Breaking my heart
 

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

My my this is bad. Have you ever tried squirting her with a spray bottle when she snarls or bites. I know it sounds simple but my dogs have a real barking problem and it has helped. Best of luck.

Oh my please don't put her down....I know someone out there would be able to help her... but PLEASE DO NOT PUT HER TO SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!

i truly wish i had some good advice for you. my only suggestion is to show her who is Alpha when she growls growl back etc....

Awww. Is she 3 years?

This is not normal dog behavior-and definatley not normal Yorkie behavior. That is too bad. It sounds like she wasn't treated very well at all. Did the breeder keep her until she was 3? Then decide to get rid of her? It sounds like you just got her, but she's 3...I cannot imagine why someone would want to get rid of a 3-year-old dog (in this case I can). I cannot believe the breeder would even sell a dog like this. She is probably the one who put the poor dog in this state to begin with.

The trainer who trained Baxter was WONDERFUL! She had a great dane who she rescued and she tried EVERYTHING she could. The dog was VERY aggressive-at one point, she was afraid of her. She tried everything and eventually she had to put her to sleep. It was the worst thing she's ever had to do, but there are some situations where this is the only answer. I don't think it's the case with you though (yet).

I would NOT spray her with water-that's probably going to make matters much worse. I would try another tranier-find one who has delt with agressive behaviour.

Good luck to you!

I know that you are very frustrated, I would be too. Please do not do anything drastic like putting her to sleep. I am sure that someone on here can give you tips on how to handle her behavior. I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time. I hope things turn brighter in the future. Please keep us posted!

One more thing...the reason that I say don't spray her with water is because this sounds like a dog who has been attacked. You really have to watch how you treat her...I honestly think she sounds like a dog that has been attacked. I would find another trainer.

In Baxter's class, there was a little schnauzer who was attacked by another dog. He HATED dogs and would go ABSOLUTELY CRAZY when he came to class (it was a PetsMart obedience training). I have NEVER seen a dog like this one. He would go NUTS! GROWLING, BARKING-going crazy. Acutally, anytime a person or dog would come anywhere close to him. That trainer got him to the point where he would participate in class. For the first 4 weeks, he was kind of isolated. He just came to class and sat with his owners-away from the other dogs. The 2nd to last week, he participated close to the other dogs. He had gotten SO MUCH better. He had to learn to trust again though.

I am not saying this is the case with your dog-they are all different and some of them you can do nothing with, but I would say that you should look into another trainer. I believe your vet is right-I think it is totally a behavioral issue.

Please stay in contact with us about your little Dixie... :)

Pleasedo not put her to sleep!!! If you really feel you cannot help her I am sure there is someone else who is willing to try! Please surrender her to rescue! They will help her and find a home that is more appropriate. Whatever this is, if it is not a medical problem, is something someone has done to her, through abuse, neglect or bad breeding! Please do not punish her for a mistake a person has made!

I totally agree with this post - it sounds like something terrible happened to that poor baby and she is scared of people - trust CAN be earned and if you feel you aren't able to change things - please don't put her to sleep - there are many people who foster /adopt yorkies and she can find a good home !! Good luck with your little girl - I hope you can find a good solution that works for both of you ! That's so sad.

I would try another trainer. I found one through the police department for a Saint Bernard I had that was very vicious. He trained police dogs and did it for private people on his own. I had gotten her from show people if you can believe it. He came and worked with her for a month, and then told me to bring her back to the people I got her from because that was where the problem originiated from. I had to do this as an alternative to putting her down. It was a really hard decision, but she was just so bad and so big I was afraid I'd get sued if she bit someone. Your's is a lot smaller and maybe they could work with her. Give them a try.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I would be at a loss as well :(

I hope you can find a wonderful trainer who is able to reach her and bring her out of her fears. Otherwise, do what is best for you and for your puppy. No one can make that decision except for you.

Dixie
 

I have never seen this personally in dogs.Bt my cat Gordon used to attack me growled,hissed and had scars for quite a while. Then as he matured and I introduced another cat into the household things got much better. I know you cant really compare feline behavior with canine but also look into some type of anti-anxiety meds for her or antidepressants possibly. I am surprised they haven'toffer you any. Keep us posted but please don't put her to sleep How old is she????

Oops just saw her age in your quote.

I have had Dixie since she was 3MONTHS old, not three years. This is day three of her total fear behavior and my not being able to get near her. She IS acting like she was attacked for sure but my God, I have had her for almost three years now and this just started last week. She is under a table right now and will stay there till tomorrow if I let her. She wants NOTHING from me at all..I am sick. If I get within ten feet of her the growling, snapping, snarling and sometime aggressive attack on ME happens, then she retreats to her pathetic corner. Yes, I am sure it is behavioral too but getting a trainer to come here is not easy..I did yell at her when my hand was bleeding on Friday and I grabbed her hard. But my God, she has been with me for three years and this should NOT have brought this type of psychotic behavior. I am her Mom..and I will not even tell the trainer that I grabbed here and yelled. That's all they would need..an excuse when they cannot help her. I have a vet appt today and it will be another disappointment, I am sure. One more thing. Each morning since this happened, she awakes happy, playful and loving and I groom her as usual. And then, out of nowhere, she flips. I have never in all of my life been so sad over anything. Thanks everyone for caring...putting her to sleep is really not an option but what are my options. I am crying all day over this..unreal. Thanks