[Victoria1410]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help us please. We have two Yorkshire Terriers both are12 years old and have been with us and each other since they were puppies. A week ago the eldest, Toffee went for the smaller one with teeth bared. Since then she has tried to attack our other Yorkie Ellie on multiple occasions. This has never happened before, they have co-existed peacefully for 12 years and from what we can tell there was no cause for this sudden aggression. Since the first 'attack' we have kept them in separate parts of the room, away from each other but still in sight of each other. Also both have always had company. Occasionally we have tried them together but Toffee always seeks Ellie out and although Toffee will sit and cuddle with Ellie present for quite a while in peace it always ends with Toffee jumping for Ellie trying to bite.

We do not know what to do, I read on this forum about boosting the dominant dog so they don't believe that they are being challenged by the subordinate but that didn't work. The 'attacks' have been escalating and today Toffee has scared Ellie on her nose, please help us. We don't want to get rid of either of them, we have lived as a happy family for 12 years please can someone help us?

Thank you,
Victoria

[Lunareclipse]

Our oldest saint bernard has has gotten a little cranky since she's gotten older. She's snapped at Buster a few times. (I don't blame her sometimes.) But I make sure she understands that isn't acceptable. I make sure she unstands I am the dominant one. When she gets a little snippy, I "bite" her in the neck of the muzzle with my hand. It has curbed her crankiness considerably.

[CorkyMax]

Have you had Toffee to the vet for a check-up lately? There may be a physical problem that is bothering her and making her cranky! It is hard for me to believe that being as they have been together for 12 years and always got along ----Must be something bothering her--arthritis--bad teeth--old age problems, etc. Do you take your dogs for wellness examines now that they are seniors? Has Toffee 'slowed down' more than the other dogs due to old age and just doesn't want to play as much? Blood tests would help tell you if she has problems--kidney--liver--heart readings--urine tests, etc----She may be not as healthy as before and not feeling the best.

[nattiej1976]

Victoria, I would encourage you to make an appointment with your vet for a good check up on your dogs. If this aggression is not normal behaviour, it is important you rule out any medical issues. It is quite possible the dog showing aggression, simply does not feel well at the moment, and has little tolerance for anything whilst feeling this way. (you know your dogs best, but also perhaps if the one showing aggression is a relatively sensitive dog, it may be picking up on an illness in the other dog too)
With dogs that have co existed for a long time happily, I would not treat this as anything else until the vet has ruled out any medical possibilites.

LOL Corky, we were writing the same thing at the same time......

[Marc]

Corky and Nattie have it - sudden change in behavior = sudden change in health. I like Lunar's idea, but if this was sudden onset, then I think I'm leaning more towards needing a vet checkup.