Help!! Dog on dog aggresion question, serious answers only please.?

Question

My five year old yorkie is extremely aggressive when it comes to strange dogs. He used to not be, but it seems he is getting worse with time. When we owned a dachshund and he lived in the house too, Vinnie (the yorkie) did not exhibit this behavior. He runs and barks and nips at other dogs. He is so tiny, that only one bite from a big dog would kill him. I am really worried about this behavior because it could seriously hurt him and my brother-in-law, who at the time lives with us, brought home a full grown lab who is being pretty submissive to Vinnie, but I am afraid that it won't last long. Oh and by the way, Vinnie is neutered so that is not the problem. THANKS!!!!!!!!!

Quite honestly, I live in a rural area where a dog behavior specialist is not an option or maybe one I don't know of. Where can I find local dog obedience classes or find out if there is a behavior specialist around? I am really concerned for my dog will use the tips that all of you have so graciously given until I can find further help.

Answer 1

Address the root cause. Your Yorkie is loosing faith in your ability to protect him against bigger dogs and regardless of his being neutered- probably has Alpha issues that have been allowed to develop.

My advise is to practice leadership exercies with him. If he sleeps in the bed- start making him sleep on the floor. Feed him only after you have eaten. Humans through the door first. Make him walk on a leash next to you- not in front. Practice brushing him while he's laying flat on his side. Reward submissive behavior.

When you encounter other dogs on a leash, make him sit with his back facing the other dog while it passes. Start giving leash corrections when you feel him get tense from the presense of other dogs- before he goes bezerk. Keep him from escalating if you can.

The behavior should come down several notches. A lot of times we see little dogs as just so cute (they are- right?), and we let them get away with things because they're little- then one day a habbit develops and we're like- huh? Think of him as a 120 pound shepherd. What other things is he doing that he would not be permitted to do?

While he's learning, keep him on the leash around other dogs- even in the house. Do not allow him to run or charge other dogs. Give him a leash correction (effectively snapping him out of that state of mind) as soon as he gives them a look- or tenses his body in response to another dog- and only praise him when he's calm in their presense.

He'll get it. Good Luck!

Answer 2

OK. Let's remember that yorkies were bred to hunt rats and mice. Given the size of a yorkie and the size of a rat - anything that can not only take on - but defeat an aggressive animal its own size is pretty formidable. In other words, be glad your yorkie is so tiny or he could be dangerous.

Socialization is key. I would recommend that you take Vinnie to a good obedience class and consult with a behavioral specialist on his fear aggression. He's feeling a bit intimidated because of the other dog. I'm assuming that the dachshund is now in heaven - but the idea is that Vinnie needs socialization and interaction with other dogs - and some serious discipline from you.

Obedience class - not private lessons - will help a lot.

Answer 3

I own a large breed dog that has had ( a long time ago ) pit fighting history. When my Japanese Akita was a puppy up to the age of nine months small dogs would attack him all the time. They even tried to bite him. He allowed it and basically I'm sure thought they were playing. He then reached nine months and decided that enough was enough. He challenged two dogs that tried to fight him and made the other dogs aware a fight would take place if it did not back down. Luckily the fight never happened but I can honestly say that small dogs don't try to fight him now. ** You are right to be concerned about another dog attacking your dog and I believe it will happen if you don't take care **
Your dog is probably acting out of fear or over protectiveness of you. It does not see you as the pack leader and is making all the decisions for itself. I suggest you ask a dog walker if you can train your dog by using there's. In the other dogs prescence place your dog on the ground in a lying position and hold the dog down. it will growl and bark but don't let it up. Get the other dog to come over and sniff your dog. Eventually your dog will learn to be submissive.

Answer 4

Behavior problems that seem minor can get worse when you introduce another dog. You need the help of a professional trainer who can get to know your situation and spend some serious time with you and your dog. I have several friends who have used Bark Busters trainers with their dogs with very good results, including a large shepard who used to attack small animals. You won't find a quick fix on Yahoo Answers... If you love your dog and want to keep him healthy (Yorkies can live a very long time) then fix this problem the right way the first time.

Answer 5

I have exactly the same problem with my sisters dog, he's a Yorkie too and he attacks my black lab sometimes especially when food is around, he also guards doorways and food and things and when my lab tries to get through or get the things hes guarding he snarls and attacks him. Luckily my lab is very docile and wouldn't hurt any other dog or person purposely.

I can't say I know how to stop this but when we feed them we do it separately and feed the bigger dog first so he doesn't try to eat the Yorke's food first which stops the attacks and when walking him we keep him on a short lead unless no dogs are around then he can be let off.

Answer 6

Sounds like a spoiled brat that has had his widdle way too long. He needs obed training and to be corrected for acting up. I have 5 MinPins who are all obed trained and used to show and title MinPins in obed. so no dog is to widdle for training. I have 7 dogs, 2 large and the 5 toys but none of the MinPins are fond of large dogs on the street, they do not act up but do not want to be friends which is understandable. They know their own 70lb pals, why would a 6lb dog trust a strange 70lb dog. But they do not bark or threathen, they just choose not to socialize beyond a sniff. The Lab will prob get tired of Napoleon and rightly correct the dog which could hurt him. Aggression always gets worse with time because it was not nipped in the bud when it began so the dog says if this much aggression is OK then more is better. Use the No Free Lunch method to help get to be boss over him as the dog listens to and trusts the boss and take him to obed class and make him behave. I only use a micro pinch collar on toy breeds as it can not hurt them and trains them much more humanely. I have worked with rescues many years and alway took the ones no one could handle because they bit, people, dogs or cats and rehabbed them. It can be done but one has to be firm. I had a 5lb MinPin who was so aggressive 6' tall guys were afraid of him. I put the pinch on him, took him to class, made him behave and in a few months he went to a Bark in the Park with a blessing of the pets buy priests and was petted by many many people and was fine. He knew I was Alpha and if I said it was Ok he trusted me. He has been adopted and has a great life with 2 other MinPins.

Answer 7

the problem is he's a yorkie. They're little tyrants if you let them be, and it's really hard to stop them. Honestly terriers are so difficult to train NOT to be aggressive once they start you're WAY better off going to a trainer than trying anything anyone here can tell you.

Answer 8

And with a new name he's made me proud again.

Just because a dog barks doesn't mean he is aggressive in anyway.

I have found barking is more for play and fear aggressive dogs charge and snarl as they take a bite. You don't get the warning of a bark you just have the dog fight.

When I have little ones that are afraid of the big ones I try to just reassure the little ones. Any dog that is in fear of others I teach them to come to me for safety and reassurance.

Answer 9

it sounds like he wants to be top dog and hes the boss and thats that. are you in the uk? it might be worthwhile speaking to a pet behaviourist as they are very helpful in situations like this. if youre in the uk i can let u know of some