Yorkie Aggression Behaviors
Yorkie aggression is a dangerous behaviour that exists in most dogs. Dogs can attack anyone around them, even other dogs and their master. Of all known causes, dominance is the fundamental cause of this behaviour. It lies in the fact that the owner was not disciplined enough to establish good values in his pet.
Whatever the reason may be, aggression should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent negative consequences from setting in.
The Source of Yorkie Aggression
Aggression in Yorkshire Terriers can be observed in puppies as early as six weeks. This is the stage where they learn to socialize and develop values. This may last for 14 weeks.
When your puppy approaches this stage, remember several things. First, never remove him from the litter when he’s less than eight weeks old. Don’t bombard your pet with too many commands since he is still young and immature.
Be gentle, and do not inflict pain as a punishment. By the time he reaches 14 weeks, teach your dog to socialize appropriately with the family members so he can get acquainted with them.
Genetics is one cause of aggressive behaviour in dogs. Some breeds, such as guard dogs, are more aggressive than others, but this is not always true.
The physical environment has a lot to play in developing dog aggression. Poor living conditions, physical abuse, harsh commands, little exercise, and an attack by another dog can all possibly lead to severe aggression.
To prevent your Yorkshire Terrier from developing this behaviour later on, you must first set your position in the household – that is, be the boss. Gestures such as biting, growling, chewing, and whining are indications that your dog is trying to establish dominance over you. If you tolerate this, he will soon take control of you.
Stopping and Controlling Yorkie Aggression
If, after 14 months, your Yorkshire Terrier still shows aggression, it’s time to be stricter. Incorporate reinforcement in your training. Dogs love bones and cookies. Use these to reward your dog when he’s doing great. Otherwise, do not give attention by pitying your dog, even if he looks scared.
Train him to follow commands and control his feeding so he doesn’t get spoiled. Dominate your dog when taking him for a walk, not the other way around. Set limitations and boundaries at home.
Remember that you should never treat your dog like a human so he will not feel like one of you and do whatever he wants.
A dog that never learns to socialize has a great chance of developing severe aggression. Defensive-aggressive dogs usually strike people in fear. In this case, get professional help for a proper behaviour diagnosis.
Then, have your dog trained to socialize. Aggression behaviour in dogs is dangerous and, sometimes, life-threatening. Thus, be a responsible owner by always having your Yorkshire Terrier trained and disciplined.