Really Stumped - Need Help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lolasmom1211 · 08-03-2009, 05:19 AM

I have a situation with my two babies that has me really stumped and I'm hoping that those of you with more knowledge and experience may be able to help. My girl Lola is 19 months old and we've had her since she was about 10 weeks old. When Lola was about 7 months, I got my baby boy, Harley, when he was about 12 weeks old - so they are about 4 months apart in age. Lola is just under 4 lbs and Harley is about 7.5 lbs. They have grown up together and really love each other very much. Whenever I take Harley out of the room without Lola, she goes crazy barking and running until I bring him back. Lola had Liver Shunt surgery in March at University of TN and was gone for 5 days...my husband said Harley would not eat for 3.5 days while I was gone with her. They are inseparable. My daughter brought her 4 lb yorkie male down at Christmas and they all got along great for the first few days but the last two days, Lola attacked him viciously whenever she saw him. We had to keep them totally separated - if my daughter even walked through the room holding him, Lola would go crazy barking and growling and trying to bite him. My daughter came for another visit shortly after Lola's surgery (post op 8 weeks) and Lola did the same thing, only worse, so we kept them separated again. All three dogs have been neutered / spayed. Lately she has started showing aggression towards my baby boy, Harley, at night, but only at night. If he does anything that she does not want him to, she will jump towards him and try to bite him around his face. He is twice as big as she is, but he is a very, very sweet dog and has never shown any aggression or retaliation towards her. This behavior of hers is getting worse each night...if I pick him up, then she gets uncontrollably angry - when I put him down she goes after his face - when they are going out the door together, if he gets out first - same thing. It only, only happens at night but is getting out of hand. They play all day long together with no problems. They sleep snuggled together during the day and even after the episodes at night. But this aggression gets really bad when we go to bed at night...she goes after his little face for no reason for the last couple of nights. He has started getting in bed and putting his sweet face under the pillow or under my arm immediately when we get in. Lola is a tiny little thing but it's as if a switch goes off at 8 or 9 at night and this aggression kicks in. She is the sweetest, most affectionate yorkie all the rest of the time! During these episodes, I've tried ignoring her, giving her extra attention, shaking a can with coins when she does this - this only scares Harley more since he is always next to her when it happens! I don't know what to do - I hate to see Harley so sad when she does this, but I also hate to see Lola so stressed and upset when she gets like this...Has anyone else ever had anything like this happen? Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas that might help? I am really desperate here! Thank you!!!!

Pa Yorkie Mom · 08-03-2009, 05:37 AM

Does any thing change in the household around that time. Does maybe someone leave for work or come home? I really can't help, my only thought is that maybe a change that occurs around that time may be upsetting her and she takes it out on him. Sorry thats all I got. Good luck and hang in there. That is a tough situation for all of you.

Gingergirlsmom · 08-03-2009, 05:38 AM

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this.

First, let me clarify, that I am by NO MEANS an expert. But, I did experience a similar situation with Ginger and Bernie a few months ago and received some help from forum members. While they haven't returned entirely to their old playful selves, the attacks have ceased and we returned to a normal, calm household. (Our situation was similar in that it took place whenever I was giving one my complete attention, not just at bedtime).

The advice I was given was to remove both dogs from the room immediately after an incident and ignore them completely for 10 minutes (we took Bernie to the kitchen and put up a gate and put Ginger in the bedroom). We didn't speak to them as we were moving them, we moved very calmly and quietly. Then, when they returned we made no fuss and continued not talking to them for 10 minutes. We only had to do this a couple of times (I believe it was 3) and our peaceable kingdom has returned.

Your situation is different in that Harley isn't fighting back or defending himself. I think if it were me, I'd try removing Lola for 10 minutes (calmly)while leaving Harley in the room, but perhaps doing something else (not snuggling with him) but then ignoring both of them for about 10 minutes upon her return (this means no cuddling in bed with them). I think that second bit of time is important to allow them to sense each others mood.

Again, I'm no expert. But we thought we were trying everything, and this worked, it was calm, and it was simple to do.

Good luck and let us know how things are going!!!

suzieqnova · 08-03-2009, 05:39 AM

Ohhh, how sad. Sorry I am of no help. I'm bumping this for the pros.

Lolasmom1211 · 08-03-2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pa Yorkie Mom

Does any thing change in the household around that time. Does maybe someone leave for work or come home? I really can't help, my only thought is that maybe a change that occurs around that time may be upsetting her and she takes it out on him. Sorry thats all I got. Good luck and hang in there. That is a tough situation for all of you.

Nothing changes...it's really strange and is getting worse. It's like she is a little "control freak" my husband says....it used to just happen when Harley tried to jump off the bed. We would say "Harley, NO!" and she would bark and get between him and the edge of the bed to keep him from jumping...occasionally, she would nip towards his face until he would go lay back down and not try to jump. If he ever did jump, she would just go crazy (she has never jumped off because she is way too small) - and by crazy, I mean she gets absolutely frantic until he gets back where he is "supposed" to be. And when he did come back, she would try to "punish" him by biting him around his face. Of course I would not let her, but now it is getting worse and it's anything he does at night! I'm just afraid it will continue to get worse and worse and I don't know how to stop it. The rest of the time, she is an absolute pleasure to have around.

Lolasmom1211 · 08-03-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this.

First, let me clarify, that I am by NO MEANS an expert. But, I did experience a similar situation with Ginger and Bernie a few months ago and received some help from forum members. While they haven't returned entirely to their old playful selves, the attacks have ceased and we returned to a normal, calm household. (Our situation was similar in that it took place whenever I was giving one my complete attention, not just at bedtime).

