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My Yorkie Is Not Coping With Other Dogs

You have tried. You have separated them, supervised them, hoped they would settle. But your Yorkie is stressed, anxious, or aggressive around the other dogs in your home — and the situation is not improving. This is one of the most difficult compatibility issues owners face. SA Yorkie Rescue can help — without judgement and with practical, welfare-first guidance.

Need to rehome because of dog compatibility?

Complete the surrender form with details about the behaviour, which dogs are involved, and whether there have been any bites or injuries. Honest information helps the team plan safe placement.

Complete the Surrender Form →Rehome my Yorkie guidance

This is not your fault — and it is not the dog's fault either

Sometimes dogs simply do not get along. It can be a personality clash, resource guarding, a size mismatch, or a change in the household dynamic — a new dog introduced, an older dog becoming less tolerant, or a shift in pack hierarchy. You may have spent months trying to manage it: separate feeding, separate walks, crating, rotating dogs through different rooms.

Living in a home where dogs are constantly stressed, fighting, or having to be kept apart is exhausting — for you and for the dogs. If you have reached the point where the situation is unsustainable, rehoming through a rescue that will find the right match is not failure. It is a responsible decision that prioritises welfare over hope.

When rehoming may be the right choice

  • The fighting or tension is escalating, not improving
  • There have been injuries — even minor ones — that suggest the situation is dangerous
  • You are keeping dogs permanently separated in the same house, and quality of life is suffering
  • One dog is living in constant fear or stress
  • You have consulted a behaviourist or trainer and the situation has not improved
  • The stress is affecting your own mental health or family relationships

What NOT to do

  • Do not rehome through a Facebook post saying “needs to be the only dog.” A rushed rehoming to an unscreened home is dangerous. The dog may end up in a multi-dog household again, and the cycle repeats.
  • Do not hide the behaviour from the rescue. If your Yorkie has bitten another dog or shown aggression, SAYR needs to know. This is not a black mark — it is essential information for safe placement. A failed placement because of undisclosed behaviour is worse for everyone.
  • Do not assume the dog is “bad” or “broken.” Many dogs who struggle in multi-dog homes thrive as only dogs. The problem is the situation, not the dog.

How SAYR helps

1
Complete the form honestly

Describe the behaviour: what happens, which dogs are involved, whether there have been bites, what you have tried, and what triggers the tension.

2
Behaviour-informed triage

The team assesses the severity, the dog's history, and what kind of home would be safest. A dog who needs to be the only pet is matched accordingly.

3
Appropriate foster placement

Your Yorkie goes to a foster home that matches their needs — usually a home with no other dogs, where they can decompress without stress.

4
Careful adoption matching

Adopters are screened for compatibility. If the dog needs to be the only pet, that is a non-negotiable requirement in the adoption — not a suggestion.

Why SAYR is the right path for compatibility cases

Behaviour-informed placementThe team understands dog behaviour and matches accordingly. Your Yorkie will not be placed into a home that repeats the same problem.
Foster assessmentIn a calm foster home without other dogs, the team can observe your Yorkie's true temperament — often very different from the stressed dog you see at home.
No judgementDog compatibility issues are common, not shameful. The team will not lecture you about “trying harder.”
Free and confidentialNo charge to surrender. Your privacy is protected.

Frequently asked questions

Will SAYR take a Yorkie that has bitten another dog?

Yes. The team needs to know about any bite history — severity, circumstances, and whether it was a one-off or recurring. This information is used to plan safe placement, not to reject the dog.

What if the problem is with a specific dog, not all dogs?

Mention this in the form. Some dogs do fine with calm, submissive dogs but clash with dominant ones. The more specific you can be, the better the match.

Should I try a trainer before rehoming?

If you have not yet consulted a qualified behaviourist, it may be worth trying — especially if the situation is recent and not dangerous. But if you have already tried, or if the situation involves injuries, do not feel you must keep trying indefinitely.

Can I rehome one dog and keep the other?

Yes. This is a common outcome. Complete the form for the dog being rehomed and explain the household context. There is no requirement to surrender all your dogs.

You have done enough. Let SAYR take it from here.

Complete the surrender form with honest detail about the behaviour. The team will find a home where your Yorkie can thrive — not just cope.

Complete the Surrender Form →Rehome my Yorkie guidanceAll rehoming guidanceHow surrender works