Breaking my heart

[Gypsy Rose]

I have only just seen this post and have read it all through - I have no advice unfortunately but just wanted to say how very sorry I am and what a wonderful mommy you are to little Dixie - who is so very beautiful! You have all the patience and love for her in the world and I do so hope that you resolve this. If it's possible to do just that I just know that you WILL! Best wishes from Ana, Gypsy Rose and Gizzie Chavi from Wales! Ana xx

[rrosenberry]

I keep re- reading this,,,it is the strangest thing I have read on here,I understand what your saying about the anxiety being under things..but why would this have started 3 weeks ago?? What in the world would have started it..thats what I cant figure out?

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I hope Dixie "comes back to you" very soon and she is the happy healthy dog she was. You are doing the right thing and we are here for you.

[babi1542]

I thought things were better, I am so sorry to hear that things are still not too good. Anything you need we are here!

[YorkiesRule]

I am so sorry for you to have to go through this. Can you possibly put your finger on something that might be triggering these attacks. Do they start at the same time each day? Do you follow the same routine every day and after a particular part of that routine this behaviour starts? I ask because Lexi used to sleep on my lap every evening. Stubbornly even because sometimes I need my lap space for something else but she wouldn't have it. Then suddenly, one night, she jumped up as startled as if she saw a ghost, and ran off. The next night the same thing. This went on for months. I finally realized that my folks (who live upstairs) had rearranged their furniture and just about the same time every night my dad would sit down in his recliner and it makes a racket when he opens it. If I tried to hold Lexi to keep her she would very gently nip my hand as if to say "nope, can't stay, let me go". Never visiously as you describe, but a behaviour based on fear. The folks put the furniture back as it was and now she's back on my lap every night.

I hope you find an answer to this mystery, somehow, somewhere. I can't imagine the heartache you are feeling after having a sweet dog for 3 years before this. My best wishes to you both for a speedy and happy solution to this problem!

[jennifermcb]

Darn! I'd hoped you guys were on the path to success.

You may have some rough times ahead of you. We're here for you, even if you just need to vent. Chin up.

[feminvstr]

YorkieSue this aggression makes no since unless she has been recently scared, taunted, antagonized, teased contantly, proded through the crate, or plainly ignored and confined in her crate for extended periods of time, chased, hit, screamed at constantly anyone one of these can change a personality!!!

IMO there is no way the breeder could have been abusive for it to appear 3 years later.

If imbreeding had anything to do with it, it would not have been surpressed for 3 years!!! IMHO inbreeding would have been somewhat obvious at 3 months and as she grew by hyper behavior, disassociation, lack of concentration (ignoring commands) not all of the sudden the personality change.

shaking head

[edi]

I saw the four photo gallery pictures of Dixie and she is a doll. What a beautiful girl you have.
On the other hand I pray for her to get better. The more I hear her story the less sense it makes. Something is definitely strange and hope it gets resolved.

[Flakes]

Yorkisue has your vet checked to make sure this little gal didn't have a stroke three weeks ago? If as you say she is only agressive if she is under or in something it just doesn't make sense. Most dogs would simply avoid going under anything if being there caused an anxiety attack. There is something else wrong here and I think her having gone lame as you said three weeks ago is the key. She very well could have had a mini stroke, she could also have a brain tumor which is causing pressure on her brain and giving her headaches or screwing up her cognitive abilities. I have had one yorkie go bonkers as a result of a brain tumor. I don't think it is anxiety attacks and I cannot imagine keep the poor little thing on a leash in the house. This is not a behaviour problem it is a medical problem. The fact that it is going on and off like a switch is a very good clue that something is not functioning as it should in her brain.

Prozac - works ok for some humans but I'd sure not even consider it until the vet ruled out all other possibilities. I cannot imagine putting a little yorkie on anti-depressants for the rest of their lives. Even if you do you will not have the dog you once knew, she may not be agressive but she won't have much spunk either. I've been on Zoloft now for more than 10 years, it keeps me level but it is not without severe side effects. One of those side effects is that I have no ups or downs - just kind of trucking along on a very flat road. It is better than the alternative of being the wicked witch of the west but I'd sure as heck not do that to my dog.

So please go in and sit down and have a long chat with your vet and if he/she isn't giving you answers that make sense then find another vet who is willing to do whatever testing is required to find out what is at the root of this problem.

