for sure work on it as I just don't ever want to re-home any of them.

Can you switch and have Nina spayed first? That may help a little bit to have her hormones calm down a bit.

I don't think a male will ever be alpha over a female! LOL :)

I am a bit scared of spaying Nina. She weights 5 lbs ... do you think it will be fine?

and LOL at the male not alpha against females

Oh yes, she'll be fine. My Dexter was fixed and he was only 4.2lbs. 5lbs is fine to have them fixed. Yes, shes small and I would be cautious with a clinic type place where they are put under, fixed in 10 mins and then put in a crate to recover. My Dexter went to a vet hospital. He was constantly supervised and made sure that he ate, drank, his vitals were stable all day after he came out of it, and they only sedated him to last a little bit of time, so he was completely awake and aware when I picked him up at 430pm.
Fletcher went to a clinic (he was much bigger at 9lbs) and it was a lot cheaper, but I took him home and he was groggy all night, barely waking up, no food or drinking. It was a bit harsher I think for him than Dexters was for him. Poor little guys!

Good advice celstu :thumbup:

Infinity,

At this point, I don't think it will make much difference as to who gets the knife first, and, YOU don't decide who is Alpha qualified. That's internal Pack business, they've already made those decisions, and it appears that Nina has the lead. Though it's tough to see/witness, resistance from the other Pack members, only strengthens Nina, and "proves" to the others, she's qualified.

Now, it's up to you go make all that work for her ! :thumbup:

The key is patients and consistency.

PS:
Males will not get involved with Alpha Female struggles.

I realize that this post was not directed at me, but I found it very interesting and wanted to add 2 cents worth, lol.

I have a 15 yo nm, a 5yo if, a 3yo if Biewer, and a 5 yo sf.

The Alpha is the 5yo sf, then the 5yo if, then the 3yo if, then the 15yo nm. The 15yo nm does challenge the Alpha sf on occasion (who is first out the door, or to get my attention) as do I to remind her I am the Pack Leader. If he's not starting something, he ignores the girls.

One thing funny (I was shocked) I noticed the other day... the Alpha sf is a bit over the top (off her rocker). I was walking her with the 3yo if Biewer, and the Biewer started correcting the Alpha sf whenever she needed it (like when she barked and tried to run after a passing car), and then the Biewer backed off until the next time the Alpha went 'off'.

Also, these dogs were super passive, or more like 'lost' when the Alpha went away for a week to have surgery, and were very happy when she came home.

The only other behavior I've seen that really bothers me is when somebody gets hurt, like taking a bad step that makes them yelp.... all the others rush over and I don't trust it... I always intervene... it just does not appear friendly.

Maybe they let her be Alpha bc she is a bit crazed, lol! IDK. I had the male since he was 5yo, then in April 2009 I added the now Alpha sf, and in June 2009 we got the 5yo if, and in January 2010 the Biewer. I thought it would be easier that way rather than letting any of them become 'established' and then adding on. This way, it all came about as they were still settling into the new home. (The Alpha thought the Biewer was a big squeaky toy in the beginning, lol, so I really had to watch them closely. My first clue was when I saw the Alpha dragging the Biewer across the floor by the ear... no blood or fighting, she just wanted to play.

They get along most of the time, just an occassional skirmish and a less occassional fight here and there. The two IFs just went through a trying period, they never fought till a few weeks ago, and I had to quickly separate them. I believe it was all my fault though. One wanted to play, the other was protecting me.

I do give them each special attention, but they will wait in line for their 'turn' to be picked up and cuddled. They do the same for treats, and new toys or bows from the store.

I see after writing all this down, that their personalities play a big role in it all, and I do constantly pay attention to what is going on: I'm always listening and watching them interact. Most days they are all very well behaved....

