A few weeks ago I bought a male, longhaired, applehead Chihuahua. When we were at the breeder and attempted to pick him up, he'd growl. We thought it was cute because the growl sounded more like newborn baby noises. So, we took the puppy home at 12 weeks old and the growling would get out of control. We were all at the point of being afraid to approach this little 2 pound maniac! So, I got mad enough to pick him up, say NO!! and clap my hands when he acted that way. Well, as time went on, we began to notice that the bigger you were, the louder the growls were, BUT.. it mattered if you were female or not. If me or my daughter picks him up, theres minimal to no growl. If my husband picks him up, he goes ballistic! Like he's going to rip his face off! With my 16 year old son, he growls and with my 2 year old, he just runs in the other direction. If you pick him up while he's sleeping, he goes bananas! I'm wondering why he growls at all and especially when a male picks him up?
2006-09-20 10:13:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
**WHY**???
Because YOU were stupid enough to take the little MONSTER in the first place ***&*** SPINELESS enough to ALLOW it to CONTINUE!!!
Keep letting the SPOILED ROTTEN BEAST get away w/it *&* next thing ...IT'LL *BITE* somebody,you'll get your BUTT sued off & the *BRAT-DOG* will be KILLED!!
2006-09-20 12:48:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all Chihuahua's are that way. You just happen to get an aggressive one. I grew up with a Chihuahua that bit us all the time. It may be best to give the dog away to a single person maybe an older person it sounds like the puppy doesn't like a lot of people around some are just nervous that way. And really Chihuahua's are not for kids. I have 2 Chihuahua's right now one is very friendly and one is not they came from 2 different breeders. I suggest if you really want a Chihuahua wait till the kids are grown up and then get one and check out the breeder and the Mama and Papa dog!
2006-09-20 15:27:28 · answer #2 · answered by vspears 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will never understand why people accept growling and misbehavior from small dogs as merely funny or cute behaviors. Your dog a serious case of fear aggression and you need help from a professional behaviorist. You need to do this before you miss the window of opportunity for socializing this puppy. Failure to get it under control soon could be dangerous for your two-year old. The next step if he continues to be fearful (and more likely as he gets older and bolder) will be biting. And even though they are small, chi's can be dangerous. (This is one reason why generally chihuahuas are not the ideal choice for families with young children.)
There is hope to systematically reprogram this dog, but it will take time and energy and professional help to teach you how to handle this.
Your breeder was not very ethical to sell a puppy that had this much of a problem with fear aggression. She clearly saw a target and took the opportunity to dump a poorly raised dog. If it was me, I'd ask for a refund. I've never bought from a breeder, so I'm not sure if the breed clubs or AKC get involved in ethical complaints or not.
For anyone else who may be considering one of the small breed dogs: remember they are DOGS, and need to have manners like any other big dog. Growling from any dog is a serious warning sign and it should be respected and dealt with properly.
2006-09-20 10:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you tried socializing him with other chi's? I know dogs can get like this if they are not socialized with others, try taking him to the dog park where he can get to know other dogs.
Is he home alone a lot? Sometimes this will cause a problem with house dogs.
When I got my chi, she didn't like the man of the house either (and at 8 months is still more protective over me around men rather than women.. she will play guard dog when a man comes over, but if ladies come by she just wants attention)... she wouldn't go near him, but little by Little she warmed up after about 3 or 4 days she was in love.
You have only had him a few weeks, and if you keep on it this may improve. Because he is so young you may which to contact a professional dog trainer, I bet they could help you far more than any of us could.
Everyone says Chi's are mean yappy little dogs, and in all honesty they sure can be, like any other puppy it is all about training... my little girl knows that she has to sit before she will be picked up and that jumping around will not get her picked up, also we have taught her from day one that barking isnt acceptable unless someone new comes to the door (since it is a bit of a defense mechanism and I think it isnt nice to take away) however she knows once we allow them in the door, it is time to be nice.... it is little things like that that will help him along, just as with kids you have to teach him who is boss, and once you get some basic comands taught, you may have a very well adjusted member of your family! =)
Best of luck to you and your pooch!
2006-09-20 10:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ goddessofraine ♥ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your first mistake was getting a puppy that growled at you from the get go. That should have been the first red flag on the one NOT to get. You have children and having a dog like that is asking for trouble. Chi's are known to be snippy little ankle biters and every one that I have met is the same way. I have yet to meet a chi that is not snippy and mean.
2006-09-20 10:26:19 · answer #5 · answered by sweetangelgreeneyes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There can be a number of reasons for this. The males you mentioned may have facial hair, be wearing a hat, etc., and can be difficult to pinpoint. I would ask the men to have as many positive interactions with the dog as possible, they should try not to force themselves on the dog. Use lots of treats and high pitched praise. One thing I strongly suggest doing is picking up a sleeping dog! This is not a good idea, EVER! Never never never mess with a dog while it is eating or sleeping, especially inform your children of this. Children are more likely to get dog bit than adults and the potential for more seriouse harm is greater as well since they are closer to a dogs mouth than an adult.
Good luck, remember....use lots of praise and yummy treats ;)
2006-09-20 10:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by RainaDeLaSol 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chihuahuas and different small breeds tend to bond very strongly with one guy or woman. He has chosen you as that guy or woman. He sounds like he's retaining you. while human beings touch you, he feels threatened and is going into protection mode to get them away. it extremely is something you extremely desire to get below administration. that's stunning, in spite of if it may additionally be risky. you're able to be able to desire to coach him to realize that he's not allowed to growl at others while they are around you. Take administration. As for the subject with your cat, it is common. they are going to in all probability recover from it with time. you in user-friendly terms have been given your canines, so that's predicted on your cat to be somewhat upset. in simple terms supply your cat a company no while it hisses at your canines and redirect your cat's interest onto something else.
2016-10-15 05:37:25 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i think it may have been because he was only raise around females. I also have 4 chi's and my first chi Jamoka is like that.
Jamoka was handled only by me lived in a house with 4 females, he was only around females for 8 months of his life so he didn't like males so i had to take him to training classes. Jamoka was a GREAT dog as far as listening but i wanted him to be oh k with males. so i had a male work with him and let him know that males are oh k and are just the same as females. after 6 weeks he is "oh k" with males, he doesn't LOVE them but LOL he knows there oh k .
since you have males in your house what i think you should do is make your husband and your son feed him and take care of him so he knows that he doesn't just get his food from a female.
that's all the info i have hope it helps
2006-09-20 10:28:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It looks like your chihuahua does not like men, maybe it was hurt by a man when it was little. Have your husband or son feed and walk it for a while. Especially the feeding part.
I have a chi that does not like other women except my daughter and me.
I have just bought a book that is called "everything chihuahua" and it helps a little bit in raising one. I forgot who the writer is and will get back to you with her name.
Good Luck!
2006-09-20 11:15:13 · answer #9 · answered by Sassybaby 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe he thinks that he is the alpha male, and that everyone should respect him and obey him.
2006-09-20 10:22:20 · answer #10 · answered by dastringer_05 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