Is my dog stupid?

Question

My little Chiwawa seems to bite people when it gets exicted. She also tries to bite people when they praise her. She doesn't know how to sit when we tell her to. We would tie her up in the backyard and everytime we come near she would try to jump on us luckly the rope is holding her back. She is like 3 Months I think. I know that she craves attention but she takes it too far and no one likes to play with her. Help me

Answer 1

first of all, its "chiHUAHUA", second of all she isn't stupid, just excuted and crazy.

Answer 2

Puppies play-bite...especially when they're excited. By tying her up in the yard alone, you are creating a dog that is overwhelmingly excited for even a slight bit of attention, so she gets out-of-control when you come around.

When she jumps up or bites, say "No" and turn your head away from her and ignore her. That's dog-speak for "I don't like that behavior and won't pay attention to you until you calm down". Then, once she calms down, gently and calmly pet her and play with her.
If she's play-biting during play, say "No!" firmly, and then give her something she CAN bite, like a toy.

Don't forget to award GOOD behavior....and treats will help her get the idea faster :) .,..but go easy on them.

Also, remember that she is TINY and you are a big GIANT to her, so the smaller you can get (sitting on the floor with her) when interacting with her the better. She's also just a baby...you wouldn't expect a human toddler to understand you and obey you? They have years of learning ahead of them to make them "civilized"....same thing with puppies, only it's just months, not years ...usually.

Try taking her to a puppy class. It's good for her socialization with people AND other dogs, gets you both out of your environment, teaches her manners, and helps the two of you bond together. The Humane Society usually has them, so does Petsmart, etc... You can also get more specific advice there from the trainer.
Dogs need a lot of attention. Puppies especially need TONS of guidance and patience. We foster rescued dogs and whenever we get a puppy, I'm reminded of how much work they are and the patience they require!

You are doing good by asking for advice. Be careful whose advice you take. You should never physically harm a dog to teach it something...it's cruel, and it just plain doesn't get the results you desire anyway.

You should also get her spayed around 6 months. It helps to eliminates some hormonal behavior, and keeps her healthier.

If you can't take it anymore, and/or just don't have the time, patience, or energy, please consider giving her up for adoption. Chihuahuas are a popular dog and you could probably find her a good home fairly easily. Maybe adopting an older dog is more what you need. Or, get a cat instead...they don't require quite the amount of attention as a puppy.
A small dog (or any dog, really) should never be tied-out in the backyard....rope injury, animal attacks, cruel neighborhood children, etc.... Very dangerous physically and abusive mentally.

Check-out the links below for more info on training/raising puppies...there is a whole section on puppies biting and step-by-step how to stop it. Here's part of the article:

"If you watch a litter of puppies playing, you will notice that they spend much of their time biting and grabbing each other with their mouths. This is normal puppy behavior. When you take a puppy from the litter and into your home, the puppy will play bite and mouth you. This is normal behavior, but needs to be modified so you and the puppy will be happy."

Watch some "Dog Whisperer" shows, read some books about dogs and their behavior. Both should help you understand your dog better.

Answer 3

Sounds like you guys are not doing the best job at giving your dog rules and boundries. I would hope that rather than blame the dog, you will take a look at how you and your family treat the dog. Are you all on the same page regarding correcting unwanted behavior. I would guess that since you are tying up a three month old small dog in your backyard that you are not the greatest of dog owners and truly do not know much about them. It is only a matter of time before your dog suffers an injury from the rope that she is tied to. So the question of the stupidity of the dog really needs to be redirected to those raising the dog.

Answer 4

There is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner. You need to get your dog into obedience training immediately, learn how to be pack leader (because you aren't), and get your dog off of the rope in the back yard. Your dog is FRUSTRATED, frustrated at being tied in the back yard, getting no interaction, no socialization and no training from you. When dogs are frustrated they either bark or become aggressive, which is what your dog is going to become if you don't seek help immediately.

Dogs are pack animals, they need to be with their pack and that means you, not tied up alone.

