i have a 1 year old chihuahua who is really possessive. there are times when i can't go anywhere near my mom if hes around because he will go crazy growling and barking at me. the same happens when he's eating or playing with a toy. is there anything i can do to stop this behavior?
2007-03-21 12:24:55 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have 8 Chihuahuas and I can tell you that this a negative behavior that needs to be stopped before someone gets bit very badly.
No one in the house visiting or otherwise should encourage this behavior. It is not funny and causes stress to the dog- he is trying to do his job of protection. So if people are encouraging this to happen it needs to be stopped NOW!
Next everyone that lives in the house needs to work together to help teach him that its ok for you all to be around your Mom. She has to ignore, NOT ACCEPT, his bad behavior.
You need to occupy the same space as him and in between her and him is best. He will try to bite you when you move him so be prepared to keep yourself from getting bit. Don't say anything to him- just move him over and get beside her. He will try to quickly gain the upperhand- across the back of the sofa or pillows, climbing over you, etc. Move him promptly without a word from anyone. These sessions should only be about hour long or less.
After some consistent work on everyone's part he will adjust comfortably to the readjusting of the pack (your family) and see that he is an equal to you all and that Mom is the pack leader.
I never encourage my Chis to guard me or allow anyone to taunt them into aggression. I once rescued a Chi that was abused and he was loyal only to me. I seen this negative behavior first hand when he bit my young neice just for hugging me. I worked long hours with him to teach him that everyone was not a threat. He was still cautious of men but he learned to accept people getting around me.
Please help end this behavior now while he is young and before anyone visiting or the dog gets hurt.
2007-03-21 17:29:27 · answer #1 · answered by dazedreamr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for asking about this. So many people who have small dogs think this behavior is "cute" or "funny" - but they'd never tolerate it in a larger dog!
Your dog is a resource guarder. Sadly, as you've seen, this problem doesn't just go away - it tends to get worse. The best thing to do for yourself and the dog is to hire a trainer to help you:
http://www.iaabc.org/
http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx
Having a pair of expert eyes to watch your dog, and help you to solve the problem, will be the best thing. In the meantime, when your dog does the barking/snarling routine, you need to figure out if you can wait it out, or if it's better to leave the room. Don't try to punish the dog for doing this - that will certainly make things worse, too.
You may want to pick up all of his toys so that he can't continue to practice this (and get better at it....) Here are some books for you - good luck!
2007-03-21 15:16:18 · answer #2 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a dominant/aggressive little guy. Getting him "fixed" might chill him out a little. My suggestion would be to crate him when he acts up and make him earn his time with you. Meaning if he acts like a jerk he is temporarily "kicked out" of the pack. He is welcome back when he behaves properly.
2007-03-21 12:36:02 · answer #3 · answered by BlondieCAMN 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe there is something bothering your chihuahua. If you can, take him to a vet or an animal clinic to see whats wrong. Or maybe there's something he doesn't like about you, not that you are a bad person. Eather way, I think you should ask your vet to see whats up.
2007-03-21 12:31:07 · answer #4 · answered by natgar777 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get yourself a Rottweiler and train it to be as loyal to you as the chihuahua is to your mum.
Then see if the little critter will go at you again.
2007-03-21 12:33:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You Must see The Dog Whisperer... Cesar Milan.. He has done a few episodes on that exact Topic...
**You will find that your dog does that,, because you expect that he will.
2007-03-21 12:56:47 · answer #6 · answered by sivik0007 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
squirt him with a water gun when he is mean or bad thats what i did and it works it wont work the first time but let him get used to it good luck :-}
2007-03-21 12:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by Ash 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you better run cause he's gonna tear them ankles up!!!!
2007-03-21 12:47:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
patience consistancy and reciprocation
2007-03-21 12:27:59 · answer #9 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a squirt gun and shoot him.
2007-03-21 12:28:05 · answer #10 · answered by kny390 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