My wife and I just adopted a great chihua/terrier mix from the San Francisco SPCA. He doesn't bark, is completely housetrained, is so very loveable but he has recently started growling. At first, he would growl very infrequently at anyone who would rush up behind him (which we thought was he was protecting his neuter wound). Now he growls at other dogs and strangers when going for walks. He sometimes will growl at me when he is hanging with my wife and I come up to pet him. He will not growl at my wife by the way.
Now we are lost. He is 1 1/2 years old and 99% perfect. I am very afraid of the growling though as it starts with growling and gets to worse .....
Has anyone experienced the same problems and does anyone have any ideas. He is going to 2 different obiedience training classes in the next 2 months so that should help. He has been socialized for the most part and for the first two weeks he didn't let out a growl at all. Any ideas???
2007-01-08 11:01:22 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
He is showing dominance. Apparently a simple assertive touch on the back of the neck shows him who's the boss. The dog whisperer explained that it's what dog mothers do to control their pups.... they do it with their mouth, though. He also says that you should make sure that he knows who the boss is at all times.... not to let them take over your favorite seat for example.... not to let him jump on you anytime he wants.
Our Chihuahua was very timid at first, too. We adopted her from the Humane Society. She has hard time when she barks... she seldom barks. She isn't allowed in our beds and we only let her sit in our lap when we feel like it. She is fully trained also- perfect dog! I'm sure the obedience training will teach you a lot how to teach her.
2007-01-08 11:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog does this as well, but only at night once we've all gone to bed. I used to get up and check everything out but found that there was never anything amiss. I think they hear something outside but it isn't enough of a threat to bother about so they just growl to let whatever made the noise know that they are not getting away with anything.........more of a warning I think.
2016-05-23 15:23:55 · answer #2 · answered by Tanisha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a chihuahua and the same thing happened. These dogs are very territorial. And I think because of their small size they feel the need to protect themselves and the one they love at all costs. My dog loves me, and likes my husband. Meaning, he'll sometimes bark at my husband but never me. Put a stop to that now, or he could make you the enemy for intruding on his lady (your wife). They make the greatest guard dogs though. They go crazy when someone unknown comes around.
2007-01-08 11:11:23 · answer #3 · answered by Becky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dog Whisperer had a segment on that similar problem. You may want to check out his site and see if there is an answer to the problem. It sounds like your dog just hates men and other dogs, which is a very bad behavioral problem and maybe you need to seek a professional trainer.
2007-01-08 11:09:07 · answer #4 · answered by hazeleyedbeauty1967 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he is protecting you and your wife. when he is with your wife he is being the alpha male. try watching the dog whisperer caeser millian is great when it comes to this issue try to spend some one on one time with your dog and when he growls let him know who the boss is with just a touch of of your hand and a sound like psst. he will get the message
2007-01-08 11:15:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he is hurt and in pain, so he doesn't want anyone to touch him. Maybe you should ask a vet or something.
2007-01-08 11:12:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a JRT that's the same way. Ours is just "talking" though. Nothing threatening.
2007-01-08 11:08:13 · answer #7 · answered by KJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chihuahua terrier temperaments!! and you got a double whammy
2007-01-08 11:04:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he heard something
2007-01-08 11:03:46 · answer #9 · answered by bootylicious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