Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > health

health

19 10:22:17

Question
I have a 6-month old female yorkie she is only about 4-5lbs. She is like my baby, i spoil her rotten. When i go anywhere in my house she is right there with me when i sleep she sleeps right next to in my bed. About three months ago she would snap and try to bite my boyfriend; at first i thought it was jealousy. But i noticed that she gets that way most of the time when my boyfriend are arguing. And recently she does it more aggressively towards him. We do argue quite often and i was just wondering if it was anything that might effect her health because when she barks she starts panting hard and when i try to calm her down she just keeps growling. Also if it could be bad for her heart in anyway. Like i said she is like my baby and i dont want anything to harm her health in anyway i try to calm her down as soon as she starts growling. If you could please give me you opinion on this.

Answer
Trish-

She is being protective of you, as she can sense the anger and rising emotions in the room, just like any human can. I would remove her from the situation if you are beginning a fight, and I would NOT encourage the behavior in any way. It isn't exactly bad for her, just exercision, and it is making her stressed which is why she is being protective of you. But if you are fighting so often, I would certainly move her to another room. I have a macaw that is protective of me, and when my ex husband and I would fight she would scream and bash her beak at him, and if she were loose she would fly at him to try to drive him away from me. Now she is here, and he is gone. Sometimes, animals know best!