Dogs dont' "automatically" know how to "sit" on command, it takes time, patience and a lot of work. If you don't want your dog ending up in the humane society or euthanized then you need to get the dog trained properly. If your dog bites someone you won't have any choice in the matter, they will take the dog away from you.

No, your dog is not stupid, she's not trained.

I also suggest you watch "It's Me or The Dog" on Animal Planet. Trainer Victoria Stillwell deals with a lot of small dogs with agression problems.

Answer 5

Biting is a play behaviour. Watch a litter of puppies play, and you will see that they bite each other all the time. It's normal for them.

What you need to do is teach your dog that biting people hurts them. The way you do that is the same way puppies teach each other what hurts - yelp. When she bites, make a yelping noise or say "OW!" loudly. She will then realize that she hurt you.

She'll probably try biting again, but softer. Repeat the yelping until she stops.

But remember that dogs are social animals. They need to be around other people or dogs. When you tie her up and keep her away from people, she gets excited when she's allowed to play again.

Answer 6

you need to go to puppy training school ASAP.

You're in a dominance battle with your dog and you don't even know it...she think she's the boss.

stop tying your dog up int he backyard, how would you like it?

teach your dog to sit....get a treat...quiet house and hold it near her nose so she can smell it and slowly move it back up and over her head...as her nose follows it, it will make her sit naturally....and give her the treat (small treat okay)

After about 20 sucessful times...as her but hits the ground introduce the word SIT...small treat.

Now alternate giving the treat or not...maybe 70% of the time she gets the reward.

after about 500 times she'll know that SIT means to put the but on the ground and sit...it will become second nature.

Slowly lower the percentage of the time she gets the treat.

See - you can train then naturally and reinforce the behavior you want.

Now about the biting....if she bites you, gently roll her on her back and hold her there, don't be mean, don't choke her, don't be energetic or excited, just matter of fact, don't event speak...sooner or later she will calm down naturally and give up...that means you've won...you're the boss....

alternatively, when she bites, cup her nose and say NO BITE...and count to 10, then let go...after aobut 1,000 times and 6-9 months, she'll get it :)

Lead by example, and reinforce the behaviour you want, don't be mean and scream and yell, and don't use the dogs name when correcting her...associate her name onlhy with positive things (so she'll come to you when you call!).

Answer 7

When she tries to jump up on people there are two methods.

The first is for you (and others) to turn your back on her when she jumps up and refuse to pay her any attention until she sits.
The second method is when she jumps up grab her paw and squeeze....it hurts. Then try to get her to jump up again on you and repeat the squeeze until she refuses to jump up.

A trainer tried the second method on my dog. The problem was that my dog was too smart and just made a game of pulling her paw away before he could grab it.

My golden retriever is now a year and a half and still gets over-excited to see people. The turning their backs method works to an extent on her.

Answer 8

Hey, you are one of those people who buys a dog and automatically expects them to know what you want, know how to act, and know exactly when you don't feel like paying any attention to them.. Too bad you didn't buy one of those dogs that know how to act, know what you want, and know exactly when to stay out of your way.. Oh wait,, there aren't any that come that way..

Spend time with the poor dog, she is dying for attention and you aren't giving it to her.. Train her, teach her something.. Don't leave her tied up in the back yard til you feel like maybe doing something with her, then get frustrated cause she is sooo starved for attention that she is spun out and can't even listen to you... Exercise and training.. Take a class and actually do something with her... Geeeessss...

Answer 9

Dogs aren't born speaking english. If you haven't taught her to sit, then she's not going to sit when you tell her.

Chaining a dog, especially one so young, leads to problems. She wants to be where you are. Bring her inside, give her attention and take her to puppy class, or consider giving her to a rescue if you can't devote the time to her and don't like playing with her.

Answer 10

Okay, first of all, the dog belongs in the house with his pack (you). Then, you need to take him to obedience training to that YOU will learn how to train your dog. Do not leave him outside on a rope, no wonder he is trying to bite you, I would too.

Answer 11

A dog is as stupid as her owner. Get "Puppies fo Dummies" no offense, but it is an excellent tool.