I have just met somebody after being on my own for some time and I am delighted as he is with us. I have two yorkshire terriers, (males) who are I absolutely adore. I couldnt be without them. My new boyfriend has a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and although his dog is very friendly and seems daft, I am petrified when he brings him to my house because of my dogs. I am the one who encouraged him bringing the dog to visit as I realise, they must socialise if we are to have our relationship and I dont want his dog being left in the house all the time he visits me. One of my dogs, growls at him and makes a gesture of going to snap at him but doesnt. The rest of the time they scramble to my knees in fear of the other dog. How can I help towards them getting on. Please help.
Yorkies often think they're much bigger than they are and this could lead them into big trouble. You need to introduce these dogs properly. Keep them in separate rooms with a baby gate between them. Dogs get acquainted through smell. When your dogs (because they seem to be the problem) accept the staffie's smell and are calmer about his presence, then you can let them in the room together. You need to let your growling dog know that that abehaviour is not acceptable. Don't comfort him, he'll think it's a reward for growling. Tell him no firmly, and make sure to give lots of praise when he's behaving. Because of the size difference, you need to supervise them, but in time, they should be able to co-exist.
Tags: Yorkie
well first off you dont want your dogs trying to fend for their territory so take all three dogs to a prk or somewhere they can go with out having to fight for what is theirs.. then slowly just get them to get used to the fact that the other dog is going to be around. not trying to say the pit is mean but besure to watch his actions. just to make sure it isnt trying to be mean to the little ones. he might just swallow them in one bite.
welp good luck on getting them to get along
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the new dog is invading your dogs territory, even if you invited him over. its best to let them establish their own pack dominance. has he ever let his dog interact with other dogs? does he know how it will react? if he is sure it wont hurt your dogs, let them work it out on their own. my little pup likes to mess with the big dogs at the dog park, and has no problem taking a flying leap at the pitts/rotts/mastiffs but if she's bothering them they will put her in her place. usually with a paw to the head or just sitting on her (she's 5 months old, only 20lbs, so she's just a toy to them). we were worried at first, she cried out once but as soon as the other dog stopped she started up again with the bothering. yes your dogs might try to snap at your bf's dog, but his dog will probably just submit or try to dominate, either way, ususally without even hurting each other at all. try crating your dogs and letting his dog come over to the crate so they can see each other, get the barking and growling out of the way, and when they are calm, introduce them on leashes. if you have one near by, bring them all to the dog park and they will teach each other how to behave.
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Yorkies often think they're much bigger than they are and this could lead them into big trouble. You need to introduce these dogs properly. Keep them in separate rooms with a baby gate between them. Dogs get acquainted through smell. When your dogs (because they seem to be the problem) accept the staffie's smell and are calmer about his presence, then you can let them in the room together. You need to let your growling dog know that that abehaviour is not acceptable. Don't comfort him, he'll think it's a reward for growling. Tell him no firmly, and make sure to give lots of praise when he's behaving. Because of the size difference, you need to supervise them, but in time, they should be able to co-exist.
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Dogs generally either instantly get on or instantly hate each other. if it is the case that they don't get along your best bet is to try and introduce a hiarachial structure between the dogs obviously you and your boyfriend are at the top then try and get your dogs to be next then your boyfriends dog at the bottom. you can do this with your behaviour towards the dog. try feeding your dogs first then the staffy this will show that he is the bottom of the pecking order and will show more respect to your dogs in time you little dogs will learn they dont need to snap at or be scared of your boyfriends dog
read victoria stilwells book- its me or the dog
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You need to remember that dogs are pack animals, and what you have here is two packs coming together all of a sudden. Your b/f is leader of the Staffy pack, and you are leader of the Yorkie pack. Your little woofers think they are protecting you. I reckon you need to lead by example and make a visible fuss of the Staffy in front of your woofers, so they see that you are all going to be one pack. In theory the Staffy could eat the Yorkies for breakfast, but I had Bull Mastiffs once and they were good as gold whenever little terriers fronted up to them. You do need to head off any potential trouble though, so I would definately fuss the b/f's Staffy, and of course praise your own dogs for not growling, whatever. Good luck.
