Causes of an Aggressive Yorkshire Terrier
The two most common types of aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior are aggression towards strangers and aggression towards family members.
When met with strange people or strange dogs in their own home, Yorkshire terriers may exhibit territorial behavior; this is common with all breeds of terriers.
Aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior is not limited to dogs smaller than the Yorkshire terrier itself; as a terrier, it is oblivious to its own size and may attack a dog several sizes larger than itself.
The most likely cause of aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior towards strange people and dogs is improper socialization. Although terriers are naturally territorial, properly socialized Yorkshire terriers learn to be relaxed and friendly in public places.
STOP YOUR AGGRESSIVE YORKSHIRE TERRIER
If familial aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior is the problem, it may be socially related or medically related. Yorkshire terriers do not always perform well around young children, but the more young children they meet, the better their behavior gets.
Territorial nature in a multiple dog home is also common; in this case, the owner must assert himself or herself as the alpha dog. Injury or illness can also cause Yorkshire terrier aggression. The pain or sickness felt by the dog can trigger the aggression, so if the undesirable behavior is sudden, examine the dog for signs of illness or injury.
Correcting an aggressive Yorkshire terrier
The best defense against an aggressive Yorkshire terrier is prevention. If the Yorkshire terrier is acquired as a puppy, early socialization can prevent aggression from developing.
Although Yorkshire terriers do not require extensive exercise, taking the dog on outings to parks, other homes, or to pet-friendly stores helps show the Yorkshire terrier that new places and people are exciting and fun, not bad or scary.
Even if the terrier is not acquired as a puppy, socialization is important. A dog is never too old to learn to socialize properly, though it may take more time as the dog ages. When aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior begins to appear, corrective action is essential.
Firm training is necessary to show the Yorkshire terrier that the owner is the alpha dog, not the Yorkshire terrier itself. For minor acts of aggression, a simple “time-out” may suffice, as long as it is accompanied with corrective words.
Corrective words need not be specific; usually a one-word command followed by the dog’s name is adequate. Remember to introduce the Yorkshire terrier to strangers in the home properly. Putting the terrier on a leash when a new person arrives prevents the Yorkshire terrier from potentially aggressive behavior, and allows the owner to control the pace at which the Yorkshire terrier acquaints itself with the new visitor.
When both the dog and visitor are comfortable with each other, the leash may be removed. For familial aggressive Yorkshire terrier behavior, corrective action is again the key. Early and consistent behavioral training is necessary to teach the terrier that the owner is the alpha dog.
Remember to reward the Yorkshire terrier for positive behavior and correct for negative behavior. In cases of medically-induced aggression, a visit to the veterinarian to address the problem is necessary.
When to seek help for an aggressive Yorkshire terrier
If, after exhaustive training and extensive socialization, the Yorkshire terrier still exhibits aggressive behavior, it may be time to seek a new home for the dog. If a new home is not an option, changes in the owner’s lifestyle may be necessary.
The aggressive Yorkshire terrier may not be able to be left alone with small children or other dogs, and family members may have to rotate time with the terrier to always keep it under a watchful eye. If the cause of the Yorkshire terrier’s aggression appears to be injury-related, seek treatment from a veterinarian immediately.