The advice I was given was to remove both dogs from the room immediately after an incident and ignore them completely for 10 minutes (we took Bernie to the kitchen and put up a gate and put Ginger in the bedroom). We didn't speak to them as we were moving them, we moved very calmly and quietly. Then, when they returned we made no fuss and continued not talking to them for 10 minutes. We only had to do this a couple of times (I believe it was 3) and our peaceable kingdom has returned.

Your situation is different in that Harley isn't fighting back or defending himself. I think if it were me, I'd try removing Lola for 10 minutes (calmly)while leaving Harley in the room, but perhaps doing something else (not snuggling with him) but then ignoring both of them for about 10 minutes upon her return (this means no cuddling in bed with them). I think that second bit of time is important to allow them to sense each others mood.

Again, I'm no expert. But we thought we were trying everything, and this worked, it was calm, and it was simple to do.

Good luck and let us know how things are going!!!

I will 100% try this tonight. I feel so helpless. Thank you for your advice!!! I will let you know how it works. Anything is better than what I must be doing.

Lolasmom1211 · 08-03-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzieqnova

Ohhh, how sad. Sorry I am of no help. I'm bumping this for the pros.

Thank you. These are really precious babies and I hate to see this happening to them!

08-03-2009, 05:19 AM	#1
Lolasmom1211 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 664	Really Stumped - Need Help! I have a situation with my two babies that has me really stumped and I'm hoping that those of you with more knowledge and experience may be able to help. My girl Lola is 19 months old and we've had her since she was about 10 weeks old. When Lola was about 7 months, I got my baby boy, Harley, when he was about 12 weeks old - so they are about 4 months apart in age. Lola is just under 4 lbs and Harley is about 7.5 lbs. They have grown up together and really love each other very much. Whenever I take Harley out of the room without Lola, she goes crazy barking and running until I bring him back. Lola had Liver Shunt surgery in March at University of TN and was gone for 5 days...my husband said Harley would not eat for 3.5 days while I was gone with her. They are inseparable. My daughter brought her 4 lb yorkie male down at Christmas and they all got along great for the first few days but the last two days, Lola attacked him viciously whenever she saw him. We had to keep them totally separated - if my daughter even walked through the room holding him, Lola would go crazy barking and growling and trying to bite him. My daughter came for another visit shortly after Lola's surgery (post op 8 weeks) and Lola did the same thing, only worse, so we kept them separated again. All three dogs have been neutered / spayed. Lately she has started showing aggression towards my baby boy, Harley, at night, but only at night. If he does anything that she does not want him to, she will jump towards him and try to bite him around his face. He is twice as big as she is, but he is a very, very sweet dog and has never shown any aggression or retaliation towards her. This behavior of hers is getting worse each night...if I pick him up, then she gets uncontrollably angry - when I put him down she goes after his face - when they are going out the door together, if he gets out first - same thing. It only, only happens at night but is getting out of hand. They play all day long together with no problems. They sleep snuggled together during the day and even after the episodes at night. But this aggression gets really bad when we go to bed at night...she goes after his little face for no reason for the last couple of nights. He has started getting in bed and putting his sweet face under the pillow or under my arm immediately when we get in. Lola is a tiny little thing but it's as if a switch goes off at 8 or 9 at night and this aggression kicks in. She is the sweetest, most affectionate yorkie all the rest of the time! During these episodes, I've tried ignoring her, giving her extra attention, shaking a can with coins when she does this - this only scares Harley more since he is always next to her when it happens! I don't know what to do - I hate to see Harley so sad when she does this, but I also hate to see Lola so stressed and upset when she gets like this...Has anyone else ever had anything like this happen? Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas that might help? I am really desperate here! Thank you!!!!

08-03-2009, 05:38 AM	#3
Gingergirlsmom and Bernie's mom too!" Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,283	I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. First, let me clarify, that I am by NO MEANS an expert. But, I did experience a similar situation with Ginger and Bernie a few months ago and received some help from forum members. While they haven't returned entirely to their old playful selves, the attacks have ceased and we returned to a normal, calm household. (Our situation was similar in that it took place whenever I was giving one my complete attention, not just at bedtime). The advice I was given was to remove both dogs from the room immediately after an incident and ignore them completely for 10 minutes (we took Bernie to the kitchen and put up a gate and put Ginger in the bedroom). We didn't speak to them as we were moving them, we moved very calmly and quietly. Then, when they returned we made no fuss and continued not talking to them for 10 minutes. We only had to do this a couple of times (I believe it was 3) and our peaceable kingdom has returned. Your situation is different in that Harley isn't fighting back or defending himself. I think if it were me, I'd try removing Lola for 10 minutes (calmly)while leaving Harley in the room, but perhaps doing something else (not snuggling with him) but then ignoring both of them for about 10 minutes upon her return (this means no cuddling in bed with them). I think that second bit of time is important to allow them to sense each others mood. Again, I'm no expert. But we thought we were trying everything, and this worked, it was calm, and it was simple to do. Good luck and let us know how things are going!!! __________________ Ginger Bernie Fun Kitty

08-03-2009, 05:39 AM	#4
suzieqnova Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA. Posts: 201	Ohhh, how sad. Sorry I am of no help. I'm bumping this for the pros. __________________ Emmitt & Chrissy

08-03-2009, 05:37 AM	#2
Pa Yorkie Mom YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 384	Does any thing change in the household around that time. Does maybe someone leave for work or come home? I really can't help, my only thought is that maybe a change that occurs around that time may be upsetting her and she takes it out on him. Sorry thats all I got. Good luck and hang in there. That is a tough situation for all of you.