Chihuahua and kids...can it work?

Question

I have a 3 year old chihuahua, and am planning on having children in the next few years. Does anyone have young kids and a chi? How can I make this work? I have heard many people say that chihuahuas don't like children, but I can't just get rid of my dog!

Answer 1

chi dogs are very cautious. The reason that they dont get along with kids is because children dont know that these small beautiful creatures are very fragile. when the baby is born, have your dog get to know him or her and as the baby grows up, your dog will learn that it is notthing more then a small human and it wil do nothing to harm him. For the child, teach him/her not to pull on the dog and pet it "gently" kids like toddlers will think if it as a toy and aill play ruff, that is why they are prone to biting small kids. IF you still need more help look up an obedience class in area and they will help you train it to not be aggresive torwards kids, but the chi will remin cautious, so be careful when they are in the same room. watch them both and have them keep there distance for a while. Alteast until they get used to eatchother.

Answer 2

I have had chis for almost 10 years and my youngest is 10 years old. It can work. My nieghbor has a 3 three year old girl and a pair of 1 year old chis. Normally I like to go the other (have kids then chis), but you don't have the luxury of doing that so...
See if you can find a copy of The Dog Whisperer TV show. There is one episode I've seen where a family is bringing home a new baby and he teaches the family how to get the dogs to accept the new member of the family. Please don't let anyone convince you that you HAVE to get rid of your dog (too many dogs are thrown away for just this reason when they can be worked with to make it happen). Just use your head and supervise.

After that, it is up to you to teach both the child/ren and the dog how to handle one another. In your case I would probably not allow the kids to hold the dog while they are standing (or are unsupervised) for many years (reason- if the dog is 3 now and you got pregnant by the time the child was 3 your dog would be 7 and wouldn't be able to take it if the kid drop/threw them).

It is very possible to have kids and chis. And you might be surprised how protective the chi becomes of your kids. On the other hand, your chi may never warm up to the kids but learn to avoid them (at least until they are older). That's fine too as long as you don't allow the chi to attack the kids or the kids to hurt the chi.

Answer 3

I have 2 chi's and 4 small kids ages 9-1 years. I also have a Bulldog, a cat 2 ferrets, and 2 sugar gliders. The Chi's get along with all the people and animals just fine. I did get my Chi's after I had my babies. I would start taking your pup to some training classes, and take her places where children might be, like a park. When kids come up hold her and see if she is alright being petted by the kids. You will probably have a lot of work on your hands if she is not well socialized already, and if that is the case I would call a trainer. If she is already well socialized. I would just start taking her around kids and babies more often.

Answer 4

I have two chihuahuas. They DO like kids, they just don't want to play with them. My older chi will allow my three-year old step-daughter to pet her, but that is as far as it goes. She doesn't want my step-daughter to hold her or chase her or otherwise play rough with her (like kids do). It's not that they "don't like kids", it's more that they are scared the kids will hurt them. They are just protecting themselves. My Chihuahua puppy, on the other hand, plays non-stop with my step-daughter. Hopefully, that will continue as my puppy grows up.

Your chi will probably think it has been replaced when the baby gets here. You must make time for them both. Don't ignore your dog. If possible, spend time with the dog and the baby at the same time. I believe you can make this work. It works in my house, but my situation is a little different than yours will be. Since I don't have any kids of my own yet, the only real advice I can give you is...NEVER leave your chi and your kid alone and ALWAYS scold the dog when it shows hostility toward your kid.

Answer 5

Honestly it's all going to come down to your dog's particular temperment. I'm sure you've already heard this but don't ever leave the dog alone with the baby unsupersived. My best friend always thought I was just being a worried mom when I told her that. She would say, oh my daughter (4 months old at the time) and the dog get along just great. About 3 weeks later she called me crying from the hospital. Dog had bit the baby's face and needed 8 stitches. I'm not saying all dog's will do that, but I'd never take the chance.

Answer 6

Since you don't have a puppy and it's an adult dog, I would think that it would be okay. I would, however, try to socialize your dog as much as possible with children, other people, and other dogs. Chi's tend to be a big agressive sometimes, but I don't know how your pup is. Different dogs are different. I couldn't get rid of my dog either, so I know how you feel! I would also try to get do some training classes with your pup if you are really worried about how they will act around kids. I know there are places all over (even petsmart) that offer training classes that arn't too expensive. I would try doing that and socializing my pup with other people and I think you will all be just fine as one big happy family.

Answer 7

I have two chihuahuas and 2 young kids in the house, and they get along just fine. it really depends on the dog. 1 of my dogs hates anyone but me, except when it comes to the kids, she loves them! the other one is just a lover. I do reccommend making sure you dog is potty trained before you have any kids crawling around on the floor though.

Answer 8

nicely, i do no longer think of this is unavoidably going to suck, i think of that is going to likely be worse than suck. So worse, there is not any be conscious to describe how detrimental this action picture is going to be. even although i will a minimum of watch it, i would be between the loving families which will would desire to prepare for the oncoming call for of properties for those detrimental little men. i understand that we are truly going to work out an boost in call for of Chihuahua's. Then, extra and extra will finally end up in preserve's and rescues everywhere. this is a tragic unhappy fact. i'm purely happy that we've those which will love them and preserve them for something of their lives after stupid idiots get finished getting universal and then bored with them. And we will see extra and extra Chihuahua's being dressed up and babied (no longer that that is undesirable, I toddler refer to Jasmine simply by fact that is a few thing valuable), however the way they're going to try this is making them human, and not canine.

Answer 9

I have also heard the chi's don't like kids but proven it to be wrong I have a friend who has one and a three year old daughter and they do just fine.....but I would be more scared of your kid hurting the dog not the dog not liking the kid....Good luck!

Answer 10

it depends on how your chi is. i have a very mean little boy. he bites everyone in my family and barks at everyone. once he warms up to you he is a cute little lover and he follows me around everywhere. but it just takes awhile. has your dog ever bit anyone? is he/she agressive? i have young cousins and my dog is particularly agressive towards them, he will follow them around and bite their shoes and pants. a co-worker of mine has a female chi and has the same problem, he boyfriend has a 2 year old daughter and her dog is always trying to bite her. i would see how your dog is around other children before i would bring her around an infant.