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yorkies are yappy little buggas iv had them 4 15years,i have 1 left who got a bit lonely so i got a retired greyhound for him 4 company and nearly 2 mnths on my yorkie still jumps up 2 her to nip her neck and all she does is growl or run off..staffs are placid dogs and id b more concerned of the aggression coming from your yorkie n not the staff..if the staff is placid and hasnt shown any aggression then i cant c a problem just let them interact when u are at home , get boyf. 2 bring his staff round n just let them get on with it,expect some growls and barking which will happen n just b there on hand to stop anything but im sure you will b ok..they will no doubt want to work out who is boss and the only way to do that is to let them interact good luck
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Be sure to keep the leash on his dog!!! You may have to grab him quick. Yours that snaps should be on your lap while the staffie sniffs him also have your boyfriend hold your dogs while his sniffs. When he holds yours it shows his dog that the yorkies are okay and holding yours comforts them to not be a snappy and realize the staffie is okay. Do not do this sitting on the floor. I upset one of mine once and he went behind me and hiked on me. Stay above the dogs. Do not leave the staffie alone with your yorkies. Even five years from now. If you don't have a crate invest in one large enough for his dog but alternate who goes in the crate. Be sure you can make all three sit together and patiently wait for a treat without trying to take the others. Sounds crazy but if you have problems giving treats to all three it will show there will be further problems. You as alpha they all should depend on you and your new boyfriend for food and treats and not each other.
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Firstly, congratulations on meeting someone after being on your own for some time. My husband and I had two Yorkie half brother's, but very sadly Little Albert was put to sleep aged 12 last December. Jack his little brother, was grieving so badly, and became ill too, and we went and adopted a Yorkie cross, Billy from the local Dogs Home and he was then a year old in January this year. They got on very well together, but very sadly Jack became very ill with a blood disease, and he was 11 when he had to be put to sleep on the 2nd June. Now we have Billy, and he has behavioural problems, although he needs lots of love and patience which we give to him. Yorkie's are very loving and especially to their owner's, and your two boys will be very attached to you, and used to being with you and not sharing you with anyone else. I look after a Staffie for friend's when they go on holiday, and I have to look after Amber in their home, because although she is very loving with people and especially children, she doesn't get on with other dogs. It would be a good idea to take your boys out for a walk on their leads, with your boyfriend's dog, so that they are not confined to your home. Outside they can enjoy the freedom of a nice walk, and they might just bond with each other while they are busy sniffing around enjoying themselves on mutual ground. Your home is your boy's territory, and your little one who growled at your boyfriend's dog, was protecting you, his Yorkie mate and his home. If you took your two boys to your boyfriend's home, then his dog would probably growl at you. I hope that this helps you!
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Experience with my own dogs.
The boyfriends dog is coming into your dogs territory so it's natural for your dominate male to challenge his dog, especially if his dog is a male. Ultimately, they will need to work it out for themselves because if you try to interfere it will make it worse. BUT – because the newcomer is a staffy it could be very dangerous if your dog doesn't get a grip and give up the dominate spot.
I would not ever leave these dogs alone together and watch them carefully when they are together. I've had as many as five dogs at a time, all with different temperments, as well as roommate's dogs, guests dogs and various other rescue dogs coming through my household. Things can get out of hand in the blink of an eye and injury, vet bills and worse can result. I've had animals I had to keep permanently separated (thank god I have a really big yard and was able to build separate dog yards for them) unless I was immediately physically present and paying attention, and even then sometimes incedents would occur.
If all these dogs are males, you may have a permanent problem.
I'd suggest you have him not bring the dog for now. I read your other question as well and think you may want to not complicate your developing relationship with him with the dog issue. If you get serious and need to have the dogs together, work on it then.
If anybody gets really hurt (on the dog issue), it's going to be your guys.
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It will take time. Just try to keep gradually socializing them. Start out with short periods of time and work up to longer ones. I've never dealt with this issue, so I can't speak of any experience. Even if they don't grow love or even like each other . . . . hopefully they can learn to at least tolerate each other. Good luck to all of you.
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