should I get rid of my Chihuahua?

Question

I am beyond heart-torn here. I have a year and a half old Chihuahua, he is insanly aggressive. He barks and nearly attacks anyone he doesn't know. Last week he got out the front door and went crazy on a 5 year old neighborhood child. Thank god he didn't bite the skin, just his baggy pants. He seems to be getting worse, he now won't let me cut his nails. Everything is turning to him biting. I have a 5 year old and a 7 year old, and I take care of a 6 month old 45 hours a week. I feel like it's just a matter of time before he bites someone seriously. (he has bitten my dad and Drawn blood). My husband is adoment on not having a pet that we have to put away or keep muzzled. I am very torn, I don't know what to do with him. I know the humane society will kill him, and the thought of my giving im away and him eventually biting someone bothers me. He goes into a "red zone" when anyone even walks by the house, he has a one track mind and it's to attack. please, some nice advice?

I have called about obedience classes but they sort of shyed away when I told them his temperment, because noone from the obedience class would be able to touch him.

For all these answers, there are some questions: Is my dog fixed: YES, I had him fixed right at the age of 6 months.
Has had training in the past professionally? NO
and I guess that's my fault.
When did I get him? At 6 weeks of age from the breeder. He's never been abused, we take him for walks daily, and for the most part when noone is at our house he is the PERFECT dog! Just neighbors, guests really anyone else on the planet he becomes so fixated on them. Actually recently he bit me (no blood) when I picked him up to remove him from the situation of him going nuts on a neighbor who came to introduce himself. (we are fairly new in our neighborhood). He was like this in our other house too, so I don't think it's the move. I only want decent honest answers. I am not an animal killer, i'm not irresponsble, I'm sorry this is happening, I just want some advice.

Answer 1

I know how you feel. My 3 yr old Chi was the same way when I got him a year ago. I did alot of research and found that Chi's are very protective and will become the king of the home if you let them. I began taking him to a dog park twice a week. Having him socialize and interact has helped him very much. He still barks when someone walks in front of our yard but when I have him on a leash he seems to not mind. When friends come over I have them give him a few treats so he can slowly realize that not all people are bad. It's been a long road and not an easy one and still have to be careful with him but as an animal lover patience is key. Watching him run up to me and jump on his hind legs when I come home is priceless.

Remember let you Chi know you are the alpha dog not him.

Try Chihuahua books at library......good luck!!

Answer 2

I'd advise you need a proper pet behaviourist (as opposed to a trainer) who can come to your home, watch how the dog behaves and see what they can do. He is quite young so there is hope you can train him out of this.

http://www.apbc.org.uk/ is the regulating authority in the UK, I'm not sure what the equivalent US body is but http://www.webtrail.com/petbehavior/guide.html has some information. A good vet surgery should be able to put you in touch with someone. Make sure you look at their qualifications.

It's impossible to tell without watching him, but perhaps he thinks he's the one in charge around the place. This means the burden of protecting the pack falls on him, and he's coping with it in an aggressive way. Also, why should he let your cut his nails if you're not in charge? I've seen a few dogs like that. You can help those cases mostly by treating them like a normal dog - not letting him sleep in your bed, feeding him after the family meal, teaching him sit, stay etc. and generally letting them know that you're in charge (without being confrontational or aggressive). Most dogs find being "in charge" of a pack pretty stressful, and are much happier and relaxed when they think you've got it covered.

The other major possibility is fear aggression ("get them before they get you"). Did he meet enough strangers when he was a puppy to get used to them? Did anything bad happen to him? Poorly socialised dogs often don't know what to do when they meet someone new. They're afraid and sometimes react aggressively - and the scary new person goes away, so they learn that the aggression works and the whole thing escalates.

I really would recommend a good behaviorist. Especially since he's now attacked a child, it may be your last chance to "cure" him. They'll probably suggest a lot of changes in management and a program of getting him used to strangers gradually and calmly.
I hope this helps and good luck, let us know how you get on.