I have 3 spayed females and 1 neutered male. Cali is almost 7 and I got her at 9 weeks. When I brought her in I had a 7 year old pomeranian who was very territorial and not very friendly. They just pretty much ignored each other and coexisted fine. Then about 1 1/2 years later I brought in Pixie who was 13 months when I got her. She came in and took on the alpha or pack leader. She took to my pom instantly and would lay right between her front paws all the time. And my pom let her. Then about 1 year after I brought Pixie home I got Roxie from Pixie's breeder. She was 4 months when I brought her home and Pixie took to her immediately. When Roxie got a little older she and Pixie would pick on Cali. Never to the point of hurting her but they have all grown out of that. 2 years ago when I inherited Nikki a neutered rescued male, who was estimated to be 15-17 years old he took an instant dislike to Cali and to this day will go after her. Fortunately he has no teeth and can't hurt her. She never fights back. He has gone after Roxie a few times but she stands up to him so he doesn't try it much. He has never, ever gone after Pixie and will even let her sleep in his bed. So all in all they get along fine. Pixie will get on the others if they aren't listening to me and she will lay by them if they aren't feeling well. So she seems to be the pack leader.

kjc,

I apologize for not opening up my question to the Forum. Though I'm still quite interested in what Teresa has to say about that. Your comments are ALWAY welcome, solicited or not !!! ;)

Sounds like you have a great Pack there, no doubt a result from your expert management skills (learned or natural) :thumbup:

Patti,

I too have one, Sneakers (3.5y/i/M/Alpha) that doesn't not want to meet and greet anyone. Highly territorial and protective, then I have...
Becca (1.5y/s/F) who knows no strangers, but, that depends on the circumstances. At home she's protective, out and about, she's as friendly as can be.

I think that their original exposures to people are the keys in the differences between the two. I never let Sneakers meet anyone, dogs included, and now he's quite aggressive when he encounters strangers, home or out and about.

With Becca, I took her everywhere when she was a puppy, didn't let her come into contact with other Dogs until she had her full series of shots. But would take her in a Shopping Cart, carry her on my arm, let people pet her ect, and that definitely made a difference in her attitude about accepting strangers. She still follows Sneakers lead here at home, as far as "alarming" if someone/something approaches. I always praise when they alarm here at home for the right reason, I sorta see that as their "job" for me.

HA, I've always thought a Dog needed a Job. :rolleyes:

I had to rehome one of my females for my alpha female did not like the other female. The other female attacked my older one and ripped into her pretty well. my alpha is a 5 1/2 lbs and the other was 8. Although the 8lb one was just defending herself from the alpha. I homed her to a friend with a male, had her spayed too, and they get along very well and im thrilled. I personally could not leave the home without caging them for fear of a battle while i was away from them. My alpha gets along with her daughter fine but not other females other than her own. I cut back on my yorkie hoarding:( and am currently having my last litter too:( Im just too busy at this time in my life for breeding and fighting. Perhaps when the children go to college i will have a house full again:(

Make sure that they are both spayed for certain!!!! that will help in 90% of cases. I wanted another litter from my alpha so that is why i rehomed my other larger one.

I have an 11 yo yorkie, a 5 yo mix, and a new baby 4 months old. They are all males and the baby just loves to play with them but he bites them in a playful way.
I love having 3 dogs and it is a lot of work but the love I receive is priceless!! :)

I'm looking forward to getting a third Dog. It will be a Male this time. I like to alternate gender. Hopefully later on this year.

I had Sneakers(M) for two years, when Becca(F) arrived, and he thought that She was HIS PUPPY ! :D

Though Becca can be a total pest at times, I see a deep love between them, and it's something that is beyond what could be related to human influence. Becca is approaching 2 yo now, and I KNOW She's going to be as good a Mom to the new one, as Sneakers was a Leader for her. He's taught her SO much, it's really better when you have a strong (well established) Alpha to lead the Pack.

Maybe its jealousy? 2 females fighting over a male? I don't know never been in that situation but have heard about it before from friends.