Changed behaviour

We have an 8 year old yorkieshitzu. He's a well socialised, outgoing little chap. Loves his forest walks with his dad, and gets on with most dogs. Those he doesn't take to, he just ignores. The only thing that seems to wind him up, is timid subservient dogs that crouch down and cower around him, but he's never ever tried to bite. He just warns them off. Today my husband was walking him as usual in the forest, and they met up with 3 little dogs that he loves, at the same time, two black labs ( that he also knows) joined the group. One is a youngster, the other one very elderly and slow. Ours went straight at the old boy, who was minding his own business, and my husband said he was actually worried he was going to bite the old ones throat. Needless to say, he grabbed ours, put his lead on, told him off and took him away. Just not sure where this has come from - he's NEVER tried to bite before, and from what husband said, the old boy did nothing to deserve this. Any clue anyone? Honestly, I would have said he doesn't have a bad bone in his body!

I would have said that too, absolutely , if he'd not been so aggressive. He's done this before but without such aggression, he's a great one for all noise and no bite, (def got small dog syndrome!) My husband is pretty laid back when it comes to the dogs sorting themselves out, and always leaves them to it, but he really felt the need to remove ours from the situation this time. I just don't want to end up with a bitey yappy little horror, after so many years of good, social behaviour.

Jessey said:

Maybe the joining of the two 'packs' however well known made your guy feel like he had to prove his position and the old boy was the least threatening, or needed to protect the 'pack' he was already with???? Hopefully it's just a one off thing.

Click to expand...

I think that could be it - because he's small, he ain't daft, and always just avoids the possibility of a stronger dog taking him on. Little s***! The old lab is a sweetheart and can hardly walk. As chunkymonkey and you say, it's a hierarchy thing. I hope it is a one off, as we've always been proud of the fact that he's not a typical little yapper. My husband's said if that particular situation arises again, he'll be ready for it, and nip it in the bud. Funny tho, littleun has always disliked collies, black labs and huskies - just steers clear of them usually. Perversely, he loves wolfhounds and bernese mountain dogs!