Answer 3

Forget the obedience classes if they cannot specifically work with an aggressive dog. Look for a canine behaviorist instead. You want one that will come to your house and work with your dog, you, and your family one-on-one. You need to be VERY honest and let the trainer see exactly what goes on in your day-to-day life so that he can give you the best advice and training for this dog. You are right that he is going to bite someone if this doesn't get under control. The behaviorist will cost more than regular obedience classes but it is better than your dog biting someone or being put to sleep. For finding one, ask trainers, vets, or look online in your area (put in your state or country and canine behaviorist, professional dog trainer, and others to that effect). To select one, ask if they can deal specifically with an aggressive chihuahua. Don't be afraid to ask for references. Ask what kind of training he does. It probably won't be 100% positive training (the dog NEEDS a correction) but don't allow anything that would actually hurt him. Price needs to be your last concern but obviously it will have to be in your price range. Good luck with this guy.

Oh, if he is still intact, get him neutered. That can help settle him a little although it will not fix his behavior issues.

Answer 4

Please don't. Chihuahuas and other smaller dogs have more of a tendency to have what me and my family call small person syndrome it usually starts when they are puppies because we all are so over protective with them because they are so small so they don't get proper socialization. The first thing I would suggest would would be to start socializing him. I would start with bringing him out with a muzzle let people touch him but you have to remember to stay calm he feeds off of your energy if he notices that you are nervous he will feel nervous and go in to defense mode kind more like ignore him if your walking him use a choke collar make sure you keep it just behind his head when he acts up be calm give him a good tug and release tell him no in a deep tone not yelling cause then he will feel your tense energy right now he feels like he is protecting you and this is why he is this way. show him that you are the dominate one not him.I hope everything goes well please let me know I know my Chihuahua was my best friend I lost him last June we had a wonderful 21 years together

Answer 5

While getting your dog neutered is an excellent idea if he hasn't been already, I don't think it will necessarily solve your immediate problem.

Obedience class is not going to be the best setting for him. I'd recommend finding a non-violent behaviorist who will work one on one with you. I also like Jan Fenell's book, The Dog Listener (make sure it includes the practical guide if you go out and buy it) for establishing yourself as alpha of your pack. I know from experience that fixing the hierarchy of your household can chill a dog out in a hurry.

Please don't watch Cesar Milan and think that you can do "alpha rolls" with your dog. A lot of his practices are really not safe and there is even a warning at the beginning that you should not try these things yourself, although people seem to ignore that. National Geographic shows these things because of their entertainment value, not because it's going to help people with their dogs.

If you are not willing or are simply unable (I have a husband too, I understand) to try to solve your dogs problem please don't take him to *any* shelter and say that he bit someone. It's a death sentence and it would be kinder just to take the dog to your own vet and have it put to sleep, in my opinion. Shelters are terrifying places for dogs and shelters can't knowingly adopt out aggressive dogs because of the possibility of law suits.

ETA:If you can find a rescue they may be able to take the dog in if they have a foster home willing and experienced in rehabilitating aggressive dogs, but I really think you can turn things around fairly quickly with the right help.

Answer 6

Get the puppy neutered then get a stomach band, and begin fundamental coaching. Sit keep come, you move via the door first, she sits till you unlock him to devour his dinner. Get a crate and a leash. Hook the leash for your belt and watch the puppy whilst ever he's with you, if no longer hook to you the puppy is within the crate. Walk two times an afternoon for no less than half-hour. You have a dominate puppy, and also you have got to exhibit him that you're the boss, it doesn't matter what he thinks. This is without doubt one of the causes such a lot of chihuahua's come to be in shelters and rescues, folks believe they're cuddly little handbag puppies, whilst quite they're what I name "three lb pit bulls" which quite is not reasonable due to the fact so much pits are understand are greater behaved then the chi's I understand. Chihuahuas may also be best puppies, however they want powerful house owners, and to be dealt with as puppies. Check with the neighborhood human society to peer if they have got loose or affordable categories. It's no longer your puppies fault it is your fault for no longer coaching safely.

