How much aggressiveness is OK? Raider and Addie are 9 weeks old today. As I've mentioned before, Raider is the dominant one and he won't give Addie any peace. He is always biting her, rolling her over, just generally being a pest. It is playful most of the time, but occasionally he gets a little rough and Addie lets out a "Yelp". We try to let them work it out, but when it seems to be getting out of hand, we pick them up. They have been sharing a crate until tonight and we put them in separate crates. So far, they have been quiet. We want to let them be dogs and we know this is part of it, but we have also heard of litter mates having aggression issues with each other as they get older. We asked the vet about it and he said to not worry about it, that Addie would eventually put Raider in his place. We just want to be good parents! |
I'd let them work it out until he crosses a line or seems to be hurting or oppressing her. Then back him off by giving him a verbal command of your choosing, something like "Leave it", moving into his space and teach him to stay back by staying put in front of him, herding him back with both your outstretched hands until he gives it up and walks off. Takes patience and persistence. With a young puppy, they usually don't hurt each other but I'd not get used to yelling at him to try to stop his aggressive play and early dominance, which is okay if within reason, but use your body and physically engage with him to stop him, letting him know early on that you intend to intervene if he crosses a line you don't like with Addie. Because one day, if no one stops little Raider, Addie may go ballistic on him and turn into and remain a shrew to try to keep him in line if she perceives you won't. Later, once he learns the command, he will stop pestering her when you just say "leave it" from across the room or shoot him a stern look, having learned if he doesn't, you'll get up and back him off yourself with your eyebrows all drawn together, not happy with him. |
I had this same question when I brought home my second boy. How rough is too rough? I learned through the noises they made when things were getting out of hand. I only intervened when it sounded dangerous. Yelps can just be warnings. A truly aggressive growl is when I knew to break things up. I didn't intervene physically and still do not. I raise my voice or make a loud noise to call the boys to attention. That is another good point -- when you see them start down the road, refocus them on a constructive activity. All I have to do is play a couple minutes of fetch or have the boys perform a few tricks for treats. Then they go on their merry way and stop wrestling. |
Just like people siblings get into fights sometimes. It's good yo break it up if you feel like they are being yo rough but they will often work it out themselves. I had this problem for a while when I first brought home Molli, she was such a rambunctious pup. Training and more excercise worked wonders also, sometimes the 'aggressor' just has a little more steam to blow off. It's totally normal, it'll be ok! |
One the subject and also a funny note: I remember our current old jack russell was always bullying our past yorkies when she was younger. Our male was submissive to her and our female was tolerant up until one day she put her literally down "in her place" and ever since then she hasn't bothered her as much, lol Now with my new yorkie girl, it's sort of a mothering thing but she still tries to steal treats from her. Ironically my yorkie baby has been showing "aggression" by barking like mad/crazy at the old jack, like a verbal challenge (or to show her displeasure) but she never actually goes after her, lol I try to discourage her verbally challenging the elder, but as long as neither actually gets physical (most of the time our old jack russell girl just ignores her) I just try to keep an eye on them. Sometimes when she gets lots of attention by being brush, etc. when on my bed, if the old gal came in, she'll get upset with her and bark mad at her (she wanted her out of the room), but if she doesn't leave she'll start looking at me or my Dad, if he's there, and start crying while barking mad looking between Chloe (the old jack) and one of us ^^;;; lol so we get her out of the room and she then calms down >_> she's definitely a baby lol |
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