Why is my 5.5 month old puppy suddenly aggresive?

Question

I have a 5.5 month old female Chihuahua, I've had her since she was 8 weeks old. When she was younger I could take anything bad she picked up out of her mouth without a problem. Now, since about 1.5 mths ago when she has something that I need to take out of her mouth she snarls aggresively, growls, and snaps. She even broken the skin and drew blood of my fiance and I. But after we get the dangerous thing from her she is back to normal and happy. She hasn't always done this though. Why is she doing this now, and how can I train her not to snap and bite when we are trying to help her? (She picks up things she shouldn't that she could choke on...) I've tried "calming" her, and reassuring her, petting her, etc, but she growls through all of it. Help, I don't want her to be a snappy dog! I'm confusing about this since she just started this for no reason. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Answer 1

She has hit "teenager".
At almost 6 months old, she is more confident and testing boundaries.
You have to be firm, patient and consistent with her.
Set rules and make her follow them.
This is not the time for "calming" and "re-assurance". This is the time to teach her that you are boss and you will be obeyed.

I highly recommend obedience training. Even little dogs need to be taught how to behave. Classes, a trainer, or even a good book teaches you how to train without making her problems worse.

EDIT
Slapping the dog will make the problem worse. Trust me.

Answer 2

Chihuahuas are little, but they can be aggressive. A mistake many chihuahua owners make is not enforcing obedience. They feel bad disciplining the dog because it is so tiny! But everybody will be better off if you teach her that you are the pack leader, and she is not.
I recommend entering her in obedience class. This will teach you how to teach her.
Meanwhile, if she doesn't respond to reassurance when you need her to mind, you will have to be stronger. Say "NO!" in a strong voice. Make sure she understands you are giving a command. Don't allow her to growl or snap at you. Be firm and decisive about this. Don't argue with her, you're the boss. She feels instinctively that somebody has to be the boss, and if it is not you, she has to do it. If you need to, put her on a leash to get control of her.
As soon as she does what you want her to, (however reluctantly) say "good dog." She needs to know when she has done the right thing.
To remove something from her mouth without getting bitten, place the your hand over her snout, with thumb on one side and finger on the other. With your thumb and finger, press the "cheek" skin inward into her mouth. She will have to open her mouth to keep from biting herself. With your other hand, remove the object from her mouth. Immediately say "good dog" so that she will know that this was what you wanted. Act happy now. (This is similar to the technique for giving pills, but you put the pill in instead of taking it out.)

Answer 3

Probably teething and going through a protective stage. You are right to worry about future habits, so this is what my aunt did with her Chihuahua and it may work for you:

Get some chicken, not fried, but grilled is alright. Make sure it is warm, to enhance the smell, but not hot (Cold also works, but warm seems more efective). Go to her when she is protective, and when she slarls hold out a piece of chicken. Her interest should switch over. Do not give it to her with you fingers, let it be in the middle of your palm so tat her chin is over it to eat it. Grab the toy (or whatever) when she is munching. When she is doneshow her the item and pet her. Use kind words. You can also say something like "drop" or "not yours" durring this, so that she gets used to the idea of switching the item for food. Gradually work it so that the item has to be in your hand before she gets the treat. It may take time, and it is possible it will not work for her, but it worked on my aunt's dog, and it may work for yours.
Please only use chicken. Other meats contain unwanted fats and oils that you puppy doesn't need. Chicken is good for your dog and is even avaliable pre-cooked and in strips at grocery stores.

Hope your puppy gets better!

Answer 4

As I write this, my rescued Chihuahua is sitting in my lap.

Clearly, she's feeling threatened when she has something that you need to take. Chis can get snappy, so you need to work with her. First of all, DON'T over-correct or punish her, you'll just make her feel more threatened. Don't nag or yell at her. And, don't yank the object out of her mouth, you can injure her.

Start playing a game with her where you give her something, like a toy, that she will take but isn't crazy about. Then, trade it for another toy she really likes or a food treat (tiny, we don't want her to get fat!). When you take the object out of her mouth, say "Give" or something similar. Repeat this until it is just another game, and she doesn't feel defensive about giving things up.

You can also do this with wadded-up clean tissues or paper towels -- "Give" and trade for something better. Do these games every day, every time you play with her.

This teaches her to be comfortable and compliant when you need her to give up something she has.

Also, she's old enough to start an obedience class. Find a trainer who owns and adores tiny dogs -- it really makes a difference! Ask your veterinarian for a reference, as well as the owners of other tiny dogs. Then go, and practice a lot. It can be a great experience for both of you , and really help you two to bond even closer.

If these suggestions don't help, or you feel like you need more personal assistance, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a Companion Animal Behavior Consultant. That's an expert in pet behavior who can help you further.

Enjoy your tiny buddy -- they've got lots of personality in a tiny package!

Answer 5

I have had lots of chihuahua's and someone has taking something from her not nicely and she is now saying no more.

so be firm and say no when she growls and I have a firm hand and can laid the dog on her side with my hands holding it down until it calms down showing I am the top dog. But hitting chihuahua's is not going to help I have had all breeds and they are the ones that do not deal well with that kind of top dog stuff. keep doing what you do and be a firm mama not keep spoiling her LOL I spoil mine too but they know when dad has said no it is no they won't listen to mom but I count to 1 and they come running even after mom has called them lots of times LOL good luck and try to figure out what happen cause something has. and remind her NO bite mom !

Answer 6

Reassuring her is the wrong thing to do. All that does is reinforce her bad behaviour. She is not a child.

She is trying to take over the alpha dog position and is succeeding. You need to take back your life and world. Find a good dog trainer, take the pup to class, try obedience, and watch The Dog Whisperer.

This is typical Chihuahua behaviour. It is solvable but you must be consistant. And you have to stop seeing the dog as a "baby". She needs to be treated like any other dog.

Answer 7

That is what is known as "possesion aggression" it stems from the dog not being trained in that area. Its ok, I know its easy to overlook especially with a small dog because they seem so harmless and cute. What you need to do is take it from her not by force but by guile and authority, dont ask dont try dont talk to her nicely and try to comfort her. You need to convince her you are serious when you tell her to Drop it! or Leave it! Here is an article that should help you on your way to solving this problem!! http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/Articles/Stan_object%20guarding.htm

Good Luck!

Answer 8

You should scold her and pop her on the nose as soon as she starts to growl. If she learns that you are afraid of her, she will take over your life. It will all start to revolve around her, like "Oh just let her have that, she might try to bit you if you take it away."

It might sound impossible now, but it can and probably will happen. At a young age like this, it is crucial that she learns disipline and ohw to have fun in a good and safe way. One you disapline her for growling, she should stop for then, but you have to be consistant. If you let up even once, it's back to square one.

Good luck!

Answer 9

At this age your puppy is technically a "teenager" and will begin to push the boundaries, just l ike children do! with any breed, especially a chihuahua, you have to have a firm upper hand and be dominant over your pet. consult a trainer (your vet may be able to refer you) about what is happening and how to fix it. you must be firm and assertive with your puppy or she will realize that she can get away with anything (e.g. don't let her keep what you try to take away. if she tries to bite you, slap her nose with a firm "NO!". repeat if she tries to snap again until she gives up and realizes that you are dominant).

this will be tough but it is necessary to have a well behaved dog!

Answer 10

dog's behaviour can changes specially when they get older. maybe for the next time u should try something else then juz take the things from it's mouth. use cracker's trick to get it's attention. good luck.