[Ringo]

Sue...you wrote that she ONLY shows this behavior towards you and in your house. Have you changed your appearance? Like your hair style? Do you wear a new perfume? Was she actually stung? If so, she could be linking you to the pain she felt when you were examining her. Did you stay in a hotel with her when you visited the new vet? If so, did she act up towards you in the hotel? If it were me....I'd take her and stay in a hotel for a few days. See how she acts towards you. Then I'd leave her a few days in YOUR home with someone else. This way you could rule out if it's something about you or if it's something in the house. If she acts ok around others in the house...then I'd say that she's acting out towards you for a reason. It could be something about your appearance....or even your attitude. I don't mean that in a critical way. Maybe she senses that you are fearful of her? She could be trying to get one over on you. She acts better when you have her tied up....maybe because she knows you have the control. Who knows? I'd troubleshoot the problem in the ways I mentioned above. Good luck and everything will work itself out. I know you're heartbroken. At least as far as I can tell....she isn't suffering any pain.

[rrosenberry]

Originally Posted by Ringo

Sue...you wrote that she ONLY shows this behavior towards you and in your house. Have you changed your appearance? Like your hair style? Do you wear a new perfume? Was she actually stung? If so, she could be linking you to the pain she felt when you were examining her. Did you stay in a hotel with her when you visited the new vet? If so, did she act up towards you in the hotel? If it were me....I'd take her and stay in a hotel for a few days. See how she acts towards you. Then I'd leave her a few days in YOUR home with someone else. This way you could rule out if it's something about you or if it's something in the house. If she acts ok around others in the house...then I'd say that she's acting out towards you for a reason. It could be something about your appearance....or even your attitude. I don't mean that in a critical way. Maybe she senses that you are fearful of her? She could be trying to get one over on you. She acts better when you have her tied up....maybe because she knows you have the control. Who knows? I'd troubleshoot the problem in the ways I mentioned above. Good luck and everything will work itself out. I know you're heartbroken. At least as far as I can tell....she isn't suffering any pain.

Sounds like alot of good ideas,,, Its worth a shot. I'd try it.

[taje]

Have you changed what you clean your floors with or any of your cleaning products? I know it's a stretch but weirder things have happened.

You sound like a great patient lady, if I was a Yorkie I would want you for my mom.

[chachi]

I am hoping things get better for you. My heart just breaks for you.

[Snow Yorkies]

There has to be a reason for this behavior...It sounds like a chemical imbalance as Bi-polar behavior. I really don't aggresive behavior back toward her as to start spraying her with water is the answer... I have to agree with putting her on a anti-depressant for a while and see if this corrects your problem. Dogs can sense fear so put on some good leather gloves (welding gloves would proably offer better protection) and try to reassure her with compassion.

[yorkielovebug]

I have never seen or heard of a yorkie acting like that, sound's to me like she's had a nerve problem, don't know tho. I guess their kinda like people, is she eating and drinking, maby try changing her food could be something in her diet. I'm so sorry for you, must be horrible to see this going on with your baby. Yorkielovebug.com

Originally Posted by YorkieSue

My little Dixie Cup is almost 3 and in the last week or so seems to have had a psychotic break. She has ALWAYS been difficult and I suspect that the 'reputable' breeder really did a number on her either by inbreeding or taking her from the mother too soon and isolating her. Anyway, Dixie has now flipped out and is attacking me from morning till nite. She hides constantly and if I even walk by she attacks. I cannot pet, brush, feed or leash her up without putting myself in danger. She is growling, snarling, lip curling and viciously attacking me when I disturb her in her private space (crate, under the bed..anything she can hide in). I am sick over this, just sick. She is not my pet at this point and I fear the worst for her future if this keeps up.

I have seen my vet at least 10 times since I brought her home because of her behaviors but now I cannot even get near her. I cannot go on this way. I have had 3 trainers work with her from the beginning but no one can help me now..Dixie is out of control WITH ME. I am again taking her to the vet tomorrow and going to DEMAND blood work to rule out whatever..my vet says it is strictly behavioral and that I need another trainer. I cannot take much more and will not give her away. I would rather put her to sleep than wonder what someone is doing to her because she is so awful now.I am single and she simply would not make it with a family at all--they would put her down immediately for what I am seeing now. I am sick over the 'break' she seems to have had for the past week and I am now afraid of her. She has bitten me badly in the past week and enough is enough.

Anyone ever been thru anything like this? I fear that I will have to make a decision that will simply tear me up--and soon. Thanks, Dixie's Mom