Pack mentality

[jrsygal37]

I am having a very tough time with this now. Jersey who we have had since 10 weeks is now 17 months and has gotten very territorial/aggressive with my other Yorkies. They used to all get along great and all still do - all but Jersey who seems to have decided she'd rather be an only. I am at my wits end. I do not want to rehome her but feel that she may be better in a home without other pets. She is such a great girl. loves to ride in the car, walk, play and she's very smart and pottty trained. But she's like a 5 lb. Pit Bull whenver the girls even walk by her when she's in her mood. I just don't know what to do. I'm afraid she will hurt or kill one of them. I'm told that she is establishing her alpha and sometimes it comes down to her being better as an only dog.

Im just heartbroken
Elaine

[Janet]

Elaine, my Emilee was like that for a while. I was very strict with her...even grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and looked her in the eye and said no. I caught her everytime and corrected her even if I had to chase her down to do it, because sometimes as soon as I got up, she knew she was in trouble and would take off.

About the only time she gets in that mood now is at the very beginning of her heat cycle and I quickly nip it. Everything is really good now.

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by Janet

Elaine, my Emilee was like that for a while. I was very strict with her...even grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and looked her in the eye and said no. I caught her everytime and corrected her even if I had to chase her down to do it, because sometimes as soon as I got up, she knew she was in trouble and would take off.

About the only time she gets in that mood now is at the very beginning of her heat cycle and I quickly nip it. Everything is really good now.

Thanks Janet. I'm going to continue to work with her. I was supposed to take her to PA this Sunday to a gal with a Yorkie Rescue but honestly I just can't do it. I cried and cried all week. It's just been a terrible week. It was a year yesterday that I had to put my Newman down after he lost his battle with cancer. Newman was my first Yorkie and he was almost 11 yrs. old. Then Jersey. Giving her up was as hard as hard as the day we had to put Newman to sleep. I pray that I can correct this. She is so vicious and I'm so afraid she will kill my little Lilly. Jersey is 5 lb.s and Lilly is only 3.5 lbs. and not a mean bone in her body.

Thanks again.
Elaine

[Janet]

Try being really firm and I mean firm with her each and everytime she pulls a mean stunt. Let her know YOU are in charge. It took just a little while for Emilee to get the idea that I wasn't going to let her get away with it and she's just great now.