10 month old chihuahua is well behaved most of the time, but i cant get her to stop being scared of walks. She is mostly an indoor dog, and it's my fault. When people approach her she starts to bark and growl. It's really fustrating most of the time... I need some guidance. I get really nervous and scared when big dogs approach us.. she's tiny and i'm afraid her bark will get her hurt. But of course her bark is much more scarier than her bite..
2006-06-16 07:39:44 · 8 answers · asked by Abstract Expression 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Try always carrying small treats with you at all times(bite size only) when someone is approaching get her to sit and continuously feed her the treats telling her she is a good dog etc.When the person is out of site stop the treats and carry on-My dog behaviorist recommended this Bar Open,Bar Closed technique with barking and growling at others dogs and it really works.Plus it is all positive training,but be patient it did take awhile.Also once she is fine with that you can ask strangers to gently toss her a treat then as she is fine with that slowly give treats open handed.She will actually look forward to seeing people .
2006-06-16 08:09:56 · answer #1 · answered by puupyluvtwo 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you snatch her up when others dogs come around youll scare her more. As long as your dog and the other dog is on leashes just don't let them get close to be able to reach your dog. As for humans, let all pet her, say no-no firmly when she growls or barks, but encourage everyone to pet her, so she will see there is nothing to fear. And take her out EVERYDAY! She is getting to an age that is going to be hard to change her habits soon. It will be possible but harder. You have to get her socialized now or she will fear people for life. If you have the money take her to obeance classes like at Petsmart. Or talk to a trainer. I suggest a class so she can get used to people. Or I heard there are doggy and me classes in some areas, that might be great for her. I don't know where to look for them though. Maybe petsmart. Anyways, the answer to your problem is SOCIALIZATION, SOCIALIZATION, SOCIALIZATION!!! Before it is to late and she is too old.
Good luck. :)
2006-06-16 15:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a chihuahua as well. She is very tiny yet doesn't realize she is that small. She's even tried to antagonize a rott before. It might just be her temperament. The only choice would be to consistently tell her "no" when she does it. A trainer once told me to couple this with a tiny "choke chain" (the ones WITHOUT the inner spikes) so she would be able to recognize not only the negative words but also the negative feel of being reprimanded this way. Mine still hates everyone except my immediate family. Good luck.
2006-06-16 14:48:37 · answer #3 · answered by justneedascreenname 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chihuahuas are very skittish dogs. there isnt really anything you can do about it, it is in their nature to bark at anything and everything. she will always be like that no matter what you do. my mom has one who is 5 years old, shes always been that way, very skittish and barks at everything.
2006-06-16 15:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by krystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that you find a training class. Exposure to other dogs in a controlled environment should give her more confidence in herself and you. She should get desensitized to other animals and if she feels confident that you are in control she should be less frightened.
2006-06-16 14:46:01 · answer #5 · answered by lorenwood25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she is scared and barking is her defense. imagine being that small in a wolrld full of giants.
2006-06-16 14:43:02 · answer #6 · answered by tonyatomthor 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
may u should give her some time...then she will get use to it
2006-06-16 14:59:31 · answer #7 · answered by cocojackie12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when u take her outside just hld her
2006-06-16 14:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Strawberry blonde on yahoo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