Answer 7

wow, I have a pair. The female is that age. She loves everyone. The male is a year(dec), likes only me but does not bite, just hides, by me. I think the dog is simply protecting his territory. I'm a groomer so my boy does not get away with not letting me cut his nails. Well I won't go on and on. It doesn't really matter why he bites. I hate to agree with you but i must agree. He needs to be put down. I had a mini pincher like that a few years ago. She bit me too. Maybe this story will help, its true. Long ago when i was younger my husband got me a cacapoo. He was 4 weeks and fit in my hand. Both girls were in school so he was my new baby. Well he bonded to me hard. He actually would bite a 2000 pound steer in the nose when it came close for a scratching. Well he bit everyone, my girls, my friends kids, hated kids. never bit adult women. growled and snarled at my husband. Well i got preg. He was 10 and my youngest was walking. til then i'd kept them apart. He bit her in the face, near her eye. She walked up to him as he sat on his chair. 10 days later I had to put him down. take care.

Answer 8

I understand what a difficult decision this must be for you.

I think the most important thing to remember, however, is that as a parent and a caregiver, you wouldn't want anything in your home that would potentially injure or harm your children. Imagine if an aggressive, stray dog got into your home... would you let him stay?

I don't think that you should take the dog to the Humane Society, but what about selling him? Put an ad in the paper and hang a flyer at any local pet stores. I would be very up-front about your dog's behavior, with a message such as:

"My name is Fido and I need a home! I'm a bit of a challenge (and full of spirit) so please call my owners if you'd like to teach me how to be a good pet!"

Something like that will alert potential buyers to what they're getting in to without making your dog out to sound viscious. If that option isn't successful, research other pet shelters. These days, many have a no-kill policy and you can be guaranteed that your dog won't be put down.

I hope that you make the right decision that keeps your home safe for your children and any others. Just because this dog isn't a good choice for your family doesn't mean that NO dog will make a good pet. Keep looking and maybe you'll find exactly the right pooch that loves you unconditionally.. and the children too!

Best of luck!

Answer 9

Where did you get the dog? A reputable breeder will help with any problem you have or if he was adopted through a rescue group, they will almost always help with temperament problems. My first suggestion would be to contact them. If you bought the dog from a Backyard breeder or pet store, then you are out of luck in this avenue.

Contact multiple trainers. There is one out there that will help you. Search www.apdt.com for professional trainers in your area. A trainer will not only help your dog, but will teach you how to behave to have a better dog.

And you are right, if you take this dog to a shelter, he will more than likely be put down. Most rescues won't take dogs with temperament problems, because they are a liability. Really, you need to do your best to get this dog in for some training.

Answer 10

You need to become the dominant dog. Basically, if you were a dominant dog, you would retaliate harsher than anything he would do. If he bites, you bite back harder (in a literal sense, of course). It may be considered mean, but if he goes to growl or attack, jerk that leash (or his collar) hard so he flies back. You can also wap him on the nose. Once he realizes that he is only going to get hurt if he tries to bite, he will quit. Once he comes up and wags his tail instead of being aggressive- praise him like he just saved someones life.

Start with just your family doing these methods. When you are clipping his nails, have someone hold down his body and his head- so he can not bite. If he tries to squirm or bite, use a mean voice (like your kid just painted your living room walls with fingerpaints) and stare him in the eye. If you are dominant, he will look away. If he way above you on the totem pole, he will attack (toss him away if he lunges towards you).

Keep all people away from him for now. Once you become alpha in your own house, then you can start introducing people. A simple low pitched word should be enough to get him to quit (if you are dominant). Only allow other people who know how to be dominant (or will treat him with the same methods if he attacks) until he gets over his aggression with everyone else.

Please do not get rid of him- his aggression stems from a lack of discipline (I am just saying you may not know any better, not blaming you). Rarely do animals have a chemical imbalance that makes them bad- usually in those cases it is from birth- your sounds like it is just escalating.

As much as I hate following the trends, your best bet would be to watch a couple episodes of the dog whisperer on animal planet and pick up some tips. He has the basic dominance structure everyone should follow with every animal (for safety)... You can still be dominant and be best friends